Hi, I am going to say this is MY experience and MY issues. I know there are umpteen other ones (some very huge in my eyes), however I don't want to misquote anybody else's experience. 1. The major one that stands out was that we received the hotel information from teachers and considered it golden. Then in the group chat that was set up a parent investigated and found out it wasn't what their family was expected. Fair enough. This chat went on forever with parents deciding to switch hotels which was a red flag for me. I reached out to teachers that my son would not onboard with this Plan B, one the additional money and the original hotel had to have passed some inspection (or my hope). All part of the full travel experience to stay in a tourist hotel. I was told that my son would not be left at one hotel. The teachers then said in the chat they would support whatever decision the group decided on. I get trying to keep the peace but they should have stepped up and squashed all of that so everybody was clear it was not feasible for the group to switch. I was disappointed that I was told one thing and then they acted on another. 2. At one of the meetings for room assignment my son was placed in with two boys which was great as he wanted to spread his wings socially. It was stressed that room switching would not be honored. First night my son is placed with his standard circle not room assignment, which I questioned. Teacher said that we were never told what I mentioned. I KNOW what I heard and the parent next to me validated it to. It was also mentioned EF assigned rooms. Yes, but you are the chaperones and should have input. It was important to us, because my son wanted to foster new friendships. Here is hoping I was heard and the rest of the trip was fixed. Time will tell. 3. I had a gift as a surprise sent to the original hotel we were told the children would be at in Italy only to find out they were at a completely different hotel. I figured the hotel information the teachers sent was accurate and then on group chat some had printed off the EF itinerary which showed the hotel they were now at. It would have been my hope that EF or chaperones might have considered reaching out to the `original' hotel to retrieve the gift. On calling the hotel I couldn't get them to understand as it was skeleton staff the hours I was calling. Surprise is on me and $100 down the drain. 4. The flight connection was missed due to unforeseen circumstances. Teacher has 9 children. It was a lower ratio I heard but we got into the `he said/she said' which I know didn't get anywhere. To me an additional child in a stressful situation is everything. EF ratio reviews show it seems to be a trip by trip case. Anywhere from 6 to 10 children per teacher. It would be great to have it clear what ratio our trip does indeed have. 5. On calling the while away EF number, they knew nothing of the delay. Important to a parent to have up to date knowledge from the company not an out of control group chat. The staff at the parent line does not have the training or power to escalate. Not a great feeling. 6. I looked at the EF insurance policy and noted that clothing, taxi, meals and incidents were covered with a delay of more then 6 hours. I told my son at this point so he could at least buy a fresh shirt and a toothbrush. He is the only one with luggage because we travel light aka cabin. Yet everybody else has no luggage. Perhaps the option was given to my son, but I would have hoped that a locker could be rented so he could be hands free like everybody else in the group was. 7. I mentioned in group chat to take a taxi (covered by EF insurance) instead of waiting for a shuttle as typically airline reimbursements are not great and this would avoid more delays for the children. A shuttle was the decision. In the end it was INDEED a taxi. 8. Hotel - these kids might have liked to freshen up (girls more so) and I am aware of IBIS chain. It is basic and you have to ask for toothbrushes etc. EF could have called ahead or teacher might have set up. 9. Given EF had to of known of other issues from other families before this trip left, perhaps they should have ponied up for a 1/2 day tour in Munich or some type of goodwill gesture. It seemed once all were settled with either Lufthansa compensation or EF solution they washed their hands and teacher was on her own. That is an outsider looking in of course. 10. Too many forms of trying to find out what was happening. Joint email address, single emails, lead chat room parent and instagram. One person take ownership or be clear who the back up is. 11. I read that EF trains the chaperones and it seems maybe they need to revisit that or perhaps budget cuts have been made in that area. 12. Soliciting money from children in a group setting, of course they will feel pressured to say yes. Deplorable! Natasha