Reviews

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

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14317 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed September 2012

WHALES & BEARS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

An immensely enjoyable trip due in part to the awe-inspiring wildlife viewed but also the fact that our group of only 12 had a shared interest made more memorable because of the energy and enthusiasm of our group leader and the very knowledgeable experts escorting us into their speciality areas.

Most Inspirational Moment

The moment, when nearly back at base, our cameras packed away safe from the pouring rain, a transient pair of orcas, male and female, surfaced near our boat. To hear them scythe through the water and breathe through their blowholes and realise their size was truly a tremendous experience. Normally the boats strictly adhere to the 100meters distance rule so as not to cause the animals undue alarm but in this case their was no warning that we were in their path as it was unusual for them to be so near to the harbour.Later on the trip, in brilliant sunshine this time, we were able to observe two pods of orcas meeting thus making up a group of 11 but at least the 100metres away this time.I went sea-kayaking for the first time and as I can't swim was very apprehensive. This was soon forgotten as I viewed the forest of sea-urchins and starfish straight down below me.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader just couldn't have done anymore to make our holiday special. This trip did not include any meals so she always made sure that we went to nice places to eat or bought supplies in and took us to scenic areas for picnics.She was very informative about Canadian history as she drove us on city tours or hiked the trails and spoke very enthusiastically about the massive trees we saw on the way.The mini-bus we travelled around in had to have all our luggage loaded onto the roof everytime we changed hotels so she had to be very fit to manage this and it was lucky that there were one or two in the group tall enough and strong enough to pass suitcases to within her grasp.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go on a special interest holiday as that will mean you have something in common with the other members of your group.Wildlife watching at 100mtres away, especially at sea, isn't easy so invest in a decent pair of binnoculars.Try and remember to put your camera away now and again so that you can soak up some of the magic of your wildlife experience directly. Sometimes it can be very fleeting and you may never have that sighting again in your life.

Reviewed September 2012

DISCOVER COSTA RICA

Discover Costa Rica exceeded my expectations. It is a beautiful country with superb wildlife and we had a brilliant leader.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many - just to pick a few: Tortuguero - the river trips, the lodge and seeing the turtles nesting and hatchlings heading for the sea.Seeing the woolly opossum on our first night walk and the sloth trying to navigate the cables outside El Avion restaurant.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gio was fantastic. Not only was he a thoroughly nice person and unobtrusively well organised but he obviously loved the wildlife and his job which shone through. His knowledge of the wildlife and spotting ability were superb. He freely gave of his time running extra spotting opportunities and providing us with hand written lists of everything we had seen after we left each lodge. Gio had excellent English, a quiet sense of humour and gave us just the right amount of extra general information about his country as we were driving along. Gio was ably supported by our driver Gerardo who was a lot of fun and also helped to make sure we didn't have a wasted day by taking us out when Gio was taken ill.Both were unfailingly helpful above and beyond the call of duty and worked hard to make sure we all had great time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For many walks sandals were fine and they were good for travelling and round the lodges. On occasion you will need shoes with 'closed toes' as Gio put it - for safety reasons. For those take whatever footwear you would use for a muddy, occasionally steep, walk at home. For me that was walking boots and poles on occasion but younger and/or fitter folk were fine in lighter walking shoes/trainers as long as they had a good grip. Insect repellent was useful on occasion but insects were not as much of a problem as I had expected so I wore short sleeved light clothes and shorts much more than long sleeved ones. It is difficult to get washing dry because of the humidity and in some of the lodges laundry is cheap ($3 for 1 kg) so it is worth considering.Take a towel for the waterfall walk if you want to swim. The steep walk down and up is all steps.While the recommended bird book in the trip notes was useful if birds are your main interest - for more general wildlife you might find 'Wildlife of Costa Rica - a Field Guide' by Fiona Reid more useful. It covers the most common birds as well as mammals, reptiles, amphibians and some insects. You can get it on Amazon or in CR.

Reviewed September 2012

PETRA & WADI RUM BY BIKE

What a wonderful trip! Seriously, if you are even thinking about going on a cycling trip, want to take in some great climbs and some technical descents as well as visit a country full of culture and the most hospitable people, you should go to Jordan, with Exodus and insist that you have the wonderful guide Zuhair host your trip. You will not be disapointed. The bike team are fantastic – so much fun to be around; dancing at breaks, providing constant support on the road and from the vehicle. The riding is just tough enough to make you feel as though you have earned that baklava and beer in the evening. The real highlight though is the trip to Petra; Zuhair really did take us on a trip where we were away from the crowds and expirenced the magic of the old city. I really can’t recommend this trip enough. Go. You will not be disappointed.

Most Inspirational Moment

too many to say.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was magical. He really brought Jerash and Petra to life for us with his wonderful stories and frank open nature. We felt truly looked after and loved having him as our host and guide to this wonderful country. I would visit Jordan again, and would specifically search out Zuhair to be my guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was worried about clothing but, I shouldn't have. Take a light pashmina, which you can wrap around your head in the hot sun, or, in the evening if you want to go un-noticed in the street. However, Jordanians are very hospitable people and, they will not comment on your clothing or make you feel uncomfortable. It is you who will want to blend into the surroundings so that you can observe these kind people without being invited in for tea!

Reviewed September 2012

CHIANTI: WALKING & WINE

great mix of a holiday, fantastic scenery, walking 95% off roads, great sight seeing too!!

Most Inspirational Moment

having breakfast as the mist cleared revealing the tuscan view - beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

took great care of us, very clear in her directions, made sure we had nothong to worry about, and went the extra mile.

Advice for Potential Travellers

be prepared for it to be wamer than the UK, possibly humid too.

Reviewed September 2012

DUBROVNIK & THE DALMATIAN COAST

This was a lovely holiday. It was good to move around Croatia. Starting in Trogir at a lovely hotel. Korcula Island hotel location good. Dubrovik interesting, pleased hotel not in centre.

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved Trogir and would liked to have stayed longer With the leaders help I was able to get tickets for a concert inthe Catheral really recommend this.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you can afford spend a few extra nights in Trogir.The location of the Hotel Sumratin in Dubrovnik was good as you could get away from the crowds which are in the centre old town to a nice beach.

Reviewed September 2012

CAMINO DE SANTIAGO TREK

The walking was a pleasant surprise, because it was more challenging than I thought it would be. Long walks through lovely countryside with a group of very friendly people. What more could you ask for .The food was a little disappointing in taste but we never went hungry. Definately recommend it as a walk with a difference

Most Inspirational Moment

Collecting the stamps for the pilgramage passport at the various bars, cafes and churches added an unusual aspect to the walking trip. A great keep sake at the end of a very pleasant week.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was very entertaining and loved to talk about a wide range of topics. Very attentive and his tales of walking through the hills and mountains were a pleasure to listen too. Top marks

Advice for Potential Travellers

Keep an open mind about the food. It is geared for pilrims and so is cheap but plentyful.

Reviewed September 2012

MONT BLANC HIGHLIGHTS

A truly excellent Way of experiencing Europe’s most fantastic landscape.

Most Inspirational Moment

Coming from Australia, where there are hardly any mountains, this environment took my breath away. The mountain landscape with snow and glaziers are views that I will remember forever.

Thoughts on Group Leader

An excellent guy and an amazing guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Arrive a little earlier and take some of the higher cable cars up to some the peaks we don't walk to.

Reviewed September 2012

INCA TRAIL & THE AMAZON RAINFOREST

Well organised trip of a lifetime. It was 3 holidays rolled into one. The rainforest, Inca Trail and Lake Titcaca, – all so different but in the one country. Amazing. If you are thinking about doing it, go ahead and do it before it is too late. Life is too short.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the macaws circling and recircling ready to swoop down on the rock face.Making it up Dead Woman's Pass on the Inca Trail, an achievement in itself!The wonder of Machu Picchu when you go through the Sun Gate - it is amazing. The village at Lake Titicaca - so tranquil.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very informative and helped me a lot when I had problems with breathing due to the high altitude.Flaminia was always calm, and nothing was too much trouble for her.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your walking poles. Drink plenty of water. Take spare batteries for your head torch - this is essential for when you make the trips to the toilet tent in the middle of the night. Take loads of insect repellent. Take a mixture of Peruvian Sols and US dollars as on the whole US dollars were only required for tips to the guides, porters etc.

Reviewed September 2012

WHALES & BEARS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

Although some of the wildlife encounters did fall below my expectations as set by the information in the trip notes, the group was great and the holiday was fun – I have good memories of it. Especially if this would be your first wildlife trip to North America, you will see lots of ‘firsts’. The scenery is amazing and you’ll have plenty of time to explore Vancouver city too.

Most Inspirational Moment

I don't know about inspirational, but the highlights for me were snorkelling near the harbour seal haul-out and being joined by a pup in the water, and also an unexpected sighting of a family North American river otters when we got back to the harbour in Nanaimo. Also seeing a mother and cub grizzly bear at Orford River and the sightings of orcas and lots of pacific white-sided dolphins on the boat journey to and from the bears. And encountering a mother raccoon and three kits in Stanley Park, Vancouver city.The stay at the Canadian Princess resort at Ucluelet was lovely - relaxing and a home from home.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jo was very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and a good fixer. She is extremely communicative and chatty.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to help with lifting your luggage on and off the roof rack of the minibus each time the group moves hotels, and pack a bit lighter to make this job easier.Canada is very expensive, so budget plenty for eating out/buying food (no meals are included in this trip). In British Columbia you need to add on a sales tax of 12% and (if eating out) a tip of 18% which is in practice mandatory and often goes straight on the bill, so everything is effectively 30% more than the menu price.If you're veggie, choice is pretty limited when eating out, so consider doing some food shopping once there so some of your meals can be 'DIY' in your hotel room.We were blessed with beautiful weather and Jo had the idea of collecting money for a kitty to buy picnic food which worked really well (but wouldn't if it rained a lot!), so we got 6 picnic lunches for CAD40 which was good value.

Reviewed September 2012

MT TOUBKAL CLIMB

Excellent trip I can only encourage everyone to go on. We were really lucky with the weather as well so took hundreds of beautiful pictures. Well organised very enjoyable trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Finally climbing up Mt Toubkal was the most memorable time of the trip but actually all the way just as good.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was a very nice berber man who has great temper and very proud of his country. Taught us very interesting things about the Berbers. Looked after everybody and was never tired to help. Was open minded to our special requests and supported us in harder moments. Very good English and good humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Next time I would take my own mattress as extra layer as the one provided wasn't quite thick enough for me...

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