About me:Aussie girl turned nomad gypsy, who fell in love with becoming a tour leader as it encompassed my two purposes in life...travelling and talking to people
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I am writing to you regarding an extremely unsatisfactory experience my parents had as members of your Best of Eastern Europe - 11 Days tour from 27 July to 6 August 2023.
I specifically texted the …I am writing to you regarding an extremely unsatisfactory experience my parents had as members of your Best of Eastern Europe - 11 Days tour from 27 July to 6 August 2023.
I specifically texted the Expat Explorer Chat (+44 7731 943978) that I have my parents as part of your tour and below are our experience points to be considered:
Tour Guide
EMA. She was unfriendly and biased, to say the least. Was not helpful to my parents and in our previous experience with Expat Explorer, we had a male guide named Jordan and he was a complete opposite. The vibes were not there and she made the tour very awful for my parents. I expected the guide to take care of my parents but nothing of such sort happened. She concentrated more on the Australians on the tour bus so if she was not able to diversify her attention to the rest of the tour group, then this tour specifically led by her should not have been open to other countries.
Tour Members
95% of the tour members are from Australia or New Zealand. With that, they formed their own alliances and left my parents to be by themselves for 11 days! If there is no diversity in your tour, you would have stated that the tour is only open to those nationalities so that we could select another travel operator who is more well-suited to us, who flew 13 hours from Singapore for this tour. Unnecessary remarks were passed and the tour guide only focused on the rest of the tour members, except my parents. This is complete racism and I have no qualms about raising this up to your management for more scrutiny. No friendships were forged sadly because it felt like it was a one-sided kind of tour group.
Food Request
When filling up the requested information before travel, we did state that we requested for halal/vegetarian options. As much as we understand that it might be challenging to abide by the request, I understand from my parents that they were being outcast specifically by the tour guide when they asked for their requested food option. This is completely unacceptable considering my parents are in their 50 - 60s and food is extremely crucial for their tour. They have to succumb to purchasing their own food when they paid the same prices as the rest of the tour members. There is also an instance that they asked their tour guide EMA for their food and was being cast aside, with her sounding frustrated.
Accident Occurred
On the way to Amsterdam, the bus jammed the brake. Both my mother's knees hit the back seat and her ligament is swollen. It left her limping and what a disappointment - No apology was given by the driver or the tour guide. Because she was not familiar with the place and/or clinics there, she had to limp her way through until we reached Singapore to head to the clinic. How can you compensate for this unfortunate incident?!!!!!!
R
It was hectic for a few of us 70+ but I still enjoyed it.
L
Trip was average. The bus broke down on the first day but was taken care of within a couple of hours. Most of the accommodations and included breakfasts were fair except for two that were below averag…Trip was average. The bus broke down on the first day but was taken care of within a couple of hours. Most of the accommodations and included breakfasts were fair except for two that were below average. We had large groups on the local tours including one day of 58. No listening aids were provided so it was very difficult to hear the local guides. Emma, our guide, was very good. She was organized and cheerful. She did very well handling our large groups.
L
Greek Island Flexi Hopper
Exploring the Greek islands with Busabout was perfect as I was traveling solo and it was a great way to meet people. Our guide, Emma, was knowledgeable and enthusiastic, making the tour the most enjoy…Exploring the Greek islands with Busabout was perfect as I was traveling solo and it was a great way to meet people. Our guide, Emma, was knowledgeable and enthusiastic, making the tour the most enjoyable it could be. Emma was approachable, always willing to help with any requests, and was delightful and bubbly spreading great vibes throughout the trip!
V
Greek Island Flexi Hopper
To be honest Emma is the best part of the tour. Even if I am not from an english speaking country she makes me feel comfortable and she is an amazing story teller!
D
Greek Island Flexi Hopper
I definitely got more then I expected out of the island hopper tour.
The accommodation was nice and local and so easy to get to places.
There was so many different options each day or just relax with …I definitely got more then I expected out of the island hopper tour.
The accommodation was nice and local and so easy to get to places.
There was so many different options each day or just relax with the ocean views.
Emma was a fantastic guide so bright and bubbly and very welcoming to the whole group and got everyone invovled.
Was able to answer all my questions no matter how stupid .
Would recommend a tour with her in a heart beat
H
Greek Island Flexi Hopper
The trip was so much more than we expected! We had adequate chill, food/wine, beach/swim and dancing time at every stop. Emma was especially amazing providing insight into the history of Greece with a…The trip was so much more than we expected! We had adequate chill, food/wine, beach/swim and dancing time at every stop. Emma was especially amazing providing insight into the history of Greece with a modern twist. She always made herself available for us, if we needed. She would be having shots and shaking her bootie with us but at the same time somehow be sober enough to handle anything that crossed our group. Absolutely sensational guide! The trip wouldn't have been anywhere near as amazing if Emma hadn't been leading our awesome crew. Thanks Busabout! Until next time!
A
Greek Island Flexi Hopper
Emma is an incredible guide and made the trip amazing. So knowledgeable about all things travel and helped us stay organised. Really really fun and helped make the trip really enjoyable for all of us!
J
Greek Island Flexi Hopper
Emma was a sensational guide. Extremely helpful, kind and a fun person to be around.
Emma always did her best to make everyone feel involved and taken care of.
H
Greek Island Flexi Hopper
The trip has been great! Emma was such a great guide and I had so much fun with her and the group!
Emma always made sure we were organised if we were staying at different accommodation and answered a…The trip has been great! Emma was such a great guide and I had so much fun with her and the group!
Emma always made sure we were organised if we were staying at different accommodation and answered any question thrown at her!
O
Greek Island Flexi Hopper
My busabout tour was amazing mainly thanks to my wonderful guide Emma. She was so organised and hado everything under control. She made an effort to include everyone in the group and went out of her w…My busabout tour was amazing mainly thanks to my wonderful guide Emma. She was so organised and hado everything under control. She made an effort to include everyone in the group and went out of her way to ensure everyone was having a great time. She is an amazing guide and and asset to the company!
This was a great way to explore a large portion of Europe in a short period of time. This means short visits to many cities and towns. There's not much time to explore the local culture and food; th…This was a great way to explore a large portion of Europe in a short period of time. This means short visits to many cities and towns. There's not much time to explore the local culture and food; this is to be expected as the bus is on a tight schedule. It's exactly what my family wanted: a small taste of places we've never been to. Now we know where we would like to go back and where we don't need to visit again.
Beware: this is not a vacation, this is a tour. We were on the bus by 7:15am each day and most days involved 3-4 hours of driving, with visits to roadside truck stops for bathroom breaks. Pack a neck pillow so you can sleep on the bus. There's no internet on the bus.
Our driver (Wouter) and guide (Emma) were both excellent. Very friendly and great at their jobs. Thank you both for the great experience.
The thing that kept this from being a 5-star review for me:
Several of the included restaurants were mediocre. Pasta with tomato sauce mediocre. Especially the Swiss hotel - I didn't travel to Switzerland to have South African food. Overall we had much better food when we were allowed to pick our own restaurants and try local, albeit tourist-area, cuisine.
D
Good tour for the money. Tour director and coach driver were really good. I would have liked more info about our surroundings while riding on the coach. Most hotel rooms were ok. A couple had air cond…Good tour for the money. Tour director and coach driver were really good. I would have liked more info about our surroundings while riding on the coach. Most hotel rooms were ok. A couple had air conditioning problems and were extremely small.
I had the most magical and memorable trip! Fast-paced but you get to see so many things. Emma and Pascal made the trip so memorable and I feel blessed they were chosen for our tour!
C
I had a wonderful trip on the Europe Jewel Tour. Visiting 11 countries in 14 days was just what I had hoped it would be
Overall a very good tour during which I got to know various countries
P
Realizing the tour was primarily cities, and I did enjoy Venice very much, Interlaken/Jungfrau and the cave excursion were my favorite experiences. Perhaps a European tour with more nature activities …Realizing the tour was primarily cities, and I did enjoy Venice very much, Interlaken/Jungfrau and the cave excursion were my favorite experiences. Perhaps a European tour with more nature activities could be an option for the future.
C
This was a fast paced trip packed with so many wonderful things to see and do.
D
E
J
The tour was well organised andhad a good standard of accommodation
The hotel in Lithuania was less than desirable. I found mold and bugs in my room. The format didn't really give us much time in each place to explore the smaller cities like Riga, Tallin, and Vilnius.
T
Emma Cairns is a superb tour guide—knowledgeable, professional, friendly and efficient in resolving problems of every kind. Her personality imbued the tour with a daily warmth that permeated the entir…Emma Cairns is a superb tour guide—knowledgeable, professional, friendly and efficient in resolving problems of every kind. Her personality imbued the tour with a daily warmth that permeated the entire entourage. The locations chosen made for a good overview of inland and island Greece and teased the appetite to explore more of the country.
Lee was excellent. He gave us history and details of the sites we explored along with his fun sense of humor. It was obvious his passion to share his stories with us.
Tour Leader was great. Very knowledgeable young woman.
Enjoyed all countries and Cities we visited.
Thanks to Emma.
Our driver Gaby, what a gentleman and such a helpful, nice man.
Met some amazing, fr…Tour Leader was great. Very knowledgeable young woman.
Enjoyed all countries and Cities we visited.
Thanks to Emma.
Our driver Gaby, what a gentleman and such a helpful, nice man.
Met some amazing, friendly people from all over the globe.
I will treasure my memories FOREVER.
Thank you for everything.
Selina (Lee Howard
L
Had a fabulous time although the long hot walking tours were not really appreciated.
there were a few elderly citizens on the trip and they struggled to keep up with the required pace, even after re…Had a fabulous time although the long hot walking tours were not really appreciated.
there were a few elderly citizens on the trip and they struggled to keep up with the required pace, even after requesting that the team slow down so that we could travel together and not get left behind.
It would have been better if we could have spent more time at the places visited, rather than hours on the bus.
The overall experience was fantastic! This tour really took the stress out of travelling - all you had to do was relax and enjoy the ride. The only criticism I have is I would have loved more time in …The overall experience was fantastic! This tour really took the stress out of travelling - all you had to do was relax and enjoy the ride. The only criticism I have is I would have loved more time in some places and less in others. My next tour I will definitely be booking with Expat Explore.
N
Great tour and the tour leader was extremely knowledgeable & very organised.
L
It was a great and very organized tour especially special Thank you to Emma who did a great job and also to Sultan our very good driver that keep us safe in our journey for the whole trip. The only th…It was a great and very organized tour especially special Thank you to Emma who did a great job and also to Sultan our very good driver that keep us safe in our journey for the whole trip. The only thing is not enough time to stay extra days because so much to see in a shortime. I will go again next time and it will be tour radar EXPAT explorer!!Ludie from Canada
The tour was excellent. The tour bus charging port, however, had a power surge. The tour bus destroyed my I pad. My tour guide, Emma, filed an incident report. The Apple Store confirmed the damage. Ex…The tour was excellent. The tour bus charging port, however, had a power surge. The tour bus destroyed my I pad. My tour guide, Emma, filed an incident report. The Apple Store confirmed the damage. Expat tours, so far, have not claimed responsibility and have not yet offered me $249.00 USD to have my I pad repaired. I do not want anymore Expat travelers to have their electronics destroyed by the bus. Be careful and don't use the tour bus charging ports.
R
We really enjoyed this tour. Was a little bit faster than I could cope with and would have liked longer in a lot of places but it is a perfect “taste” of Europe and we appreciate what we did see. High…We really enjoyed this tour. Was a little bit faster than I could cope with and would have liked longer in a lot of places but it is a perfect “taste” of Europe and we appreciate what we did see. Highlight was the Vatican for me. Thank you
C
I thought that Emma and Zoltan did a great job! I loved that I didn't have to worry about a thing , that everything was planned for me. I could never have done all that we did on my own!
Enjoyed the tour and Emma was very helpful.
D
Well orchestrated. Would have liked a little upscale hotels with better elevators and WiFi
E
Emma our guide from Expat travel was fantastic, so was our driver Jeane. Fabulous holiday. We were on the go and we saw so much. Our Bus family were also great and so was the weather.
We would certain…Emma our guide from Expat travel was fantastic, so was our driver Jeane. Fabulous holiday. We were on the go and we saw so much. Our Bus family were also great and so was the weather.
We would certainly travel with you agin
D
Was great value. Tour Guide made the trip Emma is a super star.
M
Our trip was smooth and fantastic thanks to Emma and Jean. Their recommendations and directions goes Above and beyond what was expected.