RS European Tours

I am a late middle aged person, who has been on 2 of RS's city tours - Paris and Venice. I found the composition of the people on the tour to be very good -- all were friendly, good sports, fun loving.
Mostly middle aged people, but a few younger ones thrown in -- all got along well.

Rick's tour guides are fabulous, and the local guides they bring in for special tours are excellent also. The restaurants we went to were good as were the hotels -- in very good locations.

There was quite a bit of walking, but I did not find it too strenuous.
I can't speak to the RS tours of various countries or cities that rely on bus transportation.
But I would go on any RS tour again in a minute without hesitation. Hope this helps!

Hi Kent. My hubby and I are generally independent travellers, having lived in Europe earlier in our lives. But due to time constraints for planning, we went on a RS tour (village Europe - no longer avail.) a couple of years ago. If you aren't able to do things independently, I'd highly recommend RS tours. The folks on our tour were interesting, of different ages and parts of the USA. The one downside for us was that it was difficult at times to get off alone as a couple at times, as other couples in the group weren't as self-assured and were a little group-clingy. On the plus side, the tour guide was outstanding and used the bus time for language and culture lessons and general fun. Not strenuous at all physically. A good bargain for the amount charged, and having hotels and some meals taken care of left us with more free time.

My wife, who didn't like "group things", and I have been on 5 RS tours the last 5 years and are already signed up for another one next year. We find having the planning mostly taken care of, transportation, half the food (+/-), admissions, lodging, guides, plenty of free time, not having to go on every group activity, etc. very attractive.
Our groups have been mostly middle-aged couples with some younger ones and a few singles thrown in.
95% of the group members are really swell folks from all over the US and Canada, people I would invite into my home any time. The guides are mostly excellent as are the local ones. All of the tours have involved lots of walking and some stair climbing, particularly at some of the hotels. I try to get out for extended walks for practice prior to our leaving for Europe. Just make sure to read all of the literature that is available from the RS folks regarding their tours. "I'm a Ricknic"

My wife and I(65 and 55 years old)both lived in Europe at different times and places and we traveled independently then and have done so since both before and after RS trips. We've taken 5 of his trips and are planning the 6th. Most fun you can have with your clothes on. GO!!

I just went on the RS-Scandinavia tour earlier this year - and we had a GREAT group. As a guy in my mid 30s I expected to be the youngest, and went on my own, but there was one family too. I was accepted by all the range of group - from 20s (then me) - then the 40s/50s/60s and a couple at 70! A great extended family. I signed up for Spain/Portugal - and one of the families on the Scand. tour is going to! I made a lot of great friends from all over the country.

There was plenty of walking - but the 70s' couple kept right up! Just start taking daily walks to the store or longer a few months before you go if youre not used to 2-3 miles a day. but do go - either as a single or with a friend/spouce.

I've taken the RS 17 day best of Italy tour as a solo traveler. Excellent trip. Ages ranged from early 30s to 70s. All interesting, fun, and ready to learn and experience what the trip had to offer. I would say only one person really didn't "fit" the group, but even they were enjoyable. I know several others who have taken RS tours and had the same experience.

If you sit on the couch and think about exercise, you will have problems. Start a little fitness plan a month or two before you leave - working up to 3-4 miles at a time. "Strenuous" doesn't always mean distance - it also means walking on cobblestones, standing for long periods of time.

In the tours section of this website are honest reviews from RS tour takers - no one holds back on the good, bad, or ugly. Check the one for the trip you're interested in and see what people have to say.

Thank you to all who responded. I don't think we can go wrong when so many people say so many positive things about the trip. We expect to be taking the 21 Day Europe trip in May,June, or Sept/Oct in 2008. Who knows we might actually meet each other. I would look forward to that pleasure.
Thanks again

Kent in Kingston,ON,Canada

My husband and I took our grown children on the 14 day Best of Europe trip in 2006. It was wonderful. Small group of 24, all ages, but all young at heart. Even the bus experience was good...very spacious. You can't go wrong. Our only disappointment was not seeing David in Florence; a traffic accident and construction on the highway prevented us from making our timed appointment, but they have changed the itinerary now, I believe, so that shouldn't happen again. Lots of walking, standing, and stair climbing, covering much territory, but nothing that couldn't be done. You are so enthralled by what you are seeing that you don't even realize how much walking you are doing! Much down time in between the walking. Wonderful trip. Great people. Stupendous guides. You will love it.