Has anybody taken a trip with the Travelling Aggies?

If so, how was it? Thoughts?

I have not but have 3 different couple friends that have and had wonderful trips.

My parents LOVE them.

I did one years ago with my mom. We had never done a guided trip before, but it was great. Enough down time to do our own things along with the planned stuff. I was the youngest one there by many years, but I had a blast. I'd love to do another one sometime.

Its awesome. We were the youngest ones but it was cool hanging out with older ags. Everything planned out but you are not obligated to do it. Expensive but It was worth it.

Are you class of 92 or born in 92 ?

I know some who have gone and loved them. I have checked into pricing though. I could do most of these trips on my own for less money. They're expensive.

Some more expensive some not so much. My first trip to Antarctica was on TA and it was great as well as affordable at the time. Did an awesome trip to Yellowstone in the winter for wolf watching which I would do again. Some of the University oriented cruises are a blast with the cruise have multiple schools on board supported by their own lecturers.

Class of 92, we had 5 people with us over 80 and a 90 year old

chick79 said:

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I know some who have gone and loved them. I have checked into pricing though. I could do most of these trips on my own for less money. They're expensive.

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Yeah, I had that same thought. So about two years ago when I was on campus for a meeting, I had that conversation with one of their representatives.

The way I'd describe it is, if you're looking for a curated experience and have somebody else do all the organization, also, traveling with a group of other Aggies, it's probably a good way to go. For a certain set of folks, that's probably a great value.

Personally, I like to create my own trip and am very comfortable winging it. I'm OK being the only guy who looks like a Viking traveling through Asia. I don't mind the stares from the locals and I do a decent job of avoiding scammers. Not to say that I haven't been scammed, I certainly have. Obviously avoid Nigerians in Roppongi, and the "girl to your room" in Shanghai.

To some degree, I enjoy figuring out the local transportation methods whether that's the Shinkansen Nozomi Green Car, or the local taxi, or taking your life into your own hands in a tuk-tuk in Bangalore.

I also enjoy figuring out local communications and payment methods on my own - why can't I get more than $30 USD in local currency in India, or how come I can't use regular ATMs in Japan?

But that's not for everybody. Some people aren't going to want to stay in a Japanese hotel chain where you have to open your suitcase on the bed because the room is so small.

And there are going to be certain things where you'd have to go with a group anyway like Antarctica so I can see the value there.

With the Traveling Aggies, you're not going to be taking the $3 Bus from the airport in Taipei to get lunch at Taipei 101, or showering in the free airport shower with the other backpackers.

I'm Class of '92 so I'm at the point in my life where I'm probably past the rolling the dice on the little black and yellow taxis in Mumbai and am willing to pay for the hotel car and a driver. I'm not looking for much more of a curated experience than that. But for those who are - do it.

Thanks all for the responses. They looked pricey, so I was wondering if they were worth the $$?

I agree guided tours are not for everybody. I like to get out and explore; figure out the $$, transportation, language etc.... the wifey; not so much.

I have done a bit of travelling and I have always found out that if they don't understand you, its be best to raise your voice louder and louder until they do.

I've been interested in trying them out for a while. They seem pretty organized and do nice looking trips. They do seem to be pretty pricey, so that's a bit of a turnoff. We may give it a go with a trip, and see how it works out. If it's great, we can do another one.

Im doing one in October, I'll let ya'll know!

Wonder how it compares to gate 1 travel?

The reason to go with Traveling Aggies is you'll be traveling with Aggies and/or an A&M prof will be on the trip for some of the more history-based trips. If there are enough spots sold, you may even have someone from The Association join. They outsource their trips to companies that specialize in alumni travel, but Traveling Aggies do much more than most other alumni orgs, who just paste their logo on a brochure and send it. They go to awesome lengths to try and make sure that the people on the trip get to have a great experience together but also meet some new Aggie friends and feel a closer connection to the university.

At the end of the day, it's a trip planned by someone else who has to make their money, so you absolutely could do it cheaper on your own. The typical clientele skews much older, usually Ags who have made their money and want to see the world during their twilight years and don't want the burden of flexibility.

If you're an adventurous spirit who likes landing at a destination and winging it, TA may not be the best for you. If the time you save from not planning things is worth more to you than the extra ~20% you end up paying for someone else to do it, TA may be for you.

Julie runs the Traveling Aggies program for The Association and she is an absolute rockstar there (among many, needs to be said).