ANAHEIM, CA Hitting the road and driving across the country is a rite of passage for many Americans, but what happens when you�re too young to rent a car, reservations at national parks are full, or travel companions don�t have time off? Contiki Holidays, specializing in vacations for 18- to 35-year-olds, offers young travelers another option: tour packages throughout the land of the free.

From cross-country road trips, weekend getaways or tropical excursions, Contiki�s new America brochure features more than a dozen different itineraries ranging from three to 24 days covering mainland U.S. from coast to coast as well as Hawaii and Canada. In addition, Contiki offers a unique experience because it allows young Americans to travel with a multicultural mix of other like-minded travelers from countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, Brazil, U.K. and Canada.

�Taking a Contiki tour allows travelers to experience and enjoy America�s natural wonders and beautiful landscape without the hassle of planning and worrying about travel arrangements,� said Lisa Wooldridge, vice-president of marketing for Contiki. �Contiki trips are easy, affordable, and most of all, a fun way to see the U.S. which is why it�s a perfect alternative to the traditional road trip.�

Contiki�s new 13-day Parks & Canyons tour captures breathtaking wonders both natural and man-made with visits to Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park, Zion National Park, and the Grand Canyon. Starting in Chicago and traveling to Madison, Sioux Falls, Mt. Rushmore, Cody, Yellowstone, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and finishing in Los Angeles, travelers also visit Badlands National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Crazy Horse Monument, and Devil�s Tower National Monument. Prices start at $1565 per person.

Contiki�s 8-day Hawaiian Discovery is an island-hopping adventure starting in Oahu, the Big Island and Maui, including plenty of sightseeing in between: a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach, Volcanoes National Park including Kilauea, and an opportunity to experience an authentic Hawaiian Luau. There�s also plenty of free time to enjoy Hawaii�s premier beaches, snorkeling sites and surf spots including the North Shore, Kohala Coastline and Molikini Crater. Travelers also have the option to extend their stay with three additional days in beautiful Kauai. Prices for the 8-day package start at $1199 per person and at $1695 for the 11-day package with the Kauai extension.

The new 14-day Best of Western Canada tour offers an excellent itinerary to one of the most scenic areas of North America where travelers visit Vancouver, Whistler, Jasper, Banff, Vernon, Campbell River, and Victoria. Highlights include a drive along the famous Icefields parkway, a chance to take a gondola ride to the top of Whistler Mountain, and an optional dinner cruise around Vancouver�s harbor. Prices begin at $1845. In July, Contiki offers special Calgary Stampede departures that include the above along with an extended stay in Calgary to experience the excitement of the Stampede, an annual festival that features world-class rodeos, parades, concerts, exhibits, fireworks and much more. Prices for the special departures begin at $2009.

Contiki America trips feature the following: hotel, lodge or resort accommodations; most breakfasts and dinners; land transportation by luxury, air-conditioned motorcoach with an on-board restroom and stereos (except Hawaii, where vans and mini coaches are used); guided sightseeing; plus the services of a young, professional tour manager and driver throughout. Prices quoted are based on land-only, twin share. Land/air packages including airfare from more than 65 U.S. gateways are also available.

In business for more than 40 years, Contiki offers tours, resorts and cruises specially designed for 18- to 35-year-olds. There are more than 100 itineraries throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the U.S. For more information and a free Contiki 2005 America brochure, consumers should log onto www.contiki.com, call (888) CONTIKI or see their travel agent.

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