Travel For Teens: Travel Programs for Older Teens

Name: Travel For Teens: Travel Programs for Older Teens
Brand: Travel For Teens
SKU: 60043
Rating: 4.94 (53 reviews)

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4.94 Rating

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Location

Multiple Locations +19

Costa Rica
New Zealand
Thailand
Vietnam
Laos
Cambodia
Morocco
Spain
Portugal
Greece
Italy
Czech Republic
Croatia
Slovenia
Austria
France
Switzerland
Germany
Netherlands

Program Categories

Adventure Travel

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Program Details

Timeframe

Summer

Pricing

What's Included

Accommodation Activities Meals Transportation

Last Updated: Dec 27, 2023

Last Reviewed: Dec 04, 2024

Wish List

112 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

We know that older teens are more independent and we have designed several trips to reflect this! All of our itineraries for these trips have been designed specifically with older teens in mind. Whether it be using a rail pass, participating in more advanced activities, or discovering more exotic destinations, each of these trips is sure to inspire wanderlust in every teenager!

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Program Reviews

4.94 Rating

based on 53 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread High School

5 rating 96.23%
4 rating 1.89%
3 rating 1.89%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Growth 4.85
Support 4.9
Fun 5
Housing 4.8
Safety 4.9

Good for Students, Adventure travelers, Under 18

Showing 33 - 40 of 53 reviews

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.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

There was an optional excursion to go paragliding in the Swiss Alps. I was the first to go out of the group; they told me just to start running off the cliff. I was terrified but it was the craziest and most amazing moment 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.

What would you improve about this program?

It was perfect, there is not one thing I think could be improved.

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

What would you improve about this program?

This program was spectacular and needs very little improvement. I’d just say to keep the travelers updated on the plans and activities

Last summer I went to Amsterdam, Munich, Swiss Alps, and Venice with Travel for Teens! This was my second trip with Travel for Teens and I was just as amazed by this one! The councilors are so knowledgeable when it comes to travel and made everything so much easier, especially for teens leaving the country for the first time. It's always scary to travel without anyone you know, but the councilors make everyone so comfortable with each other and you end up leaving trips with lasting friendships. Through my TFT trip, I was able to see so many different parts of Europe that I never thought would be possible in one trip. I tried different foods from every culture and interacted with locals. On TFT trips, you see the major landmarks in each city, but also the smaller, locally loved hidden gems. I always come back from my TFT trips with too many incredible stories. My tips would be to pack lightly and have a lighter suitcase! On my trip we were on the train A LOT and we had quick transfers. Suitcases are much easier to carry and store in train cubbies if they're smaller! There's also time to do laundry. My trip had such memorable activities like jumping into canyons of the Alps and seeing the Anne Frank house. Traveling with TFT showed me how valuable travel is and I hope to continue with studying abroad or working for TFT!

What would you improve about this program?

The only thing is that we didn't always have freedom to do everything we wanted because it was such a big group and we were pressed for time a lot. The trip is mostly customizable though because they want you to be able to do what you want when you're the one paying!

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When I was first offered to go on a trip with Travel For Teens I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it so much because I was going to be the oldest person on the trip, but I'm am so glad I decided to go. I chose to go on the Hawaii Sea Turtle Service & Adventure trip and it was absolutely amazing. It has always been one of my dreams to go to Hawaii and Travel For Teens made my dream come true. On the trip I was able to try scuba diving for the first time and I loved it! I also got to swim with sea turtles which was fantastic. One of the coolest things about the trip was getting to learn more about sea turtles and how we can help them survive in the wild. The staff was amazing and were great to hang out with and talk to. Travel For Teens Helped me face my fears and learn that there is a beautiful world out there. I would recommend Travel For teens to anyone that is trying to give there child the trip of a lifetime.

What would you improve about this program?

I wouldn't change anything about this program if I could.

This past summer, I had the ability to travel with Travel for Teens to the beautiful countries and cities of Prague, Vienna, Slovenia and Croatia. The experiences I had while on this trip is one I will never forget. From meeting friends that will last a lifetime to seeing sights unimaginable, my entire trip was beyond amazing. From a biking tour through the beautiful city of Prague, to seeing breathtaking castles in Vienna, and swimming in the clearest water in Slovenia, the adventures and sights I saw while on this trip were ones that will forever be some of the most beautiful places I have seen. The counselors were great in helping us learn about the culture and making us feel like travelers, not tourists. I wish I could do this trip again.

In July 2018, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime: to travel across Europe with amazing kids my age and outstanding councillors. This trip showed me beautiful parts of the world I longed to see since I was a little girl. Not only were the people, accommodations and food incredible, but also the activities. Like canyoning down a mountain side in the middle of the Swiss alps, paddle boating in the canals of Amsterdam and riding my bike on a beautiful trail just at the foot of the Neuschwanstein castle to a lake where we could swim to the middle and be facing the German hillside with 2 beautiful castles. Going on this trip, I can now tell my friends that I’ve traveled across Europe and I’m not even done high school yet. It was truly an incredible experience and I would totally recommend it for any teenagers aspiring to travel.

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The Travel for Teens trip to Florence, Cinque Terre, Switzerland and Paris was the best experience of my life! The itinerary for each location was full of amazing activities and excursions that helped me experience the culture of each city like a local. The counselors made sure we always felt safe, but gave us freedom to explore on our own. There is nothing I would change about my two weeks in Europe as they were the best of my life! Thank you Travel for Teens for some unforgettable memories.

Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose Travel for Teens because I wanted to travel on my own and this was the travel company I found. They had great trip options and a great reputation. From all the other companies I looked at touring with, they mostly do tours for schools and not just solo teens.

Travel for Teens offers great trips for teens travelling solo, so I chose to travel with them.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

They helped me with everything: the itinerary, what to pack, how to get in touch with everyone, where to find my pictures, and how to email the trip counsellors. The counsellors sent out emails and texts to all of us before the trip, exciting us more, and we also got a look into who they are before the trip too. They were great at making sure I was ready for my trip.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

If I were to give anyone going on a TFT trip advice, I would definitely tell them to just live in the moment and try as many new things as possible and to buy the picture package. The counsellors take great pictures and I did not buy it, so all of my pictures are blurry and have the TFT logo. Trust me, you’ll want those great pics to post on social media and they won’t look that good if they’re blurry and have a logo on them.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

It can be a very busy day but when you’re travelling; every day is a busy day.

An average day would be you waking up and getting dressed then going to the hotel for breakfast. You’d meet everyone at breakfast and chat before going back to your rooms to get ready for the day ahead. You’d then take whatever transportation you have to get to your first activity and then all the activities after that.

At the end of the day, you’ll return to your hotel and go out for dinner or stay in. Either way, you’ll be with everyone on your trip.

After dinner, there might be an activity or tour, or there might be a little game you might play or quick discussion. Then you’ll return to your rooms where you chat with your roommates and go to sleep, excited for the next day of your adventure.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

Being a Canadian travelling with an all American group, I was afraid that politics or stereotypes might come into conflict since there was a lot going on between our two countries at the time. I definitely overcame that fear when I met my group. Everyone was very welcoming, especially the tour guides, who made sure everything was good between all of us.

Is there anything you think Travel For Teens should change?

I think the company is amazing and definitely lets your teen be treated like a young adult and not a kid. Absolutely worth the money.

If they had to change anything, though, I would say a bit less tours. For example, we had a tour at the Van Gogh museum and the entire time the lady told us about Van Gogh’s life and we only go to see 3 paintings. I would’ve loved it if we could explore on our own and meet back to our counsellors at a certain time.

But everything else was amazing!

Jessica Paszko

2018 Alum

Ashley Allen

2017 Alum

Matthew Ki

2016 Alum

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Seth Graham

Program

Travel For Teens: Travel Programs for Older Teens

Job Title

International Logistics Manager

Seth is a Philadelphia area native who has been privileged to travel the world since he was a teenager. A graduate of American University, he has traveled throughout Africa, Europe, North America, and the Caribbean. Some of his most rewarding experiences in life have been on teen travel programs: from getting up close and personal with moose in Alaska and mantas in Mozambique, to watching incredible sunsets over the Mediterranean Sea. Seth is always excited to help every student have a unique and memorable experience with Travel For Teens!

What is your favorite travel memory?

When I was SCUBA diving off the coast of Mozambique for a week, we were on a boat headed to a dive site when our driver spotted a whale shark nearby. He stopped the boat so we could all hop in to snorkel with the largest fish in the ocean. Whale sharks have baleen teeth like other whales, so they aren't as dangerous as they sound. I was almost close enough to touch the thick skin of an animal the size of a school bus! It was a truly unforgettable to swim right up next to such a large and majestic creature!

Later on that day, we got to dive with Manta Rays, Lion Fish and Morey Eels!

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Since I started working here, I have grown in many ways. One of the most significant changes has been finding my passion for sharing the gift of travel with others. I was lucky enough to travel often as a teen, and have become a global citizen since then. It is an honor to be able to help others find a similar path and this is what drives me to create the best possible experiences for every one of our travelers.

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What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

One of the best stories I have heard from a returning alum was simply that he felt like he was already part of a family by the end of his two-week trip last summer. He felt so connected to our community that he felt he could sign up for ANY of our TFT trips this summer and he would get the same experience. Further proof that ALL are welcome and included in the TFT Family!

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

This is a tough choice! We offer so many unique and special trips it is hard to pick just one! If I had to choose, I would probably pick our Southeast Asia for Older Teens Trip. This trip visits Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia on a whirlwind backpacking tour that is a truly a once in a lifetime opportunity! Or maybe the Croatia Island Hopping trip where you spend 8 days sailing on the gorgeous Adriatic Sea and living on a boat!

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Our company is unique in many ways, but one of my favorites is our focus on smaller group sizes. I have been on teen tours where the individual is lost in a crowd of 30 teenagers. Keeping our group sizes limited means our staff can devote more attention to each traveler and tailor the experience to their interests. It also contributes to the greater sense of community that we foster as responsible world travelers.

I was especially proud of the TFT leadership for taking a stand against riding Elephants in Thailand and educating our teen travelers about the abuses these animals have endured. We only partner with local vendors who treat animals with the respect and love they deserve, and I think this is an important message to stand behind.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I don't think there is just one answer to what makes a company successful. However, I do believe that having a mission and having a staff that buys in to that mission are two very key factors. TFT strives to create global citizens through immersive and authentic travel experiences, transforming teens from passive tourists into confident and independent travelers.

Everyone who works for TFT has the same mission and we work together to make that mission happen. Every day I come in to the office with a smile on my face because I know that I and my colleagues are all striving to provide something completely authentic and transformative to every TFT Traveler. I measure our success by the smiles I see in every YouTube video, Instagram or Snapchat that our travelers and staff share with the world!

About Travel For Teens

Travel For Teens is a program provider that believes that teen travel should be both enriching and fun. TFT offers a full range of travel experiences that teens can choose from to create their own ideal international experience. TFT's motto is "Teaching teens to be travelers, not tourists," and their itineraries are designed to reflect this. While...