Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!

Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!

Haven’t posted your review yet? Here’s how to do it…

Once you return from your Exodus adventure holiday, you will be emailed a link to add your review. Any feedback collected is posted onto our website, totally unedited.

Alternatively you can navigate to the relevant trip page and add your review via the Reviews tab.

Select a trip specific review:

Select

61 Reviews

4.6 out of 5

Adine Whitfield

Reviewed May 2025

A memorable cycle and culinary adventure from Porto to Lisbon enjoying the beautiful cycle paths along the Atlantic Ocean and through the forests!

We arrived in Porto a few days before the tour to enjoy the ambience of the city before meeting up with our group on 13 April 2025 at the Neya Hotel on Sunday afternoon! From the start of the presentation of what to expect over the next 5 days of cycling to the 2 final group dinners, this was an exceptional tour with an exceptional team of tour guides and we had the most incredible time with our fantastic group of 16. Joào Colaco’s management of the rides, coffee breaks and lunch stops and post ride updates and what to expect the next day were perfect! I wanted to experience a cycle along the Atlantic coast enjoying the local cuisine and culture and this cycle checked all those boxes and then some! A surprising bonus was that the dinner recommendation for the 1st night was so good, we all opted in for the remaining dinner recommendations each evening as we could experience the most authentic local cuisine and unique locations in each of the towns!

Most Inspirational Moment

Final cycle from Sào Pedro de Moel via Nazare to Obidos! It was Good Friday and we arrived in Nazaré thoroughly soaked by the morning rain, but it was fine as we had our coffee break at Terrasse, where you can definitely find the best Pastel de Nata's in the country! After the coffee break we enjoyed the wonderful beach views before setting off to be dried by the wind and have a good lunch with a lake view before setting off for our last cycle to the medieval town of Óbidos.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joâo Colaco was an incredible leader providing us with the right balance of information we needed for each day. Joâo Colaco's dinner recommendations made for a very good group experience and he led us on walking tours at the start and end of the trip with many stops en route sharing information on geography or produce, etc. He also shared tips on places to go to and restaurants to visit after our tour ended in Lisbon which made our overall Portugal experience one we are still raving about!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Half of our group were on ebikes and the other half on hybrids and it worked just fine as we had a very collaborative group of 16. I had the hybrid bicycle and needed the van transfer on day 4 of 5 for the last 20 km to be strong for the final day of 64 km. For level 2 and higher, I will take an eBike in the future as it will make it a more fun experience on the hills. Our guide at the back, Ricardo Ferreira was very patient and ensured we were on track with the front cyclists. Our awesome support driver, Filipe Ribeiro was always contributing in many different ways from loading luggage to having the van available at our stops if we wanted to grab anything from our backpacks! Thanks to Exodus for having local guides who share the love of their country with all of us!

Sondra Greene

Reviewed May 2025

Excellent Adventure

We rode from Porto to Lisbon, roughly 40 miles a day. It was a wonderful way to experience the coastal towns between these two fabulous cities. It did rain every day but with expert leaders we managed to navigate the rain and keep to our schedule, and still enjoy the stops along the way. I appreciated that the itinerary was well organized. The food was wonderful and Portugal is a beautiful country with a rich history that most international travelers are not familiar with.

Most Inspirational Moment

The stretches of road that were right next to the ocean - amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic. Always well organized, articulate, a good sense of humor and a very kind person. Also kept us on task notwithstanding the rain! All three of our guides - Joao, Ricardo and Filipe were all a pleasure to travel with - kind, helpful and good company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring layers and clothes for rain - a good raincoat and rain pants if you have them!

Michelle Boudreau

Reviewed April 2025

Exceeded all expectations!

I did this trip solo in early April 2025. A gift to myself. And what a great gift it turned out to be. Exodus was great at communication, all questions and planning. Especially important as this was my first such trip and first use of Exodus. I now know why they are an award winning company. Our guides were simply the best! They made all 16 riders feel welcome and supported in every way. The routes were very well planned and the daily briefings meant we knew what to expect each day. Our guides shared their local knowledge along the routes and ensured we visited coffee shops, bakeries and restaurants that were authentic! And there was always time to savour the best Portuguese custard tarts. We were blessed with warm sunshine as we peddled our way along small villages, through forests, alongside lagoons and stunning coastal vistas. All hotels were very good. Fine accommodations! The route has a few challenges for sure for the average recreational cyclist but the pace, support and encouragement of our guides and our terrific group of fellow cyclists made it all enjoyable! A stand out feature were the two picnics provided by our guides via our collective group kitty fund. Delicious, healthy food and zero single use plastic. I’m already thinking about my next Exodus adventure and I highly recommend this Porto to Lisbon ride as a fantastic way to see Portugal up close.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing how we all made it on the day of the very big coastal hills and our last day of 5 with the 12 or so short climbs. I was inspired by the group’s good humour and positive attitude throughout the 5 days biking!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was the very best! Can’t imagine a better one.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be sure to be fit enough to enjoy it. In my view, you need to be able to ride at least 40km over 3 hours and also have some ability to both ascent and descent sizeable hills. If not… that’s ok. There are e-bikes which still offer the pleasure of the ride.

Philip Murray

Reviewed March 2025

Excellent week with beautiful views on the Portugese coast

My second exodus trip in portugal and once again the food (especially the picnics) was exceptional. Not quite enough cycling to burn off all the calories from the pasteis de natas and other delicious pastries/cakes! The scenery on this trip was the best I have experienced on an exodus trip – on other trips I’ve found some great scenery interspersed with longer stretches on roads with nondescript views, on the porto to lisbon trip it was multiple stunning beach/cliff views with forest, boardwalk, bays and quaint villages. Hotels were generally of very good quality (worth the superior comfort level advertised). The start hotel was changed to the Hotel Vila Gale which was OK but could do with a refurb of the rooms (doesn’t look as good as the planned hotel neya).

Most Inspirational Moment

The many views of the Atlantic beaches

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joao was exceptionally good. Deserving of his leader of the year award.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The cycling on day 1 and 2 is definitely grade 2 and some may find this a bit slow if you are a regular cyclist. The last three days have more hills and more opportunities to stretch the legs a bit. If you've not been there before extra time in Porto or Lisbon is good as there is lots to do in both cities.

Joan Kilsby

Reviewed October 2024

USD 1880

This was a memorable trip. With torrential rain and gusting head and cross winds, our spirits weren’t dampened. Dinis, Teresa and Leonel were the perfect team, all dedicated to making our holiday special. The route was interesting and the pace comfortable with plenty of coffee shops in lovely locations.

Most Inspirational Moment

The view over the raging Atlantic after the steep climb.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dinis was exceptional, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and dedicated.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If it looks like rain take waterproof overshoes!

Mary Gallagher

Reviewed October 2024

Porto to Lisbon Atlantic Ride

Excellent trip despite hurricane-like weather. Our team – Dinish, Theresa and Lionel kept everything moving along safely and timely and kept us motivated and encouraged in spite of weather. They worked together navigating difficult conditions and unexpected events – fallen trees on path. It was an adventure that I won’t soon forget!

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding together in storms and seeing Lionel ahead waiting to offer assistance.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent- knowledgeable and passionate about his country and his work.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Check weather before leaving and pack enough gear to be ready. Also, more hilly than I expected so consider e-bike if uncertain. You won’t be sorry!

Dr David Frank Burrows

Reviewed October 2024

Weather-challenged but enjoyable week

Another excellent holiday that could have been a real slog in the wet and windy weather but was turned around by the great Exodus support team. The overall planning of the trip was first-rate and its execution outstanding. The beautiful countryside, wonderful scenery and fascinating history was bought to life during our cycling adventure. Great hotels, restaurants and coffee shops ensured we stayed fit and healthy despite often being very damp and windswept!

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the enormous Atlantic rollers after the overnight storm.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dinis was such a good leader I have nominated him for the leader award.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If cycling in the rain don't bother wearing socks!

Sigrid Grantham

Reviewed October 2024

Fabulously diverse and adventurous cycling in magical Portugal

Sunshine, hurricane, autumn rain, glorious food, great company and the most wonderful guides. What else could one wish for in this diverse, friendly and scenically beautiful country. And the bikes were first class as well!

Most Inspirational Moment

It would have to be the delightful birthday cake and celebration for my “big”one.

Thoughts on Group Leader

One could not have wished for a better guide. Always smiling, energetic, well informed, sporty and supportive of his team. Teresa is a star and we could not have been in better hands either with our driver/ mechanic/ man of all talents Leonel!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ask for a different hotel in Obidos. “The literature man “ doesn’t cut the mustard!

Fraser Laird

Reviewed October 2024

Challenging but fun week

Good week, well organised and with a wonderful group of people. Enjoyed all the hotels and the food, especially the picnics. Found the rainy days and strong headwind very challenging but really enjoyed the sunny days. Be prepared for all weathers. There were plenty of stops to catch up as I was going at a slower pace than the fitter cyclists and e-bikers. Great to see round Porto and Lisbon too.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being peaceful in the beautiful scenery and with some dramatic Atlantic skies

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader Dinis was excellent as were the support team of Leonel and Filipe. They were all very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Consider an e-bike if you think the ascents might be a challenge for you. You can keep it on a low level and still get some exercise. I changed to an e-bike for the last day as my knees were aching and I really enjoyed the day.

Sean Riley

Reviewed October 2024

Simply Perfect

This was a perfect way to meet new people (you guys rock by the way) and see a new country. The tour was expertly organized and the guides made the experience all the better. While there was some “cycling” to be done the pace was manageable and we still got time to relax and do a little scouting at each of our destinations in the afternoon. There were regular stops during the cycle which allowed us the opportunity to catch our breath and have a snack. At each stop we also got to see a little more of the area or interact with some of the locals. The logistics were all perfectly handled and each nights accommodation was great. The food was also really good and most of the restaurants we went to were excellent with the exception of maybe 2, however these in no way detracted from the tour getting a full 5 stars! If I could take this group and these guides to other parts of the world for similar tours I would be signing up immediately.

Most Inspirational Moment

Nazarè; the stripped houses in Mira (Sorry Dave 😁 ); the stunning forests and estuaries we cycled through; the breath taking views from the cliffs and making it up some of those hills. Also being part of the group that just stoutly carried on through the rain and wind which was apparently very unusual for this tour.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dinis was the perfect group leader. He was attentive to everyone taking part. He diligently checked our bikes each day made sure that we had the best experience. The information he provided along the way was interesting and he was always ready to make suggestions of what we should do to experience a little more of Portugal when we got to our destination. He was easy to talk to and a pleasure to have around.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare a little before you get there or just take the e-bike. There is so much to see and enjoy on the tour that it would be horrible to miss out because of too little preparation (this includes some wet weather gear, good cycle shorts as well as training).

1 2 3 … 7 Next