Sylvie Di Cristo Bailed on Me in Villefranche

[llhlam]

Thanks so much for your review, we also booked with Michel for our October 12 Millennium cruise, I am glad thatyou have wonderful time with him.

[CarlCruisesPlus]

Just back from 2 week cruise of Med. Sylvie emailed me in March saying we (5) would be with Caroline instead of her. Well, Caroline was a no show. Other tour drivers who were waiting for their customers told us Sylvie had just left with a group of 17. She left no message, even at the info desk!! We were STRANDED!

There is NO excuse. Our day was ruined.

 

If this was the June 26 sailing of the Millie we were in that group of 17 and she waited until 11:30 for you so that you could join our tour. The tour was scheduled to begin no latter than 11 but due to tendering problems she waited until 11:30. By the way Sylvie was excellent.

[newcruiser99]

how much did the tour cost? we are a party of six. did you stop to eat anywhere?

 

thanks

[4scout]

We were in Villefranche on 7/11 and had a wonderful day with Sylvie. Our family agreed that this was one of our most memorable ports.

[diannedri]

We were on the 2nd tender to get to shore. They were all late because of the late anchoring. I was told YOUR group wouldn't wait any longer for us. We made it clear to Sylvie that we wanted a private tour for the 5 of us. One girl in my family has MS and the stress and pressure left her in a flare-up and the trip basically ruined because of this. Glad you had a good time,though.

[diannedri]

The above message was for Carl Cruises Plus. By the way, we booked Sylvie last September, way before Bev's group!!! We were dumped for a larger group for the mulla!!!

[KellyGA]

Dear Diane,

We met you in the gym (you were on the treadmill) 2 days after our tour with Sylvie. We were one of the group of 17 people who had left with Sylvie and by the way had an absolutely fantastic tour with Sylvie. As you know we were all supposed to meet our guides just outside the exit door of the Villefrance port where they would be holding signs with our names on them. (This is the closest place the guides are allowed to come and all of them wait there with signs.) The meeting time for the tour was 10:30am for both your group and our group. Because of the tenders it took our goup of 17 until 10:50am for all of us to be present. Sylvie stood the entire time first at the exit door holding a sign with your names on it as well as another with our names on it. She explained to us that Caroline was ill and asked us if it would be OK if she could also include your group of 5 with our tour since she had a coach bus and offered us a price reduction assuming that would be amenable with your group. Your group never showed. Our group of 17 patiently waited until 11:35am since Sylvie was adament that she had to wait for you and explain and see if you wanted to join us so that your day would not be spoiled. She was extremely concerned about this. At 11:35 we told her we wanted to go on and we couldn't wait any longer for your group to show. She also offered us a full tour and told us it would not be cut short because of waiting for your group. We met you in the gym 2 days later and you told us that you had waited in the wrong place and that you did not care. You specifically told us that you "found another driver who was cheaper and was fantastic" according to you. This was a direct quote. I know you were upset that she was to be our guide and that you had been put off to her associate, Caroline. However, it is not fair to say you were completely stood up when we all waited and waited and you told us you all had a terrific day and found a tour guide within minutes after picking up the telephone. You thought she took our group because we were larger. The fact is that there were only 2 of us when we started and booked her services. However, the difference is that we contracted her services we said that we wanted her to put in writing that we would have her services personally. This is only good business since many guides and businesses have associates. I must say I wanted a group of 6 maximum and somehow it ended up with 17. However, I will also say that I think our tour of 17 people was just as good as if it were 6 people (even though I hate to admit it) but the price reduction was nice too. Sylvie was fantastic and the other people on our tour turned out to be fun, considerate and no one kept anyone waiting anywhere (after the initial wait for your group at the port). We had a large coach bus with terrific air conditioning (adjusted to our needs) with plenty of room since there was only 17 people. Sylvie started off by taking us to the flower/fruit market in Nice and gave us the history/background/fun facts on every place we went. It was just as if you had asked your sister to show us her own hometown. She was elegant, fun and spoke perfect English. She then took us to the medevel walled town of St. Paul de Vence, which was fantastic. We met friends who had another guide, and their guide had just dropped them off. Our guide walked us through each and every town, giving us the background of each and then gave us free time to shop and/or eat lunch She was very solicitious and wanted to be sure that we were all happy. After St. Paul de Vence, we went drove through Monte Carlo and walked through Monoco. It was beautiful. She then took us to the medevel town of Eze, another fantastic walled city with an incredible view of the sea. We ended our day around 6:30pm, I would estimate. We had many wonderful tours and guides, but I have to say that this was one of our most memorable days. I cannot say enough about her services as a guide. I would just suggest that you ask her to put in writing that she will personally escort your group. It is unfortunate that tours are being cancelled due to Caroline's illness. However, there are other terrific guides out there too. As Diane (who wrote this email) pesonally told us she picked up the telephone and was able to get a guide who took them to many of these same places and they had a terrific day. I would just be sure that the person speaks clear English before booking a tour. Take care. Ann

 

 

Just back from 2 week cruise of Med. Sylvie emailed me in March saying we (5) would be with Caroline instead of her. Well, Caroline was a no show. Other tour drivers who were waiting for their customers told us Sylvie had just left with a group of 17. She left no message, even at the info desk!! We were STRANDED!

There is NO excuse. Our day was ruined.

[Macjaney]

We just got back from a Med cruise and we were also booked with Sylvie and she cancelled on us 3 days before we left. She referred me to another company and the woman who picked us up admitted she was a driver, not a tour guide. She did just that. She drove us from place to place and dropped us off. It was okay - better than wandering around on your own, but not as informative and fun as Sylvie's tour. To be fair, Sylvie and the rest of the group who were booked with her for that day, did invite us to join them, but I didn't get the e-mail until I came home AFTER the cruise. But I had already been in touch with ADO tours and booked them, so I wouldn't have cancelled anyway. Just as an interesting bit of info: when I e-mailed Sylvie and said that I had booked a long time ago and though SHE would be our guide she said she always took the largest group on the day, because Caroline didn't like driving the big bus, so even if you booked way in advance, if your group is small, Sylvie would have passed you off to Caroline and you might be in trouble. Hopefully, she's figured out a way to cover the bookings she has now, without cancelling everyone else. We kind of wondered afterwards why we couldn't have just gone in convoy with Sylvie's group like we did with Marcello in Naples (there were 3 vans) but hindsight is 20/20 - right? Anyway, the Riviera was lovely and we had a full day, so we were happy enough.

[MVPinBoynton]

We used Sylvie last year and she was absolutely wonderful. She is a very sweet and honest person, plus an excellent guide. I heard that since Carolyn is not able to drive that Sylvie is doing all the tours. She is very proud of the service she provides, and I would imagine that she won't get another person to replace Carolyn, since she is so particular. I am sure that she was very upset about having to cancel tours when her assistant had to quit for medical problems; but if she doesn't have another person that she trusts and the other services are full, she doesn't have any other options. She is only one person not a major corporation. When we booked with her, she was very specific about not charging if our ship wasn't able to get to the port or if the port was cancelled. Since she rents the vehicles she uses, if that happens on the day of the tour, she has to pay for a vehicle without any revenue. Yes, it is a cost of being a tour guide, but when someone books with her and doesn't show up for whatever reason, she loses big time. If you are worried about potential problems with a tour operator not being able to perform, you should stick with the ship tours. If you are willing to accept a small amount of risk, a private tour is definitely worth it; and a tour with Sylvie is a wonderful one.

[trishs]

I would suggest Michel at revelationtours too. He helped some friends that got bailed on also. I wouldn't take a chance with a trip like this. Michel was awesome. He had drinks, brochure great friendly on and on and on. Trish

[AndreaB]

She bailed on us too for October 1 and we had booked 13 months in advance. She wasn't even willing to include us with another group that day. We are now booked with Alain at Dream Tours. Good luck.

[Aussie Gal]

We used Dream Tours last year and had a wonderful day in Eze and St. Paul de Vence with Jean Marc. They are a very professional company and our guide was delightful with a lot of knowledge.

 

Jennie

[ClaudiaF]

She bailed on us too for October 1 and we had booked 13 months in advance. She wasn't even willing to include us with another group that day. We are now booked with Alain at Dream Tours. Good luck.

 

 

This company was wonderful.. probably lucky that she bailed on you ;-)

[rumba]

I just saw this thread today and I am clearly horrified since we (group of 6) have also booked a tour with Sylvie this coming September. Although we haven't received any email from her cancelling ours, it is making us very nervous. New York Lady2, which date in September did she cancel? Bev, how much did the tour from Michel of Revelation tour cost? What about dream tours?

[MVPinBoynton]

Rumba,

 

It sounded as though Sylvie's problems were caused due to her assistants medical problems. It sounded like a short term problem. If you are concerned, why don't you just email Sylvie and have her reconfirm that everything is OK?

[daycruiser]

We just came back from our fourth med cruise and for the fourth time we LOVED IT !
In Villefranche we used Revelation, Isolinne was our guide. Her knowledge was just stunning.
I must say that for years we had tours all over Europe but this was the best one we ever had !!! I don't know if we were lucky or if this company always works like this, but we were amazed by the quality of the services that we never found with any other company. We had a tour of the countryside, far from the tourist areas and we had the most enjoyable day.

[trvlnliz]

I emailed Sylvie today and she responded very quickly. I told her of the concerns of many people who are booked with her and use the travel boards. She asked me to pass on this message to anyone who is booked with her. This is her message,

"I would be very grateful if you could write on the message boards for me that everyone who has not received any cancelation mail for their tour is booked with me since I really did not have any time to write to everyone to reconfirm. But anyone wishing to have a confirmation can e-mail me as you did, I will write back asap."

[rumba]

Hello everyone.

I also emailed Sylvie (thanks MVPinBoynton) today and got a very prompt reply. The tours that she was forced to cancel were the ones of her partner, Caroline who was having health problems. We are still a "GO" with her for September. Thank goodness! And yes, for those who did not receive a cancellation mail but would like a peace of mind, by all means email her and I am sure that you will also get a prompt response.

[VKMcCarty]

So sorry to hear Sylvie getting this bad press and standing up folks and disappointing others. Am so looking forward to using her next June.

What is her problem??? Something she can work out??

[vssy]

I also received an email apologizing for my fears because of the feedback on this topic. It has made me feel so much better after reading this thread!

Sylvie said "I know that I had to cancel all of my partner's tours this season because of a health problem she has. I also confirm that I will be your guide, having lost my partner Caroline.
Merci beaucoup"

[HappyTraveling]

What is Silvie charging for a full day of her services in the Villefranche area?
Did the per person rate get reduced with a bigger party?

Any feedback regarding her pricing would be appreciated.

[vssy]

[quote name='HappyTraveling']What is Silvie charging for a full day of her services in the Villefranche area?
Did the per person rate get reduced with a bigger party?

Any feedback regarding her pricing would be appreciated.[/QUOTE]
We have not yet toured with Sylvie, but here are the rates she has quoted me for our tour in October.

For 2 or 3 persons: 170 Euros/PP (we require a minimum of 2 persons to run a private tour)
For 4 or 5 persons: 130 Euros/PP (in a nice A/C van)
For 6, 7 persons: 110 Euros/PP (in a nice A/C van)
From 8 to 16 persons: 100 Euros/PP (please note that 16
persons in 2 nice vans is our maximum)

Hope that helps!

[Glendamcd]

Thanks so much for forewarning me of Sylvie's way of doing business. I too had booked Sylvie many months ago for October. I read your alarms and emailed her.
She did not have me down for a tour but instead some other people. I had a confirmed email from Sylvie stating she would be at the dock/Tour stand waiting
for me. I am so glad that I found out and now have booked with Jean Marc.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HEADS UP

[Aussie Gal]

Glenda,

You will have a wonderful day with Jean Marc. He is a lovely guide and he made our day in the south last September so enjoyable.

Jennie

[Glendamcd]

I did email Sylvie due to all the threads about her and found out that she had
NO RECORD of the confirmation she sent me for the October tour that I had planned
with her and that she was confirmed with another "Larger" group. If I had not Emailed
her, then I would have been in the same predicament as others and that would have
ruined my trip. I have now booked with Jean Marc based on all the recommendations
from the Board and I hope he is as good as every says. Just my experience with
Ms. Di Cristo