I traveled with EF Tours on a trip from the United States through Italy, Monaco, France, and Spain, and overall it was a good introduction to European travel, even though there were some clear downsides. Some parts of the trip were truly wonderful. We loved Milan and especially Moneglia and the Cinque Terre area. That part of the trip felt authentic, beautiful, and not overly touristy. Our hotel there was lovely, and the breakfast was very good. Arles was another highlight - quaint, beautiful, and full of charm, with great food as well. We also really enjoyed the Fragonard perfume factory, which was interesting and well done. Nice was also a favorite, especially relaxing on a private beach and enjoying appetizers at a great local restaurant. Barcelona was another stop we enjoyed overall. Our tour director, Claudia, was amazing. She was personable, funny, engaging, and very knowledgeable, and she made a big positive difference in the experience. That said, there were several aspects of the trip that were disappointing. Monaco felt very crowded and tourist-focused, and while it was undeniably beautiful, it did not feel like an authentic experience. I understand that managing a large group can be difficult, but at times the trip felt too structured and rushed. The hotel outside of Nice was especially disappointing - there were gates surrounding it, there was nowhere nearby to get food, and it left us feeling uncomfortable and isolated. We also wished our stay near Barcelona had been closer to the city itself, since Calella had more of a crowded beach-town feel than the kind of atmosphere we were hoping for. Another challenge was that our group was paired with another group that was not a great fit socially, and that created tension throughout the trip. Unfortunately, that negatively affected the experience for both adults and students. We were also very disappointed with the food provided by EF Tours, which was consistently poor enough that by the end of the trip we chose to eat on our own beforehand. Overall, this trip gave us a valuable first experience traveling in Europe, and we made some great memories in places we truly loved. However, because of the hotel quality in certain locations, the group dynamic, and the food, I would not feel comfortable strongly recommending EF Tours to friends.
