EF Tours -- Are they a good choice?
 

So I am now booked on a trip with 20 others from my High School (we were invited on this trip because our history department saw us as most mature and able to appreciate the trip) on a trip to Central Europe with EF Tours. We will be visiting Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria over the course of 14 days. As someone who loves to travel, I would like to have peace of mind that this will be a worthwhile experience, however, based on some of the reviews I've read of the company I no longer have confidence that it will be. First and foremost, a major concern I have is the quality of the food. One of the main reasons TO travel, in my opinion, is to enjoy a gastronomical experience. As I've been told by the teacher leading this trip, breakfast and dinner are provided by EF and we basically have no choice of what we eat. This by itself is a bit discouraging, because I have a very mature taste for my age, so I feel that the company will provide third-rate food that doesn't really represent an authentic meal from whatever country we're in. I even read somewhere that they served French fries when one group was in France -- what the heck! I was, however, able to take respite in the supposed fact that we'll be able to venture out on our own for lunch, which I assume to be true given that it has been stated by both EF and the teacher who's leading this trip. Also, I have heard horror stories about air travel with EF. We will be flying out of Washington Dulles, a major east coast hub. I have a feeling, though, that we'll probably either connect through Heathrow or De Gaulle in Paris. If anyone could offer some insight (preferably detailed) into those two concerns, as well as add their overall impressions with other aspects of the trip, that would be extremely helpful. Thanks!

Welcome to Fodors. You are more likely to get replies if you re-post this on the Europe board. You might also try using the search facility, although it doesn't always work very well.

I have never taken an EF tour, but from what I have read your concerns are well-founded. It also sounds like the tour is too fast-paced. Are you paying for the trip? Because if so, you might do better to save the money, and look into traveling independently (try reading "Europe Through the Back Door" and Let's Go, Lonely Planet and Rough Guides. (Look for "Read This First" and "First Time Europe" even if second hand.) Otherwise, do your own research on the places you are going, and on places to eat. You may need to start a "good food" movement within the group, as it is quite likely that you will not be allowed to go off on your own.

These days, air travel is pretty much a horror story regardless, unless you are in first or business. Load you smart phone or tablet with lots to see/do.

A grandchild recently traveled with EF with het Spanish class and teacher to Spain.She is an adventurous eater, only wanted local food choices, and was disappointed with their Americanized choices. Her teacher took them to wonderful local restaurants for lunch. Still, she had a great trip and saw a lot. The cost was low so it was expected that there would be compromises.

I responded on your other thread.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ood-choice.cfm

As my mother likes to say on her tours, "we saw everything, sort of".