A few weeks ago, Contiki Holidays put up a message on Facebook that “you can literally save hundreds of dollars going with Contiki over doing it on your own” and that backpacking was “so 1997.” Amused, I tweeted how that wasn’t right since independent budget travel is always cheaper. Contiki tweeted otherwise. Whether or not you believe backpacking is “so 1997″ (it’s not) doesn’t change the fact that Contiki is NOT cheaper than independent travel and I found it completely disingenuous they even tried to make that point (twice!). The Contiki tweeter pointed out that they get group rates and thereby can get better deals. I don’t believe so. I’ve been on tours before. I like tours . They have their moments when they are needed and can be especially good for first time travelers who want to go places but are scared to do it by themselves.

Read the original here Would You Contiki?