Reviews

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

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14432 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Abby Willcox

Reviewed June 2014

Amazing trip

This was one of the best holidays I have ever been on. So well organised and a lovely group of people as well as getting to experience the wonders of Morocco. It was a fantastic and varied country with very friendly people.

Most Inspirational Moment

No one moment in particular, I enjoyed every part of this trip but completing the (optional) 20 mile hike on the last day of trekking was pretty amazing and felt like such an accomplishment. I'm so glad that the whole group of 13 were up for doing the long trek. The Atlas mountains in March were so green and the terrain so varied that the mountains looked different across the course of any trek we went on, which was unexpected. The stars at night are also fantastic. Having lunch freshly cooked for us in the middle of the mountains was an unexpected treat.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was a lovely, kind leader. He was quite a quiet man but with a great sense of humour. He was also able to keep our group of 13 in order without being overly bossy, so as the whole trip ran smoothly without anyone taking ages to get ready and holding the group up.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go on this trip! Don't find excuses not to for ages like I did. The description for this trip does not do it justice, the gite is not nearly so basic as described and was in fact a lovely place to stay with a beautiful sun terrace where we sat and had mint tea and biscuits after each trek. In March it gets quite chilly in the evening so take plenty of warm jumpers but I was far too hot sleeping in my 3 season sleeping bag. You do not need to take pillows as the gite has loads of them as well as lots of thick blankets. The villagers are very friendly and will respond happily if you say 'bonjour' to them.

Bob Lewis

Reviewed June 2014

cycling in Sardinia

What a great trip – made even better by the enthusiasm of the guides particularly Michaela who when we scored a goal either on the day we played 5 a side football or even table football went absolutely bonkers as if it was the winner goal of the world cup
On one evening they suggested we made an early start and go back up the big hill we came down the day before ! Yep 4 of us did it and agreed it was the highlight of the week and a great start to the day as we were back for a shower and breakfast,
They said they had not thought of it before but would now do it every time as it was amazing,
we were also very lucky to catch 2 festivals where we were the only tourists around -Alexandross and Michaela organised transport to both,
I HAD SUCH A GOOD TIME AND A GREAT LAUGH

Most Inspirational Moment

allready said

Thoughts on Group Leader

brilliant

Advice for Potential Travellers

Rob Alleway

Reviewed June 2014

Highlights of Turkey

This is an interesting journey, taking in some fabulous venues, and some interesting experiences. The trip involves long hours by coach, but this is the only way to cover the key locations around Turkey. There were many highlights during the trip starting in Istanbul, and working our way around the major cities and sites.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cappadocia was a fascinating surreal environment, those who took the ballon ride said that the experience was breathtaking. Pamakkule was again an amazing place to visit. Whirling Dervishes are a must see. I found Gallipoli very moving.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fatih Develi was a brilliant leader. He was very knowledgable and passionate about his country. He was concerned about the group welfare, and on one occasion insisted on checking the cleanliness of a restaurant kitchen before the group sat down for a meal. He used his local knowledge to avoid crowds at various sites, especially at Ephesus where he led the group around the city when the crowds had all left.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Good quality walking shoes are helpful. Expect long hours on the road, but I found the trip an education as I had no idea about the depth of history Turkey has to offer.

Jane Dudman

Reviewed June 2014

Petra & Wadi Rum by bike

Great trip to a fascinating country of contrasts, amazing landscapes and historical interest, with a wonderful bunch of fellow travellers, who really made the trip special.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were several, including sitting out in the desert in the dark, identifying the stars and planets above us. Petra was amazing, especially after we'd managed to climb the 900 steps up to the monastery and then on up to the teashop perched high on the hillside. Very special place to sit for a while. Next day, the walk through canyons to the viewpoint looking down on the treasury was inspiring. I also loved the full day cycling through the gorgeous, quiet landscape. Snorkelling in the Red Sea was brilliant, too. Camel riding at dawn was good fun and afterwards it was great to just sit and watch the camel train padding off quietly into the desert.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sami was hugely knowledgeable about the geography, history and culture of the country, which made it a fascinating and informative trip. At his best when imparting that knowledge, particularly in Jerash and Madaba. Laid on excellent snacks and lunches every day and I enjoyed all the restaurants he recommended.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of anti-mosquito repellent for the night in the desert. When in Petra, go to the Sanabel bakery - the mini baklava that Sami bought from there were brilliant when were were scrambling up to get the view down onto the treasury. If you go snorkelling in the Red Sea, don't forget to put plenty of suntan lotion on the back of your legs! Mint tea was lovely everywhere, but even better was the grass-coloured lemon mint drink - delicious!

Francisca Oxley

Reviewed June 2014

The Lost City of Petra

An amazing trip….can I go again please?

We went with our three kids, aged 11, 6 and 5. They all had a wonderful time and could name many highlights…from rides on camels, mules and horses (yes, all three!!!), to snorkeling in the Red Sea or climbing rocks in the desert!

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlights are different for all of us...I choose seeing the sunset on a camel in Wadi Rum. My son's highlight was snorkeling in the Red Sea. And one of my daughters' preferred moment was the mule ride in Petra...admittedly after climbing 900-1200 steps up to the monastery (and down again!), it was heavenly to have a ride back to the treasury.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alla(din), our guide, was incredibly knowledgeable and very open to any questions. He gave excellent advice (for example to do the camel ride in Wadi Rum and not in Petra) and really helped to make our trip a very memorable one. He certainly added value to the whole experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes. We hired a medium sized boat with our group for snorkeling in Aqaba. The minimum group size is 10 and it cost 35 JD per person. BBQ, towels and snorkeling equipment were included. Although this is optional, I would highly recommend it...it was one of the highlights of our trip. We brought sleeping bags for the one night's camping in Jordan, but in May it certainly doesn't get very cold in the desert, so they were not really used. Our children were fine with all the food, but if you have got very fussy eaters, you may want to take some snacks (like oat bars or fruit bars) to keep them going.

Lee Jones

Reviewed May 2014

Highlights of Morocco

A very comprehensive Moroccan experience with a good balance of organised activities and free time. We had a very knowledgeable tour leader in Mustafa who could share additional information and answer questions informatively as they arose. The tour size was good. We enjoyed the company of our fellow travellers. The bus was comfortable and the driver was capable. We felt safe even on the most challenging roads.

Most Inspirational Moment

Opening my eyes at 2 in the morning to a crystal clear night sky brimming with stars in the Sahara! A bit fresh but well worth sleeping outside to have this memory to treasure forever!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mustafa was organised and accommodating.We had input into where we would dine and the opportunity to enjoy additional experiences if we chose. He was friendly and positive. All we had to do was soak up the sights and culture.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure you read all the information prior to departing! We failed in this endeavour and consequently did not have our sleeping bags and hiking boots! A minor glitch which we overcame!

Louise Ungless

Reviewed May 2014

Tuscany: Cycle Siena & Chianti

I really enjoyed this trip. Beautiful countryside, fantastic cycling, delicious food and wine and a great group of people. Good coffee and gelato stops in historic towns and plenty of picnic lunches. If you like to keep active but also love your food, then this trip is perfect.

Most Inspirational Moment

A 5km hill becoming fairly easy by the end of the week (goes to show how much your fitness level increases during the week.) Cycling into the cobbled medieval streets of Sienna and down into the main square. Cycling through the vineyards and quaint villages of Chianti. Having a very good reason to eat twice as much as usual, since we had to 'refuel' for the next day. Discovering that other members of the group are just as obsessed with food as I am. Realising that I can still make it up a hill after a complimentary shot of limoncello from a restaurant at lunch time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Radu and Alejandro were fantastic leaders and experienced cyclists. They worked brilliantly both together and independently. They also prepared some fantastic picnics for lunch stops and provided good snacks for refuelling. They knew the best places to eat in town (and where to get the best gelato.) Everything went smoothly and the group had a fantastic time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My first cycling holiday, so I'm glad I had a reasonable level of fitness for the 'undulating' countryside, 'spicy hills' and hilltop towns/villages (and there's an optional 7km non stop hill at the end of a long cycling day too). I wish I'd taken a gel seat cover as well as padded shorts (I didn't take my own saddle). I probably would've taken clip on shoes too.

Reviewed May 2014

WALKING IN ALBANIA

The holiday is a mixture of walking and cultural sightseeing rather than a purely walking holiday. Albania is a wonderful country, with incredible mountains and superb History. Its tourist industry is only just beginning, meaning that some features (e.g. hotels) were less well developed than in other countries, but there was nothing which caused problems compared with the huge advantage of having people who were proud of their country and who were so keen to make tourists feel welcome.

Most Inspirational Moment

This has to be the two days' glorious walking in the mountains of the North. The mountains are huge, high, dramatic and virtually free of signs of human habitation for hours on end. We saw a wide range of plants and bird life, but the main excitement was just being up there. The other highlights for me were a marvellous evening being entertained by traditional musicians and dancers after the second long mountain walk - I haven't laughed as much in months - and visiting Berat, a beautiful walled town which is just like walking back in time. It reminded me of Carcassonne but without the tourists - and with significantly more free raki from the most welcoming restaurant owner in Albania.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dorien is extremely knowledgeable about Albanian life and History, and is able to tell a story in such a way as to make it sound interesting to anyone. He is willing to talk about almost anything as well as remaining calm and cheerful all week. He was willing to listen to people's requests to alter little things, and is keen to take suggestions to keep improving the holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

To get the most out of this holiday, you need to be a keen walker and interested in History, as well as not mind fairly significant bus rides. Most of our group had a walking pole and found it useful. Expect on the best walking days to be climbing continually for several hours as well as doing the same on the descent, over rocky ground. On a different note, we found that we only needed about £80 spending money as so much is included and everything is so relatively cheap. Oh yes, and take a raincoat into the mountains even if the weather is glorious, as it can become an electric thunderstorm in minutes.

Paul Cartwright

Reviewed May 2014

Dolomites, Lake Garda & Venice Ride

What a truly amazing week – stunning landscapes, beautiful historical towns and cities, great food and drink (especially the grappa!), such a lovely friendly group and a wonderful guide.
As this was our first cycling holiday we were rather daunted, when we all met for the initial briefing, that the majority had been on numerous cycling holidays before, many to exotic locations worldwide. We were also surprised at the age range, having been told by Exodus that the median age was around mid 60s, as there were several who were clearly much younger and fitter! However, once we got under way we were very relieved to find how friendly, generous and accommodating our companions were, never complaining at having to wait for some of us to catch up. It was lovely the way everybody made the effort to ride alongside and chat. The first day proved to be one of the toughest. largely due to the headwind as we cycled down the Adige Valley, which in the afternoon turned a level cycle path into the equivalent of a continuous climb! However. it was a real delight to reach our first hotel, right on the edge of the central piazza of Trento, surrounded by beautiful architecture and apparently the best ice cream shop in Italy. After the struggles of the first day the cycling became easier and the group seemed to keep together much more closely, that is apart from the 4km climb as we approached Vicenza.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's difficult to pick out just one moment in a week packed with so many. Undoubtedly, just cycling through such amazing landscapes, with snow-capped mountains visible throughout must rate as one of the best parts. Also, wandering through the streets of each of the towns and cities in which we stopped was very magical. As were the many coffee stops, lunches and suppers we had together, particularly on the last night in Venice.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele was a fantastic leader, who ensured that everybody had the best possible experience during the week. On the very few occasions when there were problems he was quickly there to deal with them efficiently and with very good humour. His local knowledge and enthusiasm was invaluable, particularly when it came to finding lovely cheap places to eat and drink really great local food and wine. Everybody was clearly in awe of his fearless approach to managing the group and traffic when we came to major roads.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Exodus were very helpful in providing encouragement when we were beginning to have doubts whether we'd bitten of more than we could manage, as well as advance information about the kind of bicycle we would be riding. So getting in touch is always worthwhile. We were extremely lucky with the weather. It only rained once in the centre of Verona, but it was a torrential downpour, so a good range of clothing is essential. Wraparound sunglasses are also a must, not just for the sun but also dust and insects. Some in the group brought their own saddles. We brought gel covers, which worked quite well in conjunction with padded shorts, but even so sitting on the bikes for a whole day was certainly a bit uncomfortable at times. Most of the hotels were good, with some in excellent locations and with terrific views, but at times they were fairly basic. It's worth specifying if you'd prefer twin or double bed accommodation, as most seemed to be rather narrow twin bedded rooms.

Jenny Rushmore

Reviewed May 2014

Trip of a lifetime

This was my first cycling trip – but it won’t be my last! I had a fabulous time traveling with my friend and 2 other people (a very small group) the past few weeks. The highlights were cycling in Thailand – the roads are fantastic (seriously, they’re better than in the US/UK…) and the countryside is beautiful, and the support team are fun and helpful; then Angkor Wat in Cambodia – just unmissable, and super to be able to experience them on bike; and then cycling down the Mekong Delta in Vietnam – literally hundreds of children running out to say hello, and an amazing variety of sights and smells as you cycle along tiny back roads.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our first day cycling in Vietnam, though tiny villages of people who were just delighted to see us. Totally unforgettable! In addition, Angkor Wat, which makes you feel like Indiana Jones and is just mind blowing

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had Rit - and what a great guy! He was a monk until the age of 25, and told us all about his background and Thai culture which was fantastic (we also benefitted from being such a small group). His organization was flawless - everything was always ready, prepared and on time, so all we had to do was get on the bike and pedal. He was also very funny and genial, which made the whole trip a real pleasure. I can't recommend Rit highly enough.

Advice for Potential Travellers

So here are some must-takes and don't-takes! Must take - padded cycling shorts - you would be *even* sorer without these! - cycling gloves - otherwise your hands start going numb..... - lots of sunscreen - cycling/sport sunglasses - we discovered that regular ones don't really work well with your helmet... - hand sanitizer and tissues - about a third of the toilet stops are drop-toilets with no running water... Don't need to take - snacks - even though this is in the packing list, the team goes out and buys crisps, fruit and chocolate bars every night, and they're available every hour when you stop. I ended up not eating the ones I'd brought with me - too many clothes -there are 3 opportunities to wash clothes, so you only need a week of clothes, max - electrolyte powder - again, they have this on the support van, although if you like a particular kind, then definitely bring that You also might consider - a handlebar bag - we brought these, and were glad we did. They gave us instant access to our camera, sunblock, hand sanitizer etc., even between the van stops. However, you can also get into your daypack on the bus during the breaks so it's not something you *have* to have. - I cycled mostly in Tevas (sport sandals) and found it more comfortable and cooler than wearing sneakers.

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