This post is sponsored by Contiki but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
"Our group chat is impressively reliable for anything a girl could ask for. Need to find out the criminal status of a man but only have a first name from a Hinge profile? Jordan will deliver his mug shot to you within an hour. Mascara running dry and ready for a new recommendation? Maria’s dropping three links at three different price points. Unsure if that leftover salmon is still safe to eat? Molly’s advice comes faster than high-speed internet. In search of a playlist that’ll make your gym sesh less miserable? DJ Mayc is on the scene.
But when it comes to throwing out a feeler to hop on a plane and venture the world? Crickets. We all just turned 30 in the span of a year, and getting something on the books in the face of conflicting schedules, limited PTO, and literally giving birth to children can throw a minor wrench in things. As the slightly unhinged, cool aunt who is ready, able, and itching to check off some more bucket list destinations before settling down, I’ve had to take matters into my own hands.
Last month, I used Contiki to (sort of) solo travel to Scotland after years of having Edinburgh’s Harry Potter-coded Victoria Street, Highland hairy coos, and breathtaking scenes of Glencoe Valley pinned at the center of my vision board. Before I came across group travel, the thought of venturing alone to an unfamiliar destination to fend for myself with nothing but my half-assed itinerary, translator app, and fleeting attention span was as nerve-wracking as it was low-key dangerous. Sound familiar? Stop waiting on that girls’ trip that won’t ever see the light of day—here’s how Contiki helped me to reap the benefits of solo travel sans the hassle, fear, or loneliness:
In this article
What is Contiki?
I’ve tried to plan trips on my own in the past, and it always goes down the same way. Cut to scenes of me hunched over my laptop one week before takeoff, brow furrowed with 42 tabs open, trying to figure out the best plan of attack for a place I’ve never been to, led by Google recommendations I blindly trust. Spoiler alert: The season finale of said saga always ends in tears over an Airbnb that doesn’t actually exist, a “must-eat” spot that’ll give me food poisoning, or a taxi driver who will charge me triple just because he smells the tourist on me.
Enter Contiki: My newfound secret I wish I had known about earlier in my 20s. After my week traveling with Contiki in Scotland, I feel confident saying that it’s just like hitting cruise control on your travel experience. Once you book one of their trips, you just coordinate your travel there, show up, and leave the logistics to the experts. Traveling with Contiki gives you a one-way ticket to:
- An itinerary that’ll offer a mix of top attractions and rich, local experiences
- Top accommodations
- On-trip transportation by plane, coach, car, or boat
- A Trip Manager who knows the ins and outs of the destination
- Breakfast almost every day, plus a bunch of delicious, locally-made meals
- A built-in group of new friends that you’ll meet along the way
My Experience with Contiki:
After nearly two years of planning and a fairly distressing back-and-forth in the group chat, I experienced my first taste of international travel last year in the form of a last-hurrah-esque girls’ trip to France. While it sparked my travel bug and solidified my urge to prioritize more international travel, the language barrier, poor cell service, currency conversion, jet lag, and travel logistics made my head spin and didn’t do much for my confidence.
I knew that I’d have to abandon my comfort zone if I wanted to make any headway on my bucket list, so when I had the opportunity to do the Scotland in a Week trip with Contiki, I jumped in with both feet and a foam finger. With American PTO constraints, I always thought I’d have to do Scotland in two trips to experience the beauty of Highland landscapes and the rich city culture of Edinburgh and Glasgow, but this itinerary said, “challenge accepted,” and didn’t make me choose between historic cities or sparkling lochs. Plus, as someone who is a yapper but also a napper, I was thrilled (and relieved) to learn that even though the travel plan covered a lot of ground, there were plenty of opportunities baked in for us to pump the breaks, take a beat, and recharge. Because no one wants to have to take a vacation to recover from their vacation.
After booking my flight and packing my bag, I met up with our travel group and let our Trip Manager, Sam, guide me through Scotland to live out my Outlander dreams. At risk of sounding too dramatic (what can I say, I have a taste for theatrics), this trip was a transformative experience that’ll stick with me forever. Here’s why I’d recommend it to anyone I know:
It was the most efficient way I’ve ever traveled:
Usually, my method for traveling (or lack thereof) is to wing it and hope for the best. This works out fine if it’s a domestic destination I’ve been to before or will probably return to, but with limited resources and those international trips that really feel like once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, it’s a recipe for missing out.
As a type B person who gets overwhelmed by planning but will physically recoil at the thought of half-assing a trip that costs money, time, and energy, I loved that Contiki allowed me to go with the flow. Said flow just happened to be expertly curated to hit all of the best spots Scotland had to offer in the smartest, most efficient way possible. And the best part? I didn’t have to lift a finger in the planning process.
I came alone and left with new friends from all over the world:
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some hesitations about traveling with a group of strangers, but I knew that if I wanted to see the world in a way that felt safe and guided, I needed to get over myself. I called my mom while I was packing to talk through some pre-trip jitters, and, as moms do, she dropped the most casual, Gandhi-esque sentiment I’ve ever heard: Everyone you know and love was a stranger at some point.
And she was right. Over our first dinner in Edinburgh, our group exchanged tale-as-old-as-time formalities: Where are you from? What do you do? Is this your first Contiki trip? Little did I know, the shared experiences of taking in the jaw-dropping views atop Arthur’s Seat (One Day fans rise), making fools of ourselves while Cedilih dancing, skipping down the real-life Diagon Alley (hello Victoria Street), and scream-singing our concerningly poor rendition of I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) on the Contiki coach each morning would catapult us into what felt like lifelong friendship.
In just seven days, I went from exchanging pleasantries with strangers to snort-laughing over Dan’s dating history, bonding with Justin over our love for dance, reconnecting with my inner nurse to act as Mitzie’s in-trip Tylenol/Advil plug, and knowing damn well that when our Trip Manager Sam said “quick walk,” he 100 percent meant “incline hike.”
On the last day, I ordered a salad in the name of health and against my better judgment. As I looked down at my sad, vinaigrette-stained leaves, I enviously stared at Sarah’s fries, swallowed my pride, and asked her if she could spare a wedge. She laughed and said, “Of course! I heard you ordered a salad, and I knew you’d regret it, so I got these for us to share.” And folks, that’s how you know you’ve entered best friend territory.
I tried new things I probably would have missed out on otherwise:
I already know that if I had done Scotland on my own or with friends, we would have hit the hot, TikTok-acclaimed spots, found a few cute cafes to hang out at, and probably done a popular hike or two. But when you’re doing your own planning, it’s easy to fall into familiar patterns, routines, activities, and cuisines. As a self-proclaimed creature of habit, I know myself. Had it not been for the Contiki itinerary bringing the adventure and tradition to me, I might not have sought it out—a thought that, with hindsight, honestly makes me cringe.
Because of Contiki, I was able to have the most authentic Scottish experience, connecting with locals and fare that were just a hop, a skip, and a jump out of my comfort zone. I tried Haggis (and liked it!), took part in some traditional Scottish dancing (don’t ask me to repeat any of the steps!), and grew an appreciation for Whisky (drop the e!).
While, sure, learning about forest conservation at the Rewilding Centre made for a serene, peaceful morning and hanging with the hairy coos at Rothiemurchus took my cuteness aggression to new heights, these experiences were more than just fun, checked boxes on our itinerary. By spending our time in these spaces, we were also able to help fund the Rewilding Centre’s crucial work to restore the Caldedonian Forest and financially support Rothiemurchus farmers to help them keep their traditions alive.
I’ve always been sensitive about leaving places, spaces, and people in better shape than I found them, and, while I can’t take credit for the incredible work Scotland locals are doing to maintain their traditions, culture, and ecosystems, I feel good knowing that we were able to make positive impact and make our travel matter. This itinerary deepened my appreciation and respect for Scottish culture in ways I can’t put into words. And I have a very full heart, camera roll, and belly to show for it.
It took the stress and fear out of international travel:
As cool, calm, and collected as I want people to think I am in the travel sphere, the reality is that I am no more than an anxious American with a passport. And in an effort to be gentle with myself, the worry is warranted. Dealing with the logistics and anxieties surrounding visas, exchange rates, language barriers, unfamiliar laws and customs, tourist-targeted scams, and hell—what to do if you have an emergency—is a lot. And doing it solo with no one to turn to if things go south? Not my idea of a good time.
I loved that Contiki gave me hand-holding where I needed it and independence where I didn’t. From being prompted to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization before flying to getting cultural tips from our Trip Manager that helped me be a more respectful tourist (not calling a kilt a skirt, for instance), I felt incredibly supported without feeling like the support was being shoved down my throat. If anything, poor Sam deserves additional financial compensation for the sheer number of times I asked him to remind me how to pronounce Slàinte Mhath when toasting to a successful travel day.
Contiki
Get an authentic, adventure-packed trip to Scotland with this six-day experience that’ll whisk you away to Edinburgh, through the Scottish Highlands, and end in Glasgow. Just take care of your flights, and let Contiki handle the rest!
Is Contiki worth it?
Whether you’re a solo traveler looking for community or already have a group and are looking to ditch the stress of planning, I deem Contiki 100 percent worth it. It helped make international travel so much more accessible, allowed me to have a more authentic experience, and connected me with other travelers who are also prioritizing opening their hearts to new destinations, experiences, and friends.
While our group chat’s camera rolls are filling up with ultrasounds, bathroom remodels, and work events they’re proud of, mine is shaping up to look exactly how I want it to right now (enter: majestic scenes from Loch Ness, the Rothimercus sweet potato curry I hope to see in my dreams tonight, and adorable hairy coos). Until my next Contiki trip, you can find me with a Scottish whisky in my left hand and my iPhone in my right, reliving the footage of good ole days from Edinburgh to the Highlands and beyond.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ashley Selleke, Branded Content Managing Editor
Ashley’s first love in life is writing and, since leaving healthcare to work at The Everygirl, her passion has grown to encompass all forms of content creation. Since joining our company, Ashley has refined her creative instincts and merged them with metrics-driven strategy, bringing a fresh perspective to our team.
This post is sponsored by Contiki but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.