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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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This trip to the coast of Portugal was the best. I have travelled all over the world on different trips and this one ranks at the very top of my list. The scenery, the daily hikes, the hotels and the food – all wonderful. We were fortunate to have spectacular weather. I highly recommend this trip for anyone wanting to experience truly amazing scenery and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Seeing the ocean from many angles and feeling truly blessed to be alive.
Francisco and Rafa were THE BEST - kind, informative, funny and engaging. They took the best care of us. I felt very safe every day while walking on the edge of the cliffs and experiencing views like I have never seen before.
Book this trip - you will not regret one moment.
Just returned from a fantastic week exploring the beautiful, flower covered mountains and stunning coastline of western Algarve.
Francisco and Rafael were wonderful guides sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for the local culture, history and especially nature and its conservation. … all with good humour and patience.
There was a great mix of walking and visiting local artisans. Also the food was delicious!
This was my third trip with Exodus. The group was both diverse & lovely, with everyone bringing their own flavour & experiences along.
Our guides, Francisco & Rafael were just fantastic. As well as organising the beautiful walks there were many other activities on this trip, including some not on the itinerary, and there was clearly much planning behind the scenes.
The mix of inland & coastal walks was perfect, and the abundance of flowers unexpected & breathtaking. We were blessed with perfect weather throughout.
I loved the mix of terrain & locations. The local flavour brought by our knowledgeable leaders was really what made the trip so special.
Francisco was the main leader, with Rafa as his very capable right-hand man. They work so well as a team, and their lifelong friendship really does show throughout. They were both caring & attentive to the needs of our very mixed group at all times. Their local knowledge was fabulous, covering a broad range of subjects: history, botany, wildlife, geology, etc. They clearly have a great love for Portugal, and engendered respect for the environment, local people & businesses throughout. The best guides I’ve encountered.
Book it! Portugal is beautiful, and the area covered is diverse and interesting. The guides further bring it to life for you. I managed in trail shoes & without sticks, although these were available to borrow.
What a terrific trip! Francisco and Raphael were both great. They were so knowledgeable and helpful all along the way. I loved walking through the villages and learning about the culture. It was my first Exodus trip, and I see more in the future.
Excellent
Our trip leaders Francisco and Rafael were amazing, they genuinely wanted the best experience for us. For me, however, some of the food was not so great… Maybe it was just the time of year that there wasn’t much produce available. Ham and cheese sandwiches every day… And I don’t eat processed ham. Some of the restaurants weren’t so great either. So my only real complaint is the quality of the food… The first night in Monchique dinner was almost inedible with the only a choice of three items and one being tofu which was quickly ruled out, lol. I found it very disappointing as I’ve heard from others that Portugal has such great food… One night I ordered the local prawns and they were these tiny teeny little shrimp that I couldn’t even peel and very mushy… I wish there would’ve been an option that I did not have to go to the wine tasting because it was very late before we got to dinner… I would’ve liked to have just gone off on my own and had dinner a little earlier instead of it 9 o’clock at night and getting in so late and having to get up early the next morning. It didn’t help that that dinner that night was not very good, steak very tough and being overcooked was not even edible….and by then the rest of the food was cold… I try not to think of the food because everything else was incredible except that food is a really big thing for me.
The wildflowers were amazing! Loved the olive oil factory and ceramics shop!
Overall fantastic… they went out of their way to arrange a later transfer to Faro for some of us which really made a difference ! But could use a little help with the food… Having the same processed cheese sandwich every day was rough, lol… could’ve used more fresh food or even some better cheese, meats and more fresh fruits and vegetables.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback. We are really pleased to hear you enjoyed the stunning walks and that Francisco and Rafael made such a positive impression.
We are sorry to hear, however, that the food did not live up to your expectations. While we typically receive very positive feedback on the meals included on this trip, as you will see in several other reviews, we absolutely appreciate that food preferences are personal, and we understand how much of an impact this can have on your overall experience.
The guides aim to introduce the group to authentic local cuisine by eating at family-run and regional restaurants, which is usually a highlight for many, but we know this does not always hit the mark for everyone. Your specific comments about the quality, variety, and timing of meals have been shared with our local team so they can review the restaurant selections and look at improving variety, especially for those with dietary preferences.
Thanks again for your honest review. We are glad to know that, despite the food issues, the rest of the trip left a positive impression, and we hope we will have the chance to welcome you on another adventure in the future.
– The Exodus Travels Team
Thanks again for another excellent trip. Yet again the guides are the local knowledge and the key to all the knowledge. They went out of their way to show us places that you would never find on your own , explained local customs and took us to local restaurants.
Seeing nesting birds on the edge of a cliff...this was amazing
Francisco Simoes
Go with an open mind, be fit and enjoy yourself.
I highly recommend this holiday. Daily walks through beautiful and varied countryside in the hills and along the fishermen’s coastal path. Time to stop and admire the views and wild flowers in full bloom, watch the seabirds and
learn about the environmental challenges from our 2 wonderful guides Francisco and Rafael.
The spectacular coastal views.
Francisco and his colleague Rafael are excellent, thoughtful and well organised guides. They introduced us to very interesting local olive oil and drinks producers and took us to fabulous seafood restaurants and we had fun along the way.
Take plenty of Euros to pay for most meals as advised in the trip notes and comfortable walking shoes or boots for walking on rocky paths.
I really enjoyed this holiday, and would recommend it to others.
I would confirm (in my opinion) that this is a level 2 walking holiday, however I do need to caveat that with I missed the day 4 walk, which was apparently the hardest.
I liked the mixture of inland and coastal walks, as a whole week of just coastal walks may have been a bit “samey”.
I was quite rainy (off and on) for the week we went in March, sunglasses for 5 minutes, then hood up for 5 minutes, but this didn’t spoil the holiday at all (but bring waterproofs if coming early or late in the season).
Even though we stayed in 3 different places, this tour did not feel rushed.
Cant think of one specific moment, I enjoyed all the walks, and the local cuisine.
Both guides (Francisco and Raphael) were very professional, well organised, and a pleasure to walk with. A lot of effort is made to support local businesses, and the food was the best/freshest/authentic for that reason, which is an added bonus. Also thoughtful - I was not well on day 4 and missed the walk and wine tasting. They checked up on me during the day to make sure I was ok, and I was brought a bottle of wine to make up for the missed tasting experience, which was lovely, and not expected.
The first hotel, nice looking rooms, but some were was a bit damp (it was March and rainy). Didnt live up to expectations, but I know this is being addressed by Exodus, so dont let this put you off. Also worth noting that the thermal spa in the first hotel is currently closed for renovation (with no mentioned reopening date), just to set your expectations. The second hotel (Hotel Vale da Telha) I liked, lots of Moorish touches, dont be put off by the official 2* rating. Third hotel is very nice, I could easily have done 1 more day there after the tour ended just to wind down (and enjoy the excellent breakfast). Hairdryers in all hotels. If you want to travel hand luggage only, the guides have plenty of poles that you can borrow if needed.
We spent 5 Algarve hiking days with two wonderful tour leaders. Each day provided an authentic hiking experience through local forested trails and breathtaking costal paths in the Algarve. Many other unique Portugal experiences were included and at the end you will definitely want to see, taste, and hear much more of this warm friendly country.
The incredible Algarve coastline
Francisco and his co-leader Raphael were over the top prepared and accommodating for our group. They included many extra special events during the tour.
Bring small pair of binoculars for viewing. The activity rating is more like a 3 than a 2, so prepare a bit beforehand. Some of the restaurants only accept cash, bring enough.
The hike combined a holiday, a historical introduction to the Algarve, active coastal sustainability and a promotion of local businesses.
Most of the trip was inspiring. No particular moment stood out more than others.
Francisco and Raphael
Go on the trip and enjoy the beauty of the Algarve, the knowledge and skill of the guides as well as an insight into the area’s past, present and developing future.