Contiki’s Ten Best Travel Destinations for 2013

Started by a Kiwi in 1961, Contiki has been transporting young travellers (18-35 year olds) across the globe for over 50 years, offering a range of budget travel options, right through to 'superior' product offerings throughout most of the globe's continents.

So if you are in need of some travel inspiration, check out Contiki's Top Ten holiday destinations for 2013:

1. New Zealand

Film tourism to New Zealand has seen a real boom over the last few years and Tourism New Zealand says 47,000 international visitors have visited a film location in New Zealand each year since 2004. 2013 will be no different and film fans can visit The Hobbiton Movie Set and farm tour in Matamata and a Lord of the Rings tour in Wellington or Queenstown, all available on Contiki’s Big Tiki adventure.

Contiki’s 19-day The Big Tiki costs from $3115 per person, land only, and visits both the North and South Islands.

2. Thailand  Island Hopping

Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and the starting point of Contiki’s Thai Island Hopper West. Enjoy the buzz of Phuket before travelling onto the paradise island of Koh Phi Phi with its white sand beaches and Krabi and its amazing scenery and clear blue waters.

Contiki’s 9-day Thai Island Hopper West costs from $1012 per person, land only and takes in Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Krabi.

3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro will be hosting both the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016 making it set to become one of the busiest destinations for years to come. Get there in 2013 ahead of all the crowds and partake in what truly makes this city famous, the Rio Carnival. Contiki will show you the white sand beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, the iconic Christ the Redeemer on Sugarloaf Mountain and of course the endless parties and parades of Carnival.

Contiki’s 6-day Rio Carnival is from 10th February and costs from $3255 per person land only.

4. The Galapagos Islands

David Attenborough has always been an inspiration to get out and discover the World’s more exotic destinations and his amazing ‘Galapagos 3D’ is no exception. Get under the skin of the Galapagos Islands with Contiki’s Galapagos & Ecuador, scale volcanoes, visit a giant tortoise breeding centre, enjoy a panga boat ride to spot the famous Galapagos penguin, visit the Charles Darwin research centre, snorkel with sea lions and rays or just chill with the Giant Galapagos Tortoise on the beach.

Contiki’s 11-day Galapagos & Ecuador costs from $3240 per person, land only.

5. Egypt

Tutankhamun, the most famous of the Egyptian Kings, has been on show to tourists at his tomb in the Valley of the Kings for some years now. Egyptologists fear this may have contributed to its increased decomposition and as of 2014 his mummy will be replaced with a replica. See the real thing this 2013 with Contiki’s Egypt & the Nile which includes a guided tour through the Valley of the Kings, as well as guided tours of the Egyptian museum and the Pyramids of Giza.

Contiki’s 8-day Egypt & the Nile costs from $1205 per person, land only.

6. San Francisco, USA

2013 marks the 50th anniversary of the closing of the infamous Alcatraz prison. San Francisco has many iconic sites from the stunning Golden Gate bridge, its colourful cable cars and quaint Fisherman’s Wharf, see them all with Contiki’s LA to the Bay.  You’ll not only see San Fran but also travel through Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Grand Canyon National Park, Las Vegas, Yosemite National Park before arriving at San Francisco. What a trip!

Contiki’s 11-day LA to the Bay costs from $2000 per person, land only.

7. Vietnam

This 2013 will mark the 40th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Get under the skin of the country’s incredible culture and complex history with Contiki’s Vietnam Experience. In Ho Chi Minh City see what remains of French colonial rule with visits to the Notre Dame Cathedral and the city’s other iconic sites. Learn of the legacy of the Vietnam War with a visit to the War Remnants Museum and experience the underground Cu Chi tunnels built by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Also, travel up to the pristine beaches of Nha Trang, visit the pretty town of Hoi An, then on to Hue, the former imperial city. From Hue it’s a short flight to Hanoi the capital and then on to Halong Bay for an overnight cruise in a traditional junk boat.

Contiki’s 12-day Vietnam Experience costs from $1807 per person including three internal flights.

8. Brazil & Argentina

On the boarder of both Argentina and Brazil, Iguassu Falls is one the World’s most awe-inspiring waterfalls and was recently named one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. On Contiki’s Brazil & Argentina Experience see the falls from the Argentinian side, by taking a speed boat ride to the falls or take a Zodiac boat ride to San Martin Island for a swim down from the falls. The trip starts in Rio, then travel on to Buzios where you can scuba dive, to Iguassu Falls and then to Buenos Aires for the remaining three days.

Contiki’s 10-day Brazil & Argentina Experience costs from $3475 per person and includes two internal flights and transfers.

9. Australia

Contiki’s numerous itineraries are a great way to not only get to know the vast country but also to meet up with likeminded young people. For a snapshot of the East Coast check out Contiki’s Beaches and Reefs with Sailing. Starting in Sydney visit Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, Noosa, Fraser Island and the Whitsundays. Travel up the coast exploring beach after beach and pristine waters, while learning to sail and surf as you go. Hike in the Blue Mountains, sail the Whitsundays and explore Fraser Island on a four wheel drive tour.

Contiki’s 14 day Beaches and Reefs with Sailing costs from $3560 per person, land only.

10. Los Angeles

Sun, surf, sand and shopping! Open any magazine and you’ll see celebrities setting trends and where better to shop for those looks than the home of Hollywood and the city of Angels - Los Angeles. From the designer threads along Rodeo Drive to the beachy bohemian boutiques of Santa Monica there are options for all tastes and budgets. Keep the sunglasses on but eyes peeled for celebrities as you shop for your new red carpet look on Contiki’s California Highlights tour. The tour ends in Los Angeles so you can fill the suitcase before flying home.

Contiki’s eight-day California Highlights tour is priced from $1564 per person, twin share (land only).

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