Old World Sicily & Malta

The tour was average or below, nothing special or exceptional. I found a big difference between tour of Greece which we had just completed in April and this tour. This tour was very cheap where food, water bottles and requests were concerned. For instance, at the welcome dinner which is usually a highlight, there was a very small dish of pasta, no second plate of something more substantial as there usually is in Italy. The restaurant was very nice but our meal was not at all. At 5/21 lunch at the oil tasting place, again a very nice place, we had 2 plates of pasta with nothing substantial in it for 8 people placed on the table and a tiny desert with one decanter of wine and water - paltry indeed. Other groups at both places were actually provided full meals, but not us!! This happened other times as well. Re water, the bus driver charged religiously 1 Euro for 1 small water bottle on the bus. In Greece meals were substantial when included and water was always provided there and on the bus for free. Tour guide's attitude was basically it is what it is, he implied there was not much he could do about it. With other tour companies we know the guide has some latitude to improve things, make guests happy. Not here apparently. One time we requested a salad - said we would pay for it - response was I'll see (it was provided in the end). What kind of an attitude is that. Did not happen with Greek guide. Also there was seldom any English speaking channel and sometimes no water provided in some of the hotels. At the Malta hotel there was no luggage rack, nice hotel, but what hotel does not provide some rack or bench for luggage. Tour seemed like a low budget trip that university students studying abroad might take and it was NOT that cheap. Very disappointed especially as Collette is associated with Marriott Vacation Club through which we joined both the Greece tour and this tour.

Our tour guide made everything an excellent experience

The small group size made it easy to get to know everyone. Ivan was a wonderful guide, patient and knowledgeable.

Our tour manager Paulo was excellent…..everything else was very good

Everything except the last meal were top notch!

The trip was a dream. Hotels were great. Excursion’s excellent

Everything was great and Dario was excellent.

The tour was very good,(more than good, The airline bookings were too tight on the transfers. The first hote (Hotel Felice, Palermo) took our passports which I found disconcerting. The dinner at the Palace Hotel was awful.

I have been on many Collette tours and they have always exceed my expectations. Well organized, professional and enjoyable.