Europe on a Platter, Part 2: Contiki European Escapade's Me Time Optionals

Little fact about me: I am obsessive about most purchases I make. If there is a platform or way to review the product or service in question, you can bet your bottom dollar I will check it. Restaurants reviews? I’ve developed a very special relationship with Yelp, Zomato and, of course, food blogs. Gadgets? Amazon and CNet, you’re the homies. Hotels or other accommodations? I book nothing under 100 reviews on TripAdvisor, Agoda or hotels.com.

So when it came to spending over 500 Euros in optional activities (activities arranged by Contiki with certain partners that we sign up but also pay extra for), I was a little out of my element when I had nothing but our tour manager’s verbal descriptions to go off of. 

There were, of course, some optionals I knew I wanted to do hands down, such as paragliding, the Vatican tour and the Colosseum tour. The others, however, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

So now, presenting to all you lovely (and most likely neurotic like me if you're reading this) ladies and gents, my detailed review of Contiki’s Me Time Optionals on the European Escapade tour. First up on the chopping block…

Europe on a Platter, Part 1: The A-Z of Contiki's European Escapade

Europe was waiting for me. Somehow, I just knew this. 

I am very blessed and grateful to be a kid who was able to travel pretty early on in life, particularly to the US since I had been granted a green card that required me to be there at least once a year. But ever since I was young, I dreamt of Europe. 

That is why when I finally, finally, FINALLY got the opportunity to go, I jumped in heart first. I was in the habit of putting my dreams off, and this was one of them. But as my last post already illustrated, I was done. I booked a flight that left 3 weeks later and allowed me to stay for 2 months. I didn’t want to spend another minute doing what I didn’t want to be doing, so I took off on what I was sure to be one of my greatest adventures. 

I had craved for Europe a long time, and now it was time to devour it by the platter. As you can imagine, there is just too much to say about my experience in that continent, so I’ll be dividing up my posts, starting with my Contiki experience.

Maxing out on life

Truth in 2015

I made a promise to myself that 2015 would be my year.

Class and Cuisine with Vikings

When it comes to buffets, there is no family that can maneuver one like the Zamoras do. I truly believe there is a gene in me that somehow just puts my brain on overdrive with zero care for calories and 100% determination to CONQUER. 

So when my uncle, Tito Rich aka The Pickiest Eater in the World, invited me to a now very popular buffet place in the Philippines called Vikings, it simply made sense. We’d tackle this baby together, just like old times but in a new venue. 

The carnage I planned to cause, however, was suddenly halted when we arrived at our destination. Because who knew the venue would look like this?