Travel For Teens

Program Reviews

Addison
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Greek Island Hopping Trip Was Amazing

I traveled to Greece with TFT in the summer of 2024. This trip not only allowed us to visit famous places like Athens and the Acropolis, we also got to see places off the beaten path. Lefkada was my favorite. The food was delicious throughout the trip and we even got to learn how to make Greek food. I loved the sea turtle service project and spending time with my new friends. We helped the turtles find their way back to the sea by digging trenches and we learned a lot about sea turtle care. I loved going in the boat through the cave. It was beautiful to see the clear blue water. I’d definitely recommend this trip and TFT.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Pack extra sunscreen and water. It was hot!!!
Pros
  • Weather
  • Sea turtle service projects
  • Food
Cons
  • Really hot
  • Athens was crowded
Ryan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

From the Outback to the Islands

Being across the globe with people you’re unfamiliar with is quite scary. I anticipated activities that were fun and interesting, however I was totally shocked just how much fun and thought was put into planning the trip. In Australia we explored the amazing Great Barrier Reef multiple times. In New Zealand we curved through sharp rock formations in an exhilarating jet boat and paraglided over Queenstown. In Fiji we dove into turquoise beaches and played with local Fijian kids. But more than the activities were the connections made. We went in unfamiliar and left as a true family that still keeps in touch!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing I did was scuba diving many feet under the surface for the first time exploring all the nooks and crannies of the Great Barrier Reef. I saw some of the most amazing and flamboyant fish and even some sharks, jellyfish, and other fascinating sea creatures.
Pros
  • Seeing new wildlife in every country.
  • Meeting new people and creating lifelong friendship.
  • Trying new things like scuba diving and paragliding.
Cons
  • The food in Fiji was interesting but not for me.
  • New Zealand was very cold and made me a little sick.
Andrea
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TFT was amazing!!!

I went to France, Switzerland, and Italy with Travel for Teens and it was the best experience! I had so much fun and everyone was amazing my trip director and counselor were so much fun and made sure everyone was having a good time and they kept the parents updated with nightly emails and photos and I always felt safe with them. I didn't know anyone and had no idea what to expect, but from day one of the trip we all became friends. On my trip I got to do everything I wanted to do and more, and I had so much fun!!

What was your funniest moment?
On our glacier hike, a snowball fight broke out and we all ran around the up in swiss alps throwing snowballs at each other and when we rode down in a cable car one of the girls in my group pulled a speaker out of her backpack and we blasted music and sang all the way down
Scarlett
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience with TFT

I traveled to Italy this summer with TFT and would recommend it to anyone in a heartbeat. I can honestly say that this was the best trip I have ever been on. The trip leaders were extremely knowledgeable, kind, and outright amazing. It was the perfect level of structured activities and free time. We visited Florence, Venice, and Cinque Terre in just over a week! While we were on the move a lot, it never felt overwhelming or rushed. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience and I am extremely grateful I was able to join!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Honestly the most nerve-racking moment was getting on the plane and realizing that I would be in another continent with people I had never met. But the second I met the group, my nervousness vanished. It was incredible to be around a group of people my age who also share a passion for travel.
paisley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TFT Italy for middle Schoolers

This program is so incredibly amazing! Getting to travel with all strangers and making new connections with people really opens up your world to different possibilities! The staff on Travel for Teens is just the sweetest, and you never feel hesitant around them because they are so warm and welcoming! When you first meet everyone at the airport it definitely takes a little while to feel comfortable and find your groove, but once you click with the people you have instance travel buddys and you never your friends sides! Going to all this authentic restaurants and getting to try new cuisine is devine and the smells of food when your walking will make you starved!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would savor the time and take in more of the views, because it was incredibly gorgeous but I feel like i couldve took it in more!
Pros
  • The food is amazing!
  • The sights especially at sunset are hard to beat!
Cons
  • Its so hot during the day
Audra
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

We Love TFT

This Travel for Teens review is from a parent's perspective. My daughter took 4 trips for a total of 68 days (three summer and 1 winter). I cannot say enough good things about the company. I never had a moment of worry; communication was excellent, and hiccups were solved immediately. There is just enough oversight to ensure safety, with a balance of independence, so the kids can grow and learn during their trip. Never once did I feel like my child was put in an unsafe position.

We learned that while every trip is great, picking the right trip for your child is important. My daughter absolutely loved the 30-day European trip. Truly an experience of a lifetime. Noah, the trip director, stands out as a true asset to the company. My daughter loves immersing herself in the culture, and this trip was great for that. She also enjoyed paragliding, which added a special touch of adventure. Don’t be afraid to call and ask specifically about the trips. Each trip does have a personality. My daughter’s least favorite (but still wonderful) trip was one that had too much beach time for her (which happens to be one of the most popular trips).

Tips learned from the 4 trips:
Group flights are nice, but you do not “need” to be on them, particularly for older teens.
My daughter never felt the need to spend excessive amounts of extra money. The activities kept her busy. There was always ample time to buy a few trinkets.
Pack some snacks or grab some at the destination. My daughter was extra hungry due to the high level of activity.
Bring a handheld fan if you travel in the summer
For two trips, we took a family vacation before and dropped her off at the start city. This helped her adjust to jet lag, and the family had a nice stay.
My daughter always packed an old iPad in case she lost her phone.

I could nitpick small things about the company, but I absolutely give it 10/10. I encourage any parents to look at TFT as an option for summer travel.

Ava
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Thailand Trip!

This trip was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where I was able to explore Thai culture, eat Thai food, and make so many new friends. I did activities like mountain biking, kayaking, ziplining, and hiking, and also relaxed on the beach on the islands. The city of Bangkok is so unique with its temples, markets, and street vendors. We also had the opportunity to interact with elephants, which was an amazing experience! This country is beautiful and has so much to offer. I would recommend this trip to anyone!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate bugs at one of the local markets!
Megan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

What an experience

This was my second time on a TFT trip and it was amazing. With incredible restaurants, amazing sights, and fun beach days, this trip really had it all. The counselors were so welcoming on the first day, and everyone was just so open to making new friends which really brought the whole trip together! My favorite part was definitely the food though, trying pizza the original way is definitely something worth mentioning! Really, this is such a unique experience that I am definitely redoing it on another trip some other day.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Definitely enjoy every minute of it. It’s one of my favorite experiences I have ever done in my life and I would redo it 100 times if I could.
Pros
  • Fun!
  • Different experiences
  • Making new friends
Cons
  • There was a lot to see and sometimes wish we could have stayed longer
  • The boat driver was a little fast for one of the boats
  • The restaurant for the final dinner wasn’t as good as expected
Sammy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Ultimate Europe (30 days)

I was worried that 30 days in Europe might be too long, but by the end of this trip I was ready to do a whole 'nother month. If you took every person on earth's summer and ranked them comparatively, I'm pretty sure mine would fall in the top .1% of all summers. We did everything from seeing iconic art, swimming on the coast of italy, paragliding off the side of a mountain (everyone sign up for this 10/10!), seeing taylor swift, to dancing in a german beer hall. There is something for everyone whether you love history, art, food, shopping, the outdoors, or sight-seeing. The counselors gave us so much independence which I appreciated, yet still when we needed support they were there to help. I will always remember all the friends and inside jokes I made.

What was your funniest moment?
During the first week we did a night cruise on the seine. Of course it was gorgeous, but I will always remember this moment because of how hard I was laughing from all the jokes my friends and I were making. When we finished, we wanted to see the eiffel tower sparkle, but the lawn was blocked off due to the Olympics. It was already late, so we only had this one chance to see it flash before we had to go back to the hotel. Everyone started running together to try and find a place we could view it and take pictures. This moment was hectic yet hilarious (we ended up being successful!).
Pros
  • independence
  • opportunities
  • friendships
Cons
  • can be a little tiring (still worth it)
Lia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TFT Belize Scuba and Service

I was recently joined Travel for Teens for a community service trip to Belize! The counselors were amazing, the food was delicious, and I made so many new friends! We got to scuba dive two times a day, removing lionfish (invasive species) from the reef. We saw so many different kinds of fish, and when we weren't in the water, we got to learn all about them from the crew! We also got the wonderful opportunity to participate in building a nesting place for one of the native turtles to have her babies! It was only my third time diving, and it was a blast. The staff was incredibly helpful and welcoming. I have already booked another TFT trip for next year!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be willing to try something new!! You have so many opportunities to find lifelong friendships and make lasting memories, don't take them for granted!