Where you sleep is rarely the highlight of a trip, and every hotel, motel or hostel seems to blur together when you travel from country to country. Get ready to experience the world from a new perspective by making one simple choice: travel with Contiki. With new, Contiki-exclusive accommodations, you can stay in some of the most unique places around the world, and these experiences can only be had with this travel company. So since you need to lay your head somewhere every night, why not glamp, explore, boat and slumber in some of the most beautiful places in the world in ways that no one else has?
Here are our top 10 places to stay around the globe with Contiki’s Special Stays:
1. Glamping in the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
Camping meets modern luxury in the southern USA, and their lovechild is known as glorious glamping. Perfect for those who love the outdoors but want that bit of extra comfort that you just can’t find with traditional tents, it truly is the best of both worlds. Spend time in this mountain paradise surrounded by pristine views and lush forests, while enjoying ziplining, horseback riding, ATVing and all the fun activities you can think of. Finish off your fun-filled days by sleeping in safari-style tents, featuring real beds, luxury bathrooms and cafe-style dining options.
2. Snoozing in a Ski Lodge, New Zealand
A bit of hot, a bit of cold and a whole lot of beauty… At the base of the ancient, and still active, volcano known as Mount Ruapehu, Contiki has a 100-year-old heritage listed building and ski lodge for you to stay at. With epic views of the mountains and surrounding area, you can lounge around the lodge or in their outdoor hot tubs as you listen to the birds, the wind and perhaps the bubbling of hot lava beneath the surface – if you let your imagination run wild.
3. Sleep on a Jungle Raft, Thailand
Why travel halfway across the world if you’re just going to sleep in the same old thing you sleep in here? Travel to mainland Thailand with Contiki to treat yourself to a true jungle experience. Spend the night in floating raft huts on the serene River Kwai in Kanchanaburi. Disconnect from your regular 9-5 life in a beautiful scenic location and jump straight into the river from your own private balcony. Now that sounds like a vacation.
4. Stay in the Hills at Gasthof Schoneck, Austria
Head back to the land of the Sound of Music and experience Austria the way the locals do. In the pretty Tyrolian village of Hopfgarten, Contiki has their very own Gasthof nestled in the mountains. This traditional, newly renovated, Contiki-exclusive Austrian guesthouse is a stone’s throw from the slopes and has everything a traveller would need. With a lounge area, bar, laundry facilities, ski/board and boot storage, free WiFi and a sauna, this is staying and skiing in luxury.
5. Sleep Under the Stars, Zion National Park USA
This 4-day trip starts and finishes in Las Vegas but in-between focuses on the beauty of its natural surroundings. Journey through Zion Canyon, the natural Bryce Amphitheatre, Monument Valley, Lake Powell and, saving the best for last, the famous Grand Canyon. Hike, camp under starlit skies and spot wildlife as you explore some of North America’s most beautiful national parks. With additional options for a Navajo-led hike around Antelope Canyon and a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon’s rim, there’s no shortage of activities here.
6. Stay in a Swiss Chalet, Switzerland
No matter what time of year you visit, there’s no denying the warm, welcoming ambiance of a Swiss chalet. Contiki’s chalet in Lauterbrunnen is a home away from home for many travellers, whether staying for a night, a week or a month. Combining the fresh air and perfect silence of Switzerland, you’ll never want to leave this quaint refuge. With a cozy 100-bed wooden lodge right in the heart of the Swiss Alps, invite all your friends on this European adventure.
7. Sleep Royally in the Famous Château de Cruix, France
Perhaps the most famous Contiki Special Stay is the jaw-droppingly beautiful Château de Cruix, AKA the Contiki Chateau, found in France’s Beaujolais wine region. The 16th-century French Château has been in the Contiki family for ages, with a stunning view of vineyards, a party cave and an outdoor pool. Drink, lounge in the sun and sleep in one of the 20+ unique bedrooms in the Chateau. This may just be the best place for parties and picnics in France.
8. Experience Summer Camp, USA
If you’ve ever wanted to live out your all-American summer camp dreams with your besties in a cabin, look no further. Enjoy a stay on Bass Lake, overlooking a beyond gorgeous lake with every water activity you could dream of at your fingertips. This resort will bring you back to your camp days and revive all those summer camp movie memories you have stored away from years past. Enjoy the sun, fun activities and good ol’ summer camp foods with all your new friends.
9. Cruise & Snooze on a Traditional Houseboat, Southern India
See a brand-new country from the waterways! Cruise around Southern India’s Kerala Backwaters on your own private houseboat. This Special Stay transports you around a lush paradise equipped with your own crew who create delicious local cuisine for you to enjoy day-in and day-out. Spend your time watching traditional life on the banks of the canals and sipping cool white wine as you bask in the tropical heat on the Indian Ocean.
10. Stay in a Traditional Ski Chalet, Canada
It may not be exotic, but we may have saved the best for last. Sure, you’ve been to the Rockies dozens of times, but you won’t believe how plush your stay in Banff can be. Stay in a chalet nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, ready to hit the slopes or hike up to the highest peak depending on the season. Finish off the day watching the sunset over the mountains with a cold beer in hand before curling up for some much needed RnR.
Ten unique spots, ten new beds, ten top-notch experiences. Which one will you choose? Book your Contiki trip here.
