Program Reviews

Traveling with TFT absolutely changed my life. When I left, I had never set foot outside of the United States; when I returned, I'd added three new countries (and their public transit systems) to my list! The trip gave me a taste of a few cultures so different from my own in the best way possible. Really, TFT opened my eyes to all the world has to offer. It was a whirlwind of once-in-a-lifetime experiences: climbing the Duomo in Florence, cooking lessons and flamenco shows in Barcelona, wandering centuries-old streets in Rome, and tasting authentic French pastries in Paris. I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to explore Europe with Travel For Teens—if you get the chance, take it!

During this program, I met some of the best people in one of the most beautiful states in the country, as well as learned so much about the earth and how to take care of it. Throughout the trip, I got closer to my small volunteering group, who at the end was like my family, and also became much more educated about the danger our oceans and marine life are in and what we can do to make a difference. I am so lucky to have gotten to learn about the culture of Hawaii while growing as a person and meeting new people on this trip! This truly was an amazing experience, and I highly recommend it!

I went on a service trip to the Big Island in Hawaii and it was the most fun I have ever had traveling. I was quite stressed going into it, but TFT made the trip an enjoyable and non stressful experience. The activities that we did on the trip are beyond what I would ever do with my family. ATV riding in a coffee farm, snorkeling in a beautiful reef, and going to one of the highest telescopes in the world, is something that I would have never done without TFT. My counselors were absolutely amazing and really did care about what us, the teens wanted to do. They made sure that all our needs were fulfilled and that everyone was getting along and having a great time. They allowed us to really take in the culture and environment surrounding us, and made the trip both fun and educational. I created many friendships on the trip and I still keep in touch with them daily. Without TFT, I would have never had this life-changing experience. If you have the opportunity, I would highly recommend a trip with TFT.

I had the most wonderful experience when I went on the Costa Rica Ultimate Adventure & Service trip last summer.
I was nervous at first, being an international traveler and not having English as my native language.
All my worries disappeared when I met my group and I discovered how nice and welcoming everyone are! As the days passed, I made so many friends and got to know each of my amazing travel peers, we stay in contact to this day.
The staff were amazing as well, they were all very friendly and always made sure that everyone is safe and happy.
Throughout the trip I was grateful enough to have many amazing experiences like Kayaking, Ziplining, tubing, white water rafting, learning how to surf, visiting amazing beaches and volunteering. I also got to try local Costa Rican food which I never tried before!
This was an unforgettable summer and a life changing experience! I can only recommend everyone to go on this kind of trip, I am sure this is not my last travel with TFT!

I attended the Greece and Athens trip last July. I had my doubts, I was nervous because of my young age (14 at the time) and still being in the pandemic is never a guarantee especially with travel. But I was pleasantly surprised with how well TFT had planned this trip. I was met by one of my counselors at the airport and was helped navigate the airport all the way to Athens airport and through customs. We then met the rest of our group and counselors. I was nervous I wouldn't make too many friends as I went by myself and wasn't sure if people already knew each other and if some were going together but throughout the trip I met lifelong friends that to this day I still talk to, and plan to travel again together next summer and so on. My counselors were outstanding and cared for each one of us. They really added a fun element to the trip as they made sure we were safe and stayed out of trouble but as we gained their trust got to have more privileges such as staying out later, going off on your own with friends, and my personal favorite... going to the city every night just for gelato and pastries! We stayed in beautiful hotels that overlooked the most incredible views to wherever we stayed. We ate in upscale restaurants for dinner, and had filling breakfasts in the morning. Lunches we got to find on our own, but sometimes our whole group would eat together, and our counselors always helped us. We got to feel like tourists and locals as one of our counselors was actually from Greece! We took delicious Greek cooking lessons, had a relaxing but at times rowdy boat day traveling to islands, and so many fun shopping experiences in each city. This trip allowed me to be independent, responsible, and helped shape who I am today. TFT is an amazing travel group and I will forever be thanking them for my outstanding trip I am so grateful to have experienced. Thank you TFT!

I participated in three TFT trips while I was in high school, and this repetition shows my love of TFT! I went to South Africa, Peru, and Bali with TFT and I loved how each trip was totally different. I got to experience three completely different cultures and ways of living and partake in insane activities like swimming with great whites (in a safe manner of course). I loved how I got to meet other kids my age who shared the same love of travel and desire to seek discomfort. TFT was an inspiration for me to take a gap year and to continue to fuel my love of travel and push myself out of my comfort zone. I would not be who I am today if I didn’t have TFT!

I took the Italy and Greece trip for Older Teens. Going on this trip changed my entire life to say the least. Being able to meet new people, see new faces, and explore new territory was awe-inspiring. The amount of time to take this trip was the perfect amount of time to pick up on new culture, see new faces, and hear amazing stories. The food was food that you'd never tasted and it will change your life, I promise! The friends that I met were one of a kind and I am even going to the same college as one of them! Overall, this was the best trip ever.

Traveling with Travel for Teens was the best choice I had ever made. This trip emerged me into the culture and the people I met were amazing. The entire trip was beautiful. I had a great time staying with host families and meeting locals in Peru. I also got the chance to go to a local school and meet the children. On the trip, we had delicious food including the option to try alpaca and guinea pig! We also got to learn about and make chocolate at one point! Altogether, the trip was so much fun and I will forever be in love with traveling.

During these two weeks, the people I met with changed my life forever is such a positive way. I had so much fun with them, even more fun than with my friends at home! The food was better than I could have ever imagined, the scenery was breathtaking (and, frankly, there are no words for the Amalfi Coast or the mountains of Delphi), and the cities were so full of life, as were the locals. The archeological sites (such as Pompeii, the Oracle at Delphi, the Colosseum, the Forum, etc.) were so cool to look at! Swimming and SCUBA diving in the Mediterranean Sea was one of the highlights of the trip! This trip will leave me smiling at the memories for the rest of my life. Thank you, TFT, for making this possible. If you want to meet lifelong friends, see astounding sites, eat the best food you've ever tasted, or see the places where the foundations for our society were laid, then this trip is for you! I cannot praise this trip enough!

My trip with Travel For Teens in July of 2021 was, by far, the most important trip of my life. The two-week trip to Greece (‘Athens and the Islands’) was my first international experience. At the outset of the trip, I was overwhelmed and unsure of what to expect. It was the moment I met my counselors and fellow travelers that I felt not only relaxed, but excited! The energy of the entire TFT team was so positive, dedicated and truly made the trip the success that it was. Beyond the impressive organization of the trip’s schedule, the friendships I made on my trip are ones I hope to have forever. Through the intimate nature of travelling with others, friendship with fellow travelers comes naturally and effortlessly. Months later, I still keep in touch with the friends I made on this trip - and we plan to visit each other in the future! During my time in Greece, I was exposed to Greek first-hand through talking with locals. I tried delicious cuisine exclusive to Greece. I roamed the peacefully quiet streets of the island towns - and the ones bustling with life, sounds and people in the expansive city of Athens. Furthermore, I learned more about Greek culture, history and lifestyle during my trip than I ever have from any textbook. Above all, the natural scenery (specifically the sea) was the most breathtaking and memorable aspect of the trip. Greece's natural beauty - in the language, food, history, culture, lifestyle, and geography are truly beautiful in every regard. Greece has so much to offer, and this trip is an ideal way to experience it all!