This is a great tour if it's your first time travelling, you'd like a snapshot of many countries, you're short on time or if you're travelling solo. It's a great way to meet like minded people. The hotel accommodation is a fair way out of the centre and in some cases not the very best location. But I understand, to keep costs low, there has to be a compromise. But the accommodation is very basic. Yes it's clean, with comfortable beds and in all but Barcelona, excellent hot showers. The best spot was Menton. Close to the beach and right in town. The first room I was given was very drab and I had to request a better one, which I eventually received. It had a lovely view of the church opposite and skyline, on a high floor. As a single traveller, paying the supplement, one should receive a better room. This tour would not have been as good if it hadn't been for our tour leader, Gustavo, and our amazing coach driver, Alex. They worked as a team to ensure the group was well taken care of. Their passion and enthusiasm for the job really was impressive. They are a valuable asset to the company and I hope they are well renumerated. Expat have the formular right for those on a budget. If you expect moisturisers, glasses (not plastic cups) in your room, and central locations then this is not for you. As previously mentioned it's a snapshot. I only did eight days and don't think I could do longer only staying in one place one or two nights. There isn't much free time and virtually no chance to freshen up prior to any dinners as the coach usually does a drive around on arrival into a new town and then straight to dinner.
I had a great time on this trip. Let me just say that it was kind of strange joining a tour that was already underway as our Southern Italy tour joined another longer Italian tour that had started about a week before hand so there were some ""clicks"" that had already developed. For the most part, everyone on the tour was nice. The tour leader was approachable and very informative. Our bus driver was very nice. I felt very safe at all of the places that we traveled too. There were times when there were issues with the wifi but that is something that just happens at times. I have food allergies and the company was able to accommodate them. One thing about Italy is that there are a ton of hills, everyone says that and it is so true so just be advised that there is a lot of walking up hills. The only thing that i would change is that i wish that they had a time where they built in time into the schedule where you could just spend some relaxing time on the beach.
Traveling with this tour operator was amazing. My family got to see so much of Europe and our tour guide and driver Porfirio and Szabi made it even more exciting. Hotels, sights and stops were carefully selected for the best experience and I would definitely recommend the operator. I am looking to take another trip soon!