“This is a worse trip in my experience. I do not recommended. Worst organization of tours, no hotel pickups, every time it's up to half an hour walk each way for a 2 hour tour. Flight schedule is also terrible. "Short flight " from trip description became 12 hour disaster spent at airport. In short, DO NOT use them, EVER”
“I am booked to go to Turkey with Exoticca this Saturday. My hotel in Istanbul has been changed at a few day’s notice. Terms and conditions state it must be of comparable standard. However the replacement hotel is on a motorway nowhere near the city centre. The traveling time to the old city has more than tripled to 1.5hrs. The recent reviews of the replacement hotel are really dire at 1star. Exoticca say there is nothing they can do.
I shall post again following the holiday.”
“DON'T BE FOOLEDDO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!! - CLASSIC SWITCH AND BAIT.
So I have not even left for my trip, yet, but already I am regretting choosing this company! They have a fantastic sales team, that were really informative and even took some money off due to incorrectly advertising the holiday, for longer than it actually was. With my 3 friends, present, we chose the luxury, level (5 star) and chose the hotel and boat (both with twin rooms) and direct flights.
I had to chase the confirmation, which was sent around 3 weeks before the holiday. Only to find that a different hotel with the same star rating, but according to a hotel booking site, half the price and by a motorway, was given, and instead of a 5 star, we got a 4 star boat. When I questioned it, the only effort this company made was, allegedly, listening to my phone calls, where they have claimed, I did not discuss a hotel, or boat or star rating. I challenge anyone to book a holiday without discussing any of these!!! On top of that they have then refused to let me listen to these calls, until I complete an email requesting this, and then this will take at least a month to come back, by which time, I will have been on the holiday. They have suggested that if I want my money back I will only get 25% due to the time before leaving. They have also stated that in their terms and conditions they can change the accommodation for any reason. It is clear that we were enticed to purchase the holiday from them with the accommodation we wanted, There was no intention of giving us this, and instead, cheaper accommodation.
On top of this, tonight, I have now been told that I booked double rooms, instead of twins, which were requested during our calls in April this year.
The customer service agent , insinuating that this is my fault. Not the agent who we booked our holiday with, over the phone.
What was supposed to be an exciting time for us, has turned into disappointment with the last week being really stressful.....and we have not even got there yet!?!. We are dreading what is in store in Egypt!!! I will of course update how this goes but in the meantime, if you were tempted to take the company up on its buy one get one free offer on their holidays, and you don't mind getting what you did not want, then go ahead. Otherwise, steer clear. DO NOT BOOK WITH THIS COMPANY!!! They are not interested in resolving our concerns, just absolving themselves!!
Update 09/09/23 - so I had an email from Exoticca on the 2nd september, confirming that i do have a request for twin rooms but cant guarantee.....they have assured me that someone is looking into the 'category' issue, and will get back to me. No surprise, then, that there has been nothing since. The email was very polite but did not mention my concerns around the location and price online, of the hotel or going from a 5 star to 4 star boat. Oh well 5 days to go until the holiday. It read as follows:
email from Exoticca
Hi,
I hope this email finds you well.
We strive hard to deliver a smooth and satisfying experience for our customers and feel greatly disappointed when this isn’t the case.
Regarding the call recordings, I can see that there is a process by our agents working on the case, from 50 minutes ago. Once we have the update, we will send you an email.
Also, I can see that the agent informed our team at the destination that you are requesting a twin room, on 30/04/2023. Please keep in mind that this is a high season and that we can not guarantee that the hotel will have available twin beds, however, our team at the destination is doing their best to meet your needs.
As it is mentioned in the trip summary, all the hotels that are listed in the Trip summary are in the same category (or better) and all the hotels can be booked until and unless they are in the agreement list.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused and appreciate you reaching out to us regarding this issue. If you have any more questions please don't hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to help you.
Once again, we apologize for any inconvenience caused, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Kind regards,
********* (name of agent)
Customer Service Agent
Exoticca claim to answer questions, but they don'. Just terrible excuses
11/10/23 - Exoticca did not except any responsibility for fraudulent sales tactics and giving us a hotel next to the airport instead of in Cairo itself, and a boat that was 4 star instead of 5. We discovered other holiday makers on our boat they did the same thing to. One couple summed it up :BAIT and SWITCH. Exoticca have made no attempt to send me the recordings of my call before my holiday and no compensation for giving us cheaper accommodation and lying to us. I SAY AGAIN....DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!!”
“We have experiance and recomend not to travel with Exoticca. We lost our Money and Passport while ware with the Exoticca Tour. We were attacked at the low grade dangerous Hotel on the first night. We met couple's during our trip to Turkey and Greece, from England and other from Scotland whom were celebrating their anniversary. This poor people had arrived 2 am on sunday night and Exoticca put them in a hot no air-condition Bus for 14 hours the Next morning at 6 AM. They regretted their decision.”
“disgracefully cheaters, taking advantage of travelers everywhere, This is the best discription of Exptocca. Hopefully, They will shut down this website soon.Exottica travel is Under investigation. Please do not pay your money to Exoticca travel. Do not book with them. Base to our Personal experience, losing great amount of Money and going through emotional stress, cused by Exoticca travel during our trip to Turky/Greece. I don't want this happen to you. Please donot book with Exoticca”
“Please do not use Exoticca travel agency.
They hide behind their small print, and their advertising is misleading and they purposefully withhold essential information about transit flights until they have secured your booking and payment has been made.
Once you have paid you are then informed about your transit flights, of which they take zero responsibility regarding changing or cancelling flights or COVID vaccination status or visas.
We ended up in a situation where we had to purchase return flights via Mexico as we were unable to fly via USA, a high expense and inconvenience. I missed a day's work and my son missed crucial exams at school.
We were on time and ready to check in. We met another passenger, in the same situation due to lack of information being provided upfront when booking regarding transit flights. He also has to purchase another flight to return to the UK.
The United Airlines check-in desk at San Jose said this always happens with Exoticca! No other agency! They said to write a formal company to Exoticca and demand they pay for the new flights.
Exoticca take no responsibility for anything. My son was sick for three days and as a single parent, neither of us could attend these prepaid trips. They were unwilling to refund these trips and just refer to insurance.
The Exoticca agency outsource all the trips, which can be purchased at a much more competitive rate in the country, and they are unwilling to help or provide any flexibility to their terms and conditions.
Behind the flashy website, is a company that is misleading and certainly lacks customer support, most importantly, they do not take any responsibility for their incompetence.
Do not use this agency!”
“Exoticca is all about breaking the misrepresenting facts, false advertising, Bait and switch, and violating travelers rights, They are not ethical just have a website to take advantage of vast internet sale and get your money base to bunch of hocus pogoes
pictures and stars that dose not mean any thing to them. This was our experience , we lost great amount of Money, we were attacked at their 1 star Hotel( they show 4 star on the pictures) our passports and cash was stolen, they left us behind.
this happened to many people on our tour becuse what Exoticca knowingly did to gasrb Money and not provide at the level it was paid.”
“Dont not use exoticca travel, they did not deliver what you paying for, they put your life in danger for their own profit, Superior is a joke, scam fraud. they put you in 1.5 stars hotels in dangerous area of cities. I was attacked at the Hotel on the first night arriving in trendy's Hotel in Athens. My passport and cash was stolen. Customers service doesn't exits , no support. they turn a dream vacation to a nightmare. see reviews on Yelp and better Bus. Bureau.
Its scam and fraud, they lie and deceive, never give you their cancellation policy and never refund you if you cancel even one hour after paying them. we asked over 107 days before the trip , they did not refund us. forced to travel with them, nearly killed in this trip.”
“Buyer beware of this company
Buyer beware of this company. I am so sorry I booked through this organization. I booked an Egypt trip for December 3rd of this year, for my mother and myself. I was hoping that the agent could add my cousin, but by the time my cousin was able to connect with the agent, the trip costs went up and she was unable to book that date. However she did book for December 5th. I've been trying to change my dates to December 5th because my cousin can assist me with my mother. This company has a very strict policy and will not change my dates even though I can provide a doctor's letter stating that my mom is under a Rheumatologist care. The only option this lousy company is providing is to cancel but I will lose my $1800.00 deposit.
Please do yourself a favor and do not book through this company. They are reasonable, but cheap is not always good. They are truly not compassionate, and do not care if you have a good traveling experience. The only thing they care about is the transaction.”
“Kept 40% of our money for them cancelling our trip to Peru two days before we were scheduled to leave. They cancelled due to the unrest there, which I understand. The part I don’t get is keeping 40% of my money when they have insurance to recover their costs.
They have poor customer support if any and would not entertain rescheduling us for another trip because they wouldn’t let us change our plans earlier without charging 75% if we changed or cancelled.”
“Unfortunately this system does not allow you to give 0 starts. I booked a trip to Japan with Exoticaa which was due to take place in 2020, due to the pandemic the trip has been repeatedly postponed. However I held faith with the company and allowed them to hold onto my money. The holiday is now due to take place this year . Exoticaa have provided a new “itinerary “ in which they have downgraded hotels, removed meals and also an excursion that had all already been purchased. They advise that the itinerary was changed in 2022 ( I received no notification of this) , and “apologise for any inconvenience.” They have in effect decided to keep my money and in return give me something entirely different to what I purchased. Complete mis-selling. Buyer beware!”
“If you want a holiday company that is not responsive, doesn't communicate even when they change your flights then Exoticca is for you. If not then be warned you are paying a lot for a trip of a lifetime and putting it in the hands of an unscrupulous business who will not consider you at all. My flights were changed without my knowledge, I now have an unnecessary 7 hour layover in a country I would rather not set foot in. I would never have booked a trip with the flights I now have. Can I complain?, no apparently you can only complain after your trip. I have called them and been given completely different responses from different people. My case is being reviewed and this could take as long as they like and may not be reviewed before I travel in 27 days.”
“This "travel agency" offers 3 things: 1. lousy flight schedules; 2. mediocre hotels; and 3. an hour city tour (+3 hours picking up/dropping off other hordes of travelers at many hotels). THAT'S IT!!! Awful customer service!!! I've traveled extensively for past 20+ years with several tour companies and hand's down this is BY FAR THE WORST agency! Total waste of time; money too but the waste of time will always bother me. Don't say you haven't been warned. Wish I could give them a -10 rating!”
“We had lots of problemson our trip to costa rica, starting with missing our connection because only 1 hour was allowed for transfer through US Airport. We had one of our trips cancelled either Exoticca suddenly saying it was optional despite us providing their itinerary which showed it was inclusive. However the worst part of our trip was when they cancelled my reservation for my homeward flight. The rest of my party had to fly home without me and I was left stranded in Montreal airport by myself with no flight home.
Exoticca Customer service is non existent and I had to pay for my own flight home.
We are still trying to get them to compensate us for all the stress and extra travel time. As well as phone bills and the cancelled trip.
Don't touch them with a barge pole!”
“I am usually satisfied, grateful and appreciative I have a travel agency working on my trip. However, this time I COULD NOT let this agency fly or get by with what kind of travel plans they have for me. My trip package was to Italy for 14 days from Venice to Florence, to Rome then Napoli (Almalfi coast to Sorrento, and then back to Rome. We gathered up our itinerary and printed out all the train stop tickets from and to our next destinations.
The day we were supposed to leave, as we are grabbing our board passes, an hour later, our flight got canceled to the very next day. I understand airlines can get a crazy bit hectic, and a flight delayed is something that noone has control over. We called Exoticca to see if we can somehow speak to their supervisor or someone to at least provide us with a new flight since we have already paid for our 3 days in Venice (flight +hote stays +tours) and since our flight was delayed past 1 day, which means we have already missed at least 15% of our trip including all of our funds we have paid for, since its really 2 days according to the changed time zones. Exottica would NOT assist us to arrange for a new flight, or help us at all. They guardrail us with speaking us to their higher ups. And instead, they said even though the flight was canceled and delayed us by several days, we WOULD NOT be getting a refund back for those days we have missed. We spoke to several representatives and they all provided us with different answers. Clearly, there were gaps in their customer support standards and protocols because each of their answers were all lies and each tying back to say they will call us back and resolve our concerns and issues. Yet, NOONE called us back , and so we continue to make our calls with them and addressed our concerns and seeing if there were any other options they can give us to resolve the matter. NOTHING. This is UNACCEPTABLE! Why? Because there were many options Exoticca could've provided like: 1)Rearrange our flight since there were many other direct flight options 2) Provide a refund back for the days we missed, hotels and excursions we paid for. 3) Add an extra day or two with the money that we have paid for. Exoticca has so many alternatives that could well mend their customer relationship with us, and instead, kept telling us they CANNOT and WILL not help us and we can either cancel the entire trip or accept the delay, and the fact we are losing the 15% of our trip, since we are missing about 3 days of our stays in Venice, given the time zone changes. My trip alone costs 7k and I paid Exoticca all that money for them to not help us. This is such a dishonest, unethical and unsupported system that they have in place, only to pocket our money and provide us with a lack of integrity and were untrustworthy.We ended up having to pay an extra $$$ to get an uber to and from our place, for another day, lost our Venice tour. We specifically chosed this itinerary to go to Venice, and instead didn't get our 3 days worth of stay. Then, as we get to Almalfi coast, Exoticca didn't manage to provide us some form of transparency that stared we had to pay $$$ over 100 euro from the train station to the hotel that they picked for us in Sorrento. The cost of the taxi was more than the cost of an airplane ticket to another country. Wow. They are insufficient, and mismanaged our customers itinerary and providing us with clear instructions. We could've just created and managed the itinerary ourselves and not get ripped off. This is by far UNACCEPTABLE and NOWHERE BASIC customer support. We want our money reimbursed somehow with the cost of what we missed and expect TRUE accountability for their umabiguious customer service! And this is me providing only a high level overview of the mismanaged trip they have done. The in between hotel bookings are also a problem. I am not going to get into more details about this.”
“Just returned from our Exoticca holiday to Jordan and Egypt. I will never use them again.
Firstly, they never produced an itinerary that matched what we did, which made it impossible to plan our free time.
Travelling from Amman to Cairo we arrived around 18.30, only to be told we had to be ready to leave our hotel at 02.45 the next morning to get the 05.30 flight to Luxor. Due to the organisational shambles of the locally contracted tour operator, we didn’t get into our hotel room until 21.15
thirdly, Exoticca routed us via Bahrain to/from London to both Amman and Cairo. Cairo to London direct is about 5 hours. Via Bahrain, from Cairo to Heathrow was scheduled to take 12 hours including 2 hours in Bahrain, which is a pain, but I guess it was significantly cheaper. What actually happened was that Gulf Air cancelled our 20.00 flight from Cairo to Bahrain and rebooked us on the 13.00 flight out of Cairo. So our journey took 19 hours including a 9 hour stopover in Bahrain. We lost most of the last day of our holiday in Cairo. I chased Exoticca for 4 days to find an alternative, but they did nothing until the day before our return. They came up with an option that I had already found online to fly direct with British Airways if we paid an extra £460 each, which was the full price I could get easily online. Any clown could find that flight and say they had offered us an alternative. By doing my own research (no help from Exoticca), I found out that Gulf Air would offer us a transit hotel room and evening dinner free of charge, which did help to mitigate the overly long journey. Would have been nice if Exoticca had used their travel expertise (not!) to advise us of this.
Nightmare company!”
“Dreadful company. Before booking I asked about baggage allowance and was assured this was included before booking. Flight information has come through and they want us to pay for bags.Why would i Book a 12 day holiday with a carry one case. Apparently they are listening to the tapes- not holding out much hope and have requested a copy as I don't trust the company. I will never recommend or use this company again. Below average and poor customer service. Its taken 3 days before anyone has answer my call and No reply to my email I sent 4 days previously. Agree with one of other the reviews they need reporting.”
“This was one of the most stressful and disappointing holiday experiences we have ever had but it is only now that we are home that the true awfulness of it comes through.
Fist of all, we paid a significant sum to spend 8 days/ 7 nights in 3 different locations - Athens, Mykanos and Santorini. We didn't realise until it was actually happening that ONE WHOLE DAY of our holiday was spent getting to and from Greece. Because we had transfers both ways in Germany, the journeys took forever, at least 12 hours! Cheaper for Exoticca but totally tiring for us. It was the same when we moved on from Athens to Mykanos - our ferry (dirty, overcrowded and basic) took 6 hours! There was a 2hr ferry, we subsequently found but it was a bit more expensive. Another 1/2 day wasted by the time we got to our hotel.
Then there is the organisation and communication. At both Athens and Mykanos, our hotels were changed without notice. No biggy in itself but should we have had to hear it from a TAXI DRIVER and a rep who we never met before and who we never saw again! Not good enough! On the day before we were due to travel to Mykanos, we had absolutely NO transfer information until late that night after some 20+ calls to the reps, the emergency contacts and Exoticca itself. 20+ phone calls - imagine the stress and the frustration! The lack of emergency contact was really worrying as was the fact that Exoticca agents in Spain and Florida eventually stopped picking up!
Anyone who thinks this is just wingeing, it's not. As well as several minor problems, at least 5 other sets of travellers had exactly the same things happen to then, including single travellers and travellers from the USA.
If you book with Exoticca, just be ready - they'll ruin your holiday and hang you out to dry!”
“EXOTICCA - Holiday Horrors: London was messed up none of vouchers worked; Edinburgh was messed up we got no tickets - all Pre Paid and NO SERVICE; they leave you with nothing buy BAD MEMORIES; Exoticca have made no effort to help correct the situation, we are seriously out of pocket to pay for everything twice; Misrepresenting there product and services and the vacation is over and you get nothing but STRESSED OUT VACATION; no refunds, no credits and no nothing / they don’t care and no help! BUYER BEWARE!!! You will be Disappointed… BS customer service and they don’t know what they are doing, as they have NO STAFF; responses are standard BS and without resolution! Please report this company to nearest Travel Government Agency and have their license revoked;”
“MESSED UP VACATION: none of the excisions/activities worked; None of the Pre Paid tickets were every delivered to us; No customer service to help! Last minutes changes to hotels and no guides anywhere to be found; extremely stressful; lesson learned Never trust this company and forget about getting you money back; They cannot even contact their own out sources; You are on your own; WARNING: DO NOT BOOK WITH EXOTICCA - you will be sorry!”
