Looking at the Sicily tour hoping people that have taken the tour can respond. I know it is winding roads. Wondering how bad? I often get car sick.
Was able to do the Ireland tour and that had winding roads with only one bad ride. I will take draminine but it does make me sleepy. Hoping for any insight. Thank you.
There are two days with more winding road components - the day we go to Villa Romana Casale is a winding road and then the road to the lunch stop afterwards is very winding. The other day is the day we go to Erice - that’s a very winding road.
We did Sicily on our own so I don't really know the tour itinerary. For Erice, if the group is staying in Trapani, maybe there is a way you can get to Erice on your own. Its just a bus to the cable car. Then you could avoid the bus travel on the curving road??
I've been looking at doing a boat tour in Hawaii. People were suggesting Scopolamine, and taking it/using it the night before and day of.
If you know you are prone to motion sickness, then go prepared. Why risk a miserable ride if you can prevent it? If Dramamine makes you drowsy, you might try Bonine (generic name Meclizine). It is what is commonly offered by cruise ships for seasick pasengers. But try it at home first, to make sure there are no unwanted side effects. I'm very prone to motion sickness, so I take it every night before bedtime on ocean cruises, and an hour or so before a road trip that will have twisty turny roads. I remember a particular ride in St Lucia where half the bus was turning green due to all the hills; but with the Bonine I was ok.
I recently returned from the Sicily Rick Steves tour and am prone to motion sickness. Most of the roads we traveled on were major highways, with some secondary roads closer to our destinations. I found the other tour members were very understanding about letting those of us who needed to sit up front or on the aisles. I also found it helpful to sit on a pillow, (as I am short) in order to see over the seat in front of me. One tour I bought a pillow at a thrift store, otherwise I improvised with extra clothes in a bag. I didn't notice anyone who experienced extreme motion sickness. If you made it through the roads of Ireland I think you will be fine. Good luck!
Please tell your tour leader about your motion sickness at the start of the trip and they'll likely give you priority for the front seats.
I told the RS tour leader that I was mild/moderate claustrophobic and usually fine at the beginning of lines, and needed "an escape route", and he would always looks for me at the beginning of tours in tighter places.
There is often a visual component to motion sickness--something about the way your eye muscles struggle to adjust as you look at things closer or farther away. In addition to the good suggestions others have made, you might try closing your eyes and breathing deeply if you begin to feel queasy.
You probably have tried everything but I will throw out SeaBands in case there are lurkers. These are the elastic bands with a hard plastic button worn over an acupressure spot. I wear them any time I am going to be on a boat or if I think a plane ride might be bumpy. I don't get motion sick in a car or bus, however.
This last trip I also started carrying nausea bags because for some reason I got excessively worried about throwing up on a journey. My anxiety was relieved just knowing I had a couple. I got mine at Walgreens although you have to buy way more than you might ever need. I also stashed some in my car in case I have need of them when taking my GreatNephews around.
I took the tour this April and did not find that I had any motion sickness on this trip. I did on one day of the Portugal tour last year but was spared in Sicily. I never sat at the front but I always had a window seat.
I do carry drugs for nausea but did not require them.
I didn’t notice anyone else on our tour that suffered motion sickness on the tour in Sicily either so hopefully you will find the same.
I second the Bonine suggestion. Both my older son and I have trouble with motion sickness. Dramamine puts me to sleep. Bonine is perfect and lasts 24 hours. I take it @an hour before a flight. It lasts through the flight and the taxi from the airport to my destination. You can get it off Amazon if you can't find it locally--it's more difficult to find than Dramamine.
Bonine is the brand name and it contains the medication Meclizine. The non drowsy formula of Dramamine also contains Meclizine. You should be able to find generic over the counter forms of Meclizine as well for less money. I get motion sickness and use a Relief Band on my wrist. It looks like a watch but delivers small electrical zaps to your wrist. I was skeptical but it really seems to work Good luck!
I am extremely prone to motion sickness. I also recommend Bonine combined with a half dose of phenergan (or something similar) which is a prescription antiemetic. Talk to your doctor to see if this is appropriate for you. I have managed to sail without incident on several rough sea voyages with this combo which was recommended to me by a fellow traveler who was a pharmacist. Good luck.
After 11 RS tours, including Sicily, I just accept I’m going to need to take steps to counter motion sickness. However, I find sitting mid-bus (by the rear door) is better for me than sitting up front. What does me in is the gear shifting.
I love these tours and the people we meet, so I’m adjust for the bus rides. I don’t remember having any excessive trouble with the roads in Sicily. I used kid’s dramamine.
I am prone to motion sickness too and someone recommended this which helped me on a bumpy boat ride in Cassis and in a windy canyon in Colorado: put one of those foam ear plugs in one ear only. It really did the trick. I was surprised.
Thank you everyone for the replies. Yes I will have Dramamine with me if we go. Also have bands and these crazy glasses I saw. But interested in a few of the other ideas mentioned. This is very helpful. Thank you
If you suffer from extreme motion sickness, when you get to Italy, go to the Farmacia (pharmacy) and ask for ´Travel Gum’…they keep it behind the counter, you do not need a prescription. It is a gum that you chew for 10 minutes and then spit it out. You will not be nauseous at all AND you will not be drowsy. It lasts for approximately 4 hours. We have been relying on Travel Gum for over 15 years and it has made it possible for my husband to enjoy cruises, car rides, even coach tours! I cannot recommend it enough.
We did the Sicily tour in March 2025 and it was an incredible trip…my husband did not suffer from motion sickness at all…the bus transport was great.
I'd never heard of Travel Gum! Great to know. "Dr Google" says that the active substance is dimenhydrinate, an antihistimine that alleviates nausea and prevents vomiting. And I even see it on our favorite delivery service! Thank you for this excellent tip.
