Reviews

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

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!

Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!

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Reviews

Reviewed December 2013

AMALFI COAST: POMPEII & PIZZA - FAMILY HOLIDAY

A fantastic trip with something for all ages and a great mix of activities, culture,  and history with time to relax on the beach and by the hotel pool and some excellent freshly cooked food too. We thoroughly recommend this trip for all ages!

Most Inspirational Moment

There was so much variety on this trip so it is difficult to highlight just one moment.  However, it was fabulous to see the guides bringing the historic sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum to life for the children and at the end of one day to watch the children put together their own song for the guides and hotel staff in which they summarised their trip  highlights and interspersed this with historical facts they had learnt on the trip - it was priceless watching the children perform their song at our lunch stop on the Walk of the Gods!  Then there were the cookery lessons for the childen at the hotel - the children just got "stuck in" and loved helping to prepare the evening meal.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had more than one group leader during the week and each was superb - SO heplful, friendly and knowledgeable - hats off to Frank for stepping in at short notice and really getting stuck in!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just book the trip and enjoy - you will not be disappointed!  However, do factor in the additional cost of some activities such as the visit to Herculaneum (which we all agreed was a "must do" activity but not cheap), the boat trip around Capri and the visit to the Blue Grotto - these can add up but were worth the money.  Pack for all weathers!  We travelled in October  half term and ended up in shorts every day - the jumpers and umbrella never saw the light of day, though a fleece in the evenings when it got cooler was useful.

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Reviewed December 2013

FINNISH WINTER ADVENTURE - FAMILY HOLIDAY

We enjoyed ourselves hugely. This is an opportunity to be in a very quiet, beautiful and calm place.

Most Inspirational Moment

In number one place comes the husky dog sledding. We loved the dogs and we loved the snowy landscape. To drive the sled you have to have a certain weight so my 11 year old sat snugly in the sled whilst I spent most of the time breaking or leaning. In number two slot comes the food in general and in particular the sauteed elk stew that we ate under the stars (well cloud actually) with mashed potato and lingonberry jam accompanied by hot berry juice. Then we divide. My son's number three is roasting reindeer sausages over the fire in the reindeer herders' hut. And mine is the walk along the river to the rapids on snowshoes. We both loved the sauna and the hot tub. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tessa could not have been more enthusiastic and helpful. And that extends to all the other staff - Annike put on an amazing spread for our Christmas meal on Christmas day. Tessa was very good with the children had us making Christmas decorations and ginger bread. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

You really don't need to bring very much - I think the other reviews said this and it is true. There is an amazing amount of kit that you can borrow right down to thermos flasks, beanies and headtorches. If it gets wet, they just lend you more. So you can avoid the problem of wet kit and holiday laundry very easily. You can avoid cooking too - lunches are 11 euros for adults and 6 euros for children and very delicious. If you want to do your own lunches then you need to bring your food with you. Bringing snacks also makes sense, especially for smaller children.If you are adventurous and confident, then be aware that there are only two trails that lead from the basecamp (one - the Little Bear Trail -  a round trip of 12 km and the other - the Big Bear Trail -  an 82 km route). As it was only light for 4 or so hours a day, we didn't stray far but if you can walk at sufficient speed you can just about snowshoe the Little Bear Trail whilst it is light.

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Reviewed December 2013

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

Good way to have a whirlwind tour of Morocco if you are unsure about the country, But if after your trip you plan to go back you will probably arrange everything yourself as its will be a lot better value and feel less like a package tour.

Most Inspirational Moment

The best parts of the trip was the local guide at Volubilis who was very entertaining and informative. Also Essaouira is a lovely place, a total tourist trap but it just doesn’t matter. No hassle from anyone, loads of history and a Medina that is easy and interesting to walk around.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The tour leader is a nice enough guy, But he will make excuses to suit his needs. One minute it was OK for half the group to eat at a local market, then when he got the whole group together it suddenly was dangerous for us to eat here and the other half of the group was going to be eating far away. Then when he was pushed on the issue it suddenly became OK to eat at the market and the other half of the group was only going to be 10 minutes way. The tour leader gets a free lunch if he gets his group to eat at certain places, so even when we asked that we stop eating at expensive hotel/restaurants all the time he still kept taking up to expensive places.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The premium trip in November is not worth the money. They advertise pools etc. but none of them are heated so they are too cold to use. Also a number of hotels at the start of the trip have loud music playing till late so take ear plugs. The premium hotel in Fez is in the middle of nowhere so you are stuck listing to the load music from the basement club at night, the pool is also a public pool and across the road from the hotel. Take a good sleeping bag as you will need it for the desert camp and the stay in the mountains. If you don't want to eat where the tour leader keeps taking you stand your ground and tell them you want to eat somewhere else more authentic and local,

Reply from Exodus

Thanks for your valued feedback. We take all comments on board and have communicated your concerns to our local operator. We are particularly concerned re the mention of shopping stops as this is against our policy and something that we stipulate is avoided at all costs. This is being investigated and the leader will be questioned related to this claim. We also thank you for raising your concerns re the hotel in Fez not being up to the Exodus standard. Again, we are discussing alternative options with our local operator.

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Reviewed December 2013

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

Costa Rica is a fantastic country. The places we visited, the people we met and the wildlfe we saw was all just perfect. We stayed in each hotel for 2 nights and this was quite relaxing. All the places we stayed in were amazing. The weather was fantastic – not too much rain!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

We saw baby Green Turtles just hatched and coming out of the sand starting their new lifes running down the beach and getting swept by the waves into the Sea. A very emotional experience. And one of my favourite moments was watching 2 Toucans sitting in the tree right outside my lodge in Monteverde Cloud Forest eating berries and chatting to each other. We also saw the rare Quetzel too which was fabulous.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gio was a fabulous leader. He was so knowledgable about everything and looked after us all so well. Gerardo the driver was brilliant too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this trip!!!!

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Reviewed December 2013

CYCLING VIETNAM

Cycling Vietnam was brilliant!  Such a great way to see a country and experience the culture.  Loved it all and had the best time!

Most Inspirational Moment

Where do I start......I really enjoyed all of the cycling especially up Hai Van Pass and then down again.  The 30km descent from 1600m was pretty cool too.  Ha Long Bay was spectacular and kayaking was fun.  Even the overnight train was a enjoyable experience!   Loved the food too!  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danh was the best leader ever of the best group ever!  Having never done a tour like this before I was so impressed with how well it was organised.  Whilst Danh ensured our safety at all times he was also great fun!  Danh made the tour worry free, and the whole support team was amazing.  I can't rate Danh and the team highly enough.  The group was fantastic too!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book it today!  This trip exceeded all of my expectations.  It helped to have done some "training" before hand which made the trip more enjoyable. 

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Reviewed December 2013

CYCLE THE BACKROADS OF SRI LANKA

This has to be one of the most enjoyable Exodus cycle tours I have taken and I have taken a few! I love the Indian sub continent for its people, food, culture and colour and Sri Lanka did not disapoint. What made it stand out was the group of very special people that I enjoyed it with and the most caring and attentive staff you can imagine.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me the second to last evening that we were all together as a group. The guitars of the resident band were hi-jacked and tributes,with lyrics writen by group members, were sung to the tunes of "O-bla-dee, O-blah-da", "Your Song" and "I'll tak the high road..." which express the feelings of comaraderie that had grown within the group, including the staff, and especially the leader.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Just think of all the appropriate flattering superlatives you can think of and you will have it about right

Advice for Potential Travellers

IT IS NOT ABOUT THE BIKE. OK I know it is a cycle tour but remember you are in a richly exotic part of the world with an interesting culture and a lively people. Take the time along the way to interact with and enjoy them. The following story is an example. Taking my time as usual I found that I had seen no one for a while and wondered if I had taken a wrong turn, so I stopped at a wayside fruit stall to ask. Two lovely ladies who spoke no English and I, who did not speak their language, managed to communicate that the villages I was asking about were "just round the corner" and " 5 klms away" respectively, that I should take their photo in front of their stall and that here was the address to which I should mail a copy!

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Reviewed December 2013

THE INCA TRAIL

The whole trip was a fabulous lifetime experience for me and I would recommend this trip to anyone. I travelled with friends who were incredibly supportive, especially as I have a fear of heights. However, all of the group members and leaders made us feel very welcome and I think anyone travelling on their own would also have a great time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, having just scaled what felt like an impossible set of steps! Experiencing the warmth of the Peruvian people and generally just pinching myself that I really had just unzipped my tent to reveal a snow covered mountain shrouded in wisps of mist right outside. The scenery was stunning and we experienced sun, rain and cold weather during our trek.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Flaminia was incredibly patient, well organised and keen to share her knowledge of the country which was appreciated by all members of the group. Freddie helped me get through the worst parts of the trek for me, in terms of my difficulty with heights and was unfailingly patient.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking poles were great for the harder parts of the trek and helped me keep my balance. Wipes and loo paper were essential for loos etc. Hand sanitizer was a must. You can hire a towel and buy shampoo when you get to the hot springs in aguas calientes which was well worth a visit as after four days we all felt in need of some hot water. Don't forget your swimming things as the springs were incredibly relaxing after the trek. Also take some small coins with you to pay for some of the loos on the trip, also for some extra water if you need it. I had a warm waterproof hat which was really useful. Every night we filled our water bottles at camp with hot water and these were great when put in your sleeping bag to keep you warm during the colder nights. A disposable camera is great if you have problems with your camera, like one member of our group. The ponchos are really good as they are lightweight and keep you and your rucksack dry and are easy to take on and off. Don't underestimate the altitude and several members of our group took altitude sickness tablets. This helped one of our group who had been very ill on arrival in Cuzco.

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Reviewed December 2013

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

Beautiful lush country teeming with wildlife!

Most Inspirational Moment

All the wildlife spotting was great but I particularly love monkeys, lizards & sloths, of which there were plenty to see. Seeing capuchins so up close & personal at Manuel Antonio was fab!Zipwiring at Monteverde was fantastic - so much fun & great to be high up in the canopy close to the howler monkeys.Savegre was beautiful, peaceful, relaxing & refreshing - great place to end the trip!  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was friendly, helpful & kept everything running smoothly. Jeffrey, our driver, was great - I felt really safe despite the rough roads & lousy weather .

Advice for Potential Travellers

Invest in a decent poncho - when it rains it really rains & a raincoat just isn't enough! Despite what trip notes may say, you are able to take all your luggage to Tortuguero, so no need to worry.Definitely make use of the wellies provided at Esquinas Lodge - the trails are very wet, muddy & you have to walk thru some streams. US dollars are universally accepted & there were ATM's in most places we went to. Be prepared for things to be expensive (food especially).

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Reviewed December 2013

PETRA & WADI RUM BY BIKE

I was expecting this to be a jolly good holiday – and it certainly didn’t disappoint!  Packed with variety, there was cycling and culture a-plenty and the scenery that we cycled through was stunning.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking out into the silent desert as the sun was rising, watching it light up all rocky outcrops and sandy plains, bathing them in a golden orange glow.  The later, riding through the desert on camels.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Full of passion for his country, with a great depth of knowledge on its history and culture, all of which he was very eager to share with us. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring Jordanian money with you - if you bring sterling or dollars you have to keep changing it through the guide - good rate, but more convenient to have your own money ready.  The desert in November wasn't all that cold at night, but bring jumpers anyway.If you go to the Turkish Bath "Bring your personal things" means "Bring your swimming things"!!Do NOT open your eyes in the Dead Sea!!!

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Reviewed December 2013

WALKING IN PUGLIA AND BASILICATA

A very good holiday, not at all strenuous but fitted the description in the brochure, which a lot of walking holidays don’t.  The food was excellent and cheap, set meals wonderful, and a very friendly area.

Most Inspirational Moment

Matera - I could have stayed all day on the balcony watching the birds hovering, then occasionally swoooping and diving.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Angelo and Enzo went out of their way to be extremely helpful as I was on a temporary exclusion diet for medical reasons, and the picnic they put together on the day we walked along the viaduct had to be seen to be believed - we even had the Ramblers group who passed by hanging over the wall and exclaiming "they've even got wine!"

Advice for Potential Travellers

A gentler walking holiday than most, but nevertheless interesting in a less well known area of Italy.  In early May it was already 25 degrees most days and we had the added benefit of lots of wild flowers - at the height of summer it must be more onerous as there were several fairly exposed walks.

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