Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I believe we found the Totukuji Temple (not sure correct spelling -  name)   in Kyoto - where the red gates wind up and up and up  the hill - with many steps leading up - to be absolutely spectactular. However I must say that the  Cherry Blossom trees that we saw in Tokyo - in various parks - were also fantastic.  I believe that this will remain an everlasting memory for me.  Could not stop taking photos of these.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I believe our leader did her best to accommodate the various needs of a diverse group.  She was casual in her approach in leading us which suited us. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do a lot of research on the major areas you visit - so you can plan your free days and just go and enjoy it. The weather in late March - April is also a little unpredictable - probably a lot colder than  we thought it would be -  we were glad of good coats - umbrellas needed at times - cheaply available everywhere.  We also made the most of every moment to the point of at times exhaustion.  But  you are only here for a short time so make the most of and enjoy it.   Also we found good cheap food in the Kyoto Station - where some locals ate.  Also in department stores - in food areas - fresh good and cheap with markdowns towards the closing times.  

Most Inspirational Moment

Trekking on the second day with the local guide behind Petra and then making our way down into Petra from on high; the usual route is not to be missed, but the views on the second day were exceptional - think Utah's Canyonlands with temples and tombs.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was interested and interesting, for he displayed courtesy and expertise throughout and his local knowledge was invaluable. In short he took good care of us and was good company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a camera!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the waterfall on the walk through Valle delle Ferriere.  A stunning moment that reached all the senses; lingering in silence, watching the water cascade over the mossy stone capturing the sunlight, it was one of the most beautiful natural sights that I have ever seen. A personal highlight was starting the week like Bambi unable to find my 'walking feet' and ending the week striding along confidently; no hill too high or slope too steep. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ale was really encouraging; he got to know each member of the group and understand their personal strengths and limitations and was able therefore to support each person according to their need.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is challenging in places, that's the moderate bit. But you can go at your own pace and that's the leisurely bit. I was relatively inexperienced but I was able to pace myself and my confidence grew throughout the week. Go for it!

Most Inspirational Moment

I have done a few cycling trips now and in Asia I am always amazed by the friendliness of the people and the children who all come out to see you and call out "Bye!!" I was also impressed by how clean Sri Lanka is. I loved the temples - we certainly saw a lot of them!  Also thoroughly enjoyed the visit to the Elephant Orphanage.  We just sat and watched them for a couple of hours playing in the river. Getting to the top of that Hill!!   Think of it in stages.  We had a stop every 20k so all I thought about was doing the next 20k and it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be.  If you have any hesitation just do it!  You can always get on the bus for a stage.At the end of the trip I went on an optional Whale watching trip.  This was excellent - we saw lots of whales and dolphins. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had Suresh.  Initially I was disappointed as I was expecting to have Peter lead our trip.  However Suresh could not do enough for us.  Suresh's love for his country (and temples) was very evident.  I believe this enriched our whole trip.  There is a lot to be said for having a guide who is a native of the country you are touring.  Suresh's laugh just put everyone in a good mood.  He also loved a good bargain and was always negotiating for us to get the best price. Upali was our driver - lovely man who could talk for Sri Lanka!  AJ was our front man - catch him if you can.  Then we had the gorgeous Chamara as our back man and mechanic.  Great team but AJ please slow down at the front .......

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take an umbrella!  No country is ever this green and verdant without plentiful rain!  Also a torch is useful. If you go to the elephant orphanage try and buy some bananas on your way.  You can get them there but you will want a lot.  Remember this is not a race.  Every trip will have people on it who wish to get to the destination as fast as they can but that doesn't mean we all have to.  We were always at our destination well ahead of schedule and I now wish I had stopped more, taken more photos and generally not rushed through everything.  This does tend to happen a lot on cycling holidays so stand your ground.  Tell the leader you would like more "regrouping" so that you can stop and take photos and generally enjoy the scenery. When you get the opportunity use the local transport - it really is an experience!  We got a bus back from Galle and a series of vendors trooped on and off the bus selling nuts, oranges and other wares.  The amount of people they manage to get on a bus!  Was pleased we were on it first and got seats.

Most Inspirational Moment

The scenery cannot be rivalled! There were plenty of 'wow' moments where the camera just wouldn't do it justice! The location of the hotel is great - breakfast is with a view!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro was lovely. He became one of the group, he was relaxed and friendly. His knowledge of the area was fantastic and he shared lots of information on each walk. Alvaro allowed us to walk at our own pace and he moved within the group to spend time with everyone.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In April, be prepared for all weathers, a little like walking in the UK at this time. Obviously it is a mountainous region so the weather can change quickly. The sun was hot at this time of year.

Most Inspirational Moment

After a very short drive we began our walk uphill towards Amalfi and the sun shone!.  The scenery was just so interesting: panoramic views of the coast and sea and then down to the gorge in the national park which was stunning and very atmospheric. Finally, to be taken back in time as we passed the old paper mills close to the entrance to the quaint town of Amalfi.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alexandro was constantly bright, welcoming and interesting!

Advice for Potential Travellers

We so many steps it is sensible to take knee supports and walking poles.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Acropolis and a great education on all things Greek and Island from the tour leader.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thanos was great. Clearly loves everything about the area so every question on everything (from asparagus to Zeus) wasn't just answered but expanded upon (eg: what's that flower, answer: it's camomile, used in XYZ and prepared by ABC, for ... etc).Also, extraordinarily, instead of cutting our tour schedule due to the poor weather and strike he actually managed to expand it by adding in another island and throwing in his own tour of Athens - which I thought was incredible. I've been on a few tours and have always been impressed by the leaders, but he was outstanding.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Maybe April was too early to go and I think it would have been more fun with a bigger group (only 4 of us).

Most Inspirational Moment

Walk 1 Ponta de Sao Lourenco - fantastic views, hot sunny and breezy, lizards great entertainment back in time for swim in the pool.Walk 2 lovely, exciting edge of cliff walk, different flora/fauna to Porta da Cruz. Lovely hotel. Walk 3 Levada do Caldeiro Verde - really pretty but busy. Walk 4 not so nice - fog and cold and staircase to Endumeada, a long hard day - glad I did it. Tunnels amazing. Walk 5 I opted out of the last walk as it was foggy and wet and I thought I would hold everyone else up.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent local guide - Andre Pontes who had a great sense of humour and "eyes in the back of his head". I felt very safe with him and valued his experience of the walks and knowledge of the plant life. Hotels very good, food wonderful.  Heated pool lovely.

Most Inspirational Moment

There are many parts of this trip which were unforgettable, but climbing the dunes of Wadi Rum and dancing with the Bedouins at the camp are the most memorable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Samer, was freelance and contracted to us for the week. While very warm and helpful if asked, he did not take as much initiative in explaining to us the itinerary for the day or helping us understand what we might need in terms of the various bits and bobs required to make a trip more comfortable. For example, the group would often wonder how long a journey may be, where we would have lunch next, or how far we'd have to go before we reached a toilet. With children (there were ten children) it is more essential to be told when we would need to slather suncream on them so we could do it before we got to a destination rather than waste time at it. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

The Wadi Rum accommodation is actually quite good - they provide very thick blankets (in April at the time of writing this) - so you may not really need sleeping bags. Aqaba has a laundry service round the corner from the hotel (Mina Hotel) and you can wash there if you need to. Carry strong sunscreen for the Dead Sea and Red Sea and Bethany.  

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed Khiva most, being a very well preserved walled city the visual impact of the history associated with the country is hard to miss.  I also enjoyed the Kazak singer at the camp fire in the Yurt camp, apart from experiencing this specific type of music the setting made us all relax and feel how special the simplicity of the night was.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was very good.  He was very relaxed, fun and nothing was ever a problem.  He was very knowledgeable about the sites we were visiting and gave general information and advice to help us enjoy our stay in Uzbekistan. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a safe country where female and single travellors should feel safe.  I would recommend taking a sleeping bag liner to the Yurt.  Only a couple of times were we required to wear modest clothing to visit some holy places, clothes covering womens elbows and knees was needed.