Explorica Canada Reviews 33

Great service and easy access online.

My son missed the first day of activities due to flight delays but other then that it was ok for him

We loved Alessia as our tour guide! She was super professional but also very fun to be around. She made sure we had a blast no matter how the weather changed our plans. Alessia was incredible and the best tour guide I’ve ever had!

We had Alessia as our tour guide going to Italy and Greece with our school and it was so organized! She was so fun and treated us like family, she made sure we were always on time and early enough to not have to wait in line. She always had other mini activities planned if the weather didn’t allow our original plan and she knew her stuff! She knows 6 languages so she had great communication where ever we went! Overall 100/10 would recommend

We had an emergency situation arise with our child while on a trip with Explorica and there was no communication for days. In particular after a very stressful event we were not contacted by Explorica and were chasing them for hours trying to get any information about what was happening to our child while their representative ignored our calls and messages. The lack of communication was a huge problem and turned this trip into a terrible, miserable experience with agonizing worry over our child. They made it very clear to me that they do not treat communication with parents as any sort of priority and they tried to disparage me for seeking information about my child’s emergency situation. I would not recommend this company because of their very deficient communication with parents. If something goes wrong you will have no idea what is happening because they will not update you. Better hope nothing goes wrong.

Right after signing up our daughter for a school trip. We decided to check the company reviews and we weren't impressed at all, so we decided to cancel her trip. According to the timing, they had mentioned it would be a full refund so why not, right? It's been quite a journey, an unresponsive agent and back and forth with the insurance company they use. They finally said this morning we would get a full refund only to be emailed a few hours later we would be getting $0 as they quoted a processing fee (we cancelled before there was any processing, and we can prove it) and the insurance cost (insurance has by law a free look period, which we still have some days, so it shouldn't be applied either). All in all, beware!

Also, if you check some of the 5 star reviews, it seems they were paid reviews

This was and still is the worst experience. There was a school trip booked thru the school and I paid monthly instalment payments that amounted to $2385 and the trip got cancelled. When I called to ask about my reimbursement they said the cheque is in the mail. 8weeks later??? You reimburse people 8weeks later by cheque? Also the reimbursement is only $1700… if the cheque ever makes it here eventhough they have my direct deposit info. Very unimpressed with this company.

My child thoroughly enjoyed his experience in France with Explorica Canada. He visited so many places and learned so much during their excursions to Paris, St Malo, and Normandy! The restaurants they visited accommodated his lactose intolerance and he said he slept very well in all the hotes/motels they stayed in. His only complaint was that he was exhausted from such a fun trip when he came home.

My child and at least 2 of his travel mates went hungry because Explorica either did not pass on allergy information to the hotels or Explorica chose hotels that ignored the allergy information. Students were REPEATEDLY served foods that they could not eat. (nuts to students with anaphylaxis, milk products to the lactose intolerant) The situation was NEVER rectified throughout the entire trip. On top of that, the tour guide was unpleasant, some attractions were cut short, and one of the hotel accommodations was actually a motel. We will never again trust Explorica with our children.

The most important element of our trip was the great job done by our guide Cole. Cole was very well organized, very approachable, utterly professional and impressively adaptable in the face of changing circumstances. Cole was also clear and friendly with the students. We were very, very fortunate to have Cole and would be very pleased if we did again on a future tour.

Parents BEWARE. My minor daughter travelled half way around the world on an explorica trip to a camp with no internet connection. We were advised we would receive regular updates via the online Explorica Tour Diary. My daughter has been in Africa for 4 days now and there has not been a single post. We received no confirmation that our child's flight arrived. No cinfirmation that she arrived at the camp. Nothing whatsoever. Had I known there would be no such communication I would have arranged another method. Bit now I cannot reach my child. Exteemely unimpressed with the communication strategy of Explorica. When I contacted Explorica they told me postings were the responsibility of the tour leader but wouldnt tell me who that is or how to contact them. My wife and I are beside ourselves with concern. I would not recommend an Explorica trip to any parent

Do not send your child with Explorica. This tour company puts quantity over quality. Sure they will walk long distances to see landmarks and monuments, but the quality of trip is nonexistent! Between denying children food/ water because they are too busy to stop, the trip provided meals are sparse and not enough food, they made children who don’t know each other share beds. The tour guide has been nothing but an abuser. Constantly screaming at the children, in a condescending way. The children have been fearful for anything to happen with the thought of the tour guide freaking out on them. Do not send your children

Been travelling with Explorica since 2008. Yes 2020 was frustrating. Every other trip represented an exceptional experience for students and teachers to travel, learn as grow as global citizens. The Explorica staff and tour directors have always been, honest and helpful. A great company to help teachers organize the experience of a lifetime for their students!

I have used Explorica for educational travel in Europe for over fifteen years. I tried one of their competitors, and will never make that mistake again. Their attention to detail, customized tour plans, and experienced professional guides are only a few things that set their business apart from others. From the moment that the guide meets us at the airport, to the last tour day, the students have always had an amazing experience.

I have been travelling with Explorica since 2007 and they always provide a phenomenal travel experience for my students. Their Canadian staff go above and beyond to ensure that our trips are smooth and maximum value for cost. They are there for every step of the planning process, and provide expertise in all areas of organizing tours of this magnitude. Overseas, the tour directors are friendly, professional, knowledgeable and dedicated to helping to provide positive memories that will last a lifetime. I highly recommend this company. From the planning process until the we arrive back at the school after our trip, they ensure a positive experience for all.

I 100% support and trust Explorica! They always listen to any concerns I may have, they quickly offer suggestions or we make any necessary changes, their customer service is second to none!! I wish everyone could experience student travel the way it is supposed to be!!! Take a chance!! You won’t travel with any other company!

Explorica is the right choice for all things related to student travel. I have been organizing student travel experiences for decades and worked with other tour companies in the past. After my first tour with Explorica, I never looked back. The extra care they go to in order to ensure our tours are top notch and our participants well looked after is exceptional. We are in the homestretch for a tour over Spring Break 2023 and recent correspondence with Explorica continues to solidify my loyalty with them. They worked tirelessly with us throughout the tumultuous past two years of travel challenges. I am looking forward to many more years of great travel experiences for my students and their families.

My community-based group trip to Italy originally scheduled for 2020 was, like many others, put off by COVID. A number of families decided to cancel - those that did received their refunds within two-three months. I had nine youth that decided to wait out the pandemic; we went in April and had a wonderful time! Our tour director was friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. Our agent at Explorica kept me fully informed throughout 2020-2021 as the possibity of travel became greater and worked hard to ensure that all travel arrangements, including hotels, meals, and guides, were top-quality.
I enjoyed the experience so much that we are using Explorica again in April 2023 to take travelers to Spain and Morocco, and in 2024 we have a trip with Explorica to Ireland and the UK!
I recommend Explorica to anyone wanting a fun, succesful trip.

I have travelled with several companies and I have never had the customer service and the care and commitment of staff that Explorica provides. They all go the extra mile to ensure that my trips are the trips of a lifetime for all involved. No other travel company compares. You won't be disappointed.

Like thousands of families across Canada Our March 2020 trip was cancelled due to COVID. STILL waiting for a refund. Families are caught in the middle of a pissing match between Explorica and The insurance companies. I had two kids going, we are out $7,200. No resolution in site. Support the families and DO NOT BOOK with Explorica. Disgusting company. Our schools should not let them set foot in our schools. I really hope karma bites them in the ass.