In my opinion, EF is the best tour company in America, and that is why I have traveled with EF every year for the past twelve years and have shown countless countries to countless students. I heartily recommend EF Tours to anyone who is even remotely interested in traveling, and sing EF’s praises to all who will listen! EF has never let me down, and an unfortunate circumstance during my most recent trip to Spain and Portugal was no exception. EF’s kind and competent staff made the very frightening and extremely stressful experience of having my purse stolen from a hotel lobby while in Madrid bearable. Because of the help of EF’s emergency team, and my awesome tour director, I was able to go on with my trip and not let the awful situation ruin the rest of the tour. In fact, the tour to Spain and Portugal was the best trips I have ever had the pleasure of taking with EF! My purse had my passport, other tremendously important personal items, and at least $1000 cash (for the tip I was building for my tour director and bus driver) in it. The emergency team stayed in contact with me during the tour and assured me that they would be with me every step of the way, and they were true to their word. Within a couple of days, I received notice through my tour director that EF would cover the stolen money (by paying my tips) as they stated that they knew what kind of a group leader I had been, and they knew that the money was for tips. I cannot tell you what a weight was lifted off my shoulders by that news, and what a relief it was to me because I knew that my traveler’s insurance would not cover the stolen cash. God literally answered my prayers through EF’s generous actions . My tour director, Janine Lustosa, could not have been any better in assisting us during the unfortunate ordeal, assuring my husband and me that she did not want us to worry about paying her the tip, since my purse had been stolen. Of course, there was no way I would even consider not tipping her, and fully intended to do so. But I thought to myself, this is so like EF to hire the best of the best! And Janine was absolutely the best tour director I have ever had the pleasure of working with, bar none, and I have had some very, very good ones! EF does an excellent job of making worldwide travel as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. Frequently, I get phone calls and requests in the mail from other tour companies trying to steal me away from EF, but I will never ever change to another tour company!