Sicily tour, classical Sicily

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

The hotels we use on this holiday adopt energy saving systems to limit carbon emissions. Some hotels we use have photovoltaic panels, both for electricity and water heating, limit the degrees of heating and/or air conditioning as well as using led bulbs and motion sensors.

Bus transport is used to cover the long distances from town to town but we always provide walking tours to visit and discover historical centres. All buses used for the tours have European certification for low CO2 emissions.

The hotels we use buy local products according to seasonality, avoiding waste and disposing of used oil according to regulations. They also try to produce as much as possible, in small vegetable patches on site, limiting the purchase of packaged products.
Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free food options are available on request.

ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE

Though you will need to drink plenty on this trip, we encourage you not to buy bottled water due to the plastic waste this generates. Tap water is perfectly drinkable in this area so bring your own reusable water bottle. If you like you could bring a water bottle with filter to improve the taste of the water but it is not necessary on the grounds of safety.

We strive to support nature and biodiversity through protection and regeneration projects, and for every customer that travels with us we make a donation to Rewilding Britain and Cool Earth.

We encourage customers to avoid single-use plastic on tour, and our leaders give advice on refill points each day. Where tap water isn't safe to drink we recommend Water-to-Go bottles, a filtration bottle allowing you to drink water from any source.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

All of the accommodation used on this trip is locally owned and in which you experience great food, most of which is sourced locally, and lovely Sicilian wine. This not only provides direct employment within the hotel, but also has the effect of percolating money beyond to small businesses that supply the hotel and in this way money is spread throughout the region we visit. Other people too benefit from our visit includes drivers and local guides, as well as the staff in our local handling agent's office, which is based on the island.

Our leaders are the heart of tours. They bring passion and unrivalled knowledge of the destinations and communities that we visit. Their guidance ensures we observe the cultural norms in a destination, they act as a bridge between travellers and the local community and ensure that tourism is a positive experience for both host and guest. We believe in supporting local; staying in locally-run hotels, exploring markets, buying snacks from street vendors, and by doing this we add money to the local economy and enhance our connection with the local community.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY & DIVERSITY

At least 90% of the people employed by our local partner and their operating partners in Sicily are from the local community. Women are a predominant part of the workers in the sector, contributing significantly to the workforce. Our local partner ensures that all staff are paid at least the minimum wage in this destination, adhering to fair labour practices. Their recruitment process prioritizes competence, nurturing equal employment opportunities without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, or nationality. Additionally, this trip is LGBTQ+ friendly, welcoming and inclusive to all travellers.

At Explore we believe that diversity is to be celebrated and as a Certified B Corp we're committed to championing equity and inclusion throughout our entire supply chain. We believe that an inclusive approach is essential, and that the best results occur when contributors have different opinions, experiences and backgrounds to bring to the table.