price of ef tours

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What is the cost of EF Tours?

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November 22, 2023

By Kristy Tolley

Understanding EF Tours

EF Tours is a world-renowned educational travel company that offers students and adults the opportunity to explore different cultures, experience new adventures, and learn about history firsthand. The company offers a wide range of tours, including language immersion programs, cultural tours, and service learning trips.

EF Tours has a reputation for providing high-quality, well-organized tours that are both educational and fun. However, the cost of EF Tours can vary depending on several factors, including the destination, tour length, and type of tour. In this article, we will explore the factors that influence the cost of EF Tours, provide budgeting tips, and discuss payment options and hidden costs. We will also provide information on scholarships and grants that can help offset the cost of an EF Tour.

Factors that Influence the Cost of EF Tours

Several factors influence the cost of EF Tours, including destination, tour length, and type of tour. For example, a two-week tour of Europe will cost more than a one-week tour of a single European country. Similarly, a language immersion program will typically cost more than a cultural tour.

Other factors that can affect the cost of EF Tours include the time of year, the level of accommodation, and the number of people on the tour. For example, tours during peak travel seasons, such as summer, can be more expensive than tours during the off-season. Luxury accommodations and small group tours can also increase the price.

Preparing for Your EF Tour: Budgeting Tips

Before embarking on an EF Tour, it is important to budget for the trip. This will help you avoid overspending and ensure that you have enough money for everything you want to do. Here are some budgeting tips to help you prepare for your EF Tour:

• Start saving early: Set aside a portion of your income each month leading up to your trip.
• Research destination costs: Look up the cost of food, transportation, and activities at your destination to get an idea of how much you will need to spend.
• Consider group discounts: If you are traveling with a group, look for discounts on transportation and group activities.
• Use a travel rewards credit card: A travel rewards credit card can help you earn points for travel expenses and can offer other benefits, such as travel insurance and no foreign transaction fees.

The Breakdown: How Much Does an EF Tour Cost?

The cost of an EF Tour can vary widely depending on the factors mentioned earlier. However, as a general rule, a one-week EF Tour can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000, while a two-week tour can cost from $3,000 to $6,000. Language immersion programs and small group tours can cost more.

The cost of an EF Tour typically includes accommodation, transportation, meals, and activities. However, some tours may require additional expenses, such as visas, vaccinations, and travel insurance.

EF Tours Payment Options: What You Need to Know

EF Tours offers several payment options to make it easier for travelers to budget for their trips. These options include paying in installments, paying in full, and using a credit card. Travelers can also use EF Tours’ online payment portal to make payments and manage their account.

It is important to note that payments are due according to the payment schedule provided by EF Tours. Late payments can result in additional fees and may jeopardize your spot on the tour.

Tips for Reducing the Cost of Your EF Tour

There are several ways to reduce the cost of an EF Tour, including:

• Travel during the off-season: Tours during the off-season can be less expensive than those during peak travel times.
• Choose a less expensive destination: Consider traveling to a less expensive destination to save money.
• Share accommodations: Traveling with a friend and sharing accommodations can reduce the cost of the trip.
• Look for discounts: Check for group discounts, early booking discounts, and other promotions that can reduce the cost of the tour.

Hidden Costs of EF Tours: What to Look Out For

While the cost of EF Tours includes most expenses, there are some hidden costs to be aware of. These may include:

• Visas and vaccinations: Some destinations require visas and vaccinations that can be expensive.
• Travel insurance: EF Tours offers travel insurance, but it is an additional cost.
• Optional activities: Some tours may include optional activities that are not covered by the cost of the tour.
• Souvenirs: Souvenirs can add up quickly, so it is important to budget for them.

Scholarships and Grants for EF Tours: A Guide

EF Tours offers several scholarships and grants to help offset the cost of their tours. These scholarships and grants are awarded based on merit and need and are available to both students and adults. To apply for a scholarship or grant, visit the EF Tours website and fill out the application.

Comparing the Cost of EF Tours with Other Tour Options

EF Tours is not the only tour company available, and it is important to compare the cost of their tours with other tour options. While EF Tours may be more expensive than some other companies, they offer high-quality tours with experienced guides and well-planned itineraries.

EF Tours Refund Policy: What You Need to Know

EF Tours offers a refund policy that varies depending on the type of tour and the cancellation date. Generally, refunds are not available within a certain number of days before the tour departure date. Travelers should review the refund policy carefully before booking their tour.

Frequently Asked Questions about EF Tour Costs

• Are meals included in the cost of an EF Tour? Yes, meals are typically included in the cost of the tour.
• Can I pay for my tour in installments? Yes, EF Tours offers payment plans that allow travelers to pay in installments.
• Is travel insurance included in the cost of the tour? No, travel insurance is an additional cost.
• Can I get a refund if I need to cancel my tour? Refunds are available depending on the cancellation date and type of tour.

Conclusion: Is an EF Tour Worth the Cost?

EF Tours offers high-quality, educational tours that can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. While the cost of an EF Tour can be expensive, there are ways to budget and reduce the cost. With scholarships, grants, and payment options available, an EF Tour can be a worthwhile investment in education, culture, and adventure.

Kristy Tolley

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Greece tours discovery guide

Travel to a land where time stands still. Stand in awe at the foot of ancient ruins in Athens, walk through whitewashed coastal villages on Santorini, and island-hop along the Aegean. How many shades of blue will you discover in Greece?

4.7 out of 5 stars

4.5 out of 5 stars

What to know before you go

More than 10 million people live in this island-rich nation. Did you know that Greece boasts more than 6,000 islands and islets throughout the Aegean and Ionian Seas?

Athens, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The city’s history dates back more than 3,400 years.

Greeks are known for their warm hospitality and generosity—offering guests food and drink is a common practice.

Ancient architecture, adventurous island-hopping, and fresh-off-the-boat seafood.

Greek islands to explore beyond the shore

Bask in the bewitching beauty of the Greek Islands, where azure waters kiss black sand beaches. Marvel at the kaleidoscope of culture, from Rhodes’ imposing medieval walls to Santorini’s watercolor sunsets. Wander quaint cliffside villages and discover paradise around every corner.

Essential Greek Islands: Athens, Santorini & Crete

Want to hit the highlights? From the Parthenon in Athens to Mount Profítis Ilías on Santorini, expect awe-inspiring history and local flavors.

Greece’s Ionian Islands: Athens, Kefalonia & Corfu

Need to get off the beaten path? Explore up to six of Greece’s Ionian Islands for pristine beaches, lush greenery, and otherworldly clear waters.

Greece’s Dodecanese Islands: Kos & Rhodes

Looking to tantalize your senses and experience authentic island life? Soak up the sun and sandy beaches, taste wine and honey, and admire iconic windmills—in a whole new way.

Greece & Turkey Aegean cruise

Want more seaside views? Sail the Greek Islands to Mykonos, Santorini, and Rhodes. Disembark in Turkey and surrender to Istanbul’s iconic landmarks.

6 Greek islands you can ’ t miss this summer

Whether you eat and drink your way from island to island or immerse yourself in the history of the tiny towns you visit along the way, there’s no wrong way to set your watch to island time.

Capture the essence of Ellada

Greece, officially known as the Hellenic Republic, also goes by Hellas or Ellada locally. No matter what you call it, it’s your launchpad to discovering the cradle of Western civilization and roots of democracy, philosophy, and art.

Grand Tour of Greece: Athens, Corfu & Santorini

Not sure where to begin? Join this exploration of treasured historic sites, whitewashed fishing villages, and everything in between.

A Week in Ancient Greece: Athens, Delphi & Olympia

Feast on the rich history and rugged beauty of hilltop fortresses, majestic marble temples, and timeworn cobblestone streets—in just one week.

6 reasons to visit Greece solo

Celebrating a milestone birthday or your newly minted MBA? Solo travel is the empowering, life-affirming, main-character-energy gift you give yourself.

Uncover your Greece travel style

Epicureans, explorers, or history lovers—meet your match with your perfect Greece getaway.

Respite & reflection

Follow our Footsteps of Saint Paul tour to the sites where Paul the Apostle lived and preached.

Souvlaki & saganaki

Savor 11 delicious days, eating and drinking your way through Greece on our Food & Wine tour.

Action & adventure

Hike in Naxos and swim or snorkel off the coast of Paros on our Greek Islands Adventure tour.

Apollo & Acropolis

Excavated ruins and magnificent temples await on our Athens & Ancient Greece tour.

Experiential travel made easy

You dream it. We’ll take care of every last detail.

We offer 200+ immersive, guided tours around the world. Wherever you choose to go, you’ll enjoy lots of advantages that make traveling with us different.

That’s all it takes to secure a spot on one of our group tours when you sign up for AutoPay . Plus, you can pay in interest- free, monthly installments.

While you’re deciding what to take, we’ll be busy arranging your hotels, meals, tickets, and more tour essentials. That’s what going guided is all about .

Take off on your big adventure— but why stop there? Every trip you book with us earns rewards that you can use to keep expanding your horizons.

What travelers say about our Greece tours

Even more tours to choose from.

For even more of Europe’s distinctive culture, scenery, history, and cuisine, check out these itineraries.

4.6 out of 5 stars

Travel tips for Greece trips

From the snow-capped mountains of the north to the sandy beaches of the south, Greece has something to offer everyone. Ancient cities, picturesque islands, and a stunning coastline along the Aegean Sea await. Whether you’re looking for a place to explore history, dive into local culture, or relax on the shore, Greece offers tempting options for travelers. On our guided tours to Greece, you’ll find itineraries for travelers of all types, making it easy to find the one that fits your interests.

• Meteora, Athens, or Delphi. Greece is home to some of the most important historical sites in the world, including the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Temple of Zeus. These sites offer a glimpse into the ancient world and its rich culture. If you’re a history buff, our  Athens & Ancient Greece tour is right up your alley.
• The Greek Islands or Pelion. If sunshine and coastlines are more your style, island-hopping in the Aegean Sea is a good option for you. Take two weeks to explore all they have to offer on our  The Greek Islands: Mykonos, Santorini & Crete tour .
• Santorini, Crete, or Athens. Greece is a foodie’s paradise, with a rich culinary tradition that spans thousands of years. From the islands’ fresh seafood to the mainland’s hearty stews, there’s something delicious for everyone to enjoy.
• Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini. For first-time visitors and those who only have a week to get away, our shorter Greece tours are a great way to go. Our  A Week in Greece: Athens, Mykonos & Santorini tour introduces you to the highlights of each location—and leaves you with vacation days to spare.

A  Greek Islands tour  has something for every type of traveler—beach lovers, foodies, hikers, and history buffs. Here are five of the best islands to visit in Greece:

• Mykonos. A favorite of jet setters, Mykonos has all of the ingredients for a good time: gorgeous beaches, bohemian-chic restaurants, and lots of options for nightlife and entertainment.
• Santorini. The beaches here are famous not for their golden sand, but for their black-and-red-rock sand. Head to the hilltop town of Oia at sunset for the quintessential Santorini experience. 
• Paxos. If you’re a beach lover, Paxos has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The sand is soft and white, and the water is clear, making it perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving.
• Naxos. Looking for stunning beaches, lush vegetation, and traditional villages? Naxos offers it all. The village of Apiranthos is known for its whitewashed houses and its cobbled streets.
• Crete. The largest of the Greek Islands, Crete offers beautiful beaches, scenic hikes, and interesting history. It’s also considered the culinary hub of the islands.

Check out our Guide to the Greek Islands →

There’s no question about it: Greece always makes a great getaway. In recent years, especially, it’s become a clear traveler favorite. Summer is the most popular time for visitors, and the islands tend to become crowded with sun-seeking adventurers then.

If you have the flexibility to travel at other times of the year, the best time to visit Greece is in the off-season. When temperatures are cooler, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the true essence of the country. Check out one of our Greece guided tours,  A Week in Ancient Greece: Athens, Delphi & Olympia , which is specifically designed to make the most of the cooler months.

Certain islands aren’t accessible during the winter, but this time of year is excellent for visiting the mainland. Hop between Mykonos and Santorini in the fall and spring for the ultimate Greek getaway.

In a land of rich history, rugged ruins, and remarkable beauty, the must-see destinations on our trips to Greece focus heavily on ancient attractions. But it’s not all about history. The towns, cities, and islands where you’ll find the top attractions offer exciting venues to explore, both old and new.

• The Acropolis. One of the most important archaeological sites in the world and a masterpiece of classical Greek architecture, the Acropolis is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in Greece, including the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Its museum houses more than 3,000 artifacts, from sculptures to jewelry, and offers stunning views of the Acropolis and the city of Athens.
• Ancient Agora. Originally the center of political, social, and religious life in Athens, this site was home to significant buildings, including temples, stoas, and law courts (the trial of Socrates took place here). Today, it’s a popular tourist destination featuring museums, archaeological sites, shops, and restaurants.
• Temple of Olympian Zeus. One of the largest temples in the ancient world, this colossal temple in Athens is dedicated to Zeus. While only 15 of the original 104 marble columns remain standing, the ruins are among the most impressive in Greece.
• Panathenaic Stadium. The site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and the 2004 Summer Olympics, this ancient stadium in Athens, made entirely of marble, was built in the fourth century B.C. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is also a popular venue for concerts and other events.
• Acropolis of Lindos.  Set on a high cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea on the island of Rhodes, the Acropolis of Lindos is a beautiful and well-preserved archaeological site featuring a number of temples and other ruins.
• Palace of Knossos.  This ancient palace located on Crete, with its amazing frescoes and artifacts from the Minoan civilization, is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece.
• Samariá Gorge. A national park located on the island of Crete, Samariá Gorge is one of the longest gorges in Europe and a popular destination for hiking and camping.
• Meteora monasteries. This group of monasteries, located in central Greece, is built on top of towering sandstone pillars and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
• Santorini.  The island of Santorini is one of the most popular destinations on trips to Greece. It is known for its stunning caldera, whitewashed buildings, and blue-domed churches.

Want to know where to go in Greece? Here are six Greek hotspots that belong on your bucket list →

Rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, Greece is a country that has something to offer everyone. On our tours of Greece, you’ll hit the highlights but also have the opportunity to enjoy some under-the-radar experiences. On or off the beaten path, here are some unique experiences you can have in Greece:

• Travel to remote and charming villages, like Kalambaka in central Greece
• Take a cooking class and learn how to make traditional Greek dishes
• Go on a wine-tasting tour of Santorini or another Greek island
• Hike to the top of Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece 
• Kick back on one of Greece’s beautiful beaches
• Visit a women’s co-op on Crete to support local women’s employment
• Step inside sky-high monasteries in Meteora
• Visit a family-owned farm on the island of Crete and sample local products  
• Swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea

Check out five unique places to visit in Greece →

We recommend you spend at least six days in Greece. While our most popular Greece tours run for nine days or more, you can enjoy a shorter trip if you limit your tour to one or two cities or islands.

There are many popular activities to experience on our guided tours of Greece, considering the country’s rich history and culture. Some of the most popular things to do include:

• Visiting historical sites.  Greece is home to countless historical sites, such as Delphi and the ancient Acropolis, as well as Olympia, where the Olympic Games were born.
• Exploring the countryside.  Mountain villages, scenic peninsulas, and pine forests make Greece’s beautiful countryside a pleasure to discover.
• Enjoying the food.  Greek food is famous for its use of fresh, seasonal ingredients and simple yet flavorful cooking methods. Wine and food-tasting excursions on our Greece tours allow you to sample the best of Greek food and wine.
• Visiting museums and galleries.  Greece’s museums and galleries are a testament to the country’s rich history and culture. You’ll find artifacts from Greece’s most important archaeological digs in the Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum.
• Taking a cooking class.  Cooking classes are a hands-on way to learn about Greek cuisine and culture, and they’re also a lot of fun. Many of our Greece tour packages offer added excursions where you’ll learn how to make traditional foods and enjoy your creations.
• Tasting wines. Produced in a variety of climates and settings—from the hot, dry climate of the Peloponnese peninsula to the cooler, wetter climate of the northern regions—Greek wines are known for their variety of styles, which include light and refreshing whites and full-bodied reds. On our  Food & Wine: A Taste of Greece tour , you can explore the country’s different varietals.
• Relaxing on the islands.  There are more than 6,000 Greek islands; the best are home to stunning scenery, delicious food, and beautiful beaches. Our Greek Islands tour  takes you to three of the most colorful and fun.

Check out the six islands you shouldn’t miss on trips to Greece  →

Greece has typical Mediterranean weather—usually mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. However, the weather can vary greatly depending on the region and time of year, so checking the forecast before traveling on any of our Greece tour packages is essential.

• Respect for traditions. Greeks are very proud of their culture and history, so it is important to be respectful of their traditions. This includes dressing appropriately for visits to religious sites.
• Greeting people. It is customary to greet people with a handshake and a kiss on the cheek. Of course, you can choose what feels comfortable for you.
• Dining. While in some countries it is considered rude to not finish your meal, in Greece it is considered polite to leave some food on your plate at the end of a meal.
• Tipping. It is customary to tip in Greece, but the amount is up to you. A tip of 10–15% is generally considered acceptable.
• Greek Orthodox Church holidays and festivals. Pay attention to the calendar because many businesses are closed on these days.

Greek food is famous for its use of fresh, seasonal ingredients, its simple yet flavorful cooking methods, and its emphasis on healthy eating. Our trips to Greece are guaranteed to be full of meals featuring fresh, delicious fruits and vegetables. Some typical ingredients in Greek cuisine include olive oil and feta cheese, as well as grilled fish and meat. Some of the most popular dishes to try on Greece trips include:

• Souvlaki. A grilled skewer of meat, usually lamb or pork, served with pita bread, tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki.
• Gyros. This is a similar dish to souvlaki, but the meat in gyros is cooked on a vertical rotisserie. You can find this popular street food all over the country.
• Moussaka. A traditional Greek baked dish made with layers of eggplant, ground beef, béchamel sauce, and feta cheese.
• Spanakopita. Served as an appetizer or main course, this savory pie is created with fresh spinach and feta cheese enclosed in crispy phyllo dough. Spanakopita is best enjoyed warm.
• Tzatziki. On a hot day, this refreshing dip made from yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, and herbs hits the spot. Enjoy it served with pita bread, vegetables, or meats.
• Olives. Olives are grown in many parts of Greece, but the Peloponnese region is the largest producer. The dark purple Kalamata olive, famous for its rich flavor, is one of the most well-known varieties of Greek olives.
• Feta cheese. This traditional Greek cheese—salty, tangy, and crumbly—has been produced for centuries. Often used in salads, dips, and sauces, feta makes a delicious snack or appetizer.

Want to eat your way through Greece? Join our Food & Wine: A Taste of Greece tour →

Greek is the most widely spoken language in Greece; however, English is widely spoken in popular areas.

To stock up on local currency, order some euros from your bank before you go, or use your debit card at an ATM once you arrive. For tips on using the euro while on a trip to Greece, check out our blog on currency exchange →

We recommend packing light for your trip to Greece. One suitcase and one carry-on per person is a good guideline to follow; you should feel comfortable managing your baggage at the airport. If you’re visiting the islands, you’ll likely have to bring your bag with you on the ferry, so make sure you’re comfortable carrying it. After you’ve booked one of our Greece tour packages, we’ll give you information about how to prepare for your particular trip and even share a packing list in our mobile app. 

• Sun protection.  For all our trips, especially during the summer months in Greece, we recommend bringing sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect your face and the back of your neck from the sun.
• Layers.  We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
• Comfortable walking shoes.  Since you’ll be exploring new destinations with local guides, a comfortable pair of walking shoes is essential to have with you. Those walking shoes will come in handy while exploring the rugged ruins of Ancient Greece or the volcanic shores of Santorini.
• Dressier attire. If you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance on our trips to Greece, you may want to pack dressier attire.
• Full-coverage layers for religious sites.  On our Greece tours, it is preferable not to visit churches, temples, or other religious sites with bare legs or shoulders, and staff at these sites may deny entrance on this basis.
• A small day bag.  Many churches and museums will not allow you to bring in large backpacks for security purposes—you’ll need to check them at the door. However, you can wear a small day bag on your front, like a cross-body travel bag or stylish mini backpack.
• An RFID money belt or wallet.  Greece’s city streets can get busy, and like in any country with many tourists, you’ll want to be wary of pickpockets. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) can protect your credit card info from electronic theft, and a money belt will conceal your cash without ruining your outfit.

Once you’ve reserved one of our tour packages to Greece, we’ll send you detailed information about what to bring with you. Don’t forget to download the  Go Ahead app  before you take off, so you’ll have all the info you need about your trip right in your pocket.

EF Tours Review: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Is EF Tours right for you?   

So your kid just came home from school with a gorgeous full color brochure about an upcoming trip to Europe with EF Tours that one of their teachers is leading.  He or she is super excited about all the cool things they get to do and is just begging you to let them go.  

It sounds great, but as a responsible parent, you want to know exactly what you’d be sending your child off to do, and how things would actually work on this trip.  

Well, lucky for you we took a 12 day visit to Europe with EF Tours, and have all the details to decide if taking an international trip with this company is right for you or your teenager.  

We’re going to start with the breakdown of how things work with EF and what to expect as a participant or a parent, and then move on to our specific experience with our tour.  

I always like to start my reviews by reminding you that I was not compensated in any way to write this post.  All opinions are my own, and all costs were paid out of our pocket for this experience.

What is EF Tours? 

EF Tours is a travel company that specializes in international tours for students.   

According to their website , EF Tours has been in operation since 1965 and offers trips for students and teachers designed to “provide immersive, life-changing education.”

Basically, EF Tours organizes international trips for students to a wide variety of destinations, promising “compelling itineraries” full of “experiential learning.”

They also promise to have the “lowest price on the market” for this type of travel.  

EF, as a company, offers may types of tours ranging from group trips for adults to organized gap years for high school graduates.  While these options are available, the bread and butter of the company is the basic high school student tour which is what we took.  

How do EF Tours work?

EF Tours have a pretty straightforward process during the sign up period, prior to departure and during your trip. 

Before we get into that, it must be said that EF Tours operate fully independently of the local school district, and are not endorsed or supported by them whatsoever.  

While this may seem like a school trip, it is not.  It is a trip run by a business who just happens to recruit participants through the school system.  Your local principals, school boards, etc. have zero control or influence on these trips.  The school is only involved in the process as far as whether they allow teachers to hand out information in schools or not. 

The EF in EF Tours stands for Education First.  According to their website, EF claims to “design tours to help educators teach, and so students can learn more—about tolerance, other perspectives, and themselves.”

The Sign Up Process

EF Tours are set up to be “hosted” by a local teacher who is then designated as the “group leader.”  Teachers are incentivized with free and reduced price travel to recruit students to join their tours.  

Tours are advertised by the group leader/teacher to students at their school and to their local community.  Interested students and parents are invited to attend informational meetings either in person or virtually where the group leader/teacher goes over the itinerary and any questions potential participants may have.  

Students and parents can then sign up directly through the EF Tours website, and submit all payments directly to the company.  

Trips are usually initially introduced about two years before the travel date so that participants can make smaller monthly payments to cover the cost of the trip.  Costs for these trips can range widely, depending on the destinations and length of the trip.  

EF has the group leader/teacher set up deadlines for signing up to go on the trip, sometimes including small discounts to encourage enrollment.  This tends to give a false sense of urgency to the sign up process. 

We found that participants can sign up just about any time before the trip departs.  We signed up about a year out from the trip, while another student who traveled with us signed up just a month or two before we left.  

Anyone was allowed to sign up for the trip.  We were encouraged to invite friends and family to join us on the tour, whether or not they were associated with our school or even local to our area.  

Adults did need to pass a background check in order to participate in the trip, since adult tour participants are traveling with minors.  

We were not given specific dates for our trip, but instead we were given a window of time during which the trip would occur.   Our dates were finally confirmed about two months before our departure.  

There are usually two or three optional excursions that can be added to any tour.  These usually include some special activity or visit to an additional landmark.  

Tour participants may also choose to upgrade the insurance for the tour. 

Before Your EF Tour

Once you’ve signed up for your EF Tour, you’ll be given access to a tour portal on the EF website where you can track your payments and what steps you need take next to participate in the trip.  They also provide a fundraising page, where friends and family can pay EF directly to offset the cost of your trip.  

Our group had a few in person meetings at a local restaurant prior to our trip where we discussed issues ranging from passports to packing for our trip to Europe , and got a chance to meet our fellow travelers.  This may or may not be true or all groups that are traveling with EF.  

Each participant in our tour was required to submit a copy of our passport to EF to insure that we had the proper documentation to travel.  

Information about our flights was not available until about a month before our departure, and information about our hotels was not available until we were about three weeks out from leaving.  

EF Tours uses a wide range of airlines, and travelers do not get to indicate a preference.  EF books all travelers in economy class seats for all transportation methods.  EF will book with whatever airline has space available for the lowest price for the group.  

As for hotels, travelers know very little about where they are staying ahead of time.  Per the website, tour participants are assured that “travelers can count on safe, clean and comfortable hotels with private bathrooms” but much beyond that the info is sparse.  

Students can expect to room with one to three other students, and possibly have to share beds.  Adults can expect to share a room with one other person.  For a fee, a single room can be requested for the tour. 

EF does indicate up front that hotels may have small rooms without air conditioning, television, or elevators, and that WiFi may not always be available.  

During an EF Tour

All transportation arrangements are made by EF Tours, including flights, buses, trains, etc.  They book all accommodations and attraction admissions for tour participants. 

Two meals a day are included in the cost of a trip with EF Tours.  Breakfast is provided each day at the hotel, usually continental style, but sometimes with hot offerings just depending on your hotel.  Dinners are are pre-arranged with a preset menu by EF at local restaurants.  EF will make accomodations for those with specific dietary needs, such as gluten free or dairy free meals.

While the teacher recruiting students is designated as your group leader, they don’t actually lead the tour once you start traveling.  EF provides a Tour Director to accompany your group through the entire trip.  

This Tour Director is supposed to handle just about everything on your tour, including all your pre-booked accommodations, meals, excursions, tickets, and transfers.  This person is there to direct the group and handle any problems with logistics you may encounter along the way.  

During the tour, your group will meet up with various local guides who will give you some sort of tour of the city or historic site that you’re visiting.  These tours are usually walking tours, but sometimes are bus tours, depending on the location.  

Tour participants are also given access to an EF Tours App, that just lists your daily itinerary for your trip.  

Our EF Tour Review

Our specific tour featured quite a daunting itinerary.  We toured Europe for 12 days, visiting sites in London, Paris, Florence, Rome, Pompeii and Capri, with no more than two nights in any destination.  

Our tour consisted of 26 travelers from our high school: three teachers, seven adults and 16 students.  We were combined with a group from upstate New York consisting of 14 travelers: one teacher, one adult, one child and 11 students.  There were a total of 40 people on our tour.  

What EF Tours Promised

Before our tour, the group leaded made sure every person who showed an interest in going on the trip got the glossy, full color brochure that outlined our itinerary and told us what to expect on the tour.  

The brochure promised that participants would be “surrounded by the people, the language, the food, and the way of life” of the destinations on our itinerary.  We were assured that our tour director would be “with us around the clock, handling local transportation, hotels, and meals while also providing their own insight into the local history and culture.”  

We would be spending time in three different countries, seeing some of the most beautiful and historic cities in Europe.

The brochure also claimed that students could earn educational credit while on tour, and that all tours feature “experiential learning activities.”

Our tour left some of these promises unfulfilled, but did give us a glimpse at some fantastic destinations in Europe and some amazing memories.  

Our hotels along the trip started out stellar but seemed to go downhill from there, unfortunately ending in truly unacceptable accommodations.  

Even though this wasn’t guaranteed, all of our accommodations had some sort of air conditioning, with some that functioned better than others, and all of them had WiFi.  

For the first four nights during our stays in London and Paris, we were sent to Hilton Hotels .  They both were on the higher end of what I expected based on the descriptions provided by EF Tours of what our hotels would be like.  

The rooms at these Hiltons were very new, immaculately clean and extremely comfortable.  They were both located about an hour outside of the city center, but that wasn’t too much of a problem.  

When we reached Italy, things changed a bit.  

For a quick overnight in Milan on our way to Florence, we stayed at and AS Hotel in Limbiate.  This hotel was a bit older than the Hiltons we’d stayed in, but it was clean, spacious, and comfortable.  

Between Florence and Rome, we spent the night at the Hotel Villa Ricci (not pictured).  This hotel was significantly older than the other three we had stayed at, but it was still clean and comfortable.  While the room wasn’t much to write home about, some members of our group lucked out and got spectacular balconies. 

Once we arrived in Rome, the Villa Aurelia was our home base for two nights.  We learned that this hotel had once housed men studying to join a monastery, which explained the doritory feel of the place.  Again, we found these rooms to be clean and pretty comfortable.  

On our way to Southern Italy, we spent the night in Sorrento at Sisters Hostel .  This was the only true hostel on our trip.  While they still stuck with four students to a room, several of the student rooms had enough beds to sleep up to 12 people. 

Though not quite as refined as the Hiltons, and a little slap-shot with the furniture, we found this place to be clean and welcoming.  While it wasn’t quite as comfortable as some of the other places we’d stayed, it was completely acceptable and had a spectacular view of the Gulf of Naples from the rooftop terrace. 

Things took a turn for the worse on our last night of the tour, when we stayed at Hotel La Pergola in Rome.  This place was truly one of the worst hotels I’ve ever had the misfortune to stay at (and as a travel blogger, I’ve stayed at a LOT of hotels).  

Things started off badly when we discovered that the lights in all the hallways were not on, and that we had to hunt around with our cell phone flashlights to find our way to our rooms.  I asked the front desk to remedy this, but it was never addressed, and we had to repeat the blind search for our rooms every time we went up.  

Upon arrival in my room, I found it to be extremely dirty.  There was a layer of dusty film all over my bathroom and my pillow had an unidentified crusty stain on it.  My daughter’s room had the same layer of dirt in the bathroom, plus a shoe print from where someone killed a bug on the wall.  I checked our beds for bedbugs and thankfully did not find any. 

The front desk did not seem to care and we were told no one was available to come clean the bathrooms.

But the worst experience in this hotel went to a dad on our trip, who’s single room contained only a sofa.   Not a sleeper sofa, but just a hard couch.  There were no linens or towels available to him whatsoever. 

When he asked for these items at the front desk, he was told that we should have called earlier to request them since they were all locked up in a cabinet by the time we arrived at the hotel.   He ended up sleeping on a towel laid out on the sofa with a travel neck pillow, that had been provided to him by his daughter from her room.

The front desk attendant seemed more than annoyed anytime someone from our group would approach them, and insisted that we all leave our keys at the front desk when leaving the hotel for dinner that night.    

We weren’t left with much recourse, since this was a group trip and we were on our last night, so we decided to just grin and bear it, and did our best to get some sleep.  

Overall, I’d say that the hotels provided were quite good, with the exception of Hotel La Pergola.  For ten of the eleven nights of our trip, we were provided with clean, safe accommodations that lived up to what the EF Tours website told us to expect.  

At the time of this publication, EF Tours has been notified of this unacceptable hotel and has yet to respond.  

Meals on the tour ran the gamut from weird to stellar, but overall were not to bad.  Breakfast and dinner every day were included in what we paid for our tour.  

All breakfasts were served at our hotels.  Sometimes they were just continental breakfasts with cold offerings, and sometimes we were given hot breakfasts with eggs, bacon, and such.  Sometimes it was quite obvious where our group was supposed to go, and sometimes it wasn’t. 

Overall, breakfasts were adequate throughout the trip.  

Lunches were not included in the initial price of our trip and were paid out of pocket each day.   

Lunches were always a gamble.   It all depended on where we were and what was going on whether or not we’d get to select a restaurant on our own or if the group would be directed to eat at somewhere specific, and if we’d have lots of great choices or really limited options.  

For example, on our first full day of the trip, we visited the Tower of London.  We told to make sure we ate lunch after our tour, before rejoining the group to get on the bus.  The only options available to us were food trucks along the river right next to the Tower complex.  

It was the worst during our travel days.  We were frequently told we could just grab a bite to eat at the train station or the airport, only to be left with minimal time and very limited options.  

But some days lunch was great.  During our time in Rome, lunch came with some free time to wander, so we were able to go out and select the restaurant of our choice.  

Some days our tour guide would set up a lunch option for us, having arranged a preset menu and price with a local restaurant.  Those options were usually something like a burger, pizza or a cold sandwich.  

I’m not sure if the lunch situations were like this because of our tour guide or because of EF itself.  Sometimes it seemed inevitable, like when we were stuck in an airport or train station.  Other times it seemed like our guide might be creating these situations by not fully informing us what was available near by.  

All dinners were set up at local restaurants before our arrival.  We did not get to select from a menu and were all served the same thing each night, with the exception of those who had special dietary needs.  Each meal came with water, but we were allowed to order additional drinks at our own expense if we choose to do so.  

The worst dinners EF provided happened during the first few days of our trip.  During our entire time in London, we were not once served any traditional English food.  Our Tour Director said it was because “London is a melting pot of cultures,” but our group didn’t buy that.  

Our first group dinner in London was at a Korean restaurant where the group was served a hot stone bibimbap with chicken.  I’m normally a big fan of Korean food, but this wasn’t great. 

The next group dinner was at a Polish restaurant where the group was served a fried chicken patty and french fries.  

When it became apparent on the second night that we weren’t going to be getting any traditional English food, my daughter and I made arrangements to go get dinner on our own, and pay for it out of pocket.  Four other members of our group chose to join us.  

We simply got information from our Tour Guide when and where to meet up with the group after dinner and selected a nearby local pub so we could have a traditional English dining experience.  

Dinners seemed to improve when we got to France. During our first night there we had a lovely traditional French meal of chicken with mushroom sauce in the back room of a small picturesque cafe with a ton of ambiance.   On the second night we had a traditional Alsatian dish called Flammekueche, which was sort of like a pizza with a creamy sauce.  

In Italy, the dinners were quite good.  Of course we were served a lot of pasta, but we also had braised beef in tomato sauce, gnocchi, and pizza.  

According to the folks on our trip who had special dietary needs, the dinners were pretty good for the most part.  Although it did seem that everywhere we went in Italy, anyone who was gluten free or dairy free was served watermelon for dessert.  

Before we left on our trip, we were told by our group leader that we shouldn’t need more that $25 US dollars per person per day for lunches and snacks.  We found that that number was not quite accurate for us, especially if we ever wanted to stray from the planned meals that EF Tours had set up for us.  

We also found that we frequently needed to buy water to stay hydrated in the high temperatures of Italy during the summer, and at most of the locations we visited, water was marked up quite a bit.  

Overall, the meals on our trip were pretty good, but could definitely have been better.  

Our Itinerary

We knew going into this tour that our itinerary would be extremely hectic.  With no more than 48 hours in any location, we expected it to be jam packed.  It was kind of like a tasting menu, where you got a little bit of each destination.  

What we didn’t expect was the significant amount of wasted time and changes to our itinerary that happened on our tour.  

Things started off poorly when our tour guide was an hour late to meet us at baggage claim and then our bus was over another hour late to pick us up at the airport.  

While our tour guide was a very sweet, personable woman, she didn’t seem to understand how to manage the timing logistics for a group of 40 travelers.  

Our group was quite good about being on time to meet up locations with a couple of small exceptions that could not be helped.  No one wanted to be the person that made us late.  

Our tour guide didn’t seem to have this mentality.  She was frequently the last person downstairs at our hotels to meet our bus 15 to 20 minutes after the time she told us to meet her, and did not budget in adequate travel time to most of our destinations. 

For example, while we were driving across Italy, she had our driver stop at a large gas station for a bathroom stop.   She told us we only had five minutes to use the restroom and get back on the bus.  It’s completely impossible for 40 people to make use of just a handful of bathroom stalls in five minutes. 

We were late to our tours in London, Florence, and the Vatican.  We were late to our tour of the Colosseum in Rome.  We were late to our appointment at the Louvre.  We were so late to our tour of Pompeii.  This significantly hindered what we were able to see at our destinations, and made the whole tour seemed very rushed every day.  

Things like this happened over and over again throughout the trip.  This resulted in our group being habitually late to most of the tours we went on, and significantly cut into our time at some really important places.

The only times it seemed like we weren’t late was when we had to catch a flight, a train, or a ferry.  

There were also some pretty significant changes to our itinerary. 

Several items listed on our initial brochure were changed before the trip due to pandemic restrictions and travel challenges, which was fine.  We had ample notice and knew what to expect.    

But there were several instances where visits to certain locations were dropped off our itinerary completely, and visits to other non-advertised locations were added.  

Sometimes this was a good thing, but sometimes it was incredibly frustrating.  

In London, a walking tour of Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden and Leicester Square was replaced with “free time” at the British Museum, which we really didn’t mind. 

But in Florence, visits to San Miniato al Monte and Piazzale Michelangelo were dropped off the itinerary with no explanation.  

On our way to Rome, our guide added a stop in Ovierto, a beautiful small town with picturesque views, wonderful dining and great little shops which we enjoyed immensely. 

But in Paris, a visit to Montmartre was abandoned, even though our dinner restaurant was within a mile of the historic location.  

The best unexpected addition to our trip in my opinion was the opportunity to see a musical in the West End of London.  Our guide was able to secure tickets (for an extra fee) for those who wanted them to a performance of Wicked during our free evening.  It was absolutely fantastic.  

But in the most frustrating example, during our time in Paris a visit to the Frogonard Perfume Museum was added to our itinerary.   No one asked to go there, and most of us seemed annoyed that we were stopping.  We were assured that the stop there would only last 30 minutes, but it ended up taking three times that, leaving us only an hour and a half to visit the Louvre before we had to be back on the bus to catch a flight to Italy.  

These added stops almost always involved additional costs as well, which we were not informed of before leaving for our trip.  This caused problems for a few kids on our trip who weren’t expecting these costs, and they unfortunately had to miss out on some of the better additions. 

There also seemed to be major sites in some of these cities that were not ever even an option to visit or see, due to our limited time in each city.   We didn’t go to Westminster Abbey or St. Paul’s Cathedral while we were in London, and there were too many things to count in Paris that we didn’t even glimpse.  While we were aware of this upfront before the tour, it really did feel like they didn’t allow enough time in any location to really see the cities we were in.  

Despite these frustrations, the itinerary did take us to some fantastic places and we had some absolutely unforgettable experiences.  We had a fantastic time seeing the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London.  We enjoyed a truly magical and unexpected sunset under the Eiffel Tower in Paris.  We got to listen to an orchestra perform in Piazza della Signoria in Florence.  We were able to marvel at the unparalleled artwork inside St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.  We saw the stunningly beautiful sites of Capri from a private boat tour.  Those memories are truly priceless.  

During our trip there were extra excursions offered in any city we stayed in more than one night. 

In London, the excursion was a visit to the London Eye, a giant ferris wheel type ride that gives riders a birds eye view of the city.  In Paris, it was a trip to Versaille to tour the palace and the gardens.  In Rome, it was a tiramisu cooking class.  

We choose not to participate in the excursion in London because I’m not the biggest fan of heights, and in Paris because my daughter wanted the opportunity to spend some extra free time in the city.  

I’m extremely glad we made those decisions.   

While the London Eye excursion seemed to go well for those who went on it, it was over priced.  EF Tours charged each participant $60.  Tickets can be purchased individually at the ticket booth for just $42 USD or for groups ahead of time for just $24 USD.  I’m not sure what EF added to the experience to warrant that upcharge.  

By skipping the London Eye, we were able to have a bit more time to explore and plenty of time to enjoy our pub dinner that we mentioned earlier since the London Eye excursion was timed to happen right before dinner.  

In Paris, those who went to Versaille told us the experience was underwhelming because of the limited time available inside the palace, and the lack of lunch options available to those who went.  

The Versailles excursion seemed overpriced as well.  EF Tours charged $114 USD to each participant.  Tickets to the entire estate are free for those under 18 years old and cost under $30 USD for anyone else, and that’s without a group discount.  Even if every single person had to buy a ticket,  I can’t imagine that the cost for a group tour and the transportation to get the group there cost an additional $84 USD per person.  

The tiramisu cooking class in Rome was not optional for our group for some reason.  I think our group leader made that choice when she set up our trip.  We paid an extra $85 USD above and beyond the base tour price to experience it.  While I could not find information about individual class pricing, I highly doubt that EF paid that much per person for us to spend an hour making tiramisu. 

I will say that the class was a fun experience at a great location, and we all enjoyed the desserts we made together.  

Overall, unless an excursion is of special interest to you, I wouldn’t recommend participating in them, simply because they seem overpriced.  Having extra free time to see the sites of your choice seemed to be the best option during our tour.  

Education on an EF Tour

EF Tours makes a big deal out of their tours being focused on education.  We were promised “experiential learning activities” during the trip.  They even claim you can earn credit for going on these tour.  

We found that there wasn’t that much education attached to our tour.  

The local tour guides who showed us the sights of each city were the most informative folks on this trip, with extensive knowledge of the history and culture at each stop, but we were forced to use amplifying devices called Whispers in order to hear the guides.  These Whispers often had glitches or were garbled, making it very hard to understand our guides.  

Other than the local tour guides and maybe the tiramisu class, I wouldn’t call just visiting these historic places an “experiential learning activity.”  

We also learned that our high school would not give any credit to students who participated in these trips, even though much was made of the educational credit during the pitch to get us to join the tour.  

This isn’t to say that we didn’t learn anything on our trip.  We did have some great cultural experiences while we traveled.  But learning seemed to take a back seat to just being in another country in most circumstances.  

Safety with EF Tours

As a parent considering an EF Tour for my teenager, I know safety was a big concern for me.  

When my husband and I decided to send our daughter, we felt like one of us should go with her since she was only 15 at the time we went on the trip, and had not traveled internationally like this before.  

For the most part, I felt quite safe during our trip.  

Before our trip, our group leader did make sure to advise us about pickpocketing and theft at major tourist sites in Europe, and advised us to be prepared.  She did make sure we were always wary of our passports and where we were keeping them during our travels.  

While on tour, there was only one time that I felt like our group was taken to an unsafe area.  That was during our terrible last night in Rome when we had to walk from our hotel to our dinner restaurant through some pretty sketchy areas of the city.  

Although student were allowed to go out on their own during our free time, they were asked to go in groups of three or four and were left in pretty safe areas to spend their free time.  

The biggest problem I saw with safety was when our Tour Guide would take off walking at a breakneck speed, frequently leaving half our group stuck at crosswalks or a few turns behind.  She usually did a count to make sure everyone was there when we were ready to leave, but she did leave people behind at least twice during our trip and have to go back and get them.  

Most of the time we had no idea where we were headed when we were walking to different locations.  We were never given the names of the restaurants or addresses of where they would be unless we specifically asked for them.  I think communicating with the group more about where we’re going could have avoided some sticky situations that a few of our travelers found themselves in when they were left behind.  

We also didn’t have a way to contact our Tour Guide directly.  Only a couple of people were given her contact information, which made communication confusing and difficult during our free time, especially when she got delayed during our free evening in Paris and our meeting time had to be pushed back significantly.

Curfews and group rules were left up to our group leader, who didn’t set many boundaries for our students.  

Since the legal drinking age in the areas we visited was 18, student who met this requirement were allowed to drink alcohol on our trip, but were asked to limit it to one drink with dinner.  By and large, our students respected this request and did not take advantage of the lowered drinking age to go and party it up.  

Trips like this EF Tour require students to be pretty mature when it comes to safety.  We had a wonderful group of kids who took their personal safety pretty seriously, and didn’t take unnecessary risks that would put them in jeopardy.  Had it been a different group of personalities, I’m not sure how it would have gone.  

EF Tours:  Our Final Verdict

Would I travel with EF Tours again?  That seems to be the question at hand here.  

My EF Tours experience definitely taught me a lot about group travel.  As someone who travels pretty frequently , I usually make most of my own travel arrangements, from flights to hotel reservations to activities.  It was quite nice not to have to worry about any of that.  It really did take a lot of pressure off to just let someone else do all that work. 

But relinquishing that control does require a certain amount of trust.  There were some areas that I would definitely trust EF to arrange again, and other areas where I really think they could do better.  

For this trip it really came down to adjusting expectations once we were traveling.  I really did expect there to be more education involved in what we did while on our tour.  I really did expect to spend some quality time at these major historic sites. 

Once I realized that time would be much more limited at every destination than I expected it to be, the trip went much more smoothly.  

I think our experience would have been better with a more seasoned Tour Guide.  Ours just didn’t seem quite ready to handle all the pressures and logistics that are required for managing a group of 40 people for 12 days.  

EF Tours is definitely a budget tour company, and for the price, you do get a good experience.  

Did EF Tours create the trip of my dreams?  Not by a long shot. 

Did they create a good experience for students who haven’t done a lot of international traveling?  I’d say yes.  

Do I regret going on an EF Tour?  Absolutely not.  I had some incredible experiences in some amazing locations with my only daughter, and I wouldn’t trade that for the world.  

Would I go on another EF Tour?  I think I would, but I would definitely choose a slower paced itinerary with more time in each destination.  

Do you have any questions about EF Tours that I didn’t answer?  Feel free to ask me in the comments!!

EF Tours Review: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Friday 12th of April 2024

I have gone on 4 EF tours (England and Scotland), (London and Paris), Rome, and one called Bell'Italia, which was basically a road trip through Italy. The meals are always meh, and the hotels were usually ok to good. I'm surprised at your lackluster tour guide. We have ALWAYS fallen in love with all 4 tour guides!!! They are all friends for life now. I wish you could have had that experience. The kids just adored them all. I did find the more jam packed the itinerary is, the more stressful the trip can be, but on the other hand, you get to see it all.

Thursday 14th of March 2024

Thank you so much for your insightful review! My daughter is headed to S. Korea in a few weeks and reading all these comments & your review...I'm just hoping for the best at this point. I wanted to ask about the tipping. Our group leader has requested $145 paid to her in cash, which I was completely caught off guard, considering the financial commitment of the trip itself, but reading this, it seems that it is quite normal. I contacted EF and the representative said that according to the tour itinerary, the total suggested guideline should be significantly less. Do you know what happens if there is a surplus or shortage with the tipping amount? I'm just wary about giving someone I don't even know (group leader) cash.

Saturday 13th of April 2024

@Louise Emery, I can't thank you enough for you review. My school is planning a trip to Rome, London, and Paris in June 2025. I've been honestly on the fence, and I still have time to cancel. I'm a teacher at the school, but not actually a chaperone. I have to pay the full cost for the trip, but I know I will likely still need to supervise the students during the day. I don't necessarily mind this, but I wonder if I'd be able to explore at night. What time did you typically get back to your hotel? I really hope we are not an hour away from the Rome, London, or Paris city centers. I would love to be able to go out for drinks on my own at night time once the students are in the hotels. Louise, do you think it might be better to plan my own trip to Rome, London, and/or Paris? I'm a single man with no kids hahah.

Louise Emery

Tuesday 2nd of April 2024

I really am not sure what would be done with a surplus. I would definitely ask the group leader about the discrepancy between their request and the recommendation of EF.

Melissa Levy

The parent in charge of the tour I’m about to go on is asking for $200 for tips from each parent going on the trip and $120 for each kid. Based on what I’ve read, this seems like a lot. What do you think?

I think it depends on where you're going and what you're doing. We paid somewhere in the neighborhood of $150 per person. We had a LOT of tours and there were many people to tip. My only concern is the different amount for parent vs student. I wonder why they are breaking it down that way.

Wednesday 21st of February 2024

Expectations make a difference!

Thanks for taking the time to go through all these details. My son did go on one of these trips in his junior year of HS and loved it. I can understand the concerns you mentioned and makes those points something to think about when scheduling a group tour. As an adult, I have been to Europe twice with groups (travel award from workd) I know EF Tours has groups for that as well, and have been apprehensive to just 'jump in". Trying to analyze what is the best option to finally get to the Grand Canyon. Thanks for your perspectives

Metropolitan Manhattan

Day 1: New York City

Take a walking tour of Midtown

• United Nations Headquarters
• Grand Central Terminal
• Fifth Avenue
• Rockefeller Center
• St. Patrick's Cathedral

Make a photo stop in Central Park

Enjoy views of New York City from one its iconic skyscrapers, which may include:

• Edge at Hudson Yards
• Empire State Building Observatory
• One World Observatory

Day 2: New York City

Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

• Marvel at the 151-foot model engineered by Alexandre Gustav Eiffel, of Eiffel Tower fame
• Explore the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration

Take a guided tour of New York City 

• Greenwich Village
• Little Italy 

Visit Times Square

Attend a theatre show (based on a select list of current shows)

Day 3: New York City

Visit the National September 11 Memorial and Museum 

Take a guided tour of the 9/11 Memorial and hear powerful stories from survivors as they share their experiences before, during, and after the September 11 attacks.

Depart for home

Experience even more

Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art

There's nothing quite like seeing a show on Broadway. Enjoy an unforgettable theater experience with your group.

Day 4: New York City

Lead this tour at the lowest price, people who viewed this tour also viewed.

Your experience includes

Round-trip transportation, hotel accommodations, overnight security, all gratuities, guided tours and activities, full-time tour director, training and support, traveler resources, 24-hour emergency service.

Round-trip transportation on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach throughout the tour.

Overnight stays in safe, quality hotels.

Security guards on watch nightly.

Breakfast and dinner daily; lunch can also be included.

Tips included for your Tour Director, bus driver, licensed guides, restaurant and hotel staff.

Sightseeing tours led by expert and licensed local guides; tickets to all activities.

Your Tour Director stays with your group 24/7, providing local insight and knowledge, while handling every on-tour detail.

We prepare new Group Leaders on a free Training Tour and provide personal support every step of the way.

We offer travelers flexible payment options as well as a dedicated support team to manage finances and answer tour questions.

Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team while on tour.

Expert Tour Planning

Your dedicated EF team provides expertise every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.

Personalized Learning Support

Our personalized learning experience engages students before, during and after tour, with the option to create a final, reflective project for academic credit.

Illness and Accident Coverage

Rest easier knowing your travelers are covered on tour with EF's comprehensive coverage plan.

$50 Million Liability Policy

Group Leaders and schools are protected while on tour.

Start planning this tour

We'll help you every step of the way..

Greeks to Italy & Greece

Ancient history meets epic relaxation meets pasta on this 13-day trip through Italy and Greece. Envision yourself as a Gladiator in the Colosseum of Ancient Rome, explore the beauty of Southern Italy, travel back in time to where Western Civilization began on the Acropolis of Athens, and unwind on a white sand beach, drink in hand, on one of Greece’s breathtaking islands: Mykonos.

Picture yourself

Eating the cacio e pepe you typically dream about

Posing in front of the cotton-candy Santorini sunset

Tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain (tip: right hand over left shoulder)

Standing in the Colosseum, channeling your inner gladiator

Channeling ancient goddesses atop the Acropolis

What you'll get

Round-trip flights & airport transfers (or book 'em yourself)

2 ferry rides

11 nights in handpicked accommodations

11 breakfasts

Expert Tour Director

24/7 support from our travel gurus

2 insider Italian-city tours with local guides

Tour of the Acropolis in Athens

Ferry ride to Positano

Board your overnight flight, bound for Italy. Get ready to eat spaghetti on penne on linguine on fettuccine on gnocchi on ravioli on chocolate gelato (not literally, but maybe literally).

Welcome to Rome, Italy’s capital city that is bursting at the seams with energy. Locals fill the streets, day and night, usually doing something that involves eating or drinking. And how can you blame them when pasta, pizza, gelato, coffee, and wine are everywhere you look? Rome is all big city/ancient ruins, served with a side of spaghetti.

In the evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner of local cuisine and drinks with fellow travelers at an authentic local spot. Afterwards, you’re free to take the party elsewhere!

Today's highlights:

• Meet an EF representative at the airport.
• Transfer to your accommodation and check in.
• Receive the latest schedule from your Tour Director.
• Meet your fellow travelers as they arrive.
• Take a guided tour of some top sights around Rome.

They say all roads lead to Rome, but once you’re there you quickly realize that all roads actually lead to restaurants. Take the morning to satisfy your cravings and sip some espresso, then see perhaps the most staggeringly important building you can possibly see in Europe: the Roman Colosseum.

• Tour the city with a local guide who will show you why Rome is one of the most legendary cities in Europe.
• Experience the heart of ancient Rome with a visit to the Forum, once a hub of activity for the city.
• See the ruins of several Roman temples, including the Temple of the Vestal Virgins.

Rome has a bit of a spooky side. Travel deep underground to catacombs built by early Christians. Then, head to St. Paul’s Basilica. Existing since at least 324 AD, they say St. Paul himself is buried there. Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

Today you get to explore centuries worth of culinary perfection, unbelievable architecture, and local fashion on your own. And let it be said, Rome looks goooood for being 2,000 years old. (It must moisturize.) Shop, eat, drink, and talk like an Italian (with your hands) during your free day. Embrace the culture and indulge in carbs during your last day in the Eternal City.

Free time suggestions

Piazza Navona: Head over to Piazza Navona, one of Rome’s best known public squares. Fountains, street performers, shops, restaurants, and so much more. Hangout, sip coffee, and embrace the atmosphere of this outdoor hub. Trevi Fountain: Rumor has it, if turn your back to the Trevi Fountain and toss a coin over your shoulder, it guarantees you’ll return to the Eternal City. Throw in a second coin, and you’ll not only come back, but also find love. (Significant other not guaranteed by EF Ultimate Break.)

A Visit to the Vatican (extra cost)

Visit the Pope’s house: Vatican City. Take a guided tour of the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica, and get your dose of art history up close and personal—viewing Michelangelo's famed Sistine Chapel frescoes. Please note: The Vatican is closed on Sundays. In the event that the itinerary day containing this optional lands on a Sunday for your departure, the optional will take place the day before. This excursion is  pre-book  only; if your trip is less than 90 days away, please call 800-766-2645 to purchase. This excursion is also non-refundable 95 days prior to departure.

Make your way to the Naples Region and explore the Amalfi Coast. The Amalfi Coast is a 30+ mile stretch of coastline that happens to be pure Italian perfection—quaint towns, high cliffs towering over crashing Mediterranean waves, and enchanting views that never end. Today, you get to see all of it for yourself. Ready your camera, make room in your stomach for cake, and don’t even think about blinking. Okay you can blink. But quickly—you don’t want to miss this.

• Relax on a scenic pebble beach or shop your way through the colorful streets of Positano.

The day is yours to do as you wish, like enjoying the thing that Naples is known for: that bready, cheesy, tomato sauce topped stuff we call pizza. Or join your Tour Director for an excursion to Capri. Trust us, you haven’t lived lavishly until you’ve cruised around the island of Capri.

Capri Cruisin' (extra cost)

Ferry across the Bay of Naples then around the Isle of Capri, gawking at the incredible Arco Naturale and the famous Faraglioni rocks. Then travel by funicular railway to the ancient mountaintop island resort. Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

As you make your way to the Rome Airport for your flight to Athens, join a local guide for a walking tour of the ancient city of Pompeii, which stands frozen in time after Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, completely destroying the town.

• Travel back to imperial Roman times and learn about Pompeii, the city covered in volcanic ash.
• Look up at Mt. Vesuvius, the deadly volcano that annihilated this city almost 2,000 years ago.
• Experience the buildings, artifacts and even people that have been extremely well preserved over the years.

Welcome to Athens! 2,500 years ago, it was kind of a happening place, and still is today—with fewer people in togas walking around. It’s a vibrant metropolis, and a perfect jumping-off point for your journey through the Greece. When the sun goes down, expect to see people socializing in the streets. It’s how they roll.

• Step back in time in the historic Acropolis of Athens with your local guide.
• See the Propylaea, the The Panathenaic (Olympic) Stadium, and a bunch of other structures you’ll need your guide’s help to pronounce.
• Take in incredible panoramic views of Athens from the citadel’s hilltop vantage point, and understand why the ancient city’s name translates to “high city”.

Head out from Athens to Mykonos by way of ferry. Though also rich in history, this island’s claim to fame is all-out, non-stop, dance-until-the-sun-comes-up nightlife. Between dazzling seascapes, sandy beaches and the best nightlife in the Mediterranean, get ready—you’ve got two big days and two even bigger nights here.

• Wave goodbye to Athens and set your sights for Mykonos as your board your ferry.
• Arrive in Mykonos and check in to your accommodation.
• Get to know the area with your Tour Director on a brief walk, and start planning out your evening.
• Spend your free time exploring a few of the islands 800 churches…or maybe just head to one of its 100 bars. You do you

Sun of a Beach: The late afternoon is a great time to beach it—a little breeze kicks up and the temperature dips just enough to make it feel great. Go to Church: Mykonos’ most famous church, the rock-like Panagia Paraportiani, is usually locked, but the fabulously photogenic whitewashed exterior is a spiritual experience in itself.

Spend the day in Mykonos doing what you want. Whether that’s a beach day, a food day, a food AND beach day, so be it. In Mykonos there is no wrong choice.

• Take the morning to rest and recover as you please.
• Lather on the SPF 75 (skincare is important) and head to the nearest beach.
• Pick up that bottle of olive oil you promised mom at one of the many shops.

Party in Paradise: By day, Paradise Beach is a hotspot for sun tanners, sand castle-builders, and partiers alike. By night, the sand is your dance floor and the entire beach erupts into a high-energy party that goes ‘til dawn. Super Paradise: Visit Super Paradise Beach, Paradise Beach’s smaller, quainter neighbor. Relax under an umbrella, hang out in a beach bar, and soak up your last day in this island paradise.

Spend your last day in Mykonos doing what you want.

Mykonian Farm & BBQ (extra cost)

Explore a local farm, hear its history, and meet its animals. Then, help prepare a traditional meal. Vegetarian and vegan options available.

Athens felt neglected, so it’s a good thing you’re heading back to pay it another visit. End the trip with a bang in a city known for stunning views and world-class nightlife. By now, you’re an old pro when it comes to exploring Greece, so we’re giving you the day to adventure in Athens on your own before an included farewell dinner with the group.

• Take a ferry from Mykonos to Athens, and greet the ancient city like a really, really old friend.
• Revisit some favorite spots from day one in Athens, or go on a hunt to find new hidden gems.
• Check out some of the residential areas for an authentic look at life in Athens.
• Enjoy one last group dinner, and raise a glass to an epic trip.

Follow the Light: Flood-lit like a beacon towering over the city, Mount Lycabettus offers a spectacular view of the city. If you’ve been holding out on posting a scenic Instagram post, this is your moment.

Farewell Dinner Share some last laughs (and maybe shed a few tears) at an included farewell dinner with the group.

Antio, filoi! Translation: Goodbye, friends. Your next destination awaits—home. Before you head to the airport, enjoy your last few moments together. Take one more group photo. Grab that final drink. (Fine, maybe a couple of drinks.) But this isn’t goodbye. It’s, “See you later.” The only question is, where?

EXTEND YOUR TRIP 2 WAYS

1. Double the fun A lot of our trips line up back to back! Give us a call—we can help you add another and save big while you're at it.

2. Go ahead or stay behind Extending your trip is easy! During checkout, you'll have the option to fly to (or from) the gateway of your choice for an additional fee. We'll adjust your flights accordingly, but you'll be responsible to take care of your transportation, hotels, and other logistics outside of tour.

Note: Depending on your desired gateways, additional fees may apply.

BOOK THE TRIP🤍

Italy and Greece have been on my bucket list for years and it did not disappoint! Our tour director Simone was an absolute gem and I highly recommend this trip!

Giorgos was the best tour guide ever he was so nice and he got along with us great

Emily Hollier

Best trip ever!

I would do this trip over and over again. The places were beautiful and sooo well planned! It was the perfect combination of busy and relaxed all in one trip. Also shoutout to our tour director Simone for making our trip that much better! Can't recommend this trip enough!

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