Classical Sicily

The itinerary was excellent and some hotels were slightly better than the other ones. The last hotel in Giardini Naxos didn’t have the elevator which was bothersome; however, the location was good. The main tour guide though organized the transportation and made reservations for some restaurants she was a bit nervous about everything and majority of the time she was on her cell phone or talked to other tour guides in Italian. I am not sure whether she enjoyed being with us or not. When I got a bad mosquito bite she was telling me where the pharmacy was rather than coming with me. The members of the group suggested to come with me and then she was embarrassed and came with me! The next day the mosquito bite got worse and the same thing happened and one of the members who used to be a pharmacist insisted that I should go back to a pharmacy in Palermo where we were at and the pharmacist said that I needed antibiotics and had to see the Dr. The tour guide though had made a reservation for a restaurant was more worried about the rest of the group to be fed than taking me to the Dr. And they were all saying that they were adults and fine. So, we saw the Dr and sure enough she wrote a prescription that we had to get it at 9:00 pm. The tour guide seemed to be annoyed as if it was my fault even though she pretended that she was the one who initiated to take me to the Dr!

Have done many Explore trips! This was a very comprehensive tour of the classical sites around the island. Some good local guides. Trip notes didn't really reflect true 'free time' or the actual journey times. Usual Explore mix of accomodation and breakfast levels......surprisingly little fresh juice or fruit for Sicily in May! Access to the archeological sites and buildings was wonderful.....up close and personal. Buses and coaches were roomy for our small group. Some of the day to day admin could have been tightened up.

This Tour has an excellent itinerary if you are interested in history. The sites are a truly amazing experience. It’s a fast paced tour with only 15 travellers who were all lovely and friendly. What lets it down is the tour operator. Most of the hotels were more like hostels, barely a 3*. Luckily we only stayed 1-2 nights in each one, but it wasn’t what we were expecting for the price and a true let down. We were unlucky and had an inexperienced tour leader who did not lead. We have given the company more detailed feedback on their performance, but frankly it ruined the tour for us. We have been on many tours and the leader is what makes it fun, interesting, informative and comfortable; and they did not do that. We and some other travellers were very frustrated with the tour ‘leader’ who failed to do the most basic requirements, communicate, inform, support, help and relate. There were a few travellers in their 80’s with slight mobility issues which made it difficult for them to keep up at some sites and the tour leader just raced ahead, losing them along the way. The local historical guides had an immense amount of knowledge, but we only had them on ad-hoc days at the different places. If you like your history you will love the one for Palermo and Monreale, he went on and on, bless. We chose Explorer because the itinerary was amazing and the reviews on the tour guides (obviously the more experienced ones) were really good. It’s a shame we can’t pick our own! The organising of the transfers went really well. We wouldn’t recommend you book this tour if you can’t face the fast pace and have mobility issues. We wont be choosing Explore again unfortunately.

Communication from guide could have been better at times, but overall a lovely group of people who all got on so well, and a well organised tour. Thankyou.