"This was our coming out of Covid trip…"

This was our coming out of Covid trip and it was great! We enjoyed the excursions, the weather, the guided tours and the food! I recommend traveling with Explorica as they strive for the best human connection possible while enjoying the trip!

"Worldwide employee shortages put a bit of a damper on things"

I wish I could give it more than just three stars, but due to some issues, some of which were not Explorica’s fault, I can not say that the trip was great and can give it only three stars. Again, much of this was out of Explorica’s hands, due to the current situations experienced around the world. I really feel Explorica tried to do the best they could under those circumstances.
Positives: We saw what we were promised to see, even though some was just a glance. The tour bus was extremely comfortable. The hotels were great, and so were most of the dinners. The breakfasts were outstanding. Our second tour director was absolutely wonderful. The students had wonderful experiences.
Negatives: Two different tour directors, the first day none, other than a local guide. Our second bus driver was rude and dampened the experience a bit, but again, due to the current circumstances with employment, he was a fill-in for more experienced tour drivers.
All in all, we had a wonderful trip with Explorica.

"We had a bad trip in London"

We had a trip from London, Paris, Florence, Rome, Sorrento, Athens. The really bad experience was in London, we had to use subway all the time even with suitcases the tour guide made us walk sooo much, was our second day and several travelers had blisters it was awful no free time to rest was run and run the tour guide will no check for the ones behind. Bad start we did not see the changing of the soldiers at the Buckingham palace was a very quick pass not a good experience. We suppose to Have a bus side seeing with tour guide and did not happen.

"Trip of a Lifetime"

My 15 year old daughter and I had a great time and learned so much. Our tour guide, Alvaro, was amazing! Even when there were changes in his scheduling, he quickly changed plans and made it all work out. He was very knowledgeable and his English was understandable, which definitely helped. The places that we visited that were on the schedule were fantastic and the ones that Al suggested in our free time were equally fantastic.
A few suggestions:
-Al needs to wear a microphone when outside talking to the group.
-Al should wear an Explorica shirt (same color) or a bright vest every day so that we can see where he is when walking.
-There needs to be one choice other than the main dish each dinner, even if it is a salad or peanut butter and jelly. Many of the girls went without eating dinner and then snacking later bc they did not like the food option.
-I gave the company many email addresses in order for my family to get emails while we were gone telling them of our activities. I thought that the pictures Al was taking would be sent to them. They got nothing! Why??!!
-The groups need to be smaller. 35 people in one group was too many to stay together, to cross the street, to board the subway, to hear what was being said outside, etc.

"NYC first timers Art/Drama group of 25"

Overall, what we will remember most were the amazing NYC experiences that guarantee a good time: Art museums (MoMA & MET), Broadway plays (Hadestown & Beetlejuice), Broadway workshop, Radio City tour, and all the sites in our packet (Ellis/Liberty Islands, Rockefeller, 9/11 Memorial, & Central Park). I especially appreciate the requested extras that our tour guide added in: Drama bookstore, and TikTok poet.

But a series of miscommunications made for unnecessary hiccups experienced along the way, most stemming from Explorica, that leave me considering another agency for my next trip. [1] Our tour began w/ a last minute, emergency tour guide change that did not get communicated to the group leaders. [2] Our new tour guide did his best throughout, but seemed to be missing vital info (from Explorica). We had food vendors [3] and Broadway workshop personnel [4], as well as the Emergency Explorica reps [5] all complaining about Explorica's lack of communication or response to their communication attempts. Mostly, this unsolicited feedback was publicly broadcasted towards our travel group (almost projected on our group), but out of our hands.

We were so lucky to not experience anything awful: lost or injured students, even lost or damaged luggage, and flight cancelations (though, our travel companions had the latter). I was prepared for the worst, but also looked forward to bonding with my fellow travelers instead of running the show for a change. Unfortunately, I worked more than I wanted to, not just managing other groups than the one I was leading, but also repeating vital info and directions from our tour guide that was missed. We had a most kind and lovely guide, who truly was trying hard after being thrown-in with us last minute. But instead of adapting to the group dynamic, he seemed more overwhelmed by the size (45 total) and habits (teens) of our group. I wish he had spoken louder, emphasized or repeated times and meeting spots, stood higher- on nearby platforms- to pull our group closer (better to be heard & gain attention), and been ready with clear times & directions instead of simply walking ahead (sometimes), expecting to be followed. With 25 in my group, I felt obligated to do all those missing things, so as to not lose anyone (my great fear). We did not lose anyone.

In summary: I was won over by Explorica, after working with my tour coordinator for months, and having an exceptional First Leader experience prior to my NYC trip in PA. I was looking forward to the original tour director, but am fond of the gentleman we had instead. I'm toggling my trip rating between 3 stars and 4 because my chaperones and I wanted less work/more experience, but my students had a good time, overall. We had a series frustrating hiccups and zero tragedies. The package alone- is awesome.

"The on-site tour director was amazing"

The on-site tour director was amazing. Everyone else were extremely unhelpful. After experiencing many difficulties on the ground, Explorica did not step in to assist at all. I called 18 times and the two times someone actually called me back they told me they were “forwarding the information to the right team and they would reach out.” That team never did.
The last hotel in (24 min by bus actually) Vienna was disgusting, with stained carpets and dirty walls.
The hotel in Berlin was ok, but 30 min outside of the city center.
Two times we did not have the bus that Explorica was supposed to have arranged.
There was also another tour traveling at the same time, with the same itinerary, that had their busses and excursions, that we did not.

"Unbelievably difficult to get ahold of…"

Unbelievably difficult to get ahold of representatives when out of the country. Absolutely no help booking flights when the flights are delayed or canceled. Will not be using this organization again.

"The trip was beautiful and involved a…"

The trip was beautiful and involved a lot of walking up and down hills or hillsides.

"Loved our trip to Thailand"

Loved our trip to Thailand. Our host was truly amazing and knowledgeable.

"Where to even begin"

Where to even begin. I'm currently on a trip to greece with so many issues from Explorica. To start things off everything has been so unorganized. Several times throughout this trip we have gotten to our destination and it has been closed. Explorica could have looked ahead and realized that the site would not be open that day. Our tour guide also rushes us through absolutely everything with very little time to enjoy the stops. For the price we've paid the hotels are not up to standard. I'm not one to stay at fancy hotels but given the amount that was charged I expected the hotels to have working WIFI and AC. Especially in the middle of summer with temperatures soaring over 90 degrees F. We were also given a bus today that did not have working AC.