brookeinthecity

Hello, I am in my mid twenties and am hoping to travel to Europe next spring. I am interested in doing a tour because I will be traveling by myself. I would love to see paris and Barcelona and could use some recommendations on quality tour companies that travel to both of these locations. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

MmePerdu

Are you thinking about a tour because you're reluctant to plan a trip yourself or because you want random strangers to keep you company (I'm smiling, not being judgmental) ?

adrienne

There aren't many tour companies that cater to people your age. Contiki is one of the well-known companies but they do not have a trip that is only Paris and Barcelona. Most tours are for people quite a bit older than yourself.

It's easy to visit Paris and Barcelona on your own. You could stay in hostels to meet other people your age or join walking/day tours.

MmePerdu

Indeed, my points exactly. There any number of ways to meet people and on your own you can be on your own when you choose to be, a very valuable commodity. I hope you consider doing your trip independently, a satisfying way to travel for those who can manage it. Some can't and that's a good reason to choose a tour, although not the only one.

brookeinthecity

I'm more interested in having the reassurance of the group. Just for safety purposes. And I'm not concerned about the age group of the people I'm traveling with. I have heard contiki draws a more party oriented crowd. I'm more interested in sights. I'm pretty friendly and don't anticipate meeting people or getting to know fellow travelers as any sort of obstacle.

kybourbon

Since you only want to visit two cities, it would be simple to fly to Paris home from Barcelona (fly or train between the two). You can schedule local day tours with various companies for things that interest you (tapas tour in Barcelona, etc.). That way you could have a mix of structure/group and free time to be on your own.

You could also look at sites like Virgin Vacation, Go-Today or Gate1 which offer a combination of tours/independence. They have lists of hotels to choose from, orientation tours in each city and other tours you can sign up for if you want and take care of train tickets between cities.

kja

Are you fully committed to taking a tour? Many of us have found it very easy to visit these places solo.

brookeinthecity

Thank you all so much for your help so far! I'm not 100% committed to a tour I just like the security of it. This will be my first time traveling alone, which is already a big step for me. I just like the idea of having a community to check in with. Also, I'm not opposed to going other places in addition, Paris and Barcelona are just the two locations I would really like to make sure I'm able to visit.

adrienne

<< I have heard contiki draws a more party oriented crowd. I'm more interested in sights >>

It doesn't matter what type of crowd you get with Contiki as they do not have a tour that meets your criteria.

You will be hard pressed to find any group escorted tour that gives you Paris and Barcelona and nothing else. If you find even one tour that covers these cities then book the tour.

Do you have an alternate plan if you can't find a tour company? Private guides, perhaps?

adrienne

My screen didn't refresh so I didn't see your latest response until after I had posted.

Since you've decided to add other locations to the tour you will find more options. Insight, Tauck, Collette, Road Scholar are all reputable tour companies. Read the tour specs carefully so you know what is included and what is optional; check where hotels are located as you want to be near the city center and not stranded at the hotel at night. When booking tours you definitely get what you pay for so don't take the cheapest tour as you may suffer with food, lodging, and guide inadequacy or end up paying lots more for things that are not included.

Just because you're on a tour doesn't mean that there will be someone watching out for you all the time. There is no "checking in" unless you're switching hotels for another location and have to move with the group. There will be times when you're on your own and no one will be looking out for you. You will need to take some responsibility for yourself.

dreamon

Check Intrepid Travel - they offer tours for mixed ages, travelling on local transport, staying centrally in small hotels and with a fair amount of free time. On the tour we did with them, we stayed at least two nights in each place, got an introduction to each new town and then it was up to us whether we wanted to stick with the group or go our own way. We did a bit of both. They (at least they used to) team singles up into a shared room, if you want to and if someone else is available. 6 of our group of 10 were solo travellers. Another alternative (which I have not personally used) is G Adventures. They may even be affiliated - not sure.

There are many, many tour companies out there and they are not all for senior citizens. Personally, I would avoid any tour where you were transported around by bus and with a rigid timetable. Also be wary of tours which offer hotels which are not in the centre of town unless they offer something special.

However, if you decide to go it alone, I'm sure you'd meet people along the way.

anyegr

I have been to Paris three times. First time when I was a child and I don't remember much of it. Second time 2010 with a large group and third time 2013 solo for a week. Most people in the touristy areas spoke at least some english and I felt perfectly safe.

I have been to Barcelona twice, 2012 and 2014, both times as a solo traveller. There were fewer people who spoke english. I felt physically safe, even when coming back to the hotel in the dark one night.

The "big problem" in Barcelona (and in Paris, too) is pickpockets and all you can do about that is to be careful and hide your valuables. Being in a large group does NOT automatically make you safe from pickpockets.

In a tour group, you have to go at the speed of the group and do what the group does. Sometimes that means spending hours at a place you think is boring. Sometimes it means you only get five minutes to take photos of a place you wanted to go into for a closer look. When you travel solo you have a lot more freedom.

bilboburgler

IpMarc, great advice, but probably too many adverts for gastournomic ;-)

MmePerdu

You might want to have a look at what Adventure Center offers. More active tours and small groups and a somewhat livelier (ambulatory) age mix. And they have short trips that you might combine to get the places you want: http://www.adventurecenter.com/