Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The hiking through the hills out from Mai Chau was great even though it was incredibly hot. Very interesting visiting the tribes and hearing their stories. Also the boat trip in Halong Bay - the seafood dinner, the kayaking, the swimming, the relaxing on the ship's deck, the scenery. Awesome. Cu Chi tunnels. Really interesting while also a little freaky experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Linh was great. Organised us really well, and looked after us well with pointing out good restaurants etc when going to be on our own, and taking us to really good restaurants when with him. We ate REALLY well! Was really informative, explained a lot about how the hill tribe people live and their past etc. Ended up telling the same things a couple of times, and sometimes would go off on a tangent, turning a piece on the pagoda etc we were at into a long winded story of his childhood. But mostly told good stuff. Is a little quirky, which made it entertaining with some of his songs. Has a lot of character, which has left us with a great memories to retell amongst group members. Overall, Linh was really great value.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a light weight jacket with you in case it rains at any moment (even though it'll likely only be brief). Say so at the beginning if you don't like fish (or anything for that matter), you'll get well catered for with other food for you. A few people on our trip didn't say so until halfway through, after a number of entrees and meals with fish, so didn't eat as much those times.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me the best moments came after the longest days in the saddle. I loved the feeling of achievement after a long hill climb. The down hill runs afterwards were great fun too!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was an absolute star. Knowledgeable, approachable, and a can do attitude were everything your could have wanted or expected from someone leading the tour. I'd add that the conduc of the three support staff who were on the trip we similarly noteworthy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It sounds an obvious thing to say but this is a trip for people who have  good fitness. If you dont, you wont enjoy it.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational part of the trip was seeing how the people of Sri Lanka have carried on with their lives since the Tsunami. It was wonderful to see the fishing boats back in the bays.I was also inspired by the rest of the group. Its wonderful to be with such a mixed age group and to experience the activities together.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I was lucky enough to have Roshan again as the leader of the group. He truly loves, and is proud of his country. He is so knowledgeable about all aspects of Sri Lanka, its culture, its history and its people. He cares about the people in the group and demonstrated this continuously. Nothing was too much trouble. He has a great sense of humour and made the trip fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy every minute of the trip and listen to the guide.  Take plenty of mosquito repellent.Think twice before taking travellers cheques. They are difficult to change.

Most Inspirational Moment

Enrico's picnics! They were made with love. The weather! But the hosts were awesome - Michele and Enrico.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you practice some hills before you come. Have an open-mind about the day - some long days but enjoyable, some shorter days. Bring a bathing suit as you will be in the beach almost every day. Just enjoy and relax. There is WiFi at every hotel, but take a break from the news and have a vacation.

Most Inspirational Moment

If you have the least interest in classical history and culture or enjoy spectacular Mediterranean seascapes you will find this holiday inspirational. Some of my highlights include: glimpses of the Acropolis as one cycles through Athens in the morning, the bike ride to the sanctuary of Hera at Melagavi, the home-cooked food at Mycenae, but every day provided more than one unforgettable high point and each evening the pleasure and enjoyment of good company.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christiana and Christos are excellent hosts for their country and great companions on the road and in the relaxed evenings. Christiana is very knowledgeable about the classical sites we visited and also a great guide to the gourmet events which were dinner every night. Christiana can teach you to dance (in the spirit of Zorba) too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you can manage it and you haven’t been there before: a couple of extra days in Athens are worthwhile. There’s obviously much to see and it’s a very lively city. And did I mention that the food and wine is plentiful, inexpensive and good?

Most Inspirational Moment

Floating in the warm sea at Amalfi looking up at the town. The view from the top of Vesuvius. The moon shining brightly over the twinkling lights of the bay at Ravello.  My favorite walks were The Walk of the Gods and the Valle de Ferriere NP walk.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Jo was friendly and approachable. Jo explained what each day would entail and what we would need to take with us on our walks.  She helped us to arrange excursions outside of the itinery for our free day or if people wanted a break from walking and was good company all week. Our guide for Pompeii was excellent and helped to put over the story of the people who lived there.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book it and go, you will have a great time !!  I went at the end of August which was very hot. Walking in 35 degrees is something I have never experienced before, however I still did all of the walks and loved it.  I get travel sick so travel sickness bands or tablets are a good idea for the winding roads. Finally there really are a lot of steps!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Several.  The festival for me was the highlight plus some of the views on the trek were stunning.  Oh and the walk up to the Tiger Monastery and the Paro Dzong and oh yes the Druk Air flight back to Kathmandu with out of this world views of some of the tallest mountains in the world including Everest!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Pasang and Dorji were absolutely wonderful.  I have been on several of these group holidays and these guys are the best.  I certainly haven't had better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trek from Paro to Thimpu goes to over 4,000 metres and is quite strenuous in places. Having said that though, all 16 of our group made it but take your time. 

Most Inspirational Moment

1. Young children rushing out onto the streets to greet and high five us as we're riding through the villages.  As a group, we never got bored of this, even though it was a constant throughout the trip!2. Halong Bay is simply stunning.3. 30km cycle descent through breathtaking scenery.4. Hoi An was my favourite city and it was great to chill and have a relaxation day there.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader (Lam) was the loveliest bloke you're ever likely to meet!  He totally got our sense of humour and as well as him, the drivers and mechanic were an integral part of our group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't hesitate, just book onto this trip as soon as possible!

Most Inspirational Moment

For me it was the optional balloon flight over the Masai Mara which you can book while on the trip, you take off early so that you can see the sun rise which was amazing, it is expensive but in my opinion it is worth every penny. To be flying over the Masai Mara as the sun rises and to then land and be treated to champagne and an amazing cooked breakfast was just incredible.The safari was amazing also, we went on many drives. Seeing a cheetah with her cubs was a real highlight for me.Also the boat trip, snorkelling and picnic on a secluded island was great, this was run in Zanzibar. They offer a big trip but note that a significant number of people go on this one which put us off. We went with the dive centre which is part of the hotel, because our whole group of 9 people went they adapted the trip to what we wanted, for us this was the best option.The Masai Mara camp itself was also a great experience, nothing quite prepares you for the lovely tents you get with proper bathrooms and beds. You hear all sorts of animal noises in the night including monkeys playing on the roof which really adds to the experience and having Masai warriors escort you to and from your tent at night and having them looking after the camp throughout the night makes you feel very safe and allows you to relax and enjoy.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ben and David were exceptional throughout the holiday, they gave us all the information we needed, answered any questions we had and addressed any issues quickly. They also knew so much about the area and gave us a lot of local information and information about the animals which made the trip a lot more interesting.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware that this is a trip viewing wildlife and so nothing is guaranteed but if you go with an open mind you will have an amazing time.In terms of money i would suggest taking more Kenyan schillings than advised in the trip notes as i ran out and most of the little shops, the Masai village etc use the local currency. You can pay everywhere on the Kenya part of the trip with the local currency but only really the Masai Mara camp in USD. You can get by with USD but suggest more of the local currency would be useful. In Zanzibar you don't need any of the local currency, you can use USD for everything.

Most Inspirational Moment

Looking down over the monster of a climb we had all successfully completed, sitting at the top of Dead womens pass and taking in one of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Carlos was fantastic. He always talked with great passion and enthusiasm and he never failed to make things fun and interesting.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your walking poles!!