Age Group of tour members

You could always pick the family tours. (Just kidding). I am not aware of RS offering tours designed for 30 year olds. I am sure the My Way Tours appeal to a younger crowd.

RS tours are a mix of ages. I did one while I was in my 30s and it was great. There were a few women within 10 years or so of me but no one grouped themselves by age. It was a fun travel group - I wouldn't worry about limiting yourself to travel with only 30 somethings. Travelers are interesting at all ages. I took a Smartours trip to Turkey two years ago and there were plenty of 40-somethings on the tour. But the wild ones, who set up a "happy hour" in their hotel room each night, drank a lot at dinner etc were a group of 8 60 somethings traveling together. I've met a retired Consumer Reports research editor (in his 80s), a hospital risk manager (50s) and her 70 year old retired attorney husband. I've met a mid 60s Canadian who fled Russia with virtually nothing and now owns a large engineering firm. And lots and lots more. Try a tour with a company that appeals to you - you'll love it.

Hi jkh -
I don't know if this is what you're looking for but take a look at ANDY Steves' multi-city adventures for younger adults?

http://www.wsaeurope.com/trips/?_ga=1.150435189.233051486.1470744666

Click the "Locally led" option on the three offerings at the top of the page (Extreme Ireland, Italian Extravaganza and Best of Central Europe) for the escorted versions (there are also do-it-yourself packages for people who want to go solo.) His tours are geared roughly to Millennials and may be a good fit. You can always contact Team WSA for more info!

http://www.wsaeurope.com/contact/?_ga=1.179795303.233051486.1470744666

30s is kind of an odd age as far as age-specific groups, I can say because I am 30something. There are a lot of things for college and early 20s (I think Andy Steves is in this category). Then there are Rick Steves and other groups that welcome everyone but seem most popular with slightly older travelers. I don't think age matters all that much but if you are looking for 30s specific... Good luck!

All the 30s I know travel independently. Msybe for this reason - there aren't a lot of groups where they feel they fit. Or maybe we just prefer it.

I think the Andy Steves' tours are geared towards the college set. They stay in hostels and their marketing information says this:

Q: Are there age restrictions?
A: You just have to be over 18. We welcome non-students, but these tours are marketed directly to the American student studying abroad in Europe. Whoever wants to tag along is more than welcome!

If you click around on his website you can see pictures of some of the tour groups - they're young

I'd travel around with an older/typical age group before I'd travel around with college students - not that there's anything wrong with them - I have one of my own:)

Interesting. A while back someone posted similar question. They had been doing tours with an operator that did only 20-somethings. But then he just turned 30 and was not allowed to travel with them anymore and was looking for a new group. Talk about age discrimination! It is like that sci-fi movie "Logan's Run" where you had to turn yourself in for euthanasia once you hit 30. No room for old-farts in the brave new world.

His multi-city tours may or may not be more geared more specifically to college students abroad than the weekend breaks. And he graduated Notre Dame in 2010 so is on the far side of 20 himself. Yes, they stay in hostels but it's all about saving money (young people with college loans and limited budgets) and making the sort of close connections that many Millennials (roughly ages 19-35) enjoy. I also know Europeans of more 'mature' ages who stay in hostels (not always in dorm-type rooms) to keep costs in check.

But the poster could certainly ask about the average ages, and match the best tour (Rick's or Andy's) with his/her preferences for activities, interests, accommodations, amount of social interaction, etc? At this point we know little about them so it's just a guess what might be the best fit.

I do agree that 30's is a bit of an awkward spot where many tours go, though. I think the max. age for Contiki is 35.

You are right about Contiki.

And look at G Adventures. My daughter did one of these on the Nile which was a YOLO tour.

Hi all,

Thanks for responding everyone with good information. I love the knowledge and input that our Forum responders provide. Keep it up. And it is true, we do not gear any of our tours towards any type of specific group other than our family tours. We believe we have created itineraries that would be enjoyed by folks in their 30's to those in their 60's and 70's. Some of our tours may be considered a little more strenuous and active, but that does not mean they were designed for younger people. We like to get folks of all ages and walks of life who want to experience Europe the way that we do ~ in an educational, informative, active and participatory manner. We are going to get out and see the sites, and do local things in the local fashion. Something that any age could enjoy. In fact, we find it is very nice to have a mix of ages on our tours. This rounds the tour group out and provides all sorts of wonderful experiences and backgrounds that everyone can share with each other. You never know who is going to be on your tour but I think you will find them more enjoyable than if everyone in the group was the same age. Hope that helps. But if you have any specific questions we would be happy to answer them. Just give the Tour Department a call. Cheers.

Thanks for the nice response, Keith. Now it would be helpful if we heard back from the OP so we could drill down a bit on what they're looking for (interests/activity level/ amount of free time/budget/ etc.) and why.

As Mira mentioned earlier, most of the young people (heck, a lot of not-so-young-people) I know travel independently, aside from the cruise set, but our poster may be a single looking for the companionship/daily social interaction of a larger group. Or just busy and wants the ease of the one-stop-shop package. Or both. It would be great to have the dialog.

jkh, are you out there somewhere?