Program Reviews

My time in Iceland with Travel for Teens was the highlight of my summer. The counselors were great from start to end. They were approachable and passionate about travelling and were determined to make our trip a blast. Our groups' driver was so kind and went out of his way to teach us about Icelandic culture as we traveled around the beautiful ring road. Along the road, we saw so many beautiful landscapes and experienced one in a lifetime opportunities like snorkeling between two tectonic plates and climbing the Vatnajökull glacier. All of the accommodations were very pleasant even in the more remote areas in northern Iceland. All the students on the trip were kind and made the trip the so enjoyable. I made lifelong friends with the students who I still keep in touch with today.

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!

I had so much fun on my trip with travel for teens! I went on the Hawaii trip in 2019 over the summer. It was only a week but we did so much. We went snorkeling where I could see so many fish under the water and I even got to see a few turtles. The first hotel we stayed at wasn’t the best but the second one was amazing! You could see the beach from the room. And there was so much wildlife and so many cool things to learn. We got some amazing food and we got to learn a lot. On the last day we went bicycling on a volcano after we saw the sunrise. It was amazing and so beautiful! I’m so glad I signed up for that trip and next summer I’m going on a Canada trip where I get to go zip lining, volunteer, and just have a lot fun. I’m definitely looking forward to going on more trips with travel for teens.

Over the summer I went on the TFT China: Mandarin Language Immersion Program. This was my first time going on a TFT trip and I can say that it was such an amazing experience. This trip challenged me to go out of my comfort zones. I met so many people and made so many unforgettable memories. The counselors were so much fun and understanding. They did their best to make sure everyone found something to enjoy from all of the different attractions. Each day was filled with activities that allowed us to learn about the Chinese culture and lifestyle. On this trip I was able to do things I never thought I would be able to do. One of the best parts of this trip was volunteering at the Panda Center. We cleaned out the panda cages, broke large sticks of bamboo, and even got to feed the pandas. Every day our local tour guide took us to local restaurants that serve the city’s specialty dishes. The food was so delicious. Though this trip was 17 days, it felt like the fastest 17 days of my life. I made friends from all over the US and we all became very close. Choosing to go on this TFT trips was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

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.

Travel for Teens had provided a summer of a lifetime over the past two years. This past summer, I went to Budapest, Krakow, Vienna, and Prague and it was unforgettable. We had amazing counselors and kids from across the United States, and everyone became friends instantly. Our itinerary was perfect, with there being a great balance of fun activities like tours, bike rides, and boats throughout the places we visited coupled with time to relax, eat, and walk around to explore. We spent a perfect amount of time in each city and got to drive in the European countryside multiple times, seeing some small towns and great views. The places we stayed were clean, and the restaurants we ate at were delicious. Everything about the trip was unforgettable and I'm already excited to take another trip next year. Thank you TFT!

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!

"Travelling to Sicily was an unforgettable experience. Not only did I create close friendships during my journey, but I got to have delicious food and experience unmatched natural beauty. The boating trip in the Mediterranean and the hike up Mount Etna was incredible and one of the best hikes I've ever been on. I was completely immersed in the culture as well. I attended a baptism of one of our host family’s daughters, and a fun reception afterward. I’m proud of the community service we put in to help our host family build a path to the meditation and prayer area at their home. My TFT trip to Sicily was a life-changing experience. I would definitely recommend TFT to all prospective travellers, especially those who want to make a difference.

Signing up for a Travel For Teens trip was the best decision I’ve ever made. I was a bit nervous at first about traveling by myself, and I was worried I wouldn’t make any friends. Little did I know that in just a two week time period I’d have a whole new point of view on travel, and friends that will last a lifetime. There was never once a second where I felt homesick because every day was filled with life changing experiences like working hands-on with sea turtles, ziplining, surfing, and exploring the beautiful country of Costa Rica. Our counselors were some of the sweetest, and funniest people I’ve ever met, and were super helpful in guiding us on how to be proper travelers, rather than tourists. I swear time moves quicker in Costa Rica, because those amazing two weeks were over too soon. Our group may have looked incredibly weird to the patrons in Miami Airport terminal 24 who probably do not see very many groups of 12 teenagers huddled in a crying group hug. We eventually all managed to stop crying and go our separate ways, meanwhile planning our TFT trips for the next summer. Overall I returned more confident and open than I was before going on the trip, and am counting down the days till my next trip.

TFT gave me such an incredible opportunity to experience personal growth, meet inspiring people, challenge my comfort zone, and form long lasting bonds with families and students that live across the globe from me. It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I went on the Peru, Ecuador, and Galapagos service trip that I can honestly say changed my life. From working with local preschoolers, living with host families, and picking up trash from sustainable farms to exploring Machu Picchu and swimming off the shores of beautiful white sand beaches in the Galapagos, I had an unforgettable experience. All the people I had met, both in my travel group and locals, have become dear friends and people I will forever share a special bond with. TFT is one of the most amazing programs I have ever been a part of, and I am sure you will discover the same.