Hi
I am planning a trip to Italy with 6 other people. None of us want to drive, therefore I am looking at organised tour. I came across a company named Goaheadtours. They are based in the US. I checked with a travel agency here in Canada and they had never heard of goaheadtours.
Does anyone know this company?
Also would anyone know of a company that would do private tours for small group?any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks
godin

They are a Boston based company that is part of EF Education, which is a company that provide tours for school. Go Ahead is for consumers. I haven't traveled with them, but I did interview for a job there last week, so I know they exist!

Thanks Amyb for your feedback and good luck with the job.

EF and GoAhead are part of the same company based in Cambridge, MA. I don't have anything positive to say about EF student tours, but I think GoAhead is quite different.
http://www.goaheadtours.com/master/info/whyGoAhead/

Hi godin. Check the solo traveler
forum #14 for more responses to your
query. We were quite satisfied with
this tour co. and the price was
comparable to other companies.

I mistook your heading for "Goathead Tours" and thought it must specialize in Satanists or people who like Jamaican food!

I haven't traveled with them personally but I met a couple in Italy about a year and a half ago who was traveling with them and they were very pleased with everything about their trip!

EF Educational Tours a/k/a Go Ahead Tours , a/k/a EF Tours

I was with an EF Tour Group (parent of a student) which returned from London 6/22/07.

We were notified 6 days prior to departure (see attached letter) that we were being moved from a hotel (which was booked several months prior to departure) to a college dorm.

We were never offered any compensated for the change and I can tell you that the services/accommodations were far from similar. I paid > $2,700 and my daughter > $2,000 to stay at a college dorm for a week , never received clean towels or new bed linens for the week.

By creating the potential excitement & enjoyment for the students and the penalty for cancellation, EF Tours creates a “no win” situation for the parents. Thus the bill is paid.

On our 4th day at the college dorm, while we were gone on a day trip, there was money stolen from several rooms (over $300 US dollars). There were other rooms rummaged thru looking for money. There was no forced entry, someone had a key. Security Personnel at the dorm and EF Tour Guide basically said that it was our responsibility to report the loss to the local police and assumed no liability, offered little assistance. You are truly on your own.

Some individuals/parents in our group spoke to the employees at the restaurants we visited. Those employees said it was a joke amongst the restaurants regarding EF Tours and their meals/samples negotiated for the tour groups, in order to cut cost.

I would never recommend EF Tours or University of London Queen Mary and I have posted my comments on several web-sites…including Fodors , Teachers.net , etc…..

Also, based on other comments/reviews, I’m not the only one. I have written a letter and received a reply (a sorry) from EF Tours.

>>>>>On our 4th day at the college dorm, while we were gone on a day trip, there was money stolen from several rooms (over $300 US dollars).<<<<<

No one should leave money in a hotel room or college dorm. The theft is not the tour company's fault.

I have traveled with GoAhead tours. Yes, it's a budget tour company, and I was on a budget. I thought it was a good value and would probably travel with them again.

I also traveled with students onseveral EF tours in the 90s. EF is geared toward students. GoAhead is geared towards adults. HUGE difference in the tours.

Yes, I recommend GoAhead.

GoAhead and EF are part of the same company. I feel that EF is fine for students, but I do not recommend for adults. I met a lady on an EF tour who highly recommends GoAhead. She has been on several of their tours. She said that it is different and much better than EF.