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 Why the Odyssey
Orion Group Tours Backpacking
Accommodations
  • Superior Tourist Class/First class standard
  • Maximum of two people in a comfortable room with private bathroom
  • Great locations
  • 1 or 2 star properties
  • Dorm rooms with 8 or more people
  • Full hostels and sleeping in train stations
Transportation
  • Channel ferry between England and France
  • Luxury air conditioned coach with professional driver
  • Eurail second class cabin
  • Sleeping in small cabins with 6 people.
  • Foreign language issues at train stations and booking
  • Getting lost!
Tour Directors
  • European Tour Director that is with you 24/7 helping you with finding the best spots to sightsee, shop and party!
  • Just you and your guidebook!
  • Don't forget other backpackers have the same book!
Luggage
  • Transported on coach with you.
  • Heavy backpack carried by YOU while you look for accommodations and sight-see.
Time
  • Most time-effective itinerary allowing you to see the sites and have plenty of FREE time.
  • Having your own coach allows you to see Europe and not the inside of a train station.
  • You will see the best sites in Europe!
  • Lost time just getting from Point A to B.
  • Having to plan bus and train schedules in different languages.
Value for the money
  • For the package of hotels, food, transportation, guides and inclusions you will save over 40% than if you did all this on your own!
  • Just pay one price and you have all this included!
  • Backpacking is hard work. Don't be fooled into thinking that this is the best deal for you.
  • Having to keep paying for things as you go.
Security
  • Tour Director with group for duration of program
  • Hotels specifically chosen for safety, location and quality.
  • Comprehensive hotel contact list given 1 month before departure.
  • US based office in contact with group daily.
  • Use of guidebooks as reference only
  • Hostel security is minimal
  • Inability to pre book at many European hostels.
Group Dynamics
  • Traveling with a group of college graduates who have the same interests as you will be so much fun!
  • Meet friends that you will keep in contact with for a lifetime.
  • Backpacking on your own is hard work.
  • Can be lonely and frustrating trying to meet new people every day.
  • Different age groups stay in hostels