Hello chmm52-ga:
I was able to find some chaperoned tours for the locations you listed.
This was a little tricky because your daughter and her friends are
actually young adults, not kids. Using the search term "chaperone"
repeatedly led to travel packages for high school classes traveling
abroad. Or, to tour programs for developmentally disabled adults.
Some of the resources I've listed are chaperoned programs for teens,
but your daughter may be too old to qualify (although a few seem to be
a perfect match). I've directed you to contact info for each resource,
so that you can easily phone or e-mail to ask detailed questions.
As for tours not necessarily geared toward teens, the best you can do
is contact the agencies I found for you -- those that offer "guided
tours," but aren't geared toward teens -- and tell them just what
your concerns are and how much monitoring of the kids you expect. They
will be able to tell you whether or not they can meet whatever your
standards happen to be.
Please note that as your daughter is 19, she is legally of age to
drink and gamble, etc., in most of these destinations. (Aside from,
obviously, Hawaii.) So, tour guides may not be able to totally
discourage any visiting teens from drinking, though one presumes they
do their best to ensure that things don't get out of hand.
Europe:
"Wales Tours":
http://www.wales-tours.com/
is run by John Wake, a former police detective. According to the site:
"Wales Tours will plot and plan your independent visit to Wales or
just simply give you friendly advice. We will drive you around Wales
as a chaperone/guide taking all the strain. Simplicity itself. Or we
will escort as a chaperone to a group or a single traveller. Book
hotels etc., (References galore all over Wales and the world.)"
N.A.M.F. Custom Tours
http://www.greatfestivals.com/CustomTours.html
provides chaperoned tours throughout the U.S., including Hawaii, and Europe.
The Seattle-based Rick Steves agency specializes in guided European tours:
http://www.ricksteves.com
See this site for feedback from Steves' clients (and note that all
these trips had guides/escorts) at:
http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/graffiti63.html
The Rick Steves agency offers guided tours throughout Europe, ranging
from 7-21 days. See the 2004 packages at:
http://www.ricksteves.com/tours/choosemenu.htm
Contact them with any questions or concerns:
http://www.ricksteves.com/tours/contact.htm
21st Century Travel offers fully guided tours of the U.K. and Europe:
http://www.21stcenturytravel.co.uk/user/index.asp
Be sure to go through all the links. I found "private," fully guided
tours for Europe:
http://www.21stcenturytravel.co.uk/user/tour_details.asp?tourId=53&countryID=4
"Tour Details: Private Sightseeing with Europe's top guides
Touring in Europe? . . . .We will personally plan and conduct your
tour; we will drive you in comfortable air-conditioned sedans or
family sized vans, wherever or whenever you want to go. We have
multi-lingual, fully qualified driver-guides with years of experience.
. . . The best trips usually follow some forward planning and
knowledge of our clients wishes and preferences. With no obligation to
you we will gladly discuss and then prepare a day by day itinerary to
suit your interests and timetable."
21st Century has many options. At main page I clicked on "Scotland,"
which brought up:
http://www.21stcenturytravel.co.uk/user/index.asp
A number of packages will come up, including: 1) `WISE` Islands Tour
(England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales) - 15 Day Extended Tour - (Tour
No. WISE)
I clicked "View Details" at right and that brought up:
http://www.21stcenturytravel.co.uk/user/tour_details.asp?tourId=104&countryID=3
"This is a 'small group' mini coach tour - maximum 12 people."
Personal Tours
http://www.atkielski.com/inlink.php?/Services/ParisTours.html
"In general, my guide services are especially suited to:
Groups of friends: This means groups of about 2-6 friends, traveling
together. This type of group works well with personal tours, because
all the group members already know each other and often have similar
interests."
Hawaii & Bahamas:
"Luxury Vacation Travel":
http://www.classicvacations.com/?code=S109613
I'm not sure if they can provide the supervision for the girls that
you would like -- you'll have to contact them, at:
1-800-635-1333.
Musiker Tours:
http://www.summerfun.com/mdp/website/indexFlash.htm
have specially packaged tours for teens throughout Europe and the USA,
including Hawaii.
"MUSIKER TOURS invites students grades 7-12 (in compatible age groups)
to experience a fantastic summer traveling across the USA, Canada,
Alaska/Hawaii and Europe. Since 1966, the Musiker family has offered
the finest 3-6 week, activity oriented, quality teen tour programs."
Since you're daughter will be graduating from grade 12 just before she
takes this trip, I'm not sure she'll qualify.
Click on "Tours" -- this site takes forever to load -- and look
around. Contact them to see if your daughter qualifies and to ask
other questions:
MUSIKER DISCOVERY PROGRAMS, INC.
1326 Old Northern Blvd.
Roslyn, New York 11576
Call Toll-Free - USA/Canada
(888) 8SUMMER (888) 878-6637
New York State / International
(516) 621-3939
Email: info@summerfun.com
Web: www.summerfun.com
I also found
The Small Hope Bay Lodge:
http://www.smallhope.com/
on Andros Island in the Bahamas:
They promote the island as a perfect spot for diving resort, but there
are other things to do. Their FAQ:
http://www.smallhope.com/FAQ.html
makes this sound like a family oriented, low-key lodge: :Can we bring our children?
Of course. Children are an important part of our lives here--we have a
number of our own running about. We have two-bedroom cottages, a Games
Room and, more importantly, a safe outdoor environment where they can
run, swim, snorkel, play in the tidal pools and fish off the dock."
So, I'm getting the impression things don't get too wild at Small Hope
Lodge! Your daughter and her friends may well be thrilled with the
beauty of the place and all the activities, and it sounds to me like a
nice family vacation spot, meaning you won't have to worry.
TravelApe offers a "People-To-People" program in the Bahamas in which
locals volunteer to welcome visitors and show them around:
http://bahamas.travelape.com/tours/people-to-people/index.html
"The People-to-People program shows off the very best of The Bahamas.
The Ministry of Tourism will match you and your traveling companions
up with locals who have similar interests for a visit to their home
for dinner, a shopping, boating or fishing outing, an insider?s tour
of sights or little known spots or something else. Whatever you choose
to do, these welcoming volunteers are sure to show you a memorable
time, leaving you with lasting memories and perhaps a new friendship
or two."
Telephone: (242) 356-0435
Find more general information about traveling to the Bahamas at:
"Bahamas Tourist Info":
http://www.arubatravelinfo.com/bahamas/index.html
Adventures In Paradise:
http://www.bigislandkayak.com/
Offers snorkeling, kayaking, and diving.
"Tours: We recommend our tours to anyone who wants the ease and
reassurance of having a person who knows the area and takes care of
transporting the gear. Guides are CPR, First Aid and Lifeguard
certified. Also, having local knowledge of the area - a guide can
show you the more interesting areas and help you encounter the rich
wildlife and beauty that is Hawaii. Our tours are geared to people
from age 8 to 80 who are moderately fit. We welcome beginners provide
instruction in kayaking and snorkeling as needed. Our guided trips
are all inclusive: guides, instruction, snacks, drinks, gear and
transportation (some restrictions apply) are provided. Whether you
want to explore the ocean or the volcano or both - let us share with
you some of our favorite places. Prices range from as little as $49
to $99 for our tours. Our prices are competitive and we will meet or
beat any comparative tour."
ISTours (International Student Tours) offers tropical tours for high
school grads and college students:
http://istours.com/
The main page looks a tad racy, but there is this prominent notice at:
http://www.istours.com/indexcontent.html
"At IS Tours, we understand your concerns with international travel
and for that reason, our international destination staff and offices
are available to students and parents 24 hours a day during the trip.
It is important for all of us to keep open channels of communication
between parents, staff, and students. Our mission is to create a safe
and fun atmosphere by which each participant can make memories that
will last a life time!"
IS's destinations are Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, and Hawaii.
Also click on the "About Us" page:
"International Student Tours is fully licensed, bonded, registered and
fully insured company with its head office in Vancouver, BC IS Tours
is a proud part of the USA Consolidated Travel Group, located in
Sacramento, California. Together IST and USA are the largest student
travel company in the world."
America Trails West offers:
"A Hotel, Resort & Dorm" packages in Hawaii for college-age students:
http://www.americantrailswest.com/hrd/
The "About" page notes they also offer tours of Europe:
http://www.americantrailswest.com/about.asp
Contact America West Teen Trails at this page:
http://www.americantrailswest.com/contact.asp
Search Strings:
" 'chaperoned tours' AND teens AND Europe"
" 'chaperoned tours' AND teens AND Bahamas"
" 'chaperoned tours' AND teens AND Hawaii"
"chaperoned tours teens Europe"
"chaperoned tours teens Bahamas"
" 'professional chaperone' AND country"
"chaperoned tour services"
I hope my research is of help to you. Please post a "Request For
Clarification" if you need help navigating any of the above links, or
if you need me to clarify any of the information I've given you.
Regards,
nancylynn-ga |
