Kyle's First Day Orientation

I am Kyle Olsen, and I am your tour "manager." I organize your days (timings, bookings, etc.). Please make sure you read the info sheets (check out what Kyle does with all his markers up front) that will be put up near the reception at each hotel. It's your duty to find it and read. It always has important information. We might have to change the itinerary slightly, but we won't leave anything out. In fact, we'll probably add some things in!

I will also provide information about some of the countries and cities. I'll also be giving you a bit of extra stuff that I find fascinating about Europe, and I hope you will find them interesting, too.

One thing, when I am on the mic, please don't talk. There is nothing more irritating and disrespectful. You can read or listen to a walkman, as long as it's not too loud or disturbing to others.

We're on our way to Dover, where we will cross the English channel. Our tour driver will be Ali, who we will meet at Calais. The tour driver's job is to drive us from point A to point B. He will be keeping the coach clean, so we would appreciate your help by putting rubbish in the white, plastic bags provided.

Now, this bus has big windows for you to enjoy the view. If you want to rest your head, I suggest you put something between the window and your head. We want clean windows to see through.

In Europe, we have a thing known as "Driver's Hours," which means that they need time to rest and can't drive more than allowed. The bus records information on the bus, so if we get pulled over, officials can find out how fast and how long the driver has been driving.

On top of the bus, you will find a couple controls. One is for the lights. The other adjusts your air. But don't push the service light and expect me to put on an apron and come back with drinks.

It's not our jobs to be up partying with you all night. The tour driver has to drive, and I work on the coach. Please respect that. You guys can sleep all day if you like. We will, of course, have a few drinks with you, maybe even often, but please don't expect either of us to be all-night party animals.

Here are some expectations of Europe. It is different. We are the foreigners. Expect differences in food, culture, standards of cleanliness, service, attitude, and scenery. Take it for what it is. Forget about the beautiful pictures that you see in the brochures. And don't ask me about the weather. I am not a weatherman and I cannot predict the future.

The languages are a bit different. Give it a go. Try it out, and you'll find that they appreciate it.

For those in the States, you are used to it, but tipping is expected... about 10%. Don't fight it. Also, expect to pay to use the toilets.

Guys, this will be the only time I say this, but if you feel that we are doing a good job, you can tip us for good service at the end.

Enjoy the unexpected. Take it for what it is.

This Contiki tour is a great value. The initial price is inexpensive for what you get. You get the best value for your money in the 18 to 35 age group. We will have some optionals. They are a fantastic value and are organized for you. Meals are usually 3 to 4 courses. Wine is included, and of course so is the coach, which is a great way to get together and discuss your day and have fun. Remember that a group that plays together stays together. You've chosen to travel in a group, so make the most of it and the value. Tours of cities are also included, which means you'll get some local guides or me!

For shopping, I will recommend some top quality places recommended for good after sales service and the little extras they do for you as Contiki clients.

Here are some hints for having an easier time out there.

Financials. Expect to budget about 30 pounds, or U.S.$50, or AUD$60 or SAR150 per day. This includes optionals. Remember that it all depends on your personal circumstances. I have no idea how much you're going to spend.

Now you may go out there and find that a cup of coffee is more expensive than you're used to. Just buy it, and enjoy it. Have a good time. A couple years from now, you are not going to remember that money.

Cash advances. For those of you that travel on credit cards, it can be easy in big cities, but expect to get cash advances only about 2 or 3 times on a tour. Don't rely on them solely. For shopping, if you like it to buy it, plastic works wonderfully.

Here are some hints for saving money. Buy what is cheap in that country. For example: gold in Florence, leather in Italy. Service stops can be expensive. So don't buy junk. If you have student cards, you can get a cheaper rate for museums.

Security. Passports. Your passport is very important. A man without a passport is a man without a country. Know where it is and remember the numbers if possible. Your passport is worth tons of money on the market. One time, I lost my passport and when I came back to England, I had a lot of explaining to do because someone had already used my passport to get in. If you do lose your passport, please let me know right away so we can get it replaced.

Traveler cheques, please keep a list of those numbers separate from the checks.

When signing credit cards, check the numbers and make sure they're filled in correctly before you sign. An extra zero can cost you heaps.

For you guys that put wallets in your back pockets, that is a no. We are going to touristy places where there are a lot of pickpockets, thieves, and gypsies. These people make a living off tourists. They make about 14 million a year. They work in teams. These people are very good at what they do. There are also beggars that ask for your money. Sometimes you may get a lot of kids that ask for your money.

Sometimes, the gypsies may even have babies and they want you to feel sorry for them and give them money. Sometimes they'll throw a baby into the air at you and what do you do? I would either duck or get ready to kick it. Those babies are not real. When you reach up and catch the baby, they will take your purse or other belongings. Don't let yourselves be victims. Keep your bags hidden and wallets in your front pockets. Make sure you guys watch out for each other.

Now let me emphasize. This is a hotel tour of Europe, not a tour of European hotels. You haven't paid for a Hilton so you definitely won't get it. But our hotels are basic 3 star tourist hotels. They are somewhere for you to sleep and leave your things while you do what you came here for - to explore the towns and cities. We go by group rates, so sometimes this means our hotels may be outside of the city center.

Now the coach will go to the city at reasonable times. Keep in mind that the driving rules here in Europe are for your safety. The bus is not a taxi. If you prefer to stay in town, get a cab home. They are pretty safe in Europe.

Sometimes hotels overbook. This is beyond our control. If this happens, please bear with us. In 96, Italy had a problem for travelers, but all of us operators are in the same boat.

When we get to the hotel, expect to spend about 10 minutes on the coach. The reception can be slow. While you wait, I will be getting your room numbers and do some of the timings. You get your keys from the reception, and then the fun begins.

In Europe, elevators are either slow or they don't work. My last tour had some coordination and I don't know if you will do this, but they put their luggage in the elevator, and then they walked up.

Room keys... There's only one per room. It's heavy. Don't lose the key. They are expensive to replace. They are different in every hotel. You'll figure it out.

Porters: you haven't paid for them, so you won't get them. Carry your own bags. They can be very expensive if you want them.

Rooms: Once you figure out how the keys work, explore your room. Check for anything broken or missing. If something is wrong, let the reception know at once. It could have been the people in the room before you. If you don't report it, you could be responsible.

Towels can sometimes be the size of dish rags. In Italian hotels, there is an alarm cord and/or button in the bathroom. Don't touch it. They don't usually pay attention to it. One time I pulled on the cord while in the shower and this big guy came in.

Also, some of the hotel rooms (like those in Italy) don't have spare power points. Don't disconnect their TV for your iron or hairdryer. You'll blow the fuses all over the hotel.

For some of you girls, this is okay, but some of you guys, this may be a little different. Germanic countries sometimes have one big bed with two duvets, which means you'll be sleeping together. Get used to it.

Don't leave your keys in your rooms. Always leave them at the reception so your roomie can get in.

The phones in the rooms can be expensive. Use them for collect calls only. I recommend that you find a public phone outside or near the hotel.

The mini bars, if any, are also very expensive.

The reception may have safety boxes. Some of them are free, and some of them will cost you. They sometimes do change money, but expect a bad exchange rate.

There are no laundry facilities in European hotels. And if there are, service washes are exorbitant. I recommend you do laundry on days we spend two or more nights at a hotel because then you can allow your laundry to dry. At Nice, I know this one person that will take care of your laundry and fold them for you. The cost is per kilo.

Remember to always look for where the info sheet is.

The hotel bars can be very expensive. They can afford to be.

For meals, it's very important that you're on time for the group bookings. You will miss out on the courses if you're late.

Breakfast is a continental breakfast. It's European style, which means you'll get rolls and coffee. Please do not take food for lunch.

Lunch is on your own. We find that sometimes you want to choose your own restaurants and meals. Make the most of it.

For dinner, we have no control. Hotels do their best, but it's quite bland. Do I have any vegetarians in here? If you are, that's okay but... Europeans don't understand the concept of vegetarians, so if you can, avoid being one for this tour, otherwise it's omelettes, omelettes, omelettes. For most of us, we will get chicken and pork. Drinks are not included.

Ali and I may sit separately from you. Traditionally, the road crew sits separately and eats in the kitchen with the service. Sometimes they let us out but still keep us separate. Usually we discuss plans and work, but you're always welcome to come and chat. You're never interrupting.

For checking out of the hotel, please clear all your bills the night before. Make sure your bags are to the coach on time. Our tour driver would like to have breakfast, too. Don't leave your bags in the reception. They will walk.

Wakeup calls are your responsibility. Use the hotel wakeups for backup. I will book them for you, but they may come late, if they come at all.

Make sure you hand your keys in. Don't leave them in the rooms. We can't leave until the reception is satisfied, so you may keep your mates waiting.

Hygiene... Carry bottled water with you all the time. It gets hot. It's not the expensive and it's good for you. When we get the chance, make sure you get your fruit and veggies or take your vitamin tablets.

Pace yourselves. Long days and early mornings will catch up with you.

If you have any medical conditions or are a vegetarian, please tell me. It will be confidential, but I need to know in case anything happens so we know what to tell the doctors.

If you are on a diet, it should be for medical or religious reasons only. If you don't like it, give it to someone else. You will gain weight.

Okay now, things that will wreck a tour... gossip. Girls, don't gossip. It can just ruin the tour. Guys, don't give them something to gossip about.

Complaining... If there's a problem, tell me. There's no point in complaining about the weather. There's nothing we can do about it.

If there is a problem or something you just have to tell, tell me about it. I'll listen.

Play by the rules. Remember we are not alone in the hotels and restaurants. Being in a group does not give you a right to behave badly. You'll ruin it for groups coming after you.

Don't permanently borrow things. No souveniring of towels, beersteins, etc.

Don't be an obnoxious drunk. Don't be just plain selfish. We will ask you to leave if we feel you're spoiling the trip for the rest of the group, and we have the right.

Two big rules: no drugs on the coach at all. We're a bus for 18 to 35 year olds and we will get pulled over. No consumption of alcohol on the bus please. The journeys are short. Just wait until we get there.

Here's a typical Contiki day. Expect early starts and long travel days. We will make service stops, mainly for toilets. This is usually for half an hour.

Now, these seats are the best in the bus. You get great views here. No sleeping here. Take turns for the front seats. Rotate your seats on travel days and get to know people.

There is no yelling on the coach. Pass a message or come down if you want the music or air conditioning changed. Remember that there are different tastes, so please be tolerant.

In the city, expect to do lots of walking. Good food is up to you. There will be lots of Kodak moments. Make the most of your time here. You never know when you'll be back.

Punctuality. We will be going by this time (red LCD clock on bus). Please be on time. We have so many days to do so many kilometers. We can't wait for you unless there's a problem. If you are not where you're supposed to be, we'll assume you're having a better time elsewhere and we'll see you at the hotel.

I am passing out your itineraries. Always keep these with you so you will have the name of the hotel and address to show the taxi driver and a phone number to call me or tell me you miss me.

There are many expectations of this trip as there are people on this coach. We do our jobs to the best of our ability but it's up to you to make it work. I can't make you have fun.

Be flexible. Everyone is here for different reasons. Be tolerant of each other.

Be positive and get involved. You've chosen to travel in a group so get to know everyone. You might find your new best friend or the person you want to marry on this coach. I'm still waiting for a marriage on my coach. We'll draw up a list of our addresses, phone numbers, and e-mails toward the end so we can stay in touch.

Take care of each other. Use the buddy system. Always check that your roomie is here or at least know where they care.

Expectations of Europe... Europe has been around for a lot longer than all our countries put together. It is different, not wrong. Here are some differences. Toilets: there are various types. Services: some countries are not as advanced as ours. Food: try the local stuff; that's why you're here. Drinks: these can be expensive. I've seen people spend most of their money here. Tipping is expected for any service provided to you. Culture: take the local customs as they come. Be flexible. Don't expect anything and you'll have fun.

This is going to be your best experience ever! The holiday of a lifetime! Enjoy!