I'm about 20 years-old looking to go on a trip to Ireland with a friends around spring time and we were doing some research on EF College Breaks and Contiki Tours, and were wondering which would be a better choice. We want the best experience for our money. We would love any input into either and your experiences with either company.
Thanks!!!

Hi Greengirl232

You might get better responses if you post the question under the Europe Forum.

Also read & post at Lonely Planet's forum called The Thorn Tree.

There aren't many people here on Fodor's who are 20 years old OR who do organized tours (mostly independent travel).

But there are some who do organized tours AND travel independently also!!!

I dont know about the college tours but I have heard Contiki is a lot of fun IF you are young and want to parteee and sleep on the bus!

If you are interested in seeing the country and experiencing the culture....then you would be very safe and happy back backing in Ireland.

Or you could take a regular tour company: INsight, Grand European, Globus, Cosmos etc.. but you have to do some homework, study the itineraries and see where they go and if you want to see what they will see. Also know that most the people on the tour will be older than you!!

You will have long days on buses, you will have limited amounts of time in places....but they also will get you about, you will learn from the guides, and they will tend to the luggage.

IT all just depends on what you want. I always start w/ the itinerary, find a tour for most of what I want...and then do the rest on my own if IM in a country where that is possible.

NO matter what...go and have fun!!!!! See the world!

Cosmos and KonTiki are best generally for younger party crowd.

Globus generally for older travelers...

www.affordabeltours.com

I have used Cosmos and found them to be very similiar to Globus...tour wise and age of the travelers.