Which Costa Rica trip did you take? we'd like one that has a little time that is at leisure. Also which has the least bus riding? Thanks

I will offer a "brief" contribution to this OAT thread.

My wife and I went with OAT to Israel and Jordan in November of 2011. The tour was recommended to us because we are @60 years old, in good health and are not afraid of a good walk. (Also because my parents went on 14 Grand Circle tours and loved them all.) I would rate OAT in general as excellent. Pre-trip communication and proceedures went well, unlike some of the comments from 2010/11. No problems. The tour overall was excellent. If there were any problems, they were usually minor and quickly handled by our guides. (Our mini-bus broke down once but we managed to get to our hotel and the next morning there was a new bus waiting for us. No loss of itinerary.) Guides were excellent, hotels and meals were everything that we were expecting.

We were somewhat disappointed with the tour group itself. OAT stresses "adventure" and makes a point in its brochures about individual fitness. That said, they are happy to have anyone on the tour that has a heartbeat and a pocket full of money. In our group of 15, there were 6 elderly folks that couldn't walk a city block without resting and one more morbidly obese individual that had no business traveling beyond her home.

In short, the Adventure portion of their name is a myth. The tour is limited by its weakest members. It is just another reputable tour company.

After our trip to the Middle East we fully expected to take their Vietnam tour next Spring. However, after we returned, we began getting brochures from OAT. Not one a month! Not one a week! But some days two a DAY!!! We need another garbage bin just to hold the mailings! And nearly a year later, they still keep coming! That got us to thinking about the cost of travel. Using TA primarily as my guide, my wife and I will travel for over a month next Spring in Vietnam and Cambodia at half the cost of traveling with OAT or any other major travel agency. Don't NOT book with OAT...they seemed like a very good company. But the world is so much smaller than it was even 50 years ago. And the internet is so much bigger. If you like a little adventure...do it yourself and take the advertising money you saved and do another trip.

What do you mean I am posting as Kobelka not me ! I am Kathleen Kobelka and I had asked for information for Prague the week before Christmas and then was going to Davos for week and wanted suggestions for week after from you people. Am open to suggestions ! Again I am trying to post!

Kathleen, you did...but on Prague forum....and you wanted to go to Montpellier after Davos.....

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g274707-i96-k5835681-Trip_to_Europe_at_Christmas-Prague_Bohemia.html

We had a fantastic trip to Vietnam with OAT. We never would have been able to see and do as much as we did independently. Our group and leader were fantastic. Our only complaint was wishing more time at Halong Bay. We did our own post-trip to Siem Reap and were happy with that..

We have taken 14 trips with them and they are an A++++ company. We are active and in our 60's. Some trips are more active than others so read their rating carefully. OAT exposes you to the culture & gives you opportunities to really meet the people and experience their way of life. Can't say enough good things about this company.

My wife and I heard about OAT from a couple we met who have traveled with them several times. So far everything I am seeing looks really good and we have spotted a number of trips we wouldn't mind doing, but we are both wondering - what is the average age for OAT groups?

To get the actual average age, I suspect that you would need to contact OAT to see if they keep those stats. When I took my last OAT trip, I was 69 and my wife 66. I've traveled with groups that have tour members who are in their 30s and 40s and I recall in Patagonia there was a lady who was very agile at 84. OAT travelers tend to be active.

In general, from my own personal observation, travelers who participate in group tours tend to be in their 50s to 70s. From your profile, you would fit right in with the demographic make up of the OAT tours that I've taken.

Thank you!

My wife and I love to travel and when we heard about the trips that OAT provides, we got excited because they go to so many of the places we still need to visit. But we were concerned that although OAT advertises that its clients must be fairly fit to enjoy the trip, they might take anyone and we could possibly get stuck in a tour with people who aren't up to it. Of course, this might still happen (no tour is perfect), but I have now read a number of favorable reviews and so our concern about getting into a group of doddering seniors seems unfounded, or at least, nothing to worry about.

Jeff

On some of the tours, they actually state in the advert that if there is anyone who hinders the tour, they will or can be sent home. I've done three, active i.e., Machu Picchu & Galapagos, and the Buenos Aires to Ushuaia trip. Active, absolutely, but no "dodderers"! The 84 y/o lady ref above walked off and left me in the mud in the south of Chile! I had to trot to catch up!