I chose this tour with a clear focus on the cycling experience. I was hoping to take in memorable scenery, ride comfortably at a natural pace and enjoy the route. Unfortunately, the trip fell short of these expectations in a few key areas.
First, the routes through rural sections were very uninspiring, with views dominated by agricultural plastic greenhouses, alongside prolific litter and fly-tipping along the roads.
Second, the group pacing felt restrictive. For large sections, we had to ride in single-file behind the tour guide due to being on main roads with a large volume of traffic. The pace was often very slow and I felt unable to ride at my own speed, which made it difficult to catch a breeze or fully enjoy the ride.
Finally, a warning to those who don’t like intense heat – don’t book at the beginning of September! The heat on our trip was extreme, with daily temperatures all week of around 34C. A number of riders struggled significantly with heat exhaustion and in my view, this period is simply too hot for an enjoyable cycling trip. I don’t know if it was a direct consequence of the heat, but we had multiple pit-stops en route for water and to rest. I found this so disruptive and unnecessarily prolonged the day. A 28 mile bike ride should take 3 hours, instead it seemed to take all day with the frequent mini-breaks. Combined with the uninspiring scenery on the actual bike rides and the fixed pace in large sections, it made for a challenging and frustrating experience. I would strongly recommend reviewing the route selection and advising future guests on the reality of early September temperatures.

Alex D Cycling in Sicily

Stunning peninsula with a wealth of historic towns. This is effectively a 2 centre trip involving van journeys to/from the rides each day.
Whilst the two hotels used are of a good standard they are somewhat against the ethos of Exodus I have experienced in the past. Both are large and Corporate, the one in Porec being a resort Hotel over run with families & the one in Pula remote from the town involving either a bus or taxi ride or a 45 minute walk along busy roads. The trip would benefit from staying in smaller Croatian run establishments.

David Taylor Cycling Croatia's Istrian Peninsula

This was a fantastic hiking trip and a great way to experience Italy. The hikes offered incredible views and a nice variety of scenery, while the cooking experiences and opportunities to discover authentic local restaurants added a wonderful cultural element to the trip. I especially enjoyed the flexibility of the free day. With the hotel close to a train station, it was easy to explore Cinque Terre, go hiking, visit another nearby town, or simply create your own adventure. Overall, I loved the balance of hiking, culture, food, and free time.

Sara Steinken Walks & Food of the Italian Riviera