MaryFran830

Looking to travel Europe with a tour group after graduation in May. Looking for a 20 something tour group. Does anyone have any reviews on Contiki, G adventures, Under 30 Experiences, Top Deck or AESU? They all seem to have trips I would like - but looking for reviews on how well it was run and such. I never know if things I read on their sites are paid reviews Thanks!

Christina

Never heard of them except Contiki. I think it's for a party-loving crowd, does that fit your personality?

I just think some other website might have people with more experience on those tours than Fodors, FYI, but maybe a few folks on here have had kids who took them and will chime in. I think those tours can be fun if you are with a group of people you like and have fun with, and it's an easy way to travel.

good luck, I don't know best website, Lonely Planet maybe but I suspect a lot of people who took these tours probably aren't regulars are on travel forum website. Just a guess.

Check this website out, I think it is not promotional
https://thesavvybackpacker.com/conti...urope-contiki/

quiltingmamma

I would google company name + reviews. It seems that there are few forums where tour reviews can be posted reliably and not sure I have ever seen any here. Also check out Lonely Planet Thorntree website - they may have some suggestions. Also look at Lonely Planet travel guides for either these countries or Europe in general. They usually have copies in local libraries.

PalenQ

Never heard of them except Contiki. I think it's for a party-loving crowd, does that fit your personality?>

Naw -have observed many Contiki groups in Contiki Camps (cheaper tours) and I would say most are having a good time but did not seem to be anymore partying than any group of 20s types - has a good reputation (last I knew owned by a Swiss banking group)- been around for years as has Top Deck - never heard of others.

AESU used to use at least deceptive tactics of portraying itself as a student group when it was not but also been around for ages.

Yup few Fodorites will even have heard of these groups - look yes at Lonely Planet for folks who know much more.

But Contiki and Top Deck have been around for ages - and AESU too - always a good sign.

CanadaDC

I did a Contiki trip in 2002 and it is still one of the best trips I have ever taken.
It sparked my love for Europe and I made friends that I still keep in touch with to this day. In fact I am heading to London primarily to see a Contiki friend in a few weeks.

I went in September so our "crowd" was primary post grads, and late 20's early 30's adults. Might be a younger crowd in the summer months.

PalenQ

Most Contiki and Top Deck groups I've seen were largely female!

quiltingmamma

G Adventures used to be GAP Adventure. A Canadian based (but very global clientele) for over 20 years. Various levels of service and comfort means different trips appeal to different ages. I took one and at 53 one of the larger groups. 2 over 70 and 4 under 40. With the change of name to G, they added the very youth oriented trips - YOLO. However you call them, long established and well reputed.

thursdaysd

You could add Intrepid to that list.