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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14485 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Philip Dixon

Reviewed April 2016

CYCLING VIETNAM

Excellent cycling, food, scenery, group of people , experiences and very likeable and knowledgeable leader, Lam.

Most Inspirational Moment

Quite a few. Cycling the back lanes and seeing the locals in their field of crops, also the Van pass both up and down. The food was excellent throughout, Lam taking us to many good local restaurants. The overnight train journey and stay on the boat in Halong Bay together the kayaking to see monkeys on the cliffs of one of the peaks were memorable. The food on the boat was best of the holiday. The hotels were all comfortable but we stayed in two 5* ones which were both magnificent and totally unexpected as part of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lam was sociable, knowledgeable and a very good leader. Always enthusiastic, smiling and was the perfect host for the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go & enjoy it. Prepare for the 300 miles of cycling, whilst much was on the flat you still need a reasonable level of fitness, to cope with heat. You are able to have 2 laundry services along the way which are well organised and cheap.

Ros Beard

Reviewed April 2016

Wonderful trip

To get an insight into the real Morocco and its varied geography, people and villages, this trip is a must. Staying in a different location every night was fine. Although there were some long drives, they were interspersed with photo stops, visits so that none seemed too long. Our driver was excellent. One lady suffered from travel sickness and was not looking forward to the Atlas Mountains switchback roads. She was fine and commented on the good driving.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sleeping out under the stars in the Sahara. Having tea at a local house in the Atlas Mountains where we were shown how to brew true Moroccan tea and to sample some delicious home made bread, pancakes and doughnuts. Yum.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Nothing was too much trouble and everything was organised. The kitty meant that one didn't have to worry about money or tipping. Everything was taken care of.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Join the tour. I went because my friend chose it and I was not expecting to come home saying that it was one of my most memorable holidays.

A K

Reviewed April 2016

Sicilian Volcanoes

A very enjoyable trip with a variety of volcanic activity. The fumaroles on Vulcano, Stromboli putting on a good show with it’s puffs of smoke and fiery lava bursts, and the vast black site of Etna, part covered with snow, with it’s many craters, giving a broody, bleak appearance. This alongside the charm of being on islands. There was a good bunch of people to enjoy the holiday with and we were also lucky with the weather.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of Stromboli, which was a bit of a struggle, but then having a lovely sunset, with fuming volcano and the sea behind it, followed by some exciting fireworks. The walk down in the dark is quite something and the times when I could get the hang and get over my fear of the downhills on lava flows on Stomboli and Etna, were fun. Stromboli island with it's laid back, holiday feel was particularly likeable as was the little boat trip giving us different views of the island. I also like being on boats and although we were on them in between the islands, they were hovercrafts and we had to be inside, which is not as much fun. They made sense on a short holiday as it's faster than taking the ferry.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Allesandro was very good. Knowledgeable about everything,informative and enthusiastic about volcanoes, with a good sense of fun and humour. He organised everything well and was good at making adaptations to plans when necessary and was very available.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do take walking poles, they were especially helpful downhill and when walking in snow on Etna.Gaiters, are also helpful if you have them. Head torch is essential on Stromboli for both walks. If you have more time spend a few extra days to see a bit of Sicily, it has charming towns, lots of history and you can sample more of its cuisine. I spent some time in Siracusa/Ortigia and in Noto both I would recommend and would have happily spent more time in the country. If you are in Catania earlier than the group flight there is a left luggage at the main train station which is very cheap and handy.

Elizabeth Knight

Reviewed April 2016

Chopsticks & coconuts

An excellent family holiday, the best thing about it was our fellow holiday makers, lots of children who my son made friends plus a brilliant guide. Ps Vietnams not bad either!

Most Inspirational Moment

Staying at the home stay in the Mekong delta

Thoughts on Group Leader

Amazing. Nothing was too much trouble for him, fun, informative professional and what he didn't know about Vietnam wasn't worth knowing!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes, take 3/4 days to get accustomed to the jet lag before you start your exodus tour.

Scott Barclay

Reviewed April 2016

Adventures, Monkeys, Birds and Frogs

Travelling with young children for an adventure across central America may be considered as too much stress and anxiety for some or downright irresponsible by others. Our family holiday to Costa Rica could not be further from the truth. Travelling through the waterways of Tortuguero exploring extraordinary flora, spotting amazing spiders, astonishing birdlife and catching a glimpse of a caiman or crocodile the children could not have been more inspired. The excitement of being woken by a barking howler monkey troop, the fun had chasing off cheeky white-faced capuchin breakfast thieves or the thrill of the sight of smartly dressed anteaters, oddly shaped armadillos and raiding racoons before bedtime added to the magic. Adrenaline flowed through the entire family with grins as wide as the Panama canal white water rafting down the Sarapiqui river and zip-lining through the Monte Verde cloud forests. Night hikes opened a whole new world of weird nocturnal creepy crawlies, with strange headlight click beetles, striking venomous snakes, industrious leaf cutter ant colonies, poisonous dart frogs and glowing scorpion exoskeletons.
Banana crossing!
As we travelled through active volcanic landscapes, rested on idyllic beaches and explored tropical rainforest with new friends and families met on the trip the stories flowed, vocabulary grew and imaginations ran wild. Even the frequent pit stops for the obligatory small child toilet break were supplemented by encounters with giant iguanas, crocodile swamped river beds, cactus flower ice-cream, unspoilt natural views, delicious cakes and, of course, incredible coffee. Our energetic tour guide (Eddie) and reliable driver (Hernan) judged our group perfectly and were tuned in to exactly what we would appreciate when to make the most of our time in their country. At the end of adventure packed days and encounters with stunning wildlife the entire family cooled off in serene swimming pools or thermal hot spring bars and weary little heads slept comfortably dreaming of the next adventure.
It seems no other tropical country has made such concerted effort to protect its natural environment and as Costa Rica’s tourists account for the largest sector of their national economy we have unprecedented power to protect this amazing country’s natural beauty and remarkable wildlife – spend wisely, avoid business that threaten their future and enjoy this enchanting, magical adventure!

Most Inspirational Moment

The adults really enjoyed the wildlife, particularly Tortuguero National Park. The howler monkey wake-up call at 5am started an inspirational day of toucans, herons, snakes, frogs, crabs, caimen, crocodiles, spider monkey and then going to sleep to the sounds of the rainforest is something I will never forget. The children took all of this in their stride at the time but have since talked about nothing else with their teachers and classmates.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eddie was fabulous. He was so very well tuned in to what we needed, whether we knew it or not. He knew exactly when and where we would like to go. One particular decision sticks in my mind: After a hot and sticky day on the Manuel Antonio beach all the children needed was food and all the adults wanted was a beer and Eddie took us to a fabulous bar on the beach to watch the sunset, with a beer and the kids played on the beach - perfect decision and it was those types of things that made our holiday very special - Thanks Eddie!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of memory cards for all the photos, go with the flow so wake-up when nature calls and don't go to bed too early, enjoy rice and beans and definitely do the rafting, night hke and zip lining options - you will never forget this holiday!

Viv Burfitt

Reviewed April 2016

A week in the magical Dolomites

An excellent holiday: the snow-covered Dolomites are incredibly beautiful, and the weather for our week was perfect, with blue skies above and lots of crunchy snow underfoot. I was rewarded in spades for puffing up those hills: on the walks themselves, by the amazing all-round views; back at our hotel, by the rather nice swimming pool and by tasty and plentiful food. Our group was a really friendly bunch of people, which made for a lovely atmosphere throughout.

Most Inspirational Moment

Not a moment, but a person: Sarah, our guide - amazing!

Thoughts on Group Leader

See above!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you enjoy the mountains and want to get away from the skiing crowds, this is for you. Bear in mind that snowshoeing does burn off a lot more calories than "normal" hill-walking, but if you are used to doing reasonably full day-walks in the UK, you will be fine.

Valerie Loftus

Reviewed April 2016

Cycling Vietnam

Fantastic tour well organized from beginning to end
Wonderful way to see the country and sample the culture

Most Inspirational Moment

The team spirit and the support and encouragement of fellow cyclists given to me particularly on the cycle challenge of the hai van pass

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lam was efficient friendly and totally supportive attended to every need of the group

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are thinking of doing this cycle holiday book now ! All hotels are of a very high standard so everything is provided toiletries towels hair dryers etc

Peter Rogers

Reviewed April 2016

Walking the Amalfi coast

This is a fantastic trip, the walks were hard work, but well worth it, as the views are breathtaking. The hotel 2 Torri is a nice place to stay, the staff are very friendly and accommodating, nothing was to much trouble, the food was excellent, I’m fussy eater, but I had no problems, if there was something I didn’t like they were more than happy to cook me something else.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational part of the trip was walking round the rim of Mt Vesuvius, the views of the Bay of Naples are fantastic, but all the walks are great.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul was a great leader, very freindly, easy going, and nothing was to much trouble for him, he had a lot of local knowledge, that was very informative. All the walks were well planed, Paul gave us a briefing every about the next day, he was also helpful in arranging things to do on our free day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for lots steps, I don't use walking poles, but the people in my group who did said they made it easier, walking boots are a must on this trip.

Joanne Griffiths

Reviewed April 2016

A week full of unashamed laughter!!

I booked this trip as a total novice in winter sports, and after spending a week experiencing a whole range of snow related activities, I’m completely hooked! I enjoyed fabulous scenery, I learnt new skills, I laughed out loud and had enormous fun, I ate great food, I met lovely people and I completely switched off from the stresses of work.

Most Inspirational Moment

The full day with the huskies; such beautiful animals with fabulous personalities – I could easily have spent the whole week doing this activity! Secondly, I really enjoyed cross-country skiing, and loved afternoon laps of the frozen lake with new friends. Apart from a lone local chap doing a spot of ice fishing, the lake was deserted, tranquil and beautiful. Make full use of the equipment available to you, Staff at Basecamp are always available to assist with access to the store-room.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We didn’t have an Exodus guide, Martti, who works at Basecamp, led the group for the week with assistance from several trainee leaders. Martti introduced us to snow shoeing and cross country skiing, and also led the ice-climbing and abseiling options. All staff at Basecamp are friendly, attentive and hardworking.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Once we’d done the snowmobiling, had a mooch around the shops and lunch on the day trip to Ruka, we got a taxi back to Basecamp rather than wait for the coach. However if you get yourself organised, there are things to do, for example, the hiring of fat bikes and cross country skis.

Wayne Halfpenny

Reviewed April 2016