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Europe....What places are the 30-40 yr old's visiting?

Europe....What places are the 30-40 yr old's visiting?

Old Nov 29th, 2005, 08:40 AM
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Europe....What places are the 30-40 yr old's visiting?

Hello. I was just posting for some random advice on Europe. I'm 30 and I would like to visit Europe. I was thinking of going through a tour company....Trafalgar to be exact, but I keep hearing that there is nothing but the mature crowd (dont mean to offend) on these tours. I have heard about the tour companies for the 21-35 yr olds, but I'm not into the drinking and partying (I have nothing against those that are). I'm more into learning about the culture, history, and beauty of the country. I just would like to have some people within my age range to relate to.

Where do the 30-40yr old crowd go? What tour companies if any do they take? Do they wing it? All this researching has made my head hurt. So I would love to hear from the 30-40 yr age ranges. ~~Mature crowd, feel free to chime in also~~
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Old Nov 29th, 2005, 08:50 AM
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Rick Steves might be for you - www.ricksteves.com. He often gets subjected to snide remarks by the Fodors crowd, but don't let that stop you, this lot can be quite opiniated... He's been too successful at what he's doing to have to worry about that.

He's very up front about his common-sense style of travel, it's not for everybody, but I sense you might be comfortable with his mix of not-many-frills (you carry your own bag up several flights as a matter of course) and not-too-gushing over the cultural icons.

WK
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Old Nov 29th, 2005, 08:52 AM
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I think most 30-40-year olds - at least those on this board - prefer to travel independently.

I've always been a bit intrigued by the small ads for Archaeological Tours in The New Yorker. They have a Web site and an 800 number; you might call and ask what their age range is (although I suspect it will be more in the 50-60 range than the 30-40...):

http://www.archaeologicaltrs.com/index.html
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Old Nov 29th, 2005, 08:54 AM
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I agree that the Rick Steves tours sound like a possible solution for you. Or, you could pay 30% less and do the same trip yourself.
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Old Nov 29th, 2005, 09:00 AM
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I travel independently, and I'm in my 30s. I visit the usual tourist destinations that anyone visits (like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Venice, etc.), but I focus on cities as I usually don't have very much time.

If you're interested in the less traveled destinations, the Time Out guide that lists 100 destinations can be useful:

http://www.timeout.com/products/eba.html

I've an older copy, and while I'm curious about many of the destinations, I'm sticking to the tried and true for now.
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Old Nov 29th, 2005, 09:02 AM
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The Greek Islands would be a good fit for you, they're full of culture, history and beauty. Santorini is the most spectacular island in the Aegean. Don't bother with a tour, you'll do better by yourself if you just do some research and ask questions here and on other travel forums like virtualtourist.com, frommers.com and thorntree.lonelyplanet.com

Spend your money on those places and things you want to see, not what is forced upon you by a tour itinerary.
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Old Nov 29th, 2005, 09:06 AM
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Although I am "forty-twelve", perhaps I feel something of kinship to you "late boomers" (or are you the first wave of GenX?)...

One alternative to either end of the sprctrum you mention is a "build-it-yourself" small group trip, aka a "Fodorites trip". They have rarely existed. I formed one of the first, and to date, the largest, I think (at seven participants) in 2001.. to Italy (Florence, Lake Garda region, Venice, Rome).

What month/season do you have in mind? Are you solo or part of a two-some or more-some? Do you have specific countries in mind? I suspect that the number of Americans who visit the "top ten" countries of Europe, between the ages of 30 and 49... closely parallels the distribution of Americans, of all ages, who visit the "most popular" destinations abroad.

Of course, a different index would be what destinations are "rising" (i.e., % increase 2004, compared to 2003 for example)... but the most obscure places might have the biggest percent increase because they had so few visitors the previous year. I wouldn't think that Albania is a "hot" destination, even if it was experiencing "100% increases" in the number of Americans going there (which it very well may)...

Sometimes, it takes as little as a thread like this one, to get the impetus going, for a Fodorites trip to form.

Best wishes,

Rex Bickers
Floyds Knobs, Indiana
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Old Nov 29th, 2005, 09:12 AM
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I suppose you would consider me mature at age 61 (notice I did NOT say "wise") and we have, in fact, taken one of those Trafalgar tours.

IMO they are fine if that's what you wish to do. And even though we took one 20+ years ago there weren't a lot of folks, if any at all, actually, in your age group...perhapsa because a lot of them, in those days, couldn't afford it and all the other valid reasons.

I think organized tours for ANY age group fill a certain need which is totally valid and a lot of people like to travel that way.

You can certainly do a tour on your own if you appraoch the project correctly...what may be difficult is doing it on your own andfinding those folks in your age group to relate to at the same time.

Please, please, please do NOT allow yourself to become overwhelmed by all that research. And remember this, you can sometimes read about someone else's organized tour and then copy it but do it on your own..sometimes it is cheaper and sometimes it isn't but I think you'll never regret going on your own or with just a few friends....even after you get to be as, uh, "mature" as I am <G>.
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Old Nov 29th, 2005, 09:43 AM
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Hi, cupcake. You have come to the right place for good advice on independent travel planning. There is a lot to learn, but at least it's fun!

My wife and I are both 42, so we're not that far out of your age criterion. We have been taking European trips for years now, and we learn great new things here all the time.

We have put together our own site with detailed trip reports and photos of from our experiences...

<a href="http://www.onelittleworld.com"target...eworld.com</a>

Enjoy!
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Old Nov 29th, 2005, 09:44 AM
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Er, that's onelittleworld.com
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Old Nov 29th, 2005, 09:54 AM
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I think as others have suggested people in your age group do often prefer independent travel. I am finding as I age I just don't have the patience that I use to with figuring everything out of my own. I am in my 40's and I frequently go back to a place I know just to know it better. As opposed to going to a new place just to say that I have been there done that. I don't have that approach any longer.
Tour Cons:
Absolutely detracts from any abroad experiences when I am surrounded by things American. Just not looking for that experience when I go abroad. Doing a tour might put me on a bus with Americans.

If I loose my patience entirely I would look into tour companies hosted by museums. Museum of natural history in NY does tours...ask them what their average age is. A think they are a considerable step up from Trafalgar tours so you might have more established professionals taking part.

Your age group try Gorp Travel
http://gorptravel.away.com/xnet/pick...estination=101



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Old Nov 29th, 2005, 09:56 AM
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I am in my 30's and prefer to travel without a tour group. I took a Globus tour a few years ago in Italy and even though it was nice to have someone else take care of the logistics, transportation and handle baggage etc. I was the youngest one in the group and got frustrated with the whirlwind visits to cities that I wanted to explore fully.
Since then I have chosen to travel alone, it is a lot of work to plan, make reservations etc. but that is half the fun and anticipation of going on a trip. If you are traveling solo, there will be times when you will feel lonely and wish you had company. One thing I have noticed is that people (locals and other tourists) will be curious about why you are alone and will approach you more easily than if your are traveling with someone. I have met some wonderful people and made new friends from each trip.
You can always sign up for walking tours or tour excursions from a base city.
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Old Nov 29th, 2005, 10:01 AM
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Dear Cupcake:

Being a 43 y/o(gulp!), I typically plan my own vacations. Not that I don't have any faith in travel planners..but somehow, I find that I can tailor a trip specifically for myself w/o any major hurdles or incoveniences.

That being said, where do we 40 something's go?.. Well..more often than not, I go to France. In my humble opinion, it is the finest country in Europe to visit, in spite of myriad things you may have heard that for the most part, unfairly cast unwarranted aspersions toward the French. France offers fantastic value as far as food, lodging and scenery go..

I hope that the opinions of this salt and peppered, mature traveler have been of some use.. (If not, feel free to toss this post in the circular file)..

Regards..
Luis
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Old Nov 29th, 2005, 10:12 AM
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The only 30-40 y.o's that I know that take tours are a couple who take high end hiking or biking or adventure tours offered by groups like the Sierra club, and the like. Such tours require a degree of physical fitness and affluence so they usually are comprised of their age group. The only other individual I know who takes tours is a 50 something friend in the UK, who takes walking tours in Europe. Again, a certain level of fitness and affluence is involved.
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Old Nov 29th, 2005, 10:19 AM
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sierra club has high end tours?
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Old Nov 29th, 2005, 10:24 AM
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I don't think it's so much about age as about travel styles. Some people prefer tours, some prefer to go solo, doesn't necessarily depend on your age.

For me and to Europe I always plan my own trips. I might consider a tour if it was a more unusual destination where I thought having assistance would be necessary or helpful to get around.

For me western Europe is so easy to do, basically a "no brainer" I just pick a couple cities, buy a plane ticket, make hotel reservations, then wing it.

If you want a tour group maybe some of the special interest ones might suit you? for example a bike tour, cooking classes, hiking, etc.
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Old Nov 29th, 2005, 10:41 AM
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Assuming you are female based on your screen name, there is a tour organization http://www.womenstravelclub.com/
I have no personal experience with it, but it sounds like an interesting option for you to consider.

I also found o solo mio on the web, another co. for singles. They say they're mostly women in their 40s and above but a few younger.

http://www.osolomio.com/

Many colleges and universities put together trips for their alum. If you have a particular interest (gardening, cooking etc.) there are trips put together for those of similar interests that often provide access into places you might otherwise not be be able to see.
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Old Nov 29th, 2005, 10:45 AM
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There are also organizations like this one - www.intouchtravel.com - for a kind of in-between tour group and independent trip.
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Old Nov 29th, 2005, 10:57 AM
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Wow. This looks very interesting, StC... do you have any personal experience (host or traveler) with this? Or through friends, family or acquaintances?
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Old Nov 29th, 2005, 10:58 AM
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Hi MCC,

This 38 year old prefers to travel independently, however it is not because I am opposed completely to the idea of a tour, my DH & I just don't want our free time to be so scheduled. We care more to take in the culture, sit and bask in the glory of our new surroundings.

Per your request, in our three and a half years together we have been blessed to visit Curacao, Jamaica, Ixtapa, many great areas of our own nation such as Maui, Hilton Head, Savannah, Sanibel, Orlando, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Palm Springs, Santa Monica, Coeur d'Alene, & the North Shores of Lake Superior three times.

We leave for Florence & Venice in 57 days, not that I am counting or anything.

We usually take one big trip in January, and then long weekends here and there throughout the rest of the year. The visits within the US are great for the long weekends.

When I last went to Italy, I was 33. I traveled independently, but did take one group day trip when I was there, which was nice. In the twelve days, I enjoyed the one 'tour' day trip I booked. The rest of the time I enjoyed the discovery of bella Italia on my own.

I think you have received some great suggestions above if you do decide to go with a tour for the entire trip. Or if you travel independently, you may decide to do a little day trip tour.

It is SUCH a matter of personal taste. You will know what is right for you. There is no wrong answer here.

Safe journey, Tiff

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