After a crappy break up with the boy I thought I would be together, and a realisation that the career I want I need to be 20 for... I've decided that 2012 is the best time for me to travel.

So, I'm 18, from Australia and I've never been out of the country.

So I thought Contiki. I've chosen the European Contrasts tour in September 2012 - which is about 29 days.

I don't really have the confidence or the knowledge or time I guess to backpack on my own. I can probably only take about a month off work, and I want to see as much as possible. I'm not looking to spend days wandering around seeing everything possible and being adventurous around the different countries and cities.

I'm not a massive partier however I think that has a lot to do with being one of the last ones to turn 18, and all my friends were over it by the time I was legally allowed to go out. And my ex boyfriend wanted to party with the boys rather than his girlfriend :/ But I'm more than willing to throw myself into everything to get the best out of the trip.

So I want your opinions both good and bad, and whether it is worth doing.

I've only been to Europe once and didn't do it through a tour company, but I have friends (a married couple) that did a guided tour like this and really liked a lot of the aspects of it. They liked that all of the planning was done for you and that you never had to be confused or lost or scared about what was going to happen on the next leg of the journey, they also liked that they could see a lot in a short period of time which is good if you've never been to Europe (in their opinion). They didn't like all the time on the bus, you are in close quarters with the same people and there were a few who they didn't really care for and could not get away from.

I think that if you want to go on this trip and have the time and funds to do so, you should go for it. It's really brave of you to go on something like this, I admire you for it!

I'm a former travel agent and I've been on a Contiki tour as well, and I will say this: Contiki customers party HARD. You will see and do a lot, and a tour like this really is great value and is
an awesome, worry-free vacation, but you will have to expect a lot of your tourmates to be in it for that hard partying, drinking-until-the-sun-rises, barfing-in-the-bus-bathroom situation. Which can be fun too...but you have to know what you're getting into, you know?

I've never done one, but I know people who have and have loved them. If you are wanting to see as much as you can within one month, and are going by yourself, and it's the first time you've done anything major like this, and you're only 18, then I would definitely say to do it this way! It'll take a lot of the planning and stress out of it for you, leaving you free to just enjoy the sights! I've only been overseas once, and it was with my sister, and I don't think it would have been half as awesome or relaxing as it was if I went by myself!

I've never been on one, but from what I have heard, Contiki Tours are very much about the partying! We have just booked with Top Deck. They advertise that they offer tours for people aged 18-30 so you know the other clients will be around your age, but they dont have the same reputation regarding the drinking and partying. Just another option...