Hi All,
Was curious for those of you who have went on RS tours in the past- is it a good tour for a solo, mid twenties female traveler? I'd love to travel Europe solo, but with a group, and just wondering if this is more of a couples/family environment. Looking to do Eastern Europe.
Thanks!
I have been on RS tours as a couple but each tour had singles. They were both men and women. The grps are friendly and on the small size so all are quite friendly and kind. I would not hesitate to go solo.
As there are some dining not included we often asked the singles if they would like to join us. If they declined it was no prob.
I haven't personally taken a RS Tour, and while I'm sure the other tour participants are all lovely and share a common interest in travel, I don't think I would do one of the tours simply because what RS Tours states as moderate to strenuous activity level actually seems exceedingly slow to me. On some of the tour descriptions they state moderate to strenuous as "able to walk 2-8 miles a day and handle hills and lots of stairs". We clocked our daily distances walking around similar environments in Europe last year traveling independently and our average was 15-18 miles a day including lots of hills and stairs. I've got 20 years on you, so I can't imagine how I'd feel about it if I was a super energetic 25 year old. In my early 30s I did a solo tour without really researching it (not Europe & not RS), and I was the youngest person in the group by 30+ years. While the other tour participants were really sweet and always wanting me to join them for dinners or lunch, I was ready to rip my hair out in boredom at the pace. If you are good with the pace outlined in the brochure, and you've watched the RS video on what to expect from one of their tours, by all means, go for it. But you may prefer one of their "My Way" tours as it gives you the convenience of someone else handling transportation and lodging for you, a chance to bond with others traveling in those groups, but the freedom to set your own pace at each destination.
As Ceidleh correctly notes, the RS tours do not involve walking 15+ miles per day.
You actually get time to stop and look .
If you need to get 5+ hours of brisk walking in every day to feel right, then an RS tour is probably not what you want.
As for the group dynamic, you will be welcomed and left alone only if that is what you want.
I took a RS tour as a single female in my 40's. There were actually 4 other single women of varying ages on the tour and we all felt welcomed and included! A few of the women were younger and one was about 70. The 70 y/o did have a bit of trouble keeping up. I am fairly active and I found the tour to have a perfect amount of activity for me! I didn't expect it to be a hiking trip, but there were plenty of opportunity for being a little more active - It was the best of England in 14 days. I think a RS tour is a great way for a single female to travel. It's fun to be able to share your experiences with someone!
I'm old but I have done 8 RS tours, 5 of them as a solo traveler. My tour buddy on the 21 day Best of Europe was 30. I've been on tours with people in their early 20's. They are perfect for me and I have always felt very included. I often strike out on my own for meals as I am vegan and that just adds a nuisance layer that is hard to inflict on others, lol.
The most strenuous tour was the 21 Best of Europe where we did go 10-12 miles a couple of days. In general they are pretty active and there is always an option to add more. The last trip I did, GAS, one Dad/daughter (about 20 years old??) combo were working on 20,000 steps a day and if they hadn't gone that much by dinner, they were off exploring to add some more steps. I know they would have welcomed ANYONE who wanted to join them!
I have not done the Eastern Europe tour but the reviews seem to be really good!
If you happen to live in the Northwest, Rick has some travel festival days where guides and others come in to give presentations. They are free and lots of fun. The ONLY problem is that you will want to go on ALL his tours after you get a taste!
I've participated in only two Rick Steves tours, both in western Europe, but I can share (based on my experience) that a mid-twenties single traveler would be an outlier. As in, the only one. Heck, my wife and I are in our late 50s and we tend to be on the younger end of the range of travelers who opt for a Rick Steves tour.
Of course, there are exceptions and I'm sure the Rick Steves organization would love to have you participate to prop up their diversity numbers, but I have little doubt that you would be the only one of your kind on a tour should you decide to buy one.
That said, the organization does provide good tours and generally good tour guides. But just be aware that you may be the age of the daughter, or granddaughter, of the average Rick Steves traveler on your tour.
I think it's a great idea. My husband & I went on Village Italy last summer, and 3 women were travelling solo on the tour, various ages. When there was free time, they sometimes went exploring alone, sometimes with others in the group. I talked at length with one lady who had been on eight RS tours. She preferred RS because of the great guides, the style of travel (small groups, great sites), and the ability to connect with others during the free time.
You can call the RS office and ask questions. (Nothing is too dumb.)
If the RS tour appeals to you, I think you'll enjoy it very much.
I'm soon to take my 12th RS tour, nine of which have been me traveling solo. There are almost always other single women, and occasionally a single man or two. There is also generally a good range of ages but, if it skews older on your particular tour, it's likely that some of the older couples will "adopt" you -- meaning, making sure you're included and taking an interest in you. RS travelers are a friendly, curious bunch, so you shouldn't feel awkward being a solo traveler.
I took my first RS tour last year as a single female at age 31. I had a great time. There were a couple of other younger individuals, both in their 20s, though they weren't traveling solo. The other tour members were very welcoming and I had the option of joining them in my free time if I had desired. If you find a tour that calls to you, I would recommend it. If this is your first solo trip and you are feeling a little hesitant, I say go for the tour. You will enjoy it, even if you are the youngest in the group.
Good question. Suspect that the composition of every tour group is different. We have had both men and women solos and sometime multiple numbers on a tour--all have been different in their interests and their effort to join in--some hung together as a group, some wanted their space, others joined couples and others made and effort to not get hooked to any one and moved from couple to couple on different outings. If you wish to be included in "tour free time" activities and the meals "on your own" it has appeared (we have) solos were welcomed to join with other tour members heading out on their own adventures. (About 1/2 of tour total time is dedicated to doing stuff you wish to on your own or hanging with other tour members to do stuff together). Observations are from active daily walkers--former back packer, jogger types in over the hill gang heading for 16 RS Tour in September--Hope you'll try a RS Tour--enjoy it
I have taken 14 RS tours and we have had single people on almost all of them. Ages have ranged from mid-20s to high 70s. We have never had to do more walking than this somewhat out of shape 71 y/o could easily handle. We have had some stairs to climb on most tours but nothing insurmountable. Go for it.
