We had an Eastern Europe pilgrimage cancel on us today and are looking at other options. We are in Florida if you know any that leave from there.
Rick Steves is not an option for us. We’re in decent shape but I don’t want to feel exhausted or always on the run. I’ve read enough reviews to nix RS.
So what other personal recommendations for tour groups do you have? Which trips have you done with them and what are they like? I want a well scheduled tour that plans our activities/sight-seeing and explains things etc. I want to sleep in air conditioning if it’s hot and eat decent meals. We don’t need luxury, but not Motel 6 either. Thx
Everyone I know who has done Tauck raves about it. They claim its the perfect balance of activity, relaxation in an interesting setting, great guides, etc. Not an endorsement from me, but just passing that on!
This is not a personal recommendation, as I haven’t done anything with them, but a friend of mine in that age range has really enjoyed trips with Overseas Adventure Travel.
Not necessarily a recommendation but we try to visit Northern Europe in summer if we’re traveling. More moderate temps. We did Copenhagen last year and it was nice.
If you like wine and food this is a great tour provider (I think even if you are not a big wine drinker you still would enjoy a lot of tours). The owner is a sommelier. Each tour is about 15 people. Transportation, room and many meals are included. The hotels are 4 stars, but they are unique and nice. We go to a lot of places that I wouldn’t normally go to. I go on a tour with them once a year.
How about a European River Cruise, can be very relaxing - go or don’t go on tour that day…sleep late, stay on boat, go into local town cafe for pastries and coffee.
My father took many international trips with Tauck when he was in his 70’s. He enjoyed all of them. They also run riverboat cruises, as others have mentioned.
Road Scholar does do European trips - in fact trips all over the world. We are looking at them for a hopefully future trip! They have a new trip to India that just looks fantastic.
Friends of ours did a trip through the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts member travel. It was a cruise but they absolutely loved it.
We have done two with Insight vacations and really enjoyed them. Their tours are rated for activity levels.Most of their hotels are centrally located so on our last trip,which was France, we skipped a lot of the optional tours and dinners, and did our own things,including seeking out Michelin rated restaurants.
My parents always loved Tauck Tours, especially if someone else was paying. I don’t believe they ever booked one if they had to pay for it because they ARE expensive but everything is included.
I belong to several travel groups and G Adventures comes up a lot with positive experiences. My D went to Morocco for 10 days with them and said it was exceptional. Her small group was varied in age. When I look on their website I see they have age recommendations and describe the activity level.
My brother & sisters have enjoyed Gate 1. They find the prices good and the hotels to be very well-located. It does NOT include all meals in their price but the guide will give several suggestions on where folks may wish to eat with comments about each of the venues, or you can eat wit the guide.
I have never personally used Gate 1 but my 3 siblings who have traveled internationally with them were very pleased.
We’re taking a train tour of Scotland in 2 weeks. All the way up to the Orkney Islands at the tippy top and including a swing out to the Hebrides to the west on the Harry Potter train. Everything handled and packaged by McKinlay-Kidd in Glasgow.
I have taken a trip with OAT travel and have another one scheduled for this fall. I recommend them. My impression is that G adventures tended to be younger travelers, but OAT is perfect for 60-70 year olds. I also took a Japan tour with Gate 1 and enjoyed it. My travel mate, however, had two bad experiences with Gate 1 and won’t use them again, FWIW.
Take a look at alumni tours–they are often geared to older alums and go to all parts of Europe and beyond. My H and I are contemplating an Adriatic cruise in the fall.
We prefer to do our own trips but have some friends in their 60s/70s who are reasonably active but would prefer that someone else do the arranging. They’ve gone on multiple trips with Gate 1 travel and have enjoyed them.