Program Reviews

One summer with Travel for Teens and BAM, you're life will instantly transform. (Mine did!) Before my first TFT trip, like most people, I lived for summer vacation. Being able to just sit back, relax and not worry about school work. But I was missing something. I was missing the sense of doing something. How can you expand your worldview, meet awesome new friends, maybe even learn a language while you're just sitting at home doing nothing. For some, this may be ok, but for me, I needed more. My first TFT trip was to France, where I went to language school in Paris and then "vacationed" in Nice. While only three weeks of my life, this experienced changed me forever. I made bonds with peers I will keep forever and experiences that will live with me for the rest of my life. Culture that gives me a broader understanding of life that will guide me until the day I die. Not to mention having TONS of fun and two INCREDIBLY AWESOME counselors!!!! Last summer, I went on a second trip, this time to the U.K., where I had the same super-positive reactions. All in all, for an enriching and exciting summer that will positively change your life forever while providing some good, old fashioned fun...look no further than TFT. With so many trips to all sorts of crazy, wild destinations, there's bound to be something for everyone. Feeling adventurous, TFT has a trip for you. Want to interact with locals in a way you never could have without an experienced, practically local person right at your side? Check. Want some great food????? OF COURSE TFT's got that, too!!
So, if you want a summer filed with jam packed, pure awesomeness, GO TFT!

TFT Sicily was an absolutely an incredible journey! This was my second TFT trip, and each one gets better. Overall, it was just an amazing experience. I had traveled internationally before, but I never had done a service trip like this. I am so glad I did it! From the moment we got there, we were met with open arms and smiles. The whole time we were there, I felt like I was visiting family. They were so welcoming and kind. The work was extremely rewarding, too. Each day we came closer and closer to providing a walkway up to (hopefully, in the future) a chapel. It was extremely heartwarming to see how much it meant to the family. My heart truly did ache when I had to leave the family. I felt I had made a small impact in their life by doing as much as I could, but they had made a huge one in mine. I will forever remember and cherish the family and experiences I made in Sicily this past summer. Thank you TFT!!

Throughout my 13 days in Italy, I was constantly feeling rewarded by our service. The locals were so kind and grateful, and the service only made them more enthusiastic to connect with us! Though working was fun, my favorite part of this trip was 'Boat Day'. We spent the day sailing the Amalfi Coast, jumping out and swimming along the way. I am so glad I had this overseas experience, and I'm so glad I spent my time with TFT!!

This was the best TFT trip I’ve taken so far! On this trip I saw so many things I couldn't even comprehend before seeing. I've watched the sunrise over volcanos, Ive rafted through the rainforest, zip linings over the canopy, and met some of the most beautiful people
I loved my counselors and they were amazing, friendly, and helpful. Both of them spoke the language which helped our group get a more local experience. They also were incredibly understanding of each and every one of us.
I felt fully embraced as a local on this trip and every place we went we were treated amazingly. We went to Turrialba, La Fortuna, and Samara Beach. In each place we went on several different adventures that were specific to the area we were in. We got to go rafting, zip lining, surfing, hiking, and much more! The food was amazing too!
The community service was my favorite part of the trip. I spent two days volunteering with local children, even though we couldn't speak the same language by the time my group left they were hugging goodbye and calling me their big sister. It was such and amazing experience and we learnt a lot from each other.
I can’t wait to go on my next adventure with TFT!

When I decided to travel with Travel For Teens (TFT) on my first trip abroad, I was so nervous and a little worried about being on my own, making friends, and especially the food aspect because I’m peschetarian and I was worried about there not being options. But I felt so at home once I got there, I immediately felt like I belonged, like being in this other country, on a different continent, even, was totally normal. And the counselors did everything they could to help us have a better understanding of the places we went. It was like a walking history lesson, but the best one ever because we were actually there and experiencing everything in person.

With TFT I’ve now traveled to Greece, Italy, Germany, France, England, Wales, and Scotland. It still kind of blows my mind when I think about it, because it’s so crazy to even comprehend once you get back that you were actually there, you actually did that, this is an actual experience that happened to you, of all people.

One of the things I think TFT really does great with is encouraging campers to be independent and responsible, as well as confident. There are times when you are with only one or two other kids from your trip, and your counselor isn’t with you; they’re nearby if you need help, but you’re mostly taking care of yourself. It really promotes that sense of individuality and the feeling that you’re on your own, and it’s a great way to let campers experience the culture of another country.

What really drew me back to TFT, along with the experience of a new place, and the excitement of just traveling again, would have to be the people. The counselors are all so nice, and knowledgeable, and you can tell that they really love what they do, and they’re so happy to be there helping the campers to see what’s so great about traveling. And the campers are great too, because whether it’s a small group, or a group with lots of people, you can find someone who you become friends with, who you talk to every single day of the trip and once you get back. It’s the best thing ever to really, fully connect with people and form a close bond because of what you’re experiencing. You wake up and eat the same foods, see the same sights, share the same jokes even. So you might not know their favorite color, but you saved them from falling down a mountain or saw their reaction to a place. It’s truly 5 years of friendship in a matter of 12 days.

Traveling with TFT is an experience that has taught me how to be independent, confident, and flexible when interacting with other cultures, experiences, or people your age. Every TFT trip I’ve been on has left me with a sense of satisfaction from what I experienced, but also that longing to see more, do more, take more risks, and get out into the world and just live. Through TFT I’ve discovered myself, made friends, and experienced life in way I never dreamed possible.

I loved my trip with Travel for Teens! I went on the Australia and New Zealand Service Trip last summer and had a blast. I feel like I learned a lot about myself and the world through this experience, going into the trip I was super nervous, it was my first time ever traveling alone and it was my first time out of the United States. Once I met up with my TFT group I knew I would be fine and enjoyed the rest of the trip. How many people can say they held a koala and pet wallabies let alone climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge and seen the Opera House?! Loved every second of my trip with TFT and would highly recommend both traveling with TFT and the Australia and New Zealand service trip!

This summer I did the Greece Athens and the Islands trip with TFT, and it was some of the best experiences of my life. Everybody on the trip was extremely friendly and enthusiastic, and on only the first day my two roommates and I became instantly close. Even months later, I still talk to them every day, and they’re two of my most valued friends. From trying new foods, to swimming in the perfect water, to historic and iconic sights, I was provided with unforgettable experiences and long-lasting friendships. Greece is such a unique environment, and the amazing trip leaders and itinerary allowed us to make the most of it. I am so happy I decided to take this trip, and could not thank TFT enough for all of their dedication and impact.

I went on the Peru Service and Adventure trip last summer not knowing what to expect, and I came out of it with such a great love and appreciation for traveling and learning about different cultures. Starting from the moment we all met in the airport the TFT staff and other students were all so open and welcoming, and within a couple days I felt as though I was traveling with family. The itinerary is also so diverse and interesting that I was amazed at how much I was able to learn and take in each day! Working with other people to help the community is also something I really enjoy, and I was so glad that there was such a variety of work we were able to do (building stoves and sanding tables was never something I thought I'd be able to do within one week!). I was also able to practice my Spanish through talking to students at a school and markets in town squares, but don't worry if you don't speak spanish! My friends and I still used a ton of english to communicate! I'm so glad I am able to go on the Thailand service and adventure trip next summer to learn about and work with more people whose culture is so different from mine! I also can't wait to meet new people on my TFT trip that will become lifelong friends. No matter who you are or where you're from, TFT will bring you in and you'll become family! Thanks for an amazing trip!

This was the best Teen Travel trip I have ever experienced! I travel a lot with my parents thought the year, however, travelling with a teen travel group is life changing because I get to meet new people my age and travel to new foreign exotic places. I have done three trips with Travel fro Teens and they all keep getting better and better. Last summer, I visited Germany and Prague. It was a spectacular adventure. We ate amazing food. We visited many beautiful museums. We biked through each city and visited cool villages (including a building made out of bones!). We visited an incredible castle and biked through the forest. We tried fresh German pretzels and delicious tredelniks in Prague. We toured the cities mostly by walking. It was an amazing experience and I met so many amazing friends. Would highly recommend.

I visited Greece (Athens, Santorini, Paros) as well as a day trip to Istanbul, Turkey with Travel for Teens and it was the best trip of my life. I have done three trips with Travel for Teens and let me tell you, they were all amazing. I travel a lot with my family. Every chance we get I travel with my parents but there is something so much different and special about travelling with a teen ravel group. Meeting new friends and counsellors. Experiencing a new culture on your own. Trying new foods and experiences! Everything was perfect. We had the best Greek food. We went so so many museums and saw the best scenes/views of Athens. We spent a say in a boat. Went donkey riding. Went to many beaches. It was an amazing trip with lots of memories.