FTLO Travel Reviews 1,492

Arpi was a great tour leader! He showed us many cool places.

I am just returning home from FTLO BVP Christmas Market trips. We had Arpi as our trip leader and he couldn’t have been any better. He was able to get to know each person in our group on an individual level. He was aware of our surroundings at all times. We had a large group of 16 and he lead us all, making sure nobody was left out. He was accommodating to food allergies, travel arrangements, and really anything you could think of he was there for us! I cannot imagine anyone would be better!

He brought in his own culture and discussed history and important information in a fun way, not overwhelming. We truly saw so much in such a short time, his knowledge of the cities is A++ I already want to book another trip! FTLO let’s get Arpi on some more travels and a raise!!

I went on the Thailand trip in Nov-December 2025. This was my first group tour and therefore first with FTLO as well. While I was a bit nervous ahead of the trip, once I met our guide Beam my nerves were settled! She made the trip absolutely amazing and it was a pleasant change to not have to worry about anything, down to the small details. She went above and beyond, and even had recommendations for free time activities or food, and was extremely knowledgable about all of our locations, Thai history, language and culture. Beam made the cost worth it for her expertise and support, which I wasn’t used to as a solo traveller.
The tour itself was a great highlight of Thailand for my first trip here. Packed into one week was cityscapes, mountains and jungles and beaches. The activities were just active enough and we also had a good amount of rest/down time.
Highlights included: the Into the Wild elephant camp, sea kayaking in Koh Lanta, Chiang Mai’s handcraft village, and the food! I would highly recommend FTLO for first time group travellers and folks interested in their first trip to Asia. As a solo female traveller, I always felt safe and welcome in Thailand, and now plan to go back sometime in the future.

Excellent trip! Beam is a wonderful guide - she took care of everything logistic and was a great person to spend time with along the way. In addition to the planned adventures, Beam made the effort to organize many extras based on our interests: the long-tail boat canal tour of Bangkok and the mangrove island-hopping kayak trip in Koh Lanta stood out for me. Thanks FTLO, and a huge thanks to Beam!

FTLO Trip to Colombia was great! Daniel was our local guide who really made the trip special. He provided lots of knowledge, recommendations, and had the most lovely, positive attitude throughout the trip. Our last night in Medellin was the best, with his guidance on finding the best nightlife before heading back to the states. Thanks Daniel for making my trip to Colombia the best!

Vietnam was my 4th trip with FTLO and is definitely high on my favorite countries list. From start to finish, the experience felt thoughtfully planned, fun, and immersive. Our group was awesome and the itinerary felt like the perfect balance of adventure and downtime.

Our trip leader Bik created such a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. My friend and I had issues with my return flights getting cancelled due to us missing our flights because of weather related issues and she spend hours with us at the airline office to get it resolved. She went above and beyond to help.

I walked away with new friendships, a deeper appreciation for the country, and a whole lot of stories I’ll be telling for a long time. Highly recommend FTLO if you’re looking for a trip that’s fun, well-organized, and full of great people.

I signed up for this trip last minute since I happened to have a free Thanksgiving week. I probably could have done it solo, but due to the safety and security aspect about Colombia that can be read up on plenty around the net, I joined this tour. That said, there were very few moments where I actually felt unsafe (though it might be a different story if I was a late night partier). In general, you just have to be careful and not leave openings for opportunists.
I don’t want to rehash the itinerary, but think it’s worth saying that this is a trip where I had to check myself at the door to get the most from the immersion aspect of this trip. I know I’d give one of the meals I chose a 2 of 5 stars, and some of the tours were in places I definitely would not have personally chosen. But you have to do it to appreciate what life is like as a local, and this was just a taste. Travel can change you, but it won’t if you’re resistant to it. The nice thing is that we were part of a group, so we got to step out of our comfort zones together.
As for our tour guide, Daniel, zero complaints. He was a great friend from the start. Safety was one of the first topics he directed us on. Whether it was the beach, metro, or bar. I personally had a situation where I almost got stuck with a large bill that I shouldn’t have, and Daniel took care of it immediately. He also looked out for us when street vendors would persistently try to get our business. I don’t know what was said, but it appeared that he talked a few down as necessary.
Also, I’ve been on other tours not just FTLO, and I think Daniel may be the most profound guide I’ve gotten to be around, while still being a down to earth kind of guy. I could write an essay on him, but I won’t because being around him is an experience to have and not read about in a review.

We recently returned from our trip to Thailand, and I have very mixed feelings about the experience. While the cultural immersion and our specific guide were world-class, the logistics and the price tag left a lot to be desired.
The Highlights: A Cultural Feast
On the positive side, the itinerary was packed with incredible experiences. We truly saw the best of what the country has to offer:
Temples & Culture: The temples were breathtaking. Seeing the Big Buddha and the intricate architecture up close was a spiritual and visual highlight.
Wildlife: Playing with the elephants was a core memory for us—it was such a unique experience to get that close to them.
Island Life: The boat trip in Koh Lanta was absolute paradise. Crystal clear waters and great vibes.
Entertainment: We really enjoyed the Ladyboy show (spectacular costumes and energy!) and the Thai Kickboxing (Muay Thai) match was intense and exciting to watch live.
The Real Star: P'Ben
I cannot write this review without dedicating a massive shout-out to our tour guide, P'Ben. She was, without a doubt, the heartbeat of this trip. Her energy, her knowledge, and her care for us were unmatched. She made every single transition smoother and every activity more fun. P'Ben, if you are reading this, thank you for everything! You are a true gem.
The Downsides: Value for Money
Despite the amazing activities and P'Ben’s heroics, I have to be honest about the value proposition.
The Cost: Thailand is generally known for being an affordable destination, but this trip was incredibly expensive. When I look at the total cost versus what we actually received, the math doesn't quite add up.
Wasted Time: We had two full "travel days" that felt like wasted opportunities. When you are paying a premium price, losing that much time to transit is frustrating.
The Verdict
It was a really nice trip with beautiful memories, but was it worth the heavy investment? I don't think so. I’m glad we went, and I’m grateful for P'Ben, but for the price we paid, I expected a flawless itinerary without the dead time.

FTLO truly takes the guess work out of planning a trip! The Vietnam trip was something that I thought I wasn’t going to be able to navigate easily without a tour guide…. And I am so thankful for our tour guide, Bik Tran. She truly ran this trip with so much love for what she does. She was beyond helpful, funny, and definitely knew the best places to eat. I absolutely loved this entire trip and seeing this country. I know we weren’t able to see Hoi An due to the typhoon, but I loved exploring the city of Siagon instead. I highly recommend this trip because you will fall in love with Vietnam!

Vietnam November '25 was my second trip with FTLO, and it was a fantastic experience! The trip was a wonderful mix of culture, adventure, and food. Our local guide, Bik, did a fantastic job making sure all the logistics ran smoothly -- no small feat given notable itinerary changes due to a disruptive typhoon. Bik went above and beyond to answer questions, capture travel photos for everyone, and create a fun group culture! I highly recommend the FTLO Vietnam trip and Bik as your guide.

I have been on over five FTLO trips, and they never disappoint! Vietnam was an adventurous trip for me, and FTLO helped me feel prepared and safe. Even with the typhoon approaching Vietnam, I felt totally taken care of: our itinerary was adjusted and the communication of the itinerary changes was clear and helpful.

Our tour leader Bik was extremely capable and organized, I felt like I was in great hands. She had a positive attitude, and gave extra effort to address additional requests: like giving restaurant recommendations, shopping tips, and making extra stops for coffee. I especially appreciated the personal approach she took to discussing the history and culture of Vietnam.

Vietnam is such a unique place to visit, I recommend it for everyone! The trip was a great blend of city exploration, cultural learning, and being immersed in beautiful nature. If you're considering visiting East/Southeast Asia, definitely try this unique destination!!

This was my first FTLO trip, and I have already booked my second. If all FTLO trips are like my trip to Colombia, then wow I am a forever FTLO traveler! Juli made all of us feel so welcomed and safe our entire trip. She was extremely knowledgeable, organized and completely passionate about her country. All of the excursions planned captured the energy, color and warmth of Colombia. I loved the mix of must-see highlights and lesser-known local gems. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a frequent traveler, Juli truly elevated the whole experience. Highly recommend this trip to all.

Bik Tran the tour guide made my Veitnam trip and unforgettable one. She had so much energy and a great spirit. And when things change she was quick to fix them and make it right. FTLO planned such a great trip I didnt want it to end! Thank you again Bik!

I’ve traveled with FTLO three times now (Belize, Costa Rica, and Iceland), and while Iceland was the most challenging due to extreme and unprecedented weather, I still feel confident recommending the company. Much of that confidence comes from Maddy, our incredible trip leader.

This Iceland itinerary is normally packed with bucket-list experiences, but some activities were canceled or delayed because of snow, flooding, and road closures. Even so, Maddy handled everything with professionalism, calm, and genuine care for the group. She stayed attentive to everyone, helped us capture memorable photos wherever possible, and kept the group moving so we could make the most of the short windows of good weather. With every cancellation or change, she was responsive and proactive and clearly worked hard to create the best experience possible under circumstances no one could control.

My previous FTLO trip leaders were fantastic, and Maddy still managed to exceed those already high expectations. I would consider myself lucky to have her as a guide on any future trip.

Although the weather affected this particular experience, I continue to trust FTLO and truly appreciate how leaders like Maddy support their travelers when things become unpredictable.

I went to the Vietnam trip in November 2025 and it was better than I could have ever imagined! First and foremost, our tour guide Bik was amazing - not only was she knowledgeable about Vietnamese culture and history but she was such a fun group leader. Everyone had a blast with her! Additionally, the trip itself was a perfect mix of culture, history and relaxation/free time, and Bik was super helpful with providing restaurants, sights to see, etc to explore on our free days. This trip is a 10/10 recommend from me! If anyone is thinking about doing a solo trip - do this one! It was one of the best experiences i’ve ever had with some of the best people I have ever met!

My trip to Vietnam was incredible. This was my first FTLO trip, and Bik was a fantastic trip leader. She kept our group safe and informed, especially when bad weather meant we had to adjust our itinerary. Knowing there some foodies in the group, Bik put together a really special day taking us to all of her favorite local spots. This was such a special bonus and a great way to wrap up the trip. Thanks Bik and FTLO for an unforgettable trip!

This was my first time in Vietnam and it will not be my last thanks to our amazing guide, Bik Tran! She told us amazing stories to help bring to life the history, tradition and culture of Vietnam and its people. 10/10 would recommend.

This trip was incredible. I was on the fence for a few weeks before booking, and I am so so happy I did!

Angelo was truly an exceptional guide. From day one I was impressed with his ability to make everyone feel included and to create such a great atmosphere of cohesiveness among people who had all just met. Angelo communicated clearly about each day’s plans and always had thoughtful recommendations tailored to whatever you were in the mood for during free time.
It’s so clear that Angelo loves what he does. His passion for Puglia and the Amalfi region shines through in his energy, his knowledge, and the way he goes out of his way to create meaningful experiences for the entire group.

Not only did Angelo coordinate a hike for me that wasn’t on the itinerary, but he checked in, and kept his phone on him the entire time just in case I needed anything. That level of care went way above and beyond!

FTLO handled every detail seamlessly. Being able to show up, relax, and not worry about logistics was such a gift. The transportation was comfortable, the pacing was spot-on, and the hotels exceeded my expectations — especially our stays in Matera and Sorrento with those unreal views.

I’d absolutely recommend FTLO to anyone — and I’d gladly take another trip with them. Thank you Angelo for making this trip one to remember, you are the best :)

My trip to Thailand was absolutely amazing. This was my 5th FTLO trip and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. It was certainly an action packed week, but the itinerary was thoughtfully planned and gave us a truly authentic experience, pushing us a bit out of our comfort zones, but taking care of us and never making us feel out of place. From the fun cooking class in Bangkok, magical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, and eventful boat day and relaxing beach time in Koh Lanta, we really got a full 360 experience in such a short amount of time. I'm endlessly grateful to our spectacular trip leader, P'Ben, who went so above and beyond and made sure every day was as seamless as possible, and even helped coordinate additional excursions and events for us. Would highly recommend to anyone considering this trip.

My second trip with FTLO was to Vietnam in October. It was an amazing time! We saw so much and I checked so many boxes off my wish list. Definitely need to go back to see the rest of the country!
It was fantastic to have a true local who shared so much with us and treated us like an extension of his own family. Dee is the absolutely best, lah!