You've emptied the last nickels from your piggy bank, did the math and decided it's time to take that step into the great unknown.

But for many youth travellers and less seasoned trippers, heading to that far-off destination like Europe can be more of a daunting challenge than a great adventure.

To address the concerns of this particular group of travellers, Contiki Holidays - which specialises in tours for those aged between 18 and 35 - will hold a one-of-a-kind, and possibly first-ever in Singapore travel festival with a youth-oriented focus.

Grad Trip '08 will feature Contiki Holiday's ten travel partners, like Chan Brothers, UOB Travel Planners and Gasi Holidays, at The Heeren @ Orchard Road from this Friday to Sunday, from 10am to 9pm daily.

More than just another sales platform, Grad Trip '08 aims to be the travel fair where young travellers can get one-to-one, dedicated expertise about planning their trips.

"Fairs like NATAS offer great bargains, but agents there usually want a quick turnaround. It's sometimes difficult to get 100 per cent of the consultant's attention," said Mr Nicholas Lim, Director of Sales (Asia), Contiki Holidays.

"Many young travellers, for example, are graduates who have saved up over two to three years for a Europe trip, and have lots of burning questions and anxieties. Grad Trip '08 hopefully can help them make more informed decisions," he added.

"If a Contiki package is not able to meet the traveller's needs, the agents can also recommend their own tours."

Students who book their tours at the fair can expect to enjoy a 12.5 per cent discount on all Contiki packages, and additional savings when bookings are made in groups of four or more.

In the "Funky Four" deal, travellers receive an additional 5 per cent discount, in the "Super Seven" deal, 7.5 per cent more, and for "Top Ten", a whopping 10 per cent extra savings.

Besides inquiring on and making travel arrangements, visitors to Grad Trip '08 will be entertained by games and music performances by local bands like The Goodfellas, Reverie Duo, and Jack and Rai of EIC.

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Grad Trip '08

Date March 14 to 16, 2008
When 10am to 9pm daily
Where The Heeren @ Orchard Road