Thoughts on Group Leader
Just ok. This was the 6 th exodus trip for me. I would rank my leaders in the bottom of the list.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Not sure if the meals are worth the premium price.
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Dolomites
I loved the trip for the hiking routes and sceneries.
Fantastic time walking in Tuscany
The walking in Tuscany trip far exceeded my expectations. The whole trip was meticulously planned and it was so easy to relax right from the start and simply enjoy myself. The accommodation at Agriturismo Braccicorti was clean and comfortable and the family who run it are just the loveliest people and made everyone feel so welcome. The food was simple, locally sourced and we were very well fed. The walking (Level 3) was absolutely fantastic – made all the better by our simply wonderful guide Sara, and the lovely group of people on the trip. I was a bit apprehensive about the weather as there had been storms the week before we went. However our guide Sara is an absolute expert on the region and was able to plan each days walk to take full advantage of where the weather was the most glorious on each day’s hike.
Most Inspirational Moment
So many it's challenging to choose just one. However, the last day undoubtedly stands out as the most spectacular and my personal favourite. The walk was challenging in a good way and the landscapes and vistas were nothing short of breath taking. It was a day that encapsulated the essence of the trip, leaving me with a sense of fulfilment, gratitude, and a longing to relive those remarkable experiences once again.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sara is an extraordinary individual, she has such a genuine and sincere nature, which makes her one of the loveliest people I've had the privilege of encountering. Her deep-rooted passion for the local Garfagnana area and its people is truly inspiring. Sara's love for the region is infectious, and it's evident that she holds a profound appreciation for the culture, history, and natural beauty that envelops the area. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and it effortlessly ignites a sense of wonder and curiosity in anyone fortunate enough to embark on a journey with her. Her expertise ensures that each day of the trip is not only enjoyable but also enlightening, as she shares captivating stories, fascinating facts, and unique insights that enhance the overall experience, all topped up with a great sense of humour. Sara's attentiveness to the needs and well-being of each walker is unwavering, and she goes above and beyond to ensure that everyone feels supported and taken care of throughout the journey. Sara played a large part in making the trip a truly memorable experience.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Pack your wet weather gear even if you think the day will be fine, it can be changeable in the mountains. Don't underestimate the challenge of a level 3, make sure you've upped your fitness levels so you can relax and really enjoy the fantastic ascents and descents.
Fabulous holiday, lovely country and people!
A great holiday. I’m not a sit-on-the-beach type and this trip was anything but that (though the beaches are beautiful!) It was all so interesting. Huge variety – cycling through villages and coffee plantations, snorkeling, camping, temples, rice paddies, mountains, volcanoes, craters, old colonial homes… Exodus packs a lot into this trip! And such friendly people. Yes, there are a couple of really big hills, but if you’re reasonably fit, they’re doable. We had plenty of breaks and went at the pace of the group. (Please see my note below on trip rating.) One thing I really liked was that the distances weren’t as long as on some Exodus trips I’ve done. That meant a more relaxing start (7am breakfast not 7am start!) And we generally got to the hotel at the end of the day in time to read a book or go for a swim. Made for the perfect holiday.
Most Inspirational Moment
Can I have three? Cycling through the villages on both Bali and Java - marigold offerings at the gates in Bali, the call to prayer on Java. The snorkeling (Nemos, turtles, fish of every colour...) Camping at the beach and the great dinner the team put on.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Wira is a fantastic guide. Organised (things ran like clockwork), helpful, friendly. Great sense of humour. Patiently answered all my questions about his lovely country. Wayan, our #2 guide, was great fun and super-helpful too. And the rest of the crew couldn't have been more helpful and friendly. Lovely people.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Pack light but not too light! The humidity makes it hard to get washing dry. Having done several Exodus trips ranked moderate/challenging, I'd say this was harder than those more challenging trips. The distances were shorter, but the hills were bigger! If, like me, you don't eat red meat or chicken, Indonesia is your place. Excellent vege food and great fish. If you like gold and silver jewellery, you won't find better than at the first hotel in Ubud (where they make their own).
Another great Italian Exodus trip!
Beautiful Baroque towns, great coastal views, delicious food and a brilliant guide
Most Inspirational Moment
Cycling into Syracuse - such impressive architecture! A super way to finish.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Davide was a brilliant guide. He was a fantastic Ambasador for Sicily, sharing his knowledge about the places we went to in an interesting way. His restaurant recommendations provided us with some delicious food. He bonded well with the group and had a great sense of humour. Thank you Davide!
Mysteries Unveiled
It is a busy trip but with time to explore cities and sights on your own. So you can either revist places that you been taken around but wanted to get a better insight i.e Sarvejo or just sit and people watch. The Balkans have an interesting history that needs exploring. Visiting 3 countries certainly showed tge connection with each other but also the differences. People were very friendly wherever we went and wanted to share their daily lives. Our guide Samra and our driver Sam were excellent. Pity this was Samra’s last trip as she is expecting her first child in September. She not only lead the tour as a manager she integrated the group by booking restaurants for all of us to eat together for the first night at a stop, but we could do our own thing on the second night. She was very knowledgeable and explained the history of what we were seeing, clearly but easy to understand. It was more like having a big sister around. Hotels were all good.
Most Inspirational Moment
I think visiting The Tunnel in Sarvejo where Samru shared some of her family's experience and of her memories, just aged 4 living in Sarvejo at the time.
Thoughts on Group Leader
As I have said Samru was excellent. Always there to help and advised. Her enthusiasm for the countries we visited shone through. Her knowledge was excellent.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Although it was late May take a raincoat and waterproofs as it rained during every day we were there. Pack walking shoes as there is alot of walking.
Beautiful views
I nearly didn’t go on this trip as I prefer longer walks with more challenge, however I’m really glad I went! Who can fail to enjoy themselves where there’s a beautiful view everywhere you look, the weather is wonderful (22 degrees on average over Easter when I was there) and the paths and walking is varied. Even if you’re used to doing level 4 or higher graded walks I still think there’s much to enjoy and yo’d be missing out by omitting it because it’s a level 2. The guides (Luis and Francisco) were helpful without being bossy, knowledgeable without labouring the point and just really easy company.
Most Inspirational Moment
'Inspirational' is a bit of a strong word isn't it? Being by the coast and seeing amazing views with perfect blue skies and turquoise seas day after day is pretty wonderful. The hotel in Sagres was pretty nice too!
Thoughts on Group Leader
As another review states it was great to see how well known and well liked Luis was wherever we went. He really believes in investing in the local communities and businesses that we visited and they clearly respect and like him for this. Even on the day off Luis and Francisco went out of their way to make sure we were all doing what we wanted to do and were thoughtful and kind beyond what I've experienced on other trips. Francisco is also very capable in an understated way and knows so much about fauna and flora but doesn't over do it (i.e. we didn't have to sit through a botany lecture every day but nonetheless learnt some interesting stuff). They were a great pair of leaders.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Wear sunscreen and SPF lipbalm! It's windy so you don't always feel how intense the heat is but the bathroom mirror lets you know later just how much you caught the sun... Also, there are no kettles in the rooms in the first two hotels.
Great Cycling
The Netherlands is a great place to visit and the cycling is easy coz it’s a cycling nation with cycle paths everywhere but the bike agency was pretty ordinary. The weather was bright and sunny every day but that north wind was very cool so we had to wear jackets when we were cycling.
Most Inspirational Moment
The canals, windmills and wildlife. Everywhere we went there were families of duck, geese and swans and the farms we passed by had sheep, cows, chickens, goats, horses and pigs. The ride along the sand dunes was spectacular. We saw deer in the dunes !
Thoughts on Group Leader
NA
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take a cushion for your bicycle seat. Make sure your bike is functional and fits you and not just some random bike left for you. If it's not right, call the bike agency and make them come and fix it - don't be easygoing and think you'll be ok.
Porto to Lisbon Atlantic Ride
refer to my comments hereunder
Most Inspirational Moment
Small cycling group, cycling along the coast, experiencing Portugal's culinary cuisine (prices for our evening dinners were within reason)
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very organized, excellent communicator, patient, and always made sure everyone was safe
Advice for Potential Travellers
if you are an occasional rider, think about using an e-bike, some days it can be very windy along the coast;
Cycling in Jordan
Excellent and well organised trip. Bikes in good condition and relatively new. Daily cycling a little less than several of us expected but the level (3 – moderate) is appropriate. Suitable for a keen weekend cyclist, not necessarily someone looking to do lots of miles per day. That said, some downhill sections were long and difficult. Traffic not a problem. Throughout, food and accommodation were good – although the desert camp bedding did require a sleeping bag liner. Overall, sights and sounds of Jerash, Petra and Dead Sea made this a memorable trip well organised by Exodus.
Most Inspirational Moment
Both Jerash and Petra were outstanding visits. It's a pity the one week schedule doesn't allow more time there - if anything, I'd drop the Aqaba element in favour of more Petra or Wadi Rum time.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sammi was an excellent leader, obviously an expert in herding cats. Similarly 'Us' and the cycle team were great.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Get in more cycle practice than you think you'll need. Distance isn't the problem (about 40km per day average) but the heat in mid-May was (34 degrees average).
Wonderful holiday - lovely scenery, delicious food
Cycling route – This is a great 1 week holiday for beginner or intermediate cyclists. I consider myself intermediate. At points Michele lets you go at your own pace so you can go quicker if you wish. Early stages very flat but nice undulations later. The bikes were poor (my only trip criticism) but they might change them. You can apparently pay a little more for a better road bike Accommodation – all nice hotels with good breakfast (excellent fruit, yoghurt, eggs, bread and cakes) Scenery – beautiful. In May we had glorious weather so this does help…
Most Inspirational Moment
Venice - we had some special moments in Venice thanks to Michele especially. Ride through fields of poppies - perfectly timed, only out in May. Approach to Soave is beautiful
Thoughts on Group Leader
Michele is so passionate, enthusiastic and patient, a real asset to the trip
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring cash. You are asked to pay in cash for meals together Bring a couple of nicer outfits for evening. Still casual of course but as opposed to being in say South America or Asia, in Europe it is nicd to be a bit less scruffy when going out to restaurants!