Paris/Rome, June 2025. Our guide was Luisa, and she was awesome. She moved at a faster pace than I would have liked, but got us where we needed to go and gave good suggestions on things to do during our free time. Paris: Villa Eugenie Hotel had several issues. Small rooms. A/C didn't work (although there's a thermostat on the wall that does nothing), and the windows don't have screens. That made the rooms hot... all the time. Bathroom had a mildew smell that wouldn't go away. Loud, busy street right below the windows. Breakfast is ok, but limited options and the same thing every day. Location is not great... it's a solid hour from the city center by Taxi/Uber (Paris has horrible traffic) and about the same by Metro. Our airport transfer got messed up... never got a straight answer as to why. We were standing outside ready to go at 3:45am as instructed. No bus. At 4:15am, we had to order taxis to get our group of 28 to the airport. Taxi ride was $97 (about 86 euros) that I had to front with a credit card. Guide reimbursed later that same day, but that's a BIG problem. Sent us on a "bus tour" of Paris in a bus that didn't have a microphone. So our local guide wasn't able to talk about any of the landmarks we passed. Total waste of time and her services when all we get is a summary after we arrived at a park at the end of the tour.
Eiffel Tower visit got messed up. Worldstrides didn't purchase our tickets ahead of time, so we had to wait in line for 30-40 minutes to purchase them. By the time we got there (around 8:30pm), they were sold out of the tickets that go to the top. So we were only able to go to the middle, and then only had about 15 minutes before we had to head back down. Ultimately, we didn't get what we paid for on the tour and there was no refunds or other compensation. Then it's an hour ride back to the hotel on public transit. We ended up taking an Uber at our own expense, since it was after 11:00pm and everyone was exhausted. Dinners were average at best. Tough beef (pot roast) and small portions. I expected much better from French food. One restaurant had another group ahead of us that were late to their reservation, but took them anyway and made us wait 30 minutes past our time to be seated. Seated us outside in the sun, with most of the seating uncovered by the umbrellas/awning. Rome: Significant upgrade at the Hotel Albani. A/C worked, and much better options at breakfast, including an espresso/cappuccino machine. Better location, about a block from the bus stop. Dinner restaurants were decent, although portion sizes were a bit small. One restaurant double booked us with another large group (also a Worldstrides tour) and we ended up having to walk to another place several blocks away.
Transportation was a HUGE problem. We had to walk everywhere and use city buses. It was an absolute disaster. It's hot, we're walking everywhere, and trying to fit 28 people on an already crowded city bus. Nearly every adult chaperone on our trip missed some time from the tour since they were physically unable to continue with the physical demands. Multiple students had to be treated for blisters and other skin issues due to the heat and lack of transportation. Our guide tried to get a private bus for us, but was denied by Worldstrides. I understand they don't control the weather, but you have to make adjustments based on conditions and the abilities of the group. For example... we ride the bus (standing room only) to the Vatican, tour the Vatican (2 hours), then walk to St. Peter's in 90+ degree heat, tour St. Peter's, and then walk a mile and some change for dinner. Then public transit, which is generally standing room. Way too much time to spend on our feet in this type of weather and uneven terrain. The transportation issues became such a distraction that it became almost impossible to enjoy anything on the tour. I also got some sort of cold/flu on this trip, probably from the dirty and crowded public transit. Kids began to ask about forgoing some activities to rest up at the hotel, but that's not allowed – "everyone has to do everything on the tour." Our group leader got in some trouble with Worldstrides for letting a family (2 parents and a high schooler) leave early one day, since they were dealing with some health and fatigue issues. Bottom line, I will NEVER use a Worldstrides tour again, even if it were free. This tour was over $5,000/person, and all they give us is a bus pass and the cheapest food/hotels they can find. Our group leader contacted Worldstrides about halfway through the tour, requesting private transport, especially given the weather forecast in Rome. But they didn't even bother to respond, let alone do anything about it. Worldstrides – you need to do better than this.