Travel For Teens: Travel Programs for Older Teens

I had the amazing opportunity to travel on the Europe for Older Teens trip to Amsterdam, Munich, Switzerland, and Venice with TFT in the summer of 2018 and it was one of the best experiences I have ever had! My amazing counselors were so welcoming and inclusive to not only me, but all the campers. Everyone I met on the trip was so nice and friendly, and I will never forget the great times I had with them. I was a little nervous to go on the trip at first, but after just one day on the trip I knew I made the right choice! TFT programs are great because the counselors give you that independence you want, while also keeping everyone safe! That trip was one I will never forget, the memories I made with awesome people is priceless. Thank you TFT!

The summer before I left for college, I went on the Europe for Older Teens: Florence, Cinque Terre, Switzerland and Paris and it was hands down the best experience of my life. The trip not only prepared me for living on my own in college, but it changed me for the better, as I became much more confident and sure of myself. With the itinerary that was provided, I was able to push myself out of my comfort zone whether it was paragliding over the Swiss Alps, jumping off cliffs into a canyon, trying new foods (snails are surprisingly delicious!), and meeting and talking to new people. I made some of my best friends on this trip who I continue to talk to to this day despite us being thousands of miles apart. I would recommend any Travel for Teens trips to kids of any age, but I would especially recommend it to older teens about to leave for college as it not only helps you adjust to living on your own, but it builds up the confidence necessary to thrive in college. I am so grateful for being able to go on a TFT trip as it completely changed my life for the better.

The Travel for Teens trips that I have been a part of have completely changed my life. I have been to nine European countries because of TFT, and I would not trade my experiences I had for the world. From taking an immersive bike tour through Prague, to white water rafting in Slovenia, to relaxing on a white sand beach in Croatia, to riding in the London Eye, to being awestruck by the beautiful architecture of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, I had the time of my life. The Travel for Teens counselors on the trip were remarkable and encouraged me to try new things, whether that be eating escargot or canyoning. I gained so many new friends from my TFT trips, and the memories I’ve made will last a lifetime. You will not regret taking a trip with Travel for Teens!

I have been so fortunate to experience two unbelievable Travel for Teens: Older Teens trips. I was able to go on the Travel for Teens: Florence, Cinque Terre, Switzerland, and Paris the summer of 2018. Also I went on the Travel for Teens: Prague, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia trip summer of 2019. I have visited destinations in Europe that were so beautiful that words cannot describe it. Through these trips I have gained many stories that I look forward to sharing, I have gained confidence in myself to be independent, and I have tasted food that can only be dreamt about. I was able to go paragliding through the Swiss Alps, go canyoning in Slovenia, island hopping in Croatia, visit the Louvre, and climb the Eiffel Tower. The opportunities that were provided through TFT were amazing and I would recommend any of their trips because you will have a once in a lifetime experience.

Before the trip, I had reservations that the program might be too pre-planned, coddled, or inflexible, especially with a group of 21 kids. After going to 4 different towns and cities, I have to say that I had the time of my life. Ryan is a very understanding and flexible trip director who works his hardest to fufill any individual wishes we might have, on the itinerary or not. Though he is very accommodating, he is certainly not a pushover either and keeps us feeling safe and secure no matter what. What really touched me was how much effort he took to get to know every individual on the trip and it was obvious to us as campers that he wanted nothing more than to provide the best possible experience for us during our time with him. Whether we were interested in scenery, socializing, food, thrills, or anything else, he made sure that we got what we wanted and that everyone’s interests were accommodated. I had the time of my life and by the time the trip was over, I felt that I had no regrets about my time at each city and felt that the trip left no stones unturned in any leg of the trip.

I participated in the Europe for Older Teens: Florence, Cinque Terre, Interlaken, and Paris trip. This trip was easily one of the best weeks of my life. The trip is well balanced with sight seeing, shopping, relaxing at the beach, hiking, eating, and more. The staff is amazing! They make the trip extra fun and are great to be around. They are approachable, relatable, and really care about everyone on the trip. Every city was different and the trip does a great job of getting to see as much as the city has to offer in a short time. The food is amazing and I got to try different foods unique to each city. I loved that we were able to explore on our own time while the staff was near by and easy to contact if we needed them. I made amazing friends I still talk to and memories I will never forget.

The chance to experience all these beautiful places with great friends and counselors is so unique. I am grateful to have discovered Travel For Teens after graduating high school. It was my dream as a senior to go abroad and this trip answered all my prayers. Thank you so much for helping me step outside my comfort zone and get to see parts of the world I had only dreamed of, if only for two weeks! At first it can seem a little unusual, but once you start talking to other people in the group, you realize they are just like you. You start to make connections that form on their own because you see there are other teens who share your interests and help you adjust. The staff know just what to do and where to go. It was the time of my life, I loved it and feel inspired by the wonderful gift of traveling with TFT.

In the summer of 2018 I went on Travel for Teens’ “Europe for Older Teens: Florence, Cinque-Terre, Switzerland, and Paris” AND “Europe for Older Teens: Amsterdam, Munich, Swiss Alps, and Venice.” I can very honestly say that it was the best summer experience of my entire life thanks. I set out with the simple intention of being more well traveled and hopefully making a couple new friends, and that I certainly did. I couldn’t believe it! I actually made connections with people that I truly feel are going to last a lifetime. I’ve met up with friends I met over the summer since then and I carry the memories of those trips with me everyday. I would recommend those two trips especially because I felt as though I saw a good spread of Europe. Those are also some of the most historically fascinating destinations in the world, not to mention the food (nothing quite like Gelato in Florence). Switzerland is probably my new favorite place in the world and I absolutely can not wait to return to the karaoke nights and basking in the beautiful mountain range view from the balcony. If you have the opportunity to travel with TFT...take it! I will never forget my experience:)
Alayna Donovan
16
Kansas