Reviews

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

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14217 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Garry Ward

Reviewed March 2024

Nice trip, good scenery

To me, this was a really good little one week trip away. The scenery on the walks Veriano took us on was great. Apart from climbing up Tre Calli the trend on the walks is mostly down hill. A feature of some of the walking is the time spent going down the many many steps in the area. This can agitate sensitive knees. Sometimes the steps are rough stone steps, sometimes they are neatly contructed concrete. Perceptions of how difficult the walking is will obviously vary with ability from one person to another. To me the walking was not difficult and we were on the move for 4-5 hours in total each day but there was never any rush and rest/photo stops were frequent. There is a short section on path of the gods where you might need to get your hands down on the rocks though. The village of Bomerano is small, there are some shops, the opening time of which, to me, were entirely random. I’m sure they weren’t but that’s how it felt. There is a small grocers/convenience shop right next door to the hotel if you want snacks and drinks. The Hotel Due Torri was nice. A relatively small family run hotel. I had no complaints. Any drinks and meals not on the itinery you buy during the week are charged to your room and settled on the last night, rather than pay as you go. Breakfast options were simple but sufficient. The evening meals were high quality and very well prepared and generally very Itallian. Pity Itallian style food is not really to my taste. I have to thank my group mates for feeding me extra of what I wasn’t being fussy about 😀 Our free day options came down to visiting Herculaneum or Sorrento and Capri. There were some concerns about whether Capri was going to be in low season slumber like Amalfi and Positano and also if the ferry would run reliabley given the variable weather conditions at the time so most of us chose Herculaneum, which I thought was great, as good as pompei, just smaller.

Most Inspirational Moment

The day we visited Vesuvius/Vesuvio and Pompei. We walked up to the crater with a specialist and very knowledgeable guide and he then took us away from the (school trip) crowds around the crater of Vesuvio. The views in all directions were fantastic, Naples Bay, Sorrento peninsula, Apennine mountains etc. Looking down into the crater was impressive and awesome with the thought this volcano is going to blow again at some time. Afterwards we drove a short distance to Pompei. This was very interesting and ticked of a long held wish to visit this world famous historic site. For me, it was the best day of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent! Our group leader was Veriano. Veriano had good humour, knowledge, patience and flexibility. With any group on a trip like this , there will be a mix of physical ability. No one was left behind. We were in good hands.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My trip began in late February. This is still winter in southern Italy too. We were gambling with the weather, dodging rain, from start to finish. We were very lucky and never actually needed full rain gear on the trail and had plenty of blue sky while on the trails during the week. The sky did however tend to cloud over in the afternoon. I found weather forecasts available on the internet were not entirely reliable. I'll put this down to the fact we were on a hill top location right on the coast. Temeratures were generally cool 14-16C during the day. The fact this time of year is low season was very apparent in towns like Amalfi and Positano. The advantage being we had the trails almost entirely to ourselves. The roads in the immediate area are narrow and winding. I don't think I was the only one that started to feel a little travel sick in the back of the mini bus.

Nathalie Shillito

Reviewed March 2024

Variety, fun and a great group

A brilliant “taster” holiday with so many different activities on offer and all in beautiful deep snow. Every day offered a new experience, either as part of the programme or as an option: snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, husky-sledding, visiting a reindeer farm, building a quinzee, downhill skiing and snowmobiling.
During the afternoon downtime there was the option to do more snow-shoeing, cross- country skiing, tobogganing outside or just read with a cup of tea or glass of wine or relax in the hot tub and sauna.
The food was delicious and plentiful. Soft drinks were always available as part of the package and wine, beer and other drinks were available to buy along with chocolate and snacks. You will notice how frequently berries appear: in desserts, soft drinks, liqueurs and chocolate bars in shops.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day was fun and novel but the husky-sledding was very special. The dogs we saw at their farm were so well cared for with plenty of inside and outside space. They were so gentle too, loving a stroke and a fuss after their 10km run. Their excitement was off the scale once they were harnessed and ready to run; they LOVE it! The reindeer visit was lovely too: a short 300m plod as opposed to a 10km sprint but we were able to feed the year-old animals and stroke them if we were quick!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Elina was our main group leader and she was fabulous! Her English is excellent and she has a wicked sense of humour. She inspired confidence with the new outdoor activities we tried and is an expert shoveller for quinzee building. We learnt so much about northern Finnish culture and history from her in her "guide hour" and she was always available to help with anything. Tuomas was the other guide whose love of nature and the wilderness were inspiring. His English is also superb and we loved looking at tracks in the snow to guess which animal had left them or learning about the precious lichen hanging from branches among other things.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Much has been mentioned in previous reviews which are vey helpful. The group of 18 travellers on this tour was such a special bunch of people. We all got on so well and laughed a lot. Although most people were aged over 50, there were also people in their 30s and 40s who didn't seem to mind being with us more "mature" folk! There's decent wifi in the dining room and bedrooms and a wood-burning stove in the dining room to keep you cosy at all times. It turns out that 2 sets of fleece base layers are provided - along wot all outer wear - and it was recommended that we wear those next to our skin. I preferred to wear my own base layers next to my skin with a fleece layer on top. Woollen socks are the best for your feet and you can wear them for more than one day. The weather was mild for our week: hovering around 0 degrees so we were not cold at all but the huskies and reindeer were boiling! We didn't get to see the Northern Lights as it was cloudy every day so it's probably best not to set your heart on seeing them. I have back problems but was able to do all of the activities. I didn't go snowmobiling but people said it was very bumpy. Don't forget to take your driving licence if you want to do that activity.

Ruth Jones

Reviewed March 2024

Happy memories of Sri Lanka

Cycling through a unique meze of colourful chaos and quiet country roads with a great mix of people all wanting a good time, with delicious food thrown in, by far the best way to see Sri Lanka! It’s an exciting country and Suresh brought it to life for us, providing great commentary, and passing on his knowledge on the way. I learned so much about the country in the best possible way! He cleverly orchestrated the tour giving information and leaving enough time the group to bond, also important .

Most Inspirational Moment

So many every day!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh is by far the best leader I have witnessed, his attention to detail in dealing with group members is over and above anything I have seen on other trips and this for two weeks, I have only done week long trips. He works with a pertinacious resistance to interruptions, sometimes failing and sometimes exasperated by our constant questions, I’m sure, but he is funny, caring and very professional. I have huge respect for anyone working so hard to give a great experience in tourism. He is an excellent ambassador for Sri Lanka. Exodus you are lucky to have him!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with a good attitude, a sense of adventure and a quest for joy!! I did and had a fabulous time! I did go a couple of days early and therefore very chilled by start of tour, can be hard straight after long flight!

Alison Mcmenemy

Reviewed March 2024

Good experience overall

The group size (16) was ideal and we experienced a wide variety of what Vietnam and Cambodia had to offer. The cities were frantic at times but we were guided around the highlights by our Vietnamese guide.

Most Inspirational Moment

The cycle ride around the paddy fields and cottage industries just outside Hoi An. This gave us a real feel for how ordinary Vietnamese people live outside the major cities.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leader in Vietnam was excellent. Very knowledgeable about local history and culture and made some great restaurant recommendations. The leader in Cambodia was also great, though we only had him for a day and a half.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you take enough Vietnamese dong. There were many places outside the cities that were cash only. Take any opportunity to see life outside the cities and make the journey to the river market on the Mekong. Well worth it, despite the early start.

Sandra Burns

Reviewed March 2024

Wonderful Sri Lanka !

A wonderful , full on trip with a mixture of culture and cycling, spent with a lovely group of people

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling past elephants, and seeing all the wildlife Visiting tea plantations / tea factories Beautiful scenery in Nuwarya Elyria and waving at all the children when cycling The additional extras such as walking up Lions rock, tea with a local family ( food was amazing) and visit to Galle to do some shopping

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suresh was a brilliant leader and the crew were so helpful always smiling and happy to help Suresh was Very organised and nothing was too much trouble, he was Extremely knowledgeable on the history and culture of Sri Lanka and happy to answer questions whilst cycling and walking - he stopped many times to tell us about history or to point out a rare bird or crocodile! “Best leader so far”!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather was very hot and humid and made the cycling very challenging at times, we had to get in the bus a few times due to the heat, there are a couple of challenging days, and the train was an option for 1 day Which in hindsight I wish I had taken! A good level if fitness is needed Or consider an e- bike Half of the group were on e- bikes and I would consider for next cycling trip There was some busy roads at times but also cycling the back roads We didnt get the rabies vaccine as not mandatory- I would however recommend as there are lots of stray dogs and monkeys!

Susan Hope

Reviewed March 2024

AENA Nile

Met expectations

Most Inspirational Moment

All inspiring

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic

Advice for Potential Travellers

FebMarch are glorious so can really enjoy the experience.

Andrew Banks

Reviewed March 2024

Walking the Island of La Palma

An excellent week’s walking in dramatic landscapes with a sociable group.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to choose between the initial views from the Rochas de los Muchachos at the start of the Caldera walk and the views down into the Caldera at the start of the descent into the Taburiente National Park.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Miguel was a very effective, chatty and organised leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking poles extremely useful for the long ups and downs, mostly on gravelly or rocky paths. Take high-factor sun block and plenty of water; we found few springs to top up at. The east coast can be covered in thick cloud and mist while the west is sunny and warm; take layers and a waterproof on walks. The days aren't very long, but are quite tough going. Get fit before you go.

Rebecca Taylor

Reviewed March 2024

A fantastic country filled with lovely people!

I loved Sri Lanka, but found the heat hard work on a poorly chest and tummy. I was ill for the whole two weeks plus on returning home, but I at least managed to do a bit of cycling.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the gorgeous scenery of the train ride from Kandy to Nuwara Elya, although I felt ill! The downhill cycling, the tea plantations, the Indian Ocean resort - it was all magical.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The support boys were fantastic - absolutely faultless and hard working. Suresh is a nice guy and obviously knows organisation stuff, and delivered a lovely two weeks. If I had to find a criticism of him it is that he didn't give us much in the way of general talks on the culture/history of Sri Lanka. Maybe he was a bit jaded with it all after 157 previous trips, but I felt he could have said more about the places we visited, not only in the evening before's talk but on the bus and bikes when we went somewhere. We didn't seem to know why we were looking at something or going somewhere a lot of the time. I only knew about places because of reading the trip notes, but as a local, I wanted him to tell me more, and really sell Sri Lanka to us. I've been on a number of these trips, and usually a lot more is told to you.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack light and maybe read up about the country before you go. I didn't have time, but feel that having been there, I don't really know much more about it than before I went.

Balubhai Mistry

Reviewed March 2024

Patagonian Highlights

Overall we enjoyed the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Perito Moreno Glacier

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tomas Toro was very supportive and helpful

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare well before holiday to enjoy it fully . For many weeks before the start of our holiday we walked for 2 hours in morning and 2 hours in evening whenever we could . However , this was not enough aswe practiced on flat ground and we found it tough walking uphill in Patagonia . Be prepared for very strong gusts of wind .

Caroline Ralph

Reviewed March 2024

Walking the Amalfi Coast

mix of walks along beautiful coast with trips to Pompeii, Herculanium and towns

Most Inspirational Moment

Mt Vesuvius

Thoughts on Group Leader

Veriano was superb, always kept a careful eye, changed itinerary to reflect the weather, ensured we had appropriate stops and water breaks, was kind, thoughtful and knowledgeable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

lots of steps but not difficult walking

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