Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The tranquility of japanese gardens, quality of food, cleanliness, meticulous organisation and punctuality of public transport, warm friendly hospitality.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chiko Hansen was amazing and escorted us to places such as Fushimi Inari Taisha and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove from Kyoto (as featured in the movie 'Memoirs of a Geisha'. She gave me a schedule of train times from Takayama to go to Kanazawa to Kenrokuen garden which was amazing and a schedule to make my way back to Kyoto after stopping off at Himeji castle (featured in 007 film 'You Only Live Twice' after the day at Hiroshima. She introduced the group to a wide array of delicious japanese food.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As I read in a previous review it pays to do some research on what possibilities are available on free days. If you stay at the Hotel Metropolitan in Tokyo, I highly recommend the Est restaurant offering fine dining with a European (mainly french) set menu. Also in Tokyo the New Otani hotel has an amazing japanese garden with waterfall and huge koi and offers various dining options.

Most Inspirational Moment

All of it was pretty inspirational. I especially loved the ascent we made to La Mesa peak through bushes and across snowy patches and the sense of joy when the mist cleared and we got a view of Urriellu.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro,our guide, was fabulous. He was a real font of knowledge, passionate about the area and engaged with the whole group. He was utterly professional and caring and always kept a subtle eye on everyone to make sure no-one was struggling. To top it all he even made a post-walk evening trip to to a col from earlier that day to look for my "lost" phone - and found it!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just enjoy being led through these beautiful walks. On a practical note, there were several rocky and some muddy areas on parts of the walk so poles may be useful for some people, although there were some with and some without in our group.

Most Inspirational Moment

Views of almafi Coast on the walks.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, well organised, looked after everyone the whole week.

Most Inspirational Moment

A difficult question to answer, Japan is culturally so different to the UK that there was something different at every turn. Hiroshima was a very moving experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chiko was an excellent tour leader, providing additional guiding not part of the tour itinerary for the group on free days as well as details on excursions for those wanting to do additional trips alongside the itinerary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Japan is not as expensive as the guidance in the trip notes suggest, entrance fees not covered by the tour price were typically much lower than you might expect to pay in the UK and eating out was not as expensive either.

Most Inspirational Moment

Having packed lunch bought from the local bakers in Menton overlooking fabulous views in the sunshine

Thoughts on Group Leader

Stephanie was excellent, she looked out for things of interest on the walk and gave us lots of information about the area. Exceptionally helpful and organised with very clear instructions when needed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would thoroughly recommend the trip, excellent walks and very good food in the many various restaurants in Menton. I went in April and the weather was lovely for the whole week, although raining on the day we left. I found the walks were generally moderate standard and a couple can be done in trainers, however a couple of tricky downhill parts on other walks so bring good walking gear too.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many! Walking the snowy ridge up to Monte Prado; seeing Salamander in the forest; a sense of the area's self-sufficiency.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara was inspirational in so many ways: whether mountain leading; adapting to terrain, weather and the group's capacity; regaling us with silly stories (really? a red thong?); driving the mini-bus on narrow mountain roads, or handing out the jelly-beans, Sara was always utterly reliable, professional and compassionate. What a star!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a range of clothing: four seasons in one week.

Most Inspirational Moment

The boat trip around Ha Long Bay was fabulous - at first sight the boat looked a little worn , but when on board - the interior of the boat was beautiful - dark polished wood - and looked amazing when set up for dinner. The food was wonderful (although as a non fish eater I had a vegetarian option). Ha Long Bay was stunning - I could have happily spent several days cruising around. We did two cycle rides through the paddy fields , through local villages. This was fascinating as you saw the real life side of Vietnam - not just the touristy parts. Everywhere we went the locals were welcoming & friendly - and the kids loved to give you a wave. Hoi An is a lovely town - although very touristy - but a delight for shopping. My husband had two shirts made in Yally - and I had two dresses made in another (cheaper) local shop. When I collected them, I had another one made as they were so good & fitted well - my cotton dress cost about £12 & was made in a few hours. I would also recommend the cookery lesson in Hoi An.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vinh Bui was a really great tour guide. He was always very helpful & informative - and even tried teaching us some Vietnamese words - and explaining about local culture, life, etc. Vinh took us to many local restaurants to sample the local dishes - not the usual tourist haunts or hotels - which were all very good. They were obviously good as they were full of locals not tourists !

Advice for Potential Travellers

Accept Vietnam as it is - a beautiful country & people - although I think it will change quite rapidly as there is a lot of development being done - so go before it's too late!

Most Inspirational Moment

I'm a fairly fussy eater and eat to live rather than live to eat - but I was blown away on this trip with the high standard and variation in local food - especially that served for evening dinner. Several of the meals turned out more like banquets and the table groaned with the number of local dishes on offer. Vegetarians (which I am not), were particularly pleased. Wine and beer was more than adequate and very cheap. The lunch and dinner restaurant owners clearly put in a huge effort to give us their best..............how often does that happen? The first day visit into Macedonia was an unexpected pleasure; the final day ascent on the 800m climb over 90 mins in the heat was a real challenge after a previous night's clubbing in a local bar complete with glitter ball!

Thoughts on Group Leader

As it was the first trip we had two group leaders (brothers Armand & Unid) - future trips would have one or the other. They were aided by Manny (not sure of spelling), a mountain tour leader in his own right, but his first cycling. All three guys were excellent - always informative and genuinely concerned for our wellbeing and enjoyment of the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This was an April trip - at higher altitudes, it is cold at night, so some warm clothing is essential. An effective windstopper is needed on some descents. Don't go with loads of food/snacks - the local restuarants and cafes where we ate on this trip were first class.

Most Inspirational Moment

Each day was different with hill top villages or down to the water of the coastal villages, and a different view around each corner of this vast Cilento National Park. The last day ride along the Amalfi Coast was fantastic although I was glad it wasn't peak holiday time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paolo was a great leader and kept an eye on all the riders, his history lessons and knowledge of local area, food and wine, and organisation was superb, nothing was a hassle and everything ran on time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't be put off by some of the reports of the hills and hard riding, most hills with switch backs were on steeper than 5% (Paolo advice) so slow and steady got you up the hill without to much effort. if this 66Y+ Auzzie can do it anyone can. We went mid spring and all the trees were starting to flower and the weather was mild with only one wet afternoon, a good time to come.

Most Inspirational Moment

One thing which will remain with me is the museum at Hiroshima with its depiction of utter devastation and ruin. I was impressed by the many temples, the historical villages and the Hokusai gallery. I also loved the ryokans and soaking in the baths surrounded by women of all ages, shapes and sizes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mayuko was remarkable. She managed to shepherd 17 of us around (using only public transport) for 14 days without losing any of us. She's knowledgeable, interesting, energetic: an ideal guide and leader. She built our confidence: when she led us to our hotel in Tokyo I felt pretty overawed by the public transport system but a couple of days later I was getting around with the level of confidence I'd feel in London (but with a greater feeling of safety). I think we all felt looked after to the level which suited us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you travel in March / April, take suncream, waterproofs, fleeces - everything you'd take if you were going on holiday in the UK in springtime! Don't take an umbrella as you can buy one very cheaply there. If you want to bathe at the ryokans, you will need to take off all of your clothes (single sex facilities).