Reviews

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

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109 Reviews

4.6 out of 5

Stephen Gilbert

Reviewed July 2014

Relaxing Holiday in Transylvania

A one week holiday staying at one well run boutique hotel. The location was quiet and beautiful. An idyllic setting for some fun and sometimes vigorous hikes over the hills.

Most Inspirational Moment

I really adored the walking through the meadows of wild flowers. I was just lucky I chose to go beginning of June. Meadows in full flower and the weather was glorious.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Udo Krause our tour leader was a large lump of a hiker with a mix of wildlife photographer. He lead the goup well and he was totally qualified and experienced to explain all flora & fauna.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A lunchbox has been mentioned by other reviews. Its good to carry your diy sandwiches. During our time in June the sun was baking, do not under estimate dehydration ad sun burn.

Kat Burke

Reviewed June 2014

Beautiful........................................

I wasn’t sure what to expect of Romania, but was lured by the wildlife I might see. Romania exceeded my expectations in every way- the scenery, the wildlife, the food, the people.
The Transylvanian countryside is stunning- serene and peaceful, the rural areas were full of flower meadows and woodland. Cows and sheep grazed with shepherds and their dogs, birds sang as the people hand scythed the first hay harvest of the year. There were few cars on the road so the only ambient noise was the birds, the dogs, the cowbells and the church.

Most Inspirational Moment

Two- seeing brown bears in the forest and the sun setting red over the mountains to the rear of the guesthouse

Thoughts on Group Leader

Udo was very knowledgeable about the local area and the flora and fauna. He is also an excellent photographer and did show us some 'off the beaten track' sights we wouldn't have seen without him. Only (very small) minus that he does have a tendency to set a rather brisk pace at times- forgetting that some of us lowland Brit's are unused to mountain hikes!! :-)

Advice for Potential Travellers

The 'moderate' activity guide in the brochure is fair- but it is not an easy moderate! The weather last week was warm (28-30ish) and some of the hills were very steep, both up and down! If unused to mountain walking (like me!) it'll be a good workout- this is not an easy, take-it-at-your-own-pace stroll. Take suncream and a hat if going in the summer. water bottle is essential I found I didn't need too much spending money- except for bear watch (40 euros) and one meal out (about 60 Lei - 15 euros) there were no 'hidden' extras. The only other expenses were drinks at the guesthouse, beer/wine was around 6 Lei (1.5 euros) and tea and coffee about 4 Lei (1 euro). There was shopping time available on one day in Brasov. The duty free at Bucharest airport doesn't take Lei, only euros. However, Lei is taken at the café places at the airport.

Reviewed November 2013

CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

This was a brilliant trip, the scenery was beautiful, the group leader was full of good stories, the accommodation was gorgeous, the food was delicious and the hosts were extremely welcoming.

Most Inspirational Moment

Having arrived in the dark, waking up on the first morning and stepping out on to our lovely balcony to admire the sun rising over the stunning mountains covered in a thick layer of fresh snow! Breathtaking!Also seeing bears in the wild - it was amazing to be that close to them - although slightly un-nerving too!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Udo our group leader was great fun. Full of stories and information of the history, flora, fauna, the people and the place.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't go expecting to see wildlife, accept that wildlife is elusive and that any sightings are a bonus. The trip notes do give the impression that seeing wolves and beavers is possibly more likely than it is. We were lucky seeing 5 bears at the hide and the splash of a beaver going into the water, but I think expectations were raised a little high. The scenery, people and more easily spotted flora and fauna made this trip excellent.

Reviewed October 2013

CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

Great holiday in a beautiful part of the World.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking up through the gorge.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowlegable fun charactor.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't worry about what Money to take as Katherina (hostess at house) will take Euros, Pounds or Lei at the house to pay for optional activities ( and drinks, more economical to buy a wine by the bottle than by the glass!) and you don't need any Lei until you get to Bran and then can get some from a cash machine.

Reviewed September 2013

CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

Our prime reason for this holiday was to see wildlife and the main opportunity was at the bear hide and at the wetlands which were both optional extras. This holiday would appear to be in the wrong brochure. The batteries on the beaver collars were dead so sightings are difficult. Also as this was our first walking type holiday would have appreciated more info on the walking involved. Great company and excellent food.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing bears and a wolf at the bear hide.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Udo was very good, friendly and informative.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for the walking not the wildlife.

Reviewed September 2013

CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

Yes, a good trip although it is interesting that it is billed as a ‘wildlife’ trip and yet the most important excursion (to see wild bears at a feeding station) is an optional extra. I would also be interested to know where the money from this trip goes (15 people at 40 euros each = 600 euros).Trip to beavers is disappointing. Radio transmitters have not been working for some time and those we were taken to are frequently disturbed by a local village and industrial town. Note to Exodus: I suggest that this is replaced by the (currently optional) bird trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Udi - good sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Accommodation is fine. Food is excellent. Be warned that the 'dinner' on the first night whilst travelling from the airport to the hotel is a poor quality sandwich and bottle of water.

Reviewed September 2013

CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

An amazingly beautiful part of the world. Waking up to the view of rolling hills dotted with colourful houses and the more distant mountains covered with pine and beech forest was heart-lifting.

Most Inspirational Moment

Waking up to the stunning view and walking through the beautiful countryside.Seeing the bears from the hide.I became a very happy birder when I saw a group of black storks.The amazing food in the hotel.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Greg was very informative and worked hard at making sure everyone had a good time. Full of lots of good stories about Romanian life!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you're fit as lots of walking. Invest in a good camera that can give clear shots in low light. Try Herman's plum schnapps! Be prepared for the bumpy road up to the village

Reviewed July 2013

CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

A really memorable trip into a special part of the world. Wonderful experience shared with a fantastic group of adventurous, like minded people.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is hard to pick out any one particular moment because there were many great experiences. The walks through the Carpathian mountains were awe inspiring; walking through meadows of wildflowers and witnessing rural life in action. Of course, seeing wild bears at the bear hide was a special experience. I actually also really enjoyed the short night walk through the forest at the end of visiting the bear hide.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cosmin was excellent. He led the group with a calm confidence. I was really grateful for the fact that, without any fuss, he was able to assess the appropriate pace for the walks. He walked at a steady pace and took breaks at appropriate times. He had a great knowledge of the environment, the history of the area and the wildlife. I felt that we were in good hands with Cosmin.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It would be a good idea to prepare in advance for the walks. On the day when you walk up to the Shepherd's camp, they give you the option (which I nearly took) of returning early to the hotel by backing tracking through the gorge. If you are pondering doing so, I strongly recommend that you continue on the walk, as the views are awesome and the shepherd's camp was very interesting (even if a bit confronting - you will see why when you visit). Make sure you take good walking shoes. I took old boots and the sole fell off on the first day! Fortunately, the amazing Katarina at the hotel came to my rescue with a pair of shoes for me to wear. The village where you stay in Magura has no facilities at all (no shops etc) but you really don't need anything because Katarina at the hotel looks after everyone so well that you want for nothing.

Reviewed June 2013

CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

An amazing week. The Carpathian Mountains are an unspoiled wonderland.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the bear sanctuary and seeing how much it means to both Katharina and Hermann was wonderful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Udo was fantastic. His passion for Romania and the wildlife was inspiring. His sense of humour was a highlight of the week.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this trip before its too late - logging has already begun in the Carpathian Mountains so get there before its too late.

Reviewed June 2013

CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE

Transylvania was a really beautiful part of the world, it felt as if we had stepped back in time. To a Europe of 40 years ago.

Most Inspirational Moment

The stunning views from my balcony at Villa Hermioni every morning, and the visit to Libearty the bear sanctuary. There was a party of children visiting behind us, who listened with such interest that you hope that in the future there would be no need to rescue bears from captivity.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had 3 guides, the leader Greg was very entertaining with lots of tall tales. Traion the local leader gave a good insight into local life and made the visit to Brasov very interesting. Katharina took us to Libearty and her passion for the place was infectious.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is steep walking, walking poles are useful, also ignore the weather forecast, and prepare for anything, we regularly had 4 seasons in one day.Change a small amount of money at the airport, it is a few days before you can get money.Food was excellent, you definitely won't go hungry.

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