Seems expensive to me....

[Lexi221]

Originally Posted by sayhello

Has anyone done this one... Check out my trip report (in my signature)! It's pretty detailed, and gives you a really good idea of what's included in this trip. (And a little hint: I LOVED this trip!)

There are several others on this board who have done this trip, also! Check out the sticky at the top of the forum, with links to others' trip reports!

Sayhello

OK, all I have to say after viewing your trip report is WOW!!!! It looks AMAZING!!! I know my boys would absolutely love it! (And so would I!!!!)

[sayhello]

Originally Posted by hammieva

looking up old posts on ABD and was wondering if you actually went on your trip. I am single mom too and it is tough to justify the cost. I guess you look at the triple rate be/c all 3 would be in same room?

Ummmm..This isn't an old post... It's from yesterday. Not sure she had time to take the trip between yesterday and today!

(Sorry, I couldn't resist!)

I'm sure folks who *have* taken trips as a single mom can give you tons of answers!

Sayhello

[sayhello]

Originally Posted by Lexi221

OK, all I have to say after viewing your trip report is WOW!!!! It looks AMAZING!!! I know my boys would absolutely love it! (And so would I!!!!)

Thanks! I'm glad I could help. I happen to think it's one of ABD's best itineraries, and have shamelessly pimped it all over this forum!

Sayhello

[pamjb]

While not a single mom, my DH and I took the Grand Canyon (Southwest Splendors) trip this past October. It was an adults only trip and it was WONDERFUL! I had sticker shock as well, but didn't realize the value of what we got till we got home. One of the other travelers in our group was attempting a mental calculation of what we would of spent if we did it on our own and he came pretty close to what we paid. I am the family vacation planner and my head would of exploded trying to put all of this together. And our guides, Geraldine and Tiffany, were wonderful. There is no price that I could put on having a tour guide point out different things, take care of EVERYTHING and these two were the Best!
I only wish these tours were out when my kids were younger. They would of enjoyed them as I would have with them..

[glassslipper2004]

We also had a great time on the Southwest Splendors (Grand Canyon) trip. It was pricey - but one of the perks was that you stayed in the modest hotel right on the rim of the Canyon. Some people were disappointed with the hotel, but it was part of what made the trip fantastic - getting up at sunrise, staying out at sunset, it just couldn't be beat. I think it is hard to get a reservation there if you are doing this trip on your own.

I'm not as convinced that ABD is necessary for domestic trips vs. Europe, but if I were going with my kids and no other adult, I'd definitely do a group trip - one of the very nice things about it is that not only do the kids get to make friends, but you do too, and you don't have to worry about anything. If you can afford it, you should give it a try - you'll have a great time.

[Lexi221]

Originally Posted by glassslipper2004

We also had a great time on the Southwest Splendors (Grand Canyon) trip. It was pricey - but one of the perks was that you stayed in the modest hotel right on the rim of the Canyon. Some people were disappointed with the hotel, but it was part of what made the trip fantastic - getting up at sunrise, staying out at sunset, it just couldn't be beat. I think it is hard to get a reservation there if you are doing this trip on your own.

I'm not as convinced that ABD is necessary for domestic trips vs. Europe, but if I were going with my kids and no other adult, I'd definitely do a group trip - one of the very nice things about it is that not only do the kids get to make friends, but you do too, and you don't have to worry about anything. If you can afford it, you should give it a try - you'll have a great time.

Thanks! I am sooooooo close to booking... I just want to be 100% sure... I am probably about 95% there! I actually called ABD today to double check that my youngest DS would be able to participate in all the excursions at the time of travel, and it looks like he would be good to go. He will be turning 5 when we would plan on going. He will be good for the rafting since it is more of a weight requirement than age, and she said that with the jeep adventure for kids under 8 yrs old they can travel a paved trail that is far less bumpy. I may actually appreciate that smoother ride as well!! :P

[glassslipper2004]

You won't mind the smoother ride!

[mountainjourno]

Personally - I find them too expensive and am becoming turned off. This summer, we decided to grab the itinerary for the Rocky Mountains trip and did it all plus more for a tiny fraction of the cost. And given there are no passport/language/cultural issues to deal with, we just couldn't justify spending so much.

We were next contemplating doing one of the European ones for next summer. But once again - I decided to look outside the box, and discovered for a fraction of the price, we can all go on 14-day cruise around Europe instead! So all food, accommodation, entertainment, etc included, still see lots of places and have a blast, and also have some "adult-only" time while the kids hang out in the kids club, but for so much cheaper than a 7-day ABD trip.

I'm still contemplating China and Peru for ABD, but not sure yet...

[glassslipper2004]

Mountainjourno - I really do agree with you in a lot of ways. We haven't decided what to do for next year, but I did spend a little time looking outside the ABD box - including at some awesome cruises - and ABD is not looking good. One big difference is that you don't get the experience of being in a group and possibly making friends, enhancing your experience of the trip. But cost-wise it's a no brainer.

[Bobo912]

Originally Posted by mountainjourno

Personally - I find them too expensive and am becoming turned off. This summer, we decided to grab the itinerary for the Rocky Mountains trip and did it all plus more for a tiny fraction of the cost. And given there are no passport/language/cultural issues to deal with, we just couldn't justify spending so much.

We were next contemplating doing one of the European ones for next summer. But once again - I decided to look outside the box, and discovered for a fraction of the price, we can all go on 14-day cruise around Europe instead! So all food, accommodation, entertainment, etc included, still see lots of places and have a blast, and also have some "adult-only" time while the kids hang out in the kids club, but for so much cheaper than a 7-day ABD trip.

I'm still contemplating China and Peru for ABD, but not sure yet...

I've started looking at cruise options, as well, and it seems that we can take a European cruise, for instance, with shore excursions at every port, for at least 2-3 thousand less than an ABD vacation. I think we will most likely take another escorted tour next summer with ABD or another company, since my son is an only child and having the other children to bond with has been a great part of the ABD experience. But as he gets older, I think that will be less important. So in 2011 I'm pretty sure we will be switching to a cruise.

[kristilew]

Lexi221 - We did the SWS trip this summer. There were a lot of boys on our trip - ages ran from 4 to 15. They all loved it. I really think it was an ideal trip for boys. (of course, my girl loved it too )