mt_24

We are considering a family tour to europe in july and the globus 18-day Old World Classics tour has interested us.
We would like to hear from people who have taken the tour on their likes, dislikes and whether a family would enjoy it with 2 children in their teens.
Thankyou mt_24

jeff49

Mt 24
You probably won’t find a lot of comments on this board as most of the posters here are independent travelers. Over the past several years, I have done a mix of tours and independent traveling and have toured with Globus, Cosmos, and Trafalgar on several trips. I’ve never been disappointed with any of the organized tours and have traveled with all age groups.

To answer your specific question regarding the teens: It has a lot to do with their maturity. I’ve traveled with teens that were in awe throughout the trip and I’ve traveled with teens that were bored and not the least bit impressed with the beauty or history of Europe. In reviewing your itinerary, I see that you have several days when you will be on the coach for most of the day. You might want to consider some sort of diversional activity for those days to lessen the boredom.

I have been to all of the places on your itinerary so if you have any specific questions, please let me know. You can email me at [email protected].

Infotrack

My wife and I have been on Globus tours, as well as Trafalgar and several others. Of those in the same price range as Globus (which excludes MaupinTours, Tauck, etc, as they are very expensive), we have found Insight Vacations to be the best.

With the Insight premium tours, there are more things included in the base cost of the tour that are optionals with other companies, and the hotels with Insight are generally better, and more centrally located. So, I do suggest that you check out Insight as well. Their website is here:

http://www.insightvacations.com/us/

(if you are not in the USA, drop the "us/" off at the end of the URL).

Their message board is here:

http://forums.insightvacations.com/eve/ubb.x

Insight and Trafalgar, by the way, are sister companies, owned by the same parent company.

I have several documents that may be of use to you, including Tips for Motorcoach Tours, and some journals. If you want them, let me know at:

[email protected]

I have been on motorcoaches where there have been teens. In your free time, while on tour, have some things planned that the kids would especially like to see (have THEM do the research on what they want to see). Also, have them bring CD players with VERY good headphones (the type that don't leak sound out to disturb other passengers).

You will have a GREAT time, no matter your tour company, and no matter the tour itinerary you select, however, the more research you do in that regard, the more you are likely to enjoy it even more.

--Marv

janis

Only you know your kids. How do you think they would enjoy being w/ a group of mostly older adults for 18 days? I don't mean your kids are brats or anything - but the fact is they will be in coaches all day long with fellow travelers some in their 30's but mostly in their 50's and above (some way above).

If your kids are good interacting w/ adults and won't sulk or huddle in the back of the coach with headphones stuck on their ears most of the time they could have a great time.

But if they are in a "stage" where old folks are at best tolerated - I'd give it a lot of thought first.

Have you considered doing a trip on your own? Renting two different villas/cottages/apartment for a week each and using them as bases to see the surrounding areas will probably be a lot cheaper than paying for 4 tours.

FainaAgain

I don't know the average age on European tours, but on USA tours mostly "older adults" sometimes with the exception of a few younger tourists from the countries where they drive on the left side, like Australia. I love to be on a tour by myself, but I can imagine teenagers will be bored to death and behave accordingly.

If you want to try a tour, find a shorter one, maybe a week with a bus tour, and then a week or 2 on your own. You can use any tour's itinerary to start planning.

mt_24

Thanks for all your help everyone. The teenagers are 18 and 15 and are very talkative to any age group. We only have a limited amount of time of 28 days and we would like to see a bit of europe especially Italy, Paris, Nice and the greek islands. Does anyone have any tours that would be suitable? (even if its a few short tours combined)
Thanks again mt_24

oztravellers

Hi

I too found this tour attractive and booked and fully paid for it; leaving London on 1 Feb 05.

I have been given notice (but no explaination as to why) this has now been cancelled. I am advised I will get my full money paid in advance back , as the fine print indicates, but not until 4 or 5 weeks after the date advised of the cancellation ( no fine print on this aspect).

This likely date for repayment is well after I leave Australia as had planned to do other things first - with 20 year old university student.

It is a major inconvenience as I am travelling on FF points and using Priceline for London Accom; before what was the tour start date. Not impressed as you can imagine.

I suggest you be aware of this possibility before you pay the money!

Hope it works out for you if you do go ahead.

mt_24

Hay guys,
I'm still looking around at different tours and i was wandering from people being on them all which one of these companies: Globus, Insight and Trafalgar give you more satisfaction and is better for first timers travelling europe.
Thanks mt_24

crefloors

Try some of the tour or group travel message boards for still more information. You will probably here from people who have toured with several different companies. As with anything of course, there is always a possiblity of a "glitch" somewhere..hotel change, etc. or the worst thing, cancellation of the trip. I think if maybe they don't get enough bookings for a particular tour on a particular date, they cancel it. Didn't happen to me thank goodness.

I took a Globus tour (booked through Brendan) in 1999. Thames to Tiber, 16 days. The only "one nighter" was in Florence, the rest of the time we were either two or three nights every stop. We did have a full free day to ourselves in London, Paris, and Rome, so this tour was a little more "relaxed" than some of them. Our tour director was excellent and charming, and that is part of it all. A good director can make it or break it I think. We were a diverse group..youngest 13, two young girls in their early 20's, two young couples, and the rest were probably in early 50's to maybe mid 60's. There were a couple of "whiners" but the were actually pretty amusing and I really didn't interact with them at all.

Make sure what the tour actually includes and what it doesn't. Some of the less expensive ones don't included as much and that gives you more free time if you want it or they will offer optional tours and you can participate or not as you like. I would suggest picking up brochures from several different companies and read them carefully and thoroughly to see how they are structured and what they offer and how much.

Good luck with your research and your trip.

Infotrack

Again, after having taking several tours, including from Globus, Insight, and Trafalgar, as well as others, I highly recommend Insight. Certain of the Insight tours are now have guaranteed departures for specific dates. Insight has also re-engineered their motorcoaches, for their premium tours, to provide for few passengers, meaning more legroom. That is a big advantage.

And, no, I am not connected in any way with Insight. I just prefer them over the others I have tried.

--Marv