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.

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14493 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Martin Williamson

Reviewed June 2018

Tougher than expected

This was a tough trip and I think the 4 grading is rather generous when compared to other cycling trips with Exodus. However having said that it is as always a great way to see the country and to experience Albania. This trip around the southern part of Albania includes both mountains along the border with Greece and the Ionian coast. Although we found this a tough ride we both thoroughly enjoyed it and felt it was a great holiday. The guides were very supportive and helpful.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through the mountains and seeing the inspiring countryside as it changed.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both the leaders were very good and competent. They went out of their way to ensure that the group had a great time and were able to enjoy the cycling.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The first and the last days are the toughest cycling so there's not much time to improve your fitness once you are in Albania. Do not be fooled by the relatively short distances to be covered each day it is the elevation gained and lost that make this a great challenge.

Brid and Tony Delap

Reviewed June 2018

Absolutely wonderful trip

This was an amazing cycling trip which included stunning scenery, roman ruins, beaches, disused mines, coastal plains, ferry trips to two islands, country roads (some dirt tracks) and even a crossing of a shallow river!! Our guides Michele and Allesandro really made this trip wonderful and hastle free.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our final day cycling over the coastal plains of the Costa del Sud, even though challenging at times, the amazing views over the pristine beaches, cliffs and 16th century watchtowers made it all worthwhile.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Michele was exceptional. From the moment we arrived at the airport to our farewell in Cagliari, he was always there to answer our questions, translate and offer recommendations. Even for something as trivial as buying shampoo, he escorted us to the door of the supermarket. Some meals were included with the package but for all others he made recommendations and accompanied us to fabulous restaurants. We also had the flexibility to do our own thing, if we so wished, but we were a very close group and we really enjoyed the company of Michele and Allesandro, our driver. They were great guides, both of them had a great sense of humour but were also exceptionally knowlegeable and professional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The first few days were unseasonally dull with a little rain. Make sure to pack a warm layer and a water proof jacket.

C N

Reviewed May 2018

ADD Dubrovnik & Dalmatian Coast

This week long trip was a blend of fast paced scenic national parks and city tours. Both having lots of steps! With not a moment wasted you are surprised at what has been fitted in.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment for me as a someone who is not the fittest was completing the epic walk to see the fantastic panoramic views at Mljet National Park and then having a splash in the water after.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Dino who was always friendly, approachable and took the responsibility of leading a full group very well. The city tours we had were informative and I appreciated the Dubrovnik tour guide (Anthea?) always looking for places in the shade.

Advice for Potential Travellers

On this trip the notes were misleading - water is not provided. Start walking especially if your not used to walking especially fast paced, lots of steps, uphill walking in the heat. But the views, ice cream and swim make it worthwhile. Do bring swim wear. If you do walk the walls in Dubrovnik and you want to miss the cruise crowds go after 13.30

Vivien Urban

Reviewed May 2018

Great trip!

This is a great trip and we had a lovely group. I travelled from the end of April to early May. The weather was great. Although rain and storms were forecasted while I was there, we had beautiful sunshine with some picturesque white clouds (look great on my pictures) and it was quite hot so make sure you take your sunscreen and a sunhat. Mornings were a bit chillier but not too cold and the weather warmed up quickly during the day. If you are considering the ballooning, take some warmer clothes too.
The walks were lovely and all quite different. We saw some interesting rock formations on the way, not to mention the stunning landscapes. Some of the walks are flat while others are quite steep and slippery so good walking boots and walking poles come handy. Don’t underestimate a moderate trip. Water from a big water container was provided on the bus as well as in the hotel. Make sure you have your own bottle so you can keep refilling it. If you have a hiking hydration bladder bag, that is the best to take. We also stopped at little local cafes during our walks. My favourite was the freshly squeezed orange and pomegranate juice (mixed). Make sure you try that!
Our leader was a character, entertaining, knowledgeable and helpful. The locals are friendly.
The hotel was 3 star, a bit tired but for only 10 minutes walk from the town so it was convenient, we could easily walk there for some souvenir shopping in our free time.
All meals were included on my tour and the portions were generous… Lucky we did all that walking!!
If you are considering doing this trip, I recommend budgeting in the balloon ride. It is such an amazing experience. I am afraid of heights and I was a bit worried but it is so relaxing up there with such a wonderful view that I even forgot about feeling scared.

Most Inspirational Moment

The hot balloon ride definitely. Cappadocia is the place to do it. Love Valley was a highlight too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alkan has a great knowledge of the area and looked after the group well. He was funny and engaged with us. Also offered to take us to places that were not part of the original itinerary. He has a real passion for his country and he wanted to share that with us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you take a water bottle and your walking poles.

Nat Black

Reviewed May 2018

Amazing Greek Mountains

This trip takes you to Northern Greece firstly to discover Zagori National Park. The scenery is spectacular and not what typically comes to mind when someone mentions Greece. Starting in Thessaloniki you head west to Zagori staying in two characterful villages, Vitsa and Papingo, built in the traditional stone style on the mountainside. Unfortunately, the first two days of the itinerary were affected by the weather, but when the weather improved the walking was brilliant. After a variety of walking coupled with dramatic mountain views, you then head to Meteora, how those monks built those monasteries still astonishes me!

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, my two favourite days were the Vikos Gorge walk and the hike up to the mountain refuge and on to Dragon Lake. We were super lucky with the weather and views were beautiful. There was still some snow around Dargon Lake. In the summer on the return from the refuge, there are some pools which would be perfect for a refreshing dip!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Stavros was a very enthusiastic leader who was obviously passionate about the mountains and surrounding area. He has been leading trips here for 14 years and has gained a wealth of knowledge. This was his first time leading an Exodus trip, with this in mind he did a great job.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The mountain refuge was cooler than I was expecting, so I would recommend taking layers! The water here is drinkable, amazing mountain water, so don't forgot to take your water bottle. Walking boots are a must as the terrain is often uneven, there are walking poles available there if you do not wish to take your own.

Jane Twohig

Reviewed May 2018

AOP 180512

I have just returned from AOP 180512,it was quite a rewarding trip, we saw lots in our travels there was great variety from the rural countryside and small towns to the wonder that is Tokyo.It might be an idea to indicate in the title that travel is exclusively by train (AOP……by train).We had the most fantastic hotel in Kyoto, our hotel in Tokyo was very good also,both were next door to the subway which made travelling around very easy,all train stations have english signs and announcements.There are many many historical and cultural sights to visit and lots of shopping opportunities. This country has everything. It also feels very safe,people can leave their belongings unattended. I witnessed this on several occasions. There are lots of food options also…….

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many moments that come to mind Mount Fuji appearing out of the cloud. The hustle and bustle of Tokyo Visiting Hiroshima Travel by bullet train

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader Ayaka Tsukamoto looked after us all very well. She is particularly good at her job,we were always kept supplied with maps that had all the places of interest marked and any other information that we requested. I have a food allergy and she took particular care that food was always suitable for me.I especially thank her for that.......

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack your bags and go....

Helen Polom

Reviewed May 2018

Ancient and Modern Japan

A wonderful trip , accompanied by a great bunch of fellow travellers and a guide who made it her job to ensure that we all got the best out of it. We could not possibly have achieved so much in so short a time without the company of our exceptional guide Ayaka who just made everything work like clockwork in the nicest possible way. The whole trip was truly exceptional. Excellent hotel accommodation in Kyoto and Tokyo. The Ryokans are quirky and a good experience of yet another cultural difference. The food at the ryokans was amazing, beautifully presented and a feast for the senses.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day provided us with an inspirational moment- In Kyoto the beautiful garden at the Silver Palace, coming across a Geisha in the lamplight outside a tea house, exploring tiny Zen gardens at the minor temples, waiting to begin the most beautifully arranged food all of which is completely alien in looks and flavour. Tokyo, a city of contrasts. It is epic in size and yet manageable via its incredible transport system. Something weird and wacky on every corner. Owl cafes??? Japan has the appearance of familiarity and yet is so culturally different.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ayaka was energetic and enthusiastic. Always on hand to help us make the most of every moment of the trip. Her attention to detail was second to none, ensuring that we managed the busy itinerary and navigated transport systems with ease. In the major cities she provided us with a guide and a transport map that she had annotated with the major sites and suggestions for quirky areas to visit. Always with a smile and an infectious laugh. She gave her time to every person on the trip ensuring that we all gained a personal experience of her country. Her knowledge and information giving was always just enough for us to gain an insight and understanding of the sight or area we were visiting yet she was always willing to expand further to individuals with specific questions. Ayaka was an excellent guide and we would not hesitate to recommend her.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is a lot of walking and the pace is fast so you need comfortable and water proof shoes Take an umbrella or buy one when you arrive. When it rains it can be torrential! Be prepared for early starts and very long days. You will often not return to the hotel before 9pm. If you have particular interests research them before you go and your guide will help you to locate shops or museums. Take a good guide book as you will have a free day in Kyoto and another in Tokyo. If you are on the group flight home you will not leave the hotel until 5pm so you have effectively a 2nd free day. Your guide will also be incredibly helpful. Just ask. Breakfasts are not provided. Eating out is possible but local stores sell yoghurts, fruit and some even oats and muesli so easy to have breakfast in your room. The local bakeries are fantastic. The Akibukuro station close to the Tokyo Hotel has an excellent supermarket and takeaway food dept. Consider adding additional days to the end of your trip.

Jane Lee

Reviewed May 2018

History in the Heat

I’ve always been interested in Egyptian history and when friends suggested joining this holiday I booked straight away. And it didn’t disappoint. Seeing & being able to touch stones & hieroglyphics that were put there thousands of years old was magical. Watching the scenery change as we cruised south on the Nile was also really good.
Overall the tour was seamlessly organised and managed by our excellent guide, Sayed Mansour, who always made sure everyone was clear on timings and locations. He has an encycolopedic knowledge of both the country’s history and also its modern day affairs.
On the negative side, this trip is described as ‘leisurely’ which our group would dispute: we had 3 ultra-early wake up calls (2am & 3am twice) to catch planes and for the 300km coach drive to Abu Simbel. And there were early starts all other mornings too to beat the heat. This & the temps made it very sapping. The temps were much hotter (in mid to high 40sC) than usual as Egypt was having a heatwave, so drinking lots & loose clothing were musts. Thank goodness for air con on the coach & in our rooms!

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding an Arabian stallion round the Pyramids with hardly anyone about. This was something I arranged privately because on Day 1 I opted out of the tour to visit an equine charity I support which helps the working horses in Giza

Thoughts on Group Leader

See above. Sayed Mansour was an excellent guide

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take £ notes as you can pay for the entry visa & all the extra trips with these (or dollars or local notes) & just change a small amount of Egyptian pounds A hat or scarf is a must. And don't wear hot pants-type shorts as your legs will burn & it offends the locals. Be prepared for the traders to hassle you endlessly, which can be intimidating

Stephanie and John Jenkins

Reviewed May 2018

Whistlestop Tour!

Eight days flashed past. We covered a lot of ground, but the travelling was carefully planned and broken up with site visits.
Our Greek tour guide, Eva, provided valuable information about where to eat and what to do in free moments. More about her later……
The hotels were comfortable and central. The driver, Manolis, was steady and safe and the roads are much improved.

Most Inspirational Moment

All the sites are magical, even the Acropolis, overrun with tourists. Our favourites from the past, Delphi and Olympia were still amazing, but one of the special visits was to Eva's favourite, Ancient Messene. We'd hardly heard of it, but it's a wonderfully excavated site with a complete stadium and mausoleum- you can even see the basins that the athletes washed in. And even better, there were only half a dozen visitors apart from us! We can't decide whether to write to Mary Beard and tell her to get on out there and make a programme about it, or just let it remain a well-kept secret.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eva was brilliant. We did a similar trip some years ago, where the tour leader was British and just dealt with group logistics. At each site we picked up a local guide, some of whom were better than others. Eva combined both roles with enormous energy and enthusiasm. As a Greek graduate in archaeology she guided us round the sites, answering questions, pointing out details that we would not have been aware of, ensuring that we were up to scratch with the flow of Greek history. These discussions continued whilst we travelled. At the same time she was always aware of group dynamics, wanting to make sure that all eleven of us were having a good time.. There was a lot of laughter and enjoyment! By the end of our trip she must have been exhausted! Exodus, I hope you realise what an extraordinary resource you have in her. She certainly made our eight days memorable and educational (in a very good way!)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take note of the accurate title of the trip - Highlights . As travellers now in our seventies we had visited almost all the sites over the last fifty years and the purpose of the holiday, for us, was as a refresher. For this, it was a brilliant itinerary. It would also be excellent as a taster if you had no experience of the sites and wanted an overview. But don't expect to linger! Also, be aware that two sites, the Acropolis and Delphi, are steep with very uneven surfaces. Make sure your shoes are up to it.

Penelope Ralph

Reviewed May 2018

ADE Puglia Discover the Heel of Italy

A fascinating holiday very interesting area of Italy.”Full on” busy busy busy

Most Inspirational Moment

The White City. Ostuni.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Agata was a great guide and we all regarded her as a friend, very kind to me and a lovely sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This really is a full on holiday, full of interest and each of the four places we visited were so interesting May is a good month to visit this area the wild flowers were really lovely.

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