Are RS tours good as part of a honeymoon?

They are considering 3 options: Village Italy tour (14 days -12 "actual" days indeed), Village France or Scandinavia. They do not want a major city tour as they intend to travel some years ahead in a "city hopping" trip in Europe before kids come (lol) - or so she told me. I'm not pushing them so sign for a RS tour, but I'm pretty sure it would provide a likely better experience than similar tours, including the major competitor in the Australian market. That is for sure. They are (and so am I, indirectly) a bit concerned about whether a RS tour is a good place for a couple in honeymoon. Particularly in relate to: - the average age of travelers, inferred by what is mentioned on the feedback/review area, being so older that theirs... would they feel like "nephews eating in the side table" at Xmas dinner. - Do hotels offer normal paid laundry service (actual one: you put clothes on a bag and get them next morning) - In tours that "might" have bathrooms down the hall, is it ever possible to reserve a en-suite bedroom if booking in advance? There are some reviews on "unfair" ion of who gets each room in some hotels... - in restaurants the group goes together (the meals included), do people normally sit in tables for 2/4, or is it more like huge tables joined together (less intimacy and time alone in dinners)? - there are many complaints about tours having 1-2 extra persons beyond the upper boundary (like 20-24 pax. tour). Is it "overbooking" really common, or do people blow it out of proportion when it happen to their tour. Finally, of those three tours (Village France, Village Italy, Scandinavia), which has more opportunities for independent exploration and off-time, while en-route?

I think the RS tours are nice, I've only been on 2 city tours, but they are a group experience (kind of like traveling with a big family). If your friend is looking for a romantic, private experience it may not work for her. But there is quite a bit of time away from tour group activities when you can go off and do things on your own. I believe the average age of tour members is older middle-age, though on the tours I was on there were always 2-3 young people in their 20's and several in 30-40's I'd guess, and some older. But generally an older group though all were very friendly. As for restaurants, sometimes we ate at several big tables reserved for the tour. Other times we ate at individual tables, but I would not expect that your friends could have a private table to themselves at the tour meals. I don't know about the tours you describe, but on the city tours all rooms were ensuite and only 2 people per room, so they will not have to share. Not sure about laundry service at the hotel, but would not count on this. Read the Graffiti wall for feedback about the tours, might be of help.

Though not in the same situation, I will give you my experiences on five RS tours. I travel in the summer so the makeup of my tours may be different because of that and I am also past my late 20's. But here goes. The age of the people on my tours have been pretty similar. There have been teenagers up to people in their 70's though the only person I can remember that had trouble keeping up was in her 30's. There are couples and partners, familys, friends and singles. We have all enjoyed shisha bars together and have taken an 18 year old out for his first legal beer. Never had a tour with more than the top number, usually it is right on or less. The hotels have been modern though sometimes quirky, places to do laundry is always addressed and I have never had to share a bathroom. Don't think it happens anymore. Since the hotels are not "chain". there can be a difference in the rooms but I have not heard many complaints. In group dinners, both have occurred. Sometimes it is smaller tables and sometimes a large table for everyone. People tend to move around and not even couples or families choose to eat together every meal. Though I have not done those 3 tours, there is always free time and sometimes people choose to skip out of things and do something else. This summer I am taking my daughter with me and have no doubt she will feel right at home with the group.

Andre,, i will say one thing,, tell them NOT to book a Contiki tour( popular with Aussies i believe) they will be filled with mostly 18-25yr olds who plan on drinking their way across Europe ,, not that they will see much either, one night stops the norm not the exception. I have only taken one RS tour,, and it was a family tour, so most people were actually 8-55 yrs old,, but oddly we did have one single male ( about 30) whose mother bought him the tour and the family tour was the only one that fit his dates off from work, lol . Everyone gets their own bathroom,, never heard of anyone sharing anymore. Laundry is offered at a few places, but its do it yourself. You do get a lot of free time, nothing is mandatory except being back at meeting spot or bus on time. We opted out of a few things ( stuff we had seen and wanted to spend time seeing other stuff) and the tour guides have no problem with that at all. Not all dinners are provided, so plenty of time for romantic meals out.
Some meals were at smaller tables( 4-6) some were at longer tables,, a few had doubles,, its a mixed bag depending on restaurant. Lunch is on your own usually. The shorter tours will likely offer a better chance at younger folks,, since working folks( as opposed to the retired) don't often get more then 2 ,, maybe 3 weeks off( and Americans often only get ONE week,, almost never 3) so I think the longer tours are more likely to have older demographic average.

Oh forgot to add , I thought RS was offering the "On your Own Tours" .. they offer the convenience of not having to worry about transportation and tickets etc,, but you are on your own for sightseeing and dining,, perhaps that would be a great option for them!

I'd think people would have better things to do on a honeymoon than follow a tour guide around.

I'm 59 years old and have been on one RS tour as a single (last year, in France for 11 days). I loved it and found it ideally and efficiently organized. However, if I were going on a honeymoon I would not choose a RS tour, unless as a couple we were quite socially oriented. There's just a lot of groupiness about the tours, although you can opt out of any activities you wish, but then why bother with a tour? I agree that perhaps a RS "My Way" tour might work well as all your transportation and lodging is well handled and you have the advice of an experienced guide but much more time to yourselves.

Andre - I've been on four RS tours. To answer your questions: The summer tours I've been on have had more younger people than the ones I've taken in the fall. Average age in the 50s for fall tours, 40s for summer tours. I think all tours now have en suite bathrooms. The Village France tour does. As others have said, not all meals are together. Usually only half of the dinners are provided, others are on your own. Some dinners are at large group table, some at smaller individual tables. I've never been on an overbooked tour. I've only done the Village France (eastern France) tour of the three you mention and there was plenty of independent time. I've also chosen not to participate in a group activity occasionally so I could do something on my own and this has not been a problem. They should choose the itinerary that most appeals to them.

Andre L, I first read your post yesterday, but wanted some time to think about it. I posed this question to a few of the Guides, and all of us had some "mixed feelings" on whether a RS tour would be suitable for a honeymoon. I'll start with your questions.... > AGE - I've taken 5 tours, and while most travellers are "mature", there's always a mix. One of the tours included a young lady who was given the tour as a graduation gift from high school. Despite the disparity in ages, I've found that everyone gets along well as a group. > LAUNDRY - Varies by location. Some Hotels offer "service wash", while in other cases there's a Laundromat nearby. I've found that it's best to be "flexible" with laundry, and be prepared to go for a few days without facilities and wash items in the hotel room sink if necessary. > BATHROOMS - ALL of the Hotels I've had on tours have had ensuite, even with a "single" room. It's impossible to say whether that will be the case with all tours. Tours use different Hotels subject to availability, and doubt that your friends will have to deal with bathrooms down the Hall. If that's a serious concern, I'd mention it at the time of booking the tour. > RESTAURANTS - In some cases, one large table is used, and in others individual tables (2-4 seats) are used. It's impossible to predict what the situation will be in each restaurant. There are a limited number of group lunches and dinners on each tour, so most of the time tour members are "on their own" for dinners. > OVERBOOKING - I've NEVER seen more than 28 people on a tour. My recent Holland & Belgium tour was 2 couples short, so there were only 20 of us. The tours use full sized Coaches (usually Heidebloem) so even with 28 members, there's LOTS of room. continued.....

Part 2..... > EXPLORING ON YOUR OWN - IMHO, the Village tours would probably offer more opportunities in that regard. I haven't taken any Village tours, but have travelled in the areas they cover on my own. Which one to choose will depend on whether your friends have more of a preference for France or Italy. I have a bit of a "bias" towards Italy, but I'm sure either tour would be outstanding! It's also important to mention two other points: (1.) ALL tours include at least one free day and several free afternoons or evenings. The Guides will provide touring suggestions and then everyone is free to "go their own way" (or stay in the Hotel if they wish). (2.) Even if there is a group tour or other activity planned, these are certainly not compulsory. On every tour that I've taken, some tour members have chosen to "excuse themselves" from some Museum or other group activities, and go explore on their own. All that's necessary is to let the Guide know, so that the "Tour Buddy" isn't looking for them when the group gets together. I always try to take part in the group tours, since I paid for them (I like to get my "money's worth"). Rick's tours are very flexible. As mentioned at the beginning, I have somewhat "mixed feelings" on the subject, considering the occasion. A tour might be good, especially as all the transportation, hotels and other details will be taken care of. It would probably work really well if they included some time on their own before or after the tour. They will absolutely learn more and have a more interesting travel experience on a tour. Although my "honeymoon memories" are fading, having some "new friends" to share the occasion might be a wonderful memory at the start of their life together? Good luck with your (their?) decision!