Thinking of Sending Your Kid to Europe?

Just make sure you have all the answers and the glitches ironed out... BEFORE he or she leaves. This has been a whirlwind week.

Rey got off to Europe. Yes, there were glitches... like a lot of them. Things just never seemed to go as planned, even when you are dealing with a "professional" group like EF Tours. Changes were constantly made. Questions still remained unanswered. AND... Rey left at 6am Monday morning... Have I heard from her? Uh... no. But, I'm not blaming her, I'm blaming the stupid-a$$ calling cards that seem to be failing to work. They are a "little tricky". And we only know they are safe and busy and having a good time from a teacher/chaperone who left a message on the parent board. Eeek! Oh well... it would've been nice, but again, not possible.

The hugest problem? We found out less than 2 weeks ago that MORE money was needed. What? Yes, everything was already paid for, and they asked for MORE. Apparently, even with all of the professionals involved, the Eiffel Tower was NOT included in their educational tour. Um... yeah... This trip has been planned for well over a year. You'd think that SOMEONE... ANYONE... would have realized and/or offered to add this to the tour.

The trip is for Italy (Rome, Florence, Assisi), France (Paris), and England (London). The Vatican City was automatically included. (Like, duh...) And they offered other mini tours that were optional, most of them got knocked down, because there weren't enough takers.

But... the Eiffel Tower was not offered. Most of us would assume it was included, because, well... It should have been. Who (that is/might be a tourist) would go to Paris for the first time (and possible the only time in their lives) and NOT see the Eiffel Tower? Uh... I don't see any hands raised. That's right! Because we would all go. Afterall, this is an "educational" tour. And what's not educational and enriched with history about the Eiffel Tower? Exactly! It is full of history. It is a monument.

So my point being... Hello, EF Tours! How the heck did this slip past your radar. You people are supposed to be fluent in all things educational-tours.

And a little "other" note... a blanket email to the parents of the kids safe arrival would've been nice...

There were other glitches, and probably still will be. But I sincerely hope my daughter and all of her tour companions are having a GREAT time. I also hope that the "professionals" at EF Tours have learned a little something... to actually go over the whole trip itinerary prior to signing up a group!