‪First, I realize no one can control the weather. We had booked a mini cruise from Porto Santo Stefano for 8, Settembre. The weather apps continued to show 95-100% chance storms. Not just rain but potential for stronger storms and wind. I began to try to communicate with the tour operator before we arrived in Italy from the US. They did respond at that time and told me they could either book the next day or cancel if the weather was bad. I kept watching the weather hoping the forecast would change. It didn’t and continued to show bad weather from Porto Santo Stefano and to Giglio. So early in the morning (4am Italy time ) the day Before we were to go, I tried contacting the operator to ask again about the cancellation. I didn’t hear back so send another email through TripAdvisor “contact tour operator” and asked again. I also tried calling the tour operator phone # several times but no answer and it wouldn’t let me leave a message. Then again at 4 pm tonight I wrote them an email again. I took screen shots to prove this. I then resorted to trying to text that same number. Finally at 18:56 he responded that I would be sunny after 10am. None of the weather apps we have showed that it would clear up until after 12 pm at the port we would be departing. So I told him that. He got snarky with me by text and told me that I should trust him and that if I didn’t show they would still charge me. I tried to explain I had been trying to reach him since 4 am which was well within the required 24 hours notice. He got even ruder and couldn’t believe I would be upset that despite my best efforts to reach him he never responded. Would NOT take any responsibility and called me names. VERY unprofessional. He continued to place all the blame on me saying if I was not from here why would I trust the weather apps and not take responsibility. Total lack of any customer respect or service. He then got mad that I told him I had screen shots of everything and called me a bad person just because I am looking out for myself. The sad thing is we really wanted to go. But with storm forecast and being on a open sea we were not going to put our lives in the hand of a person we do not know when all the forecasts said something else. Also we are aware of other ship capsized near Giglio a few years ago. I have traveled a lot and have never had this type of response from a tour operator.‬

‪As the ferry approaches the island, you will feel like you are entering some Conde Naste’s picture. The first little harbour is so picturesque with little restaurants and boutiques. For a day you should go towards the left and walk for about 20 mns to the first beach. Spend the day at least and try the beautiful frappes, ice cream and maybe a cheeky aperitivo before leaving!‬