Westhill Consulting Travel Blog

Cape Town - Not all travellers are the same and Contiki knows that.

Some are looking for creature comforts, others just want the bare essentials and Contiki, with their exclusive Backstage Pass, gives travellers the best of both worlds with wonderful inclusions and accommodation to suit your travel style and budget.

Concept and Camping are two styles of travel that appeal to Contiki travellers for a number of reasons.

Concept trips are all about stretching the travel budget to the max with overnights that give you a taste of all the ways to stay in Europe including overnighting in a French Chateau, a traditional sail boat or a chalet.

No two nights will ever be the same and the best bit? You get the amazing Backstage Pass with Contiki's exclusive team, exclusive food, exclusive options and inclusions on top of the exclusive accommodation. That's a lot of exclusives and you'll never share with more than three other people.

Enjoy a special stopover at the Chateau de Cruix in France or gaze out at the Swiss Alps from your chalet at the base of the Jungfrau Mountain. You may even find yourself at the Contiki exclusive Austrian Gasthof in the picturesque town of Hopfgarten. The on-site cooks busy themselves in the kitchens cooking up wonderful home-cooked meals using local produce and give you a taste of the local region and of course you'll also get to enjoy more local fare when you go explore the regions on your own during your ME TIME.

Or travel the original Contiki way with their camping classics with a twist. The Camping option allows travellers to stretch their budget even further but sleeping under the stars in spacious tents complete with air mattresses. A style of travel made for those who live to explore. And don't think it's only tents and shared ablutions - Contiki's Camping trips come loaded with the whole gamut of Backstage Pass experiences such as the exclusive accommodation, team, food, inclusions and options.

The twin-share A-frame tents are designed for three so there's lots of room and they are pitched at some of Europe's best campsites packed with incredible facilities to make your stay. Some have swimming pools, bars, pizzerias, clubs and shops. Everything you need at your fingertips.

Meal times on the Camping trips are truly a thing of beauty. The mobile kitchen churns out hot breakfasts every day and lots of two-course dinners. Contiki gives you enough free time to let explore the local cuisine over lunch.

Regardless of which travel style you choose, all the blockbuster must sees are included in your Contiki tour. For example on the 10 European Horizon concept tour you'll enjoy a private boat ride through the islands of Venice. A traditional Swiss Cheese fondue, a Paris by Night sightseeing tour complete with champagne and escargot and of course the legendary Contiki party nights

During the month of March Contiki is offering up to R1 500 off all Concept and Camping Tours plus an additional 7.5 percent off for the early payment discount. The 18-day European Whirl Concept tour takes in 9 countries over 18 days. It is priced from R23 635 per person sharing but with the March discounts you take off R1500 plus the 7.5% discount and pay only R20 749. A saving of nearly R2 900!

Choose a Camping trip and you'll also take advantage of wonderful savings. The Expedition takes in 10 countries over 21 days and is priced from R21 045 per person sharing. With your March savings R1500 and early payment discount you take just over R2 700 paying only R1 8328.

For more information, visit contiki.com, call (011) 280 8400, follow them on Facebook and join the conversation on Twitter with the #NOREGRETS hashtag.

Traveling with young kids can be exhausting, stressful and, let's face it, not always fun for the parent. Instead of cultural treats, daytime activities typically involve excursions to the zoo, children's museums, nearby amusement parks or a trip to the nearest outdoor playground. And traveling light? Forget about it. Even if you are lucky enough to have ditched the diaper bag, chances are there are still sippy cups, snacks, extra clothes and strollers to contend with.

But not all kiddie-related travel is doom and gloom. If you are fortunate enough to be traveling with a kindergartner, you may be surprised by what kind of trip you can actually experience. Sight-seeing trips and historical-themed adventures are within your grasp if you travel prepared.

Here are the key lessons learned from a recent trip to Paris and London with my 6-year-old:

1. Get Some Wheels - the Razor Kind

Six-year-olds are a pretty independent bunch. They crave to be treated like big kids and that typically means no strollers. But the reality is your mini me only has little legs, and those legs will get tired after a mile or so of walking. So if you have a lot of ground that you want to cover, and more importantly you want to avoid having to carry 50 lbs. in your arms, you may want to invest in a Razor kick scooter and carry bag. For $30 (or in my case £19.99), this gift is one that will keep on giving. On his first day in Paris, my son easily handled a three-mile scoot from our hotel to Notre Dame, followed by yet more scooting to dinner and between Metro stations afterward. Best of all, he is still enjoying the scooter back at home.

2. Build in Play Time

If you are planning to do a lot of walking and/or sightseeing, make sure you build in some play time to break up the day and allow your child to let off some steam. Online satellite map tools are an easy way to identify playgrounds close to your chosen point of interest. For instance, there is an amazing ecological playground just down the road from the London Eye (you can actually see it from inside the Ferris wheel) and, in Paris, you can find play areas along the river Seine and even next to attractions like Notre Dame.

3. Factor in Refueling Pit Stops

It may cost a little extra, but instead of stuffing a packet of Pepperidge Farms goldfish into your handbag, why not try and soak up some local culinary treats for snack time. Not only is it a cultural experience in and of itself, but it will give your child some extra energy so that they can keep on seeing the sights. The many street cafés of Paris are perfect for hot chocolate pit stops (not to mention a welcome refuge from the chilly winter air), and the local boulangeries offer treats galore. Also consider traditional local cuisines for your other meals. Your child may be a picky eater back home, but you may be surprised by a willingness to be more adventurous when traveling.

4. Research Ahead of Time

Sure, every 6-year-old is going to enjoy an elevator ride up the Eiffel Tower. But what about Tower Bridge in London? Did you know that, while the Tower Bridge does a great job of including kids through passport books and sticker stations, it does not provide the necessary foot stools needed for your child to see out of the walkway windows? This can make it a little boring for younger visitors and, reciprocally, means you may have limited time to read the exhibits along the way. (However, it has to be said that the interactive science displays in the Engine Room are great.)

Ultimately, it is important to do your research. Find out about the attraction before you buy your ticket. It may be that your child will have more fun playing chase in the Tuileries gardens bordering Le Louvre than walking through the art galleries themselves.

5. Use Multiple Forms of Transportation

Just like the refueling pit stops, how you get somewhere can be just as unique an experience as the attraction itself. Catch a train, take a bus, ride a cable car, or even climb aboard a boat. My own two-day trip to Paris included taking the London Underground, the Eurostar, as well as countless Metro trains, and even the Batobus -- much to my 6-year-old's delight.

6. Create a Big Moment

Build up anticipation before your visit. Find out what attractions most interest your child and talk about them before you even catch your plane. And, if there is another attraction you want to see, schedule that visit first. It will encourage good behavior in the lead-up to the main event.

Happy Travels!

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