Isabel

I am planning a trip to London and Paris this July. I will be travelling with my husband and 12-year-old. This will be our first time in Europe. We are considering (1) British Airways offers for air and hotel (2) escorted tours such as Trafalgar or Cosmos, etc. As our total stay will be approximately 10-12 days, which will be the better option? Any advice or suggestions? Thanks.

Kathy Raines

I read your message with much interest, as we are
planning our first trip to Europe for 99, and I am
pretty much considering the same options. We will
be gone approximately 3 weeks, and I am inclined right now to go with British Airways because of the
flexibility that they offer. I want to go to London,Paris, fly to Milan and take the train to
Rome. Let me know what you decide and how it turns
out. Kathy

Jody

Well, comparison shopping is just that - you will just have to shop and compare!

Mike Miller

I would go with the British Airways package. There is a wealth of information available on London and Paris,(much of it on the internet). They both have easy to use subway systems which are much faster than any tour bus and, you can set your own pace of travel, eat where you want (not where the tour operator gets a kickback from the restaurant for delivering "you"). The same logic applies to giftshops/department stores. My advice is to plan a flexible itinerary and do your own thing.

Donna

If this is your first excursion to Europe, highly recommend Trafalgars. While you are "confined" to the itinerary and so forth, they take care of all the details and planning so you can just enjoy the sights. You'll want to go back for more, and will have gained enough experience to plan the next trip on your own. Cosmos is an "economy" company. Same sights, but accomodations and meals are "economy" also. Trafalgar offers excellent value for the dollar with much better amenities.

LAURA

I AGREE WITH DONNA. I HAVE TRAVELLED WITH TRAFALGAR MANY TIMES. THEIR HOTELS, RESTAURANTS AND OTHER AMMENITIES ARE VERY GOOD. THEY OFFER A "FREE AND EASY" VERSION THAT ALLOWS YOU TO PLAN MORE OF YOUR TRIP, BUT COVERS HOTEL COSTS AND SOME SIGHTSEEING WHICH YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OR NOT. THEIR TOUR GUIDES ARE VERY HELPFUL AND WELL INFORMED AND (AT LEAST IN LONDON) THEY HAVE OFFICES IN THE HOTELS THAT THEY USE. YOU CAN PURCHASE TICKETS TO MANY LONDON ATTRACTIONS AT A DISCOUNT AS WELL AS AVOID STANDING IN LINE AT PLACES SUCH AS MADAME TUSSAUDS.

Isabel

Thank you all for responding to my message. I have heard a lot about travelling on your own, but I don't seem to hear much about the escorted tours until now. Thank you, Donna and Laura. Laura, you said you've travelled with Trafalgar many times and are obviously very pleased with them. How did you find the people? Do you think a 12-year-old will fit in? I was told that most of the people going on these tours are of the more mature type. Is that true? I don't want to ruin anybody's vacation.

Donna

Yes, it is true that most of the other travellers on a Trafalfar tour mal be "mature": Majority of folks are retired couples. But not all, and SO what? On our last tour, there were mostly retired couples and widowed ladies and us (the "kids" in their 40's) and one single guy in his early thirties who noticed all of this and exclaimed that he was having a splendid time! You will thoroughly enjoy yourselves - regardless!

Laura

I took my 12 year old daughter on a Trafalgar tour in 1995 to England, and I took her again to Spain in 1996..She fit in very well. She became somewhat of a mascot for the tour group and received much special attention. No one seemd bothered by her. Many of the people on these tours are seniors, but there have also been several people in their 20's and 30's on my tours as well as young teenagers accompanied by parents. My daughter had a wonderful time and I think the other people on the tour really enjoyed having her.