We have always booked our flights with/through Insight especially because you normally flight in and out of different cities. Yes we could try to book these 'open jaw' type flights ourselves but prefer to have Insight handle the booking. In that way we are also more assured that we can take advantage of the Insight transfers between airport and hotel.

Hi Dave!
Getting ready for my Sicily trip with Insight. Just curious, the tour I'm going on has a full motorcoach of 40 guests. Are the tour buses comfortable and will I feel cramped with a full house?
Would appreciate your input.
Thanks,
Livia

I am 6'3,the primary reason I take tours with Insight because Leg room is a must. When I took this tour it was 9 months after having hip replacement surgery. No problem.

Most tour companies have 50 seats. Insight only have 40. During your tour you will run into these other companies. You will notice how cramped they are compared to Insight.

Most of the tours we have taken the bus had all 40 seats occupied. We never felt cramped.

Enjoy the tour.

Fantastic! Thanks for the input, Dave! Actually, I looked up Insight Tour buses and saw some photos. Looks like awesome leg room. Also, I have a few questions about two of the hotels we're staying at. One in Ragusa is called Mediterraneo Palace. It has only average ratings on Tripadvisor. Did you stay there and what is your opinion? The other hotel is in Palermo, Ai Cavalier. I believe they are both Best Western. Those are the only two hotels I'm a little concerned about. The rest look fantastic, especially, the Hilton Giardini Naxos and the Una Palace Catania. Also, on the nights that we don't have scheduled dinners, will the tour guide recommend places or will there be any optional excursions with dinner? Thank you again for your advice. I'm going end of Sept. to beginning of October.

Hi Dave! I have another question. Are the bathrooms aboard the tour bus clean and spacious? Do people use them?

Thanks,

Livia

liv4ever....yes the bathrooms are quite clean. The driver cleans the whole bus at the end of each day.

Spacious...well I only used the bathroom once. Being 6'3 I found it a little cramped with not a lot of head room.

People do use the bathrooms but generally only for emergencies. The driver does not always have 'clean out' facilities available at every overnight stop so they prefer that people use them sparingly. Don't worry the are regular bathroom breaks at least once every 2 hours.

Previously you asked about the hotels in Ragusa and Palermo. We stayed at the same hotels. I don't recall the details of each but can say we did not have any concerns/complaints about any of the hotels during this tour.

The Tour Director will be able to provide some suggestions for restaurants.

100€ for transfwr from Catania? All of the private drivers we have contacted quote 80€ Catania to Taormina. It sounds like Insight owes you a redund of your taxi fare.

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the information on the bathrooms and the hotel information. I paid the balance on my trip yesterday and the tour will start September 28th. Thanks for your helpful feedback!

Livia

Hi Dave!
Sorry to bother you again. I was wondering, how is the WIFI on the motorcoach? Is it strong enough to use and check e-mail/internet?
Thanks,
Livia

I never tried using the WIFI on the bus....I waited till we got to our hotel.

I believe others did access the net while on the bus but there were times when it was iffy.