Question about RS Best of Sicily Tour

Drug stores (farmacia; green cross sign) are everywhere in Italy. You can get whatever you need in terms of toiletries.

I have always had shampoo provided in just about every place I’ve stayed in Europe. But finding conditioner is usually rare. It was provided in a few places, but I wouldn’t count on it. So if you want some, either buy some there, or bring some.

I wish I could remember, but I’ve gotten to the point where I bring my decanted conditioner because I feel it can correct any shampoo problems. I did buy toothpaste at the grocery in Taormina and it was fairly priced. I suspect in the future we’ll buy sundries where brand doesn’t matter at our destination. I remember using a grocery store in Ortygia.

I've found 1 oz. of solid conditioner lasts a full month even though I wash my (chin-length) hair every day. You'd want to test the conditioner before leaving home, of course.

I don't encounter conditioner in a large percentage of my hotels, but I stay in a range of places from quite budget to chains like Holiday Inn, Best Western, Ibis, Premier Inn, etc. Availability of conditioner seems to vary a great deal. One of my most recent hotels (in Turkey) provided something labeled "conditioner", but I can't imagine what was in it; it did nothing to detangle my hair.

Every hotel we had on this tour was above average and some quite modern. I wouldn't concern myself about their amenities. It seems to be standard business practice to provide toiletries any more. They have everything over there.

I don't remember any names of restaurants, I just remember being too full from the group meals to need much. We ate on our own at the markets in Ortigia and Palermo, and at a place on the popular square behind the Ambasciatori Hotel in Palermo.

Those of you who have gone on Best of Sicily, how did you like it? Compared to other RS Tours? I’ve seen some reviews saying Sicily, esp. Palermo is “gritty”?