Hello - I'm planning on taking the Rick Steves' Best of the Adriatic tour in 2027, departing on June 20 and returning July 3. The warning about being able to tolerate weak or no air-conditioning is a bit worrying, considering the heat wave Europe experienced this past summer. I talked to a friend who has taken 9 Rick Steves tours and she said all the hotels she stayed in had adequate air-conditioning. If there's anyone out there who can speak on this topic, I would appreciate your insight! And if you have experience with this particular tour, all the better.
Thanks so much for your help-
Laura
Posted by
Seattle
308 posts
Welcome to the Forum and I wish I had your same plans. I'm a 9 tour alumni and have experienced elevated temps in my RS hotel room while in Rome (early June), Paris (late August) and Naples (mid May). In each instance it was more unfortunate positioning of the cooling unit which hampered the a/c from doing its job perfectly in the room than it not being in a state-of-the-art peak performance state. I never asked for a fan from the desk and more just dealt with what I considered a minor hit to my comfort level for at the maximum, 2 nights. I far more value the characteristic nature and favorable location of RS hotels and have had THE best coffee, freshest fruit and juices, terrific meats and cheeses and some pretty incredible baked delicacies at many of the hotels' breakfast rooms. Take a look at the tour reviews for the same time frame and you may well pick up some 'inside scoop' and tips that could help you determine if chancing less than ideal a/c for a night or two is a deal breaker. And you can always email Customer Service at [email protected] with your questions. Hope you have wonderful travels wherever you may roam.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
10197 posts
I took that tour in 2023 in mid-June, and I think all of the hotels had air conditioning except maybe the one in northern Slovenia where we were in the mountainous area overnight. I slept with my sliding door open (not ground floor) with a nice cool breeze.
Air conditioning won’t be the same as you’re used to in the US. The temps max out; it’s expensive, so don’t expect cold, cold air but plenty to sleep.
It was very hot in Dubrovnik! Our last day, several of us went back to the hotel & swam in their pool.
Posted by
Arcadia, CA
716 posts
Not the Adriatic tour, but last year on the Poland tour, two of the hotels had a/c but it wasn't working and they didn't get a repairman in. So, yes, it was kinda hot and muggy. So, you need to be mentally prepared to perhaps just have a fan to keep you cooler. As stated above, it's pricey to run the a/c so it's not cold a/c like some people have at home in the US. And if you think you may be hot, be sure to ask for a fan right when you check in because it's unlikely that hotels have a fan for each room First come, first served. That's a great tour, you'll have a wonderful time.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
10721 posts
Most tour hotels do have air conditioning. Once in awhile a situation may occur where it does not. Solutions: Ask the hotel for a fan for your room, bring a small fan to aim at your head at night, or proactively keep room cooler by keeping shades shut.
Posted by
Walnut Creek, CA (Originally England)
166 posts
I took that tour the first 2 weeks of September 2024 and the one hotel that does NOT have A/C is the one in Plitvice National Park. It did cool down somewhat at night with windows open but they have these huge black moths that fill the room with the slightest of light shining, I must have had about 50 of them, Urgh! I hate bugs but when I shut off the light they all slept on the ceiling…not sure I slept much due to that! It’s one night there. The other hotels must have all had A/C as nothing else sticks in my mind like that!
This is a fantastic tour, I’ve done 12 RS tours and it’s one of the best!!