I’ve split this review into three parts:
1. The holiday for singles
2. The guide, driver, and accommodation
3. The tour itself, the itinerary
The holiday for singles.
This was my second JY holiday (I went to Turkey last year). My overall impression remains the same. It is the perfect vehicle for those of us who find ourselves single. Everyone is in the same position, but for very different reasons, and over different timescales. No-one puts you on the spot, to explain your situation. As friendships develop, you just open up, as much or as little as you want. I have been on non-singles holidays where it can be difficult to mix. JY holidays help you make friends, maybe just for the holiday, maybe longer.
The guide, driver, and accommodation
Faultless. The guide, Franco, had everything under control, kept us informed and entertained, despite having 3 “incidents” to handle. The driver, Giuseppe, negotiated the roads efficiently, particularly those up Mount Etna, and managed to make up time on a day that we were delayed by circumstances way beyond his control. The hotels were both excellent, both public and private rooms, and the food. For my taste the second hotel, the Athenee Palace, was a little too large and sprawling, but that’s just me.
The tour itself, the itinerary
I was looking for something as good as Turkey, and this holiday seemed a likely candidate. In general it was – the trip up Etna was particularly good. It was also good to see the Greek, Roman, and Norman influences on the island.
However, some of the archaeological sites were much more ruin than I had expected (they are 2000 years old!). Two of the days were a little too busy (Day 4. Syracusa to the Roman Villa, and the afternoon of day 7 in Palermo when there was a general feeling of being touristed-out).
Overall
Am I glad I went? – Yes
Will I go again with JY – Yes, of course.
