With so many great tours available in the Tour Amigo catalogue, it can be difficult to decide which suits you best. To help point you in the right direction, we have compiled a list of our top picks that give you an initial taste of each continent.
Europe: Contiki’s Quest to London
Contiki’s 18-day Quest to London covers all the big European destinations you want to hit on your first visit to this fascinating continent packed with culture, history, diverse food, cities that know how to party, and incredible nature. Beginning in Barcelona, the itinerary takes you from sunny Spain to Nice on France’s Cote D’Azur, then on to Italy where you visit stunning Cinque Terre, followed by the historic cities of Florence and Rome.
After Rome, take a gondola ride through the canals of Venice before continuing to Salzburg in Austria. From lovely Salzburg it only gets better, as you travel to arguably one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Prague. After Prague, it’s time to party, with Berlin and Amsterdam the final stops on the itinerary before the tour wraps up in London.
Asia: Peregrine’s Indochina Adventure
Since Asia is rather less compact than Europe, the options for hitting multiple countries in one trip are significantly fewer. The Indochina Adventure operated by Peregrine offers a delicious taste of the continent, visiting Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.
Beginning in bustling Bangkok, the tour heads north to mountainous Chiang Rai, then into Laos where the first stop is the ancient capital, Luang Prabang. During the three days in the city, you will have plenty of time to appreciate the Buddhist temples and the rest of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed city. From Luang Prabang, the itinerary continues to incredible Vientiane, then into Cambodia to hit Phnom Penh and Siem Reap – including Angkor Wat.
After Cambodia is Vietnam, where you will soak up lively Ho Chi Minh City then slow down in Hoi An, cruise Ha Long Bay, and dodge motorbikes in the 21-day tour’s final destination, Hanoi.
South America: G Adventures’ Lima to Rio Adventure
This 51-day epic adventure takes you to a huge variety of natural wonders, historic sites and lively cities. Covering Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Uruguay, the itinerary begins in Lima and finishes in Rio de Janeiro.
En route you will hit colonial-era Arequipa and former Incan Empire capital Cusco in Peru; Lake Titicaca, high in the Andes in Bolivia; Argentinian capital Buenos Aires; the thundering falls at Foz do Iguaçu on the border between Argentina and Brazil; spend some lazy days on the idyllic island of Ilha Grande; and finally, dance the night away in Rio – a perfect end to a thrilling adventure.
North America: Contiki’s Grand Southern
Focusing on the United States (sorry, Canada), Contiki’s Grand Southern visits all the major cities, national parks and noteworthy sites between Los Angeles and New York City. After starting in the City of Angels, test your luck in the monstrous casinos of Las Vegas; gaze in awe at the Grand Canyon; and visit Walter White’s home town, Albuquerque. Get a taste of the south with stops in Texas and Florida, including New Orleans and Daytona Beach.
After an educational visit to the Kennedy Space Center, continue through Georgia and South Carolina before reaching the capital, Washington D.C. Following the stately city, the tour finishes in NYC after what is a 26-day extravaganza.
Australia: Adventure Tours’ Outback and Kangaroo Island Adventure ex Yulara (Basix)
With so much to see in Australia and New Zealand, there are many options focused on particular areas. While the major cities, natural wonders and endless coastline are wonderful to visit, there is perhaps nothing so unique to be found in this corner of the world as the outback.
Adventure Tours’ Outback and Kangaroo Island Adventure offers travellers the chance to see some of the most unusual parts of Australia, beginning with Kata Tjuta and Uluru, before moving on to Kings Canyon. From Kings Canyon, visit the underground city of Coober Pedy, then head to Quorn and the tranquil Flinders Rangers.
Finally, visit Adelaide and hop over to Kangaroo Island, before coming back to the South Australian capital where a well-deserved glass of the state’s world-famous wine awaits as you reminisce about your great adventure.
Africa: On the Go’s Kenya to Kruger
33-day Kenya to Kruger offers the opportunity to visit some of the continent’s best-known national parks and reserves, exciting cities, and laid-back beach spots. Starting in Nairobi, the tour spends a few days visiting the Serengeti and Ngorongoro before Pangani then Dar es Salaam. Following the action-packed first week, the itinerary takes you on to pristine Zanzibar, Iringa and African Great Lake, Lake Malawi.
The next stops are in Zambia, visiting Chipata, Luangwa and Livingstone, before continuing on to Botswana where you’ll spot elephants and buffalo in Chobe National Park. After a few days at Victoria Falls, take to the water for the Chobe River Cruise, then on to the town of Maun and the Oakavango River Delta in northern Botswana.
Next is Palapye, before moving on to South Africa and the breath-taking Blyde River Canyon. See the Big 5 – lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants and buffalo, in Kruger National Park, and finish the tour in Johannesburg.
Courtney Gahan is an Aussie serial expat, traveller and freelance writer who has bartered with Moroccan marketeers, seen the sun rise at Angkor Wat and elbowed her way through crowds on NYE in NYC. Currently based in Amsterdam.
