Leslie
CAI don't understand this quesiton. Important for what people to know? You or people thinking of using Explorica or parents or students? The tour guide, Emma, tried her very best, but she was in over her head. She needed more time with a mentor before being in charge of a group by herself. She wasn't familiar enough with Paris or the metro or the airport so there was a lot of waiting and googling. The itinerary and hotels were changed by Explorica after we were given our schedule. The restaurants were far from our hotels so it meant long walks or metro rides late at night. I'm wondering if either the hotel or restaurants could have been changed. 2 meals were the same (crepes) on the trip, we were hoping for more variety. Out of the 8 dinners there were only 2 with vegetables (salad), all the other dinners were meat and carb.
Samantha
GBCheap Company Prior to the trip there were no issues. Upon arrival things seemed to be fine, however it was very rushed. We had issues with being early to events that needed less time and then many additional hours of sitting around in places that needed little time. We also encountered many issues with a specific Hotel. We were told that the hotels was in Switzerland and it is was actually in France. That wasn't as much of an issues as the fact that the hotel was dirty with bugs and small live animals. One room even had hair clippings in the sink and the bed. We were also not allowed any extra towels for the hotel because they were only a 2 star. The staff is extremely rude. The tour guide was stressed out what seemed most of the time and got lost. These things should never happen.
Rebecca
GBLove Explorica I've traveled 3 times with Explorica to Québec, Costa Rica, and France & Spain and each time has been affordable for students. The quality of activities and tour guides has been exceptional. The students love these trips and look forward to them each year.
Grace Root
GBA Amazing trip!!! Beautiful trip overall. Food is 2/10 and the worse is the welcome Paella , which is more like dough with scattered chicken pieces. Hotels are a mixed Sevillas hotel is most-like a cheap hostal with a lot of deficiencies and complicated, poorly designed key system, already mastered in most basic hotels. The tour is fabulous and well planned, the need of “Real travelers ib the corporative iOS necessary to correct things like tour pacing, buss ride time church and free times.
Lapis Jean
GBStill waiting for refund, 31 days later After I paid the full balance of my Explorica account, over $2k+, 1-week before it was due, this company then took the same amount out of my bank account 7 days later, leaving my account at a negative balance. I did not authorize this transaction. I am now on day 31, still waiting for my refund via a mysterious check that I have been told was "in the mail". I have made multiple phone calls and emails trying to escalate this refund, only to be lied to. Their business tactics are shady and opaque.