Published on 05/20/09

Greg ‘Fish’ Fischbein, President of Contiki, shares his personal thoughts on the travel experience with America’s Vacation Center.

“Certainly travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.”

– Miriam Beard

“In my growing experience as a ‘citizen of the world’, I am convinced of the advantages of experiencing life for myself rather than watching it on TV, reading it in a book, or hearing it from others. At Contiki, we cater exclusively to the 18-35 young adult and provide an environment to experience life beyond the routine. There is a decided rush in breaking from our norms and seeing things for ourselves – again – for the first time.

The Eiffel Tower is a site so iconic and ingrained as to feel commonplace without actually visiting. ‘Common’ until you stand beneath it, surrounded by people of different cultures and races, sharing in common its awesome spectacle and grand achievement it represents. These are the life moments that stretch us as people.

It is taking that definitive photo of you and your traveling companions from around the world. It is your life captured against the ink-black backdrop of the Parisian sky, the Tower rising above, awash in a celebration punctuated by yellow, blue, and white flashing lights. This is much more than a store-bought postcard. These are the simple, yet powerful, moments forever realized by those that travel Contiki.

A Contiki vacation promotes complete cultural immersion inside and out. Your traveling companions are reflections of you. They are of the same 18-35 age group. They are interested in the world outside their own country. They are eager and nervous and excited about ‘what’s out there’. As you travel on Contiki’s luxury coaches, you are exposed to Asia, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, and South America, and your fellow travelers are exposed to you. It is this exposure, mind-set, and shared ‘receptivity’ to new places, cultures, and cuisines that make a Contiki experience so valuable – it is a direct experience with living.

A Contiki trip is your vacation, your way. Flexibility and free time are the order of the day. Your Tour Manager is steeped in both the history and the ‘here and now’ of each country – a resource to be tapped when needed. The ‘locals only’ nature of the manager provides stability, comfort, and information for our travelers. I cannot stress enough the enormous value a Tour Manager brings as leader, confidant, friend, shoulder, guide – all necessary when traveling through countries where the only things truly ‘foreign’ are the travelers themselves.

I have been fortunate to travel on five Contiki trips of varying length and destinations. With over 120 itineraries, I have quite a few more to go! It’s a big world and through Contiki, I am a much bigger person for the experience and perspective gained. Through Contiki, my eyes have been opened to life in ways that do not happen when stuck to my couch!

It is always entertaining to listen to someone’s account of their travels. It is infinitely more rewarding and valuable to have lived the experience and to tell the story yourself. There is more to travel than the pictures you take. I look forward to seeing you out on the road with us!”

Greg ‘Fish’ Fischbein’s reflection on the value of travel reveals just a hint of the great touring experiences youthful travelers have together with Contiki. Call America’s Vacation Center today to learn even more about Contiki’s itineraries and to book your next vacation adventure!

For more information, call 1-888-447-8459 and mention Discount Code 9094# to speak with an AVC Personal Vacation Planner today!