whitley3

I (age 20) am looking at booking a tour to London and Paris for me, my mother (age 57) and grandmother (a very fit age 82). I have been looking for different travel companies to go with becuase a travel agent told me this was the cheapest way to go. Wondering if anyone knows of any reasonably priced tours. I will also be studying abroad for 12 weeks before they come, and will be traveling on the weekends to different places in europe. Would like some advice on where to hit and where to stay (preferably inexpensive possibly hostels) at these places. Thanks.

janisj

Sorry - but your travel agent doesn't know what she's talking about. You can do MUCH better arranging things on your own instead of taking a tour. Even a really low end (cheap) tour gets expensive when you have to multiply it by 3. And since most tours don't deal w/ triples, one of you would have to pay a large single supplement.

London and Paris are two of the easiest cities to do independently. And there are terrific ways to save money in both that would not apply to a tour. Renting apartments will usually be cheaper than a triple hotel room, and a lot cheaper than a single and a double.

Any tour that is bearable for a 20 yo will be too frantic for an 80 yo. And a &quot;senior&quot; tour that <i>might</i> fit your mom and Grandmother would be dead boring for you.

AnthonyGA

I don't think one can generalize in that way based solely on age. Some 80-year-olds are in excellent condition; some 20-year-olds cannot walk a block without huffing and puffing. And interests depend more on personality than age: about the only pattern I've seen is that unattached people under 30 or so often dedicate a great deal of their time to searching for a mate (temporary or permanent).

janisj

My point had nothing at all to do w/ their physical abilities.

Higher end tours tend to be booked by 55+ folks and often w/ many on the far side of 80, and most 20 yo's would be either bored to tears or would end up being the coach &quot;mascot&quot;

Tours geared to younger people either have an upper age limit and the older women couldn't go, or are party central.

alanRow

The point is that Paris &amp; London are two of the easiest cities in the world to do independently. The public transport systems are extensive &amp; cheap, hotels are plentiful and cover all cost brackets and there's plenty for anyone to do whether they are aged 1 or 101.

Add to that the ease - by Eurostar - to get between London and Paris and you wind up with the conclusion that it's pointless to book a tour UNLESS that tour is very specialised.

isabel

Definitly agree that a tour will be MUCH more expensive than doing those two cities on your own. And much, much more relaxing and enjoyable for the majority of people. And several things you said in your question make it even more so. You said &quot;cheapest&quot;- definity go independent. You also say you'll be studying there for 12 weeks before they come. You'll be quite an expert at getting around Europe by the time they get there and will be able to show them around. Where are you studying? Do you plan to go to London and Paris during that time. If so you can check things out before they come, but even if not you will still have learned enough to make the trip very doable for all of you.

Travel agents make money booking tours so of course she going to say that. Ask how much she's talking about, then spend just a few hours on line and see if you can't get airfare and hotels for a lot less. Paris and London are also great bases for doing day trips by public transportation (or one day tours) so there's no need to be on a tour in order to see some small towns, castles, chateaux, etc. You'll get more than enough help on this board to plan a great trip. Have fun.

grantop

You could also do the 2 cities on your own (Eurostar between) and join some full or half day guided tours in each location.

Karl

I'll agree somewhat with the advice so far. If you are looking only to see London &amp; Paris do it yourself. If however you want to travel around England (Cotswald, Bath, Stratford, London, etc) and see more than Paris I would suggest a tour. That way all the driving and tours are arranged.

I have done both and there is something to be said for either. I have used Insight Tours, their sister company is called Trafalgar Tours and they are not quite so upscale (cheaper). They both have websites with a forum like fodors. I have not done Globus but hear they are quite similar.

No matter which way you go Europe is a wonderful place to visit. Have a great time.

Karl

whitley3

thanks for all of the advice, but regarding the age differences: my grandmother mom and i have done an extrememly large amount of traveling together, both inside the united states and i also did a tour with my grandmother in africa so age is not a factor we are all easy going and all want to see everything

namaka

so what are you leaning towards Whitley? Going with a travel agency or the do-it-yourself way? I'd do it myself because you will be the deciding factor in what,where,when and how without being on anyone else's schedule.