wj1

Hi. Does anybody have any recommendations for tour groups for someone in her 20s? We know about Contiki but are there any other groups that cater to young people? We are also looking for something that is fairly economical. And please don't suggest independent travel. We've thought about that and for a variety of reasons have decided that it isn't the best way to go on this trip.

Thanks in advance.

MaureenB

Try STATravel.com. It's a travel agency that specializes in putting together programs and trips for students traveling abroad. We used it when our daughter studied in Florence. They offer several packages. Good airfare, good service, and cheap policies regarding changing air itineraries.

GBC

HI..I'm wondering if you've checked Rick Steves. For those who are 'active', both young and old, there are quite a few options. Google will find it for you.

alanRow

Isn't Contiki effectively Spring Break on a bus?

jhschlak

I second the rick steves idea.

suze

I'm afraid that Rick Steves is not "fairly economical", the tours are expensive. I think they are good for what they offer (good pace, small groups, etc.) but I'm guessing not the budget they have in mind.

Is this person in school? Are there opportunities for traveling there? Do they want to go on a tour or that is your idea for them?

suze

Buy a copy of Frommer's Budget Travel magazine. They have a feature called 40 Best Bets that shows bargain priced tour packages. Also check even their ads, for all kinds of tour companies.

wj1

Thanks everyone.

This person is just finishing up college. She would like to travel independently but has not found anyone willing to join her. Thus, she's decided that she will go on a tour to fulfill her dream of seeing Europe.

All of your suggestions are good ones. I had also looked at Rick Steves and it is probably not in her budget. Checking with STAT and her school are good ideas. And I have a Frommers Budget Travel magazine so I'll check that. She has concerns about Contiki but it still may be her best bet. The daughter of someone I work with recently went on a Contiki trip and felt that while there was more partying on the trip than she preferred, she had a great time and saw a lot.

In any event, thanks for your ideas. I'm sure she will appreciate them.

suze

wj1- Thanks for additional details. From your first post I thought perhaps she wanted to go independently, but you didn't want her too. Sorry about the misunderstanding.

For me a Contiki tour would not fulfill my dream of seeing Europe. Not about age but about the frat party atmosphere, being stuck on a bus with a group of people with different intent than my own, etc.

Have you considered the regular tour companies, like Globus, Trafalgar, etc.? If she is a serious young woman a mixed-age tour might actually be closer to what she is seeking.

faith77

wj1,
I did a Cosmos tour (England & Ireland) a few years back. Cosmos is the budget side of Globus. My tour was a budget tour and attracted a younger, international traveller.
IMO a budget tour is a good way for a young person to go for a first trip to Europe.
Faith

Barbara_in_CT

No matter what tour you take, please research it as if you were going on your own. I know that some tours don't mind if you leave the tour or a few hours as long as you get back in time to go to the next location.

Also, know what hotels they stay in and where they are located. You don't want to have to pay a lot of extra money to get into the center of town.

A third thing to be aware of is 'extras.' Some tours include most of what you want to see in the basic price. Some tours charge extra to see what might be considered basic.

So its not just the places they go but also what they do.

Barbara in CT

Margo_Chester

What about Gate1 tours? They offer a variety of tours from fully escorted to independent city stays where your transportation, hotels and some touring is included with lots of time to explore on your own. They also show you the different dates and hotels that have a bearing on price.

janisj

Another option - besides a fully guided tour: She could easily go independently to any city she fancies -- and then hook up w/ 1-day and/or multiday tours from there.

For example - she could go to Paris, spend a few days seeing the city on her own, then book a cityrama or other coach tour of Normandy or the Loire, or anywhere. It would be the best of both worlds - probably cheaper thanwhat she'd have to pay for a tour, especially w/ a single supplement, she could see some things on her own terms and some as part of a group.

The tourist offices in just about every major European city can hook her up w/ reputable short tours.