Tour operator Contiki that specialises in trips exclusively for 18- to 35-year-olds, is celebrating its 60th anniversary in August with a birthday bash dubbed ‘Chateau Big Weekender’ open to all youth travellers in a French castle. Beyond this celebratory trip, Contiki also looks to bring travellers of all cultures together and immerse them in the surrounding environment.
Contiki started off with a young Kiwi man named John Anderson who had a dream to explore as much of Europe as possible. He decided to purchase a red minivan which he named ‘Tiki’ (Maori for good luck) and took 11 strangers across Europe. His fellow travellers enjoyed the trip so much that they begged him to do it again, and thus, Contiki was born.
A once-in-a-lifetime party
In celebration of that historical trip, Contiki is introducing the Chateau Big Weekender — an exclusive one-time-only itinerary at a French castle between 5 to 7 August 2022. During this 3D2N trip, travellers can expect to live large like French Royalty at the Contiki Château de Cruix in Beaujolais, France.
Revellers can join the daytime pool parties featuring live music spun by DJs, and party the night away in the residential La Cave club. In between the celebratory festivities also comprise sophisticated cultural offerings such as painting workshops paired with wines from the region, tours of the Beaujolais vineyards, al-fresco French feasts and yoga on the Château’s manicured lawns.
The chateau runs on 100% renewable energy and all meals are prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients by the in-house chefs.
What’s next for Contiki?
As Contiki continues aging like a fine wine, the tour operator is looking to continue making progress with the initiatives outlined under its sustainability agenda, from reducing carbon footprint in travel destinations to making a lasting impact on the local communities via its Make Travel Matter experiences.
Contiki is also ramping up its newly launched Contiki Ambassador programme, a programme for social-savvy youths to share about travel where they’ll be rewarded with trips and bonuses. With this programme, the tour operator hopes to inspire a new generation of travellers with the spirit of adventurous social travel embodied in the first Contiki trip back in 1962.