Michelle

This will be my first time to Europe and I'll be traveling w. a friend my age (30s) to Italy. After reading several posts on tour groups, Globus is getting BAD reviews. Here's what I want:<BR>Centrally located hotels<BR>Some people my own age on the tour (as opposed to all sr. citizens)<BR>Time to go off on our own<BR>Some meals included but ability to eat some meals on our own<BR><BR>I'm considering Perillo, Colette and Tauck (although I have a feeling when I see Tauck's prices I'll faint). Do any companies have a reputation for being popular w. younger people? (20s, 30s, 40s?)<BR><BR>THANKS!!!<BR><BR>Any suggestions/preferences are much appreciated.

Roni

I would think most young people would prefer to go on their own. But I think <BR>Rick Steve's Tours attract young (or at<BR>least young-thinking) people. <BR>Have fun!

Thyra

Michelle, if you are dead set on a tour then go for it, but is there any chance you'd go on your own? It's pretty easy actually and you will get a chance to meet Italian locals and not just other tourists. Just curious??? But I am in my 30's and most of the other 30 ish year old's I mean are travelling independently and loving it! <BR>Another option is to set your own pace but take day tours at specific locations, like say, Rome or Tuscany.<BR>Regardless, I hope you have a great time!

Linda

Funny, I've heard lots of good things about Globus, except for the fact they don't always pick hotels that are close to city center. And my travel agent thinks they are great, as is Brendan, their western US affiliate. Y<BR><BR>es, touring by yourself can be very rewarding. But so can traveling with a tour. I've done both and will continue to do both. If you will be more comfortable with a tour, especially since this is your first time to Europe, please don't let somebody talk you out of it. But, if you can get up the "intestinal fortitude" to go on your own, go for it. It's not hard to do, especially if you have a travel agent help you with your plans.<BR><BR>As to tours that cater to 30-somethings, talk to your travel agent. He/she may have some ideas. But, since more and more younger people are traveling, most tour groups are beginning to become younger. Yes, there will be "old folks" on most tours, but I think you'll find that most of them have a widely varied clientele.<BR><BR>Again, go to a travel agent for help. They get paid by the tour company so their service is free to you. And they want to get you what you want, because repeat business is their bread and butter. If they don't satisfy you the first time, you won't come back. Just make sure you are clear as to exactly what you want.<BR><BR>Have fun in Italy, my favorite country. And please free to e-mail me for any questions you may have. I'll be glad to help if I can.

JB

Hi Michelle,<BR><BR>My sister went on a Globus Tour of Italy last year. She is 34. She was traveling alone and so that is why she went. SHE LOVED IT! She said that there were families and singles on her trip and she ended up hanging out with a cool 50ish year old couple that I believe she still keeps in contact with. Pros - good information, lots of free time, nice people, didn't have to stand in line, etc. What she didn't like was - the non-centrally located hotels and the food - which wasn't bad -was not outstanding either. Overall, though she loved it. <BR><BR>One note - the more expensive the tour, usually the older the crowd. And Tauck is VERY expensive - although I have heard it is worth every penny. <BR><BR>Hope this helps. Feel free to email me and I will find out more from my sister.<BR><BR>JB

Christina

I went on a couple tours with TWA Getaway when I was in my 30s and they were outstanding, can't say enough good things--and if you book their budget (NOT first class) tours you do have a wide variety of ages, most less than 65). They have everything you want but since they were bought out etc may not be operating (which would be a shame, I think they were one of the best budget/moderate priced touring companies)--looking at their web site, it doesn't seem to have info on TWA Getaway tours, but you could call. I know a website with good tours by age group www.osolomio.com They are a trou group for singles and they have an age group 35 and under. You are supposed to be unmarried but you don't have to be alone, you and your friend can sign up and room together. They have some good itineraries and pricing and might be your best bet. I looked at Perillo's brochures once as I was thinking of an Italian tour, didn't know the language and had no time or energy for planning, but thought their tours looked pretty bad--they really seemed geared to the older set, very much more than any other company I've seen. they may have been fine quality for that demographic, but looked very inappropriate for what you're seeking. They included almost every meal which I thought was incredible on a tour of Italy, I can't imagine who would want that. Cosmos, of course, is for very young singles but may be a little too immature for you from what I've heard. I agree with the comment that the more expensive the tour, the less likely it will be the kind you are seeking.

Dianne

How about a short tour (7-10 days) followed by a week on your own? I've also found the more first class and expensive the tour, the older the group. <BR><BR>I usually use Cosmos because they're a lot easier on the Canadian dollar than Perillo, etc. They include less, but it's so much fun to go out and do your own thing sometimes.

Erica B

Hi Michelle,<BR><BR>I have to agree with comments above that if you can manage it, going on your own offers opportunities you won't find with a tour group. I have always travelled independently in Europe and find it very easy and incredibly rewarding. It may require some legwork on the front end in terms of research, etc. but the freedom it affords once you're there is well worth it. A good starting point is to use a tour group's schedule to "model" your own itinerary - you'll get a sense of the major sights, etc. - but then you can build in all the flexibility you want. The last thing I personally want to do is limit my time exploring due to a tour group schedule (many of which are out-and-out exhausting!) My travel experience has taught me that "less is more" - limiting the number of places you visit really enhances the quality of your time. And as an independent traveler, I think you'll get to experience a side of the local people (and fellow travelers) that you might not if lost in a group. No matter what you decide, have a great trip!

Cindy

I took a Grand European tour to Europe last year. We were told that lots of young people go on the tour. That may be true. As it turned out, however, my kid brother was the youngest person on the tour, and he's 39. Aside from our family, the youngest person might have been 55+, and many were elderly. <BR><BR>Part of this has to do with the fact that the tour was during the school year, so no kids or college students were present. <BR><BR>But having older people with you on a tour group really does alter your experience. They simply have different needs. It was OK just this one time (we accompanied my parents on the tour, and they were happy to be among peers), but I'd find it too maddening otherwise.<BR><BR>One compromise idea, though. The tour we took was a "hosted" tour. This means that you are basically paying for air and hotel, with a few touristy things included. So if you want to go to the Vatican, for example, you have to either go on your own or purchase an excursion. This was wonderful, because you could try small adventures on your own. <BR><BR>Finally, it has been my experience that tours often go at a breakneck pace. So if you are feeling like you need a day of rest, you can do that with a hosted tour and opt out of the excursions. But if you have a traditional tour where the bus is going to Rome today and you'd better be on it, you really can't opt out.

Lidija

Contiki is the one company I know that is for young people. Its for 18-35 years old, www.contiki.com

Christina

Actually, I think Contiki was the one I was thinking of that's very young, not Cosmos--whoops. Having been on some tours, I will comment that mine were not at a breakneck pace at all and a lot of other comments people make were not relevant to the ones I did. That's because I chose the itinerary I wanted which had plenty of free time. It was really not that different from doing it on your own except that certain things were more convenient and expedient (travel between places, not having to take care of baggage, getting to front of lines in museums, etc). To me, there is no difference from being in a guided group at a museum from a tour group or signing up for one at the desk (in fact, ours were often better, like at the Cairo Museum). It depends on the quality of the tour and what you buy, that's all, there should be no surprises if it's reputable and the brochure is specific. My tours were not the hosted ones, though, which from the literature I've seen don't include much of anything, but you never had included meals except in a few locations that were kind of in the middle of nowhere or did not have good restaurants, so that made sense. You do not ever HAVE to go on the group activities, you're not a prisoner, although often you'll want to. On the TWA tour I took ALL evening activities were optional addons, and a few daytrip things were, but that's good because you can do what you want (eg, we were in Edinburgh 3 days and one day was an optional bus tour through the Scottish highlands countryside, which I loved). The only thing you have to do is move from one place to another (city) when the tour does. A lot of people go to cities and then spend time trying to find tours and signing up from them, so these save you that trouble (ie, introductory city bus tours, they almost always have those included). I'm just saying they have pros and cons, and I did not dislike or resent the ones I took at all, you just have to be an aware consumer. There are some bad ones, of course. One of those hosted ones might be good for you, also; Trafalgar has those, I believe. On those, it doesn't really matter too much who else is on them, though, as you won't be associating with those people very much. A tour can be fun also, because you are with a group if you like some of the people you hang out with. I had a great time with about 6 people I met on my Egypt tour -- we went out to dinner in a great local place, all chipped in to rent a private felucca (sailboat) ride on the Seine, two were TV soap opera stars and another were a married couple on their honeymoon who did relife work in Haiti and had six kids (they were on their 2nd marriage); one woman was rather elderly but she was delightful and I had dinner with her, a woman about 70 who had had polio but was traveling on her own and managed some of the activities with us. I wouldn't have wanted to be with all people that age when I was younger, but people of all ages can be interested (and I found others around my own age to go out to pubs, etc, with). If you have a girlfriend to go with, it's not so crucial to go on a tour though, as you won't be lacking company.

michelle

Im finding this quite depressing. So far Ive learned that tours are loaded w. seniors, the food sucks and the hotels arent centrally located, oh and ill have to get up at 6am everyday and go at breakneck speed (sorry I just cant get up that early everyday). But I honestly dont have the time or energy to do all the research it takes to go on my own. It was exhausting doing it for Cayman and thats a tiny country! What about General Tours? Conde Nast travel recommends them. Ideally what Id like it to find a shorter tour that allows me time to go on my own, allows me to eat some of my meals (ie half at least) on my own, and then once I get a feel for Italy we could go the rest of the vacation on our own. Maybe I'll just go back to the Carribean

Laurel

Now Michelle, I hope you were joking! If you are daunted this early in the game then maybe you should book a cruise ship and have done with it. <BR>You've been offered some terrific suggestions.. the Hosted Tours idea that Christina mentions sounds perfect.Travel takes planning and if you are utterly put off by having to pick an appropriate tour group after you have been given loads of options, maybe Europe IS too much for you.

Reality Check

Christina, to be fair, I think you're giving an overly rosy picture of life on a tour bus. For instance, you said, "To me, there is no difference from being in a guided group at a museum from a tour group or signing up for one at the desk (in fact, ours were often better, like at the Cairo Museum)." How would you know if yours was better than the one the museum offered if you only did the one with the tour group? And of course, the difference is that if you go on your own and you want to stay longer or leave earlier, you can. With a group, you come when the group comes and (usually) leave when the group leaves.<BR><BR>Also, you pointed out that your tour only had included meals when you were in the middle of nowhere. Well, if you were on your own, you could plan to be someplace with great restaurants rather than in the middle of nowhere.<BR><BR>As for whether you are a prisoner, well, I submit that you are often a prisoner. If the bus is leaving from London at 7 a.m., heading to Bath and then to some other place for the night, you quite surely are a prisoner. You'll need to have your bags outside your hotel door at 6 a.m., and you'll have to stay with the group until you have a "free" day. <BR><BR>And it makes a great deal of difference who is on your tour group, even if it is a hosted tour. You'll be with them for every group tour, meal and excursion you do, so I'd pay attention to this.<BR><BR>Bottom line: If you have a friend to go with you and you are young, you'll have a great time on your own, making it up as you go and being in charge of your own experience. But unless you're far more patient than I was at your age, you'll quickly grow weary of Mr. Smith's frequent bathroom breaks, Ms. Jones loud, grating voice, Mr. Smithers' snoring, and everyone snapping flash pictures out of the window of the bus.

chris

If you can afford Tauck they are the way to go. Classy hotels, good food. People are in their 30's and up. I would not suggest independant in Europe for the first time as there is the language barrier and road traffic can be quite dangerous compared to U.S. Streets. Also tour companies have years of experience with travelers and know which spots to take tourists to - it is basicly a stress free vacation.

Betsy

Michelle, <BR>You'll find folks on this board tend to have pretty black and white feelings about tours vs. independent travel. I travel using a combination of both. I went to Italy last year for the first time with Europe Through the Backdoor, (Rick Steves). I am in my mid 30s and I've been on 2 of their tours. They are small,(24). There will likely be others your age, especially for Italy. The tour guides are usually in their 30s as well. I like that someone else has made all the arrangements while having time on my own as I want it. I have never felt prisoner to the guide's schedule. What I like about ETBD is that you get to know Europeans and go places other tour groups don't. It isn't a shopping tour and the guides really know the region they're traveling. Local guides are used for historic walks and museums, another opportunity to meet a european. I find I have plenty of time on my own. Tauck will primarly be older people due to their prices, though its a great company. Check out the ETBD website and feel free to e-mail if you have any questions. Europe Through the Backdoor will send you a free catalog through the website or by calling. They start taking reservations for the 2002 tours in August and Italy goes first.I really don't work for them, I just think it is a really high quality company. <BR>Enjoy your planning! <BR>Betsy

xxxx

Betsy,<BR>please let us know the website for Europe through the backdoor. That tour sounds what we are looking for.

Leslie

The website for Europe through the Back Door is www.ricksteves.com.<BR><BR>There are tour companies and lines within some companies that specialize in 18 - 35 year olds.<BR><BR>Also, there is a company called "Untours" I believe that offers a hosted tour. The meet and great you at the airport, book your hotels and your train tickets city to city, but you are otherwise on your own. The only downside I can see is that they are city-oriented and a tour is a good way to see smaller towns and countryside without renting a car. Hope this is helpful information.

Michelle

Europe through the back door is taking reservations for 2002? Thats great, but I'm leaving THIS SEPTEMBER. You guys who spend the better part of a year planning your trips - well lets just say i dont get you. My friends and I dont work that way. In fact a colleague of mine leaves in 3 weeks and is just now picking her hotels! But I've calmed down (slightly) since my last post. If i can move to NYC knowing NO ONE and w. no place to live, and travel all over this country ALONE on biz, i think i can handle italy w. a friend, esp considering they'll be a zillion other Americans there doing the same thing. Im now leaning heavily toward a leisure style tour (i like the looks of collette). Time w. the group, time alone, all dinners on our own. Im even getting brave enough to consider a HOSTED tour, ie w. AMEX. They've gotten good reviews on here. Hotel, air, rail tickets and sightseeing tour in each city is included. I could handle that. That way I could get my bearings on the half day tour then explore at my own pace. Can you reco a great website where you can determine exactly where hotels are located w. relative ease?

Dianne

Trafalgar has a brochure for 21-38 year olds. I don't think they have as much a party reputation as Contiki. I did a Contiki tour in 1998 and it was great. I don't travel thousands of miles to go out drinking and the sights of Turkey were my number one priority. On my tour everyone felt the same way and it was a good group. I guess you could get stuck with a bunch of hard drinkers though!