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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98 Reviews

4.5 out of 5

Leslie Edlington

Reviewed June 2018

Longer days than expected.

The days were much longer than we expected as the ride was graded at 2 which is about right for the type of cycling we experienced. On past trips we have arrived at the hotels between 3 and 5 giving time to shower, wash kit and get out to see around around the city before eating. With some of the transfers being long we often had little time to see the place we were staying in. This resulted in eating late and consequently not getting to bed until late.

Much of the cycling is on the flat and on narrow cycling lanes which was a bit boring at times.

Most Inspirational Moment

With me it was eating smoked perch for my lunch on the beach. A first. Seeing a pied wagtail that was just about all white. Meeting a large primary school party of various ages that were celebrating the end of term with a three day cycling trip. All really enjoying them selves. Meeting the Danish Ambassador to Estonia with her official transport a bike.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vaida was a very good leader. Gave us excellent information especially about the lengths of each day and each leg of cycling. She took us to excellent restaurants and all the food was good to excellent. I particularly liked receiving the maps each day and finding out where we were cycling from and too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you can, practice a few 20 milers on flat land.

Suggestions

This is meant as constructive criticism. Try to shorten the days on the road to give more time in the towns.

Fides Schwartz

Reviewed September 2017

Beautiful autumn cycling

Great trip with a wonderful group and just sooo much to see plus lots of great food!

Most Inspirational Moment

Waving to Kaliningrad (Russia) from the lithuanian part of the curonian spit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very professional, knowledgeable and fun!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book an extra day in Tallinn and Vilnius at the beginning and end of the trip.

Suggestions

It would be wonderful, if there was a possibility to extend the trip a little bit to include an extra day in Riga.

Lyn Wales

Reviewed September 2017

Baltics Cycling

Good trip overall for both culture and cycling. You learn a lot about the Baltic countries and their uneasy relationship with Russia.
The cycling was mostly flat, which is hard in the legs especially in a head wind. At times their were unavoidable long flat straight stretches on roads which were dull.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the farmhouse with museum on the Gulf of Finland. The location, lunch, and history provided by the owners were all great.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vaida was excellent. Knowledgable, helpful, personable and always 'ready, ready'. Even though she was suffering with a sore throat.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's colder than you think. Layers!

Suggestions

The food was brilliant. Had expected heavy dishes, but the restaurants chosen by Vaida gave us an excellent taste of all that the Baltics had to offer.

Jay Bordoloi

Reviewed September 2017

Wonderful first group cycling trip experience!

The itinerary is accurate. This was my first experience with a group cycling tour and I was a solo traveler. I would say the trip exceeded my expectations because I saw local towns/areas that I would not have normally visited on my own in the country-side, the travel group was a great set of people from all over the world, and the places we visited for food were very tasty and a great sampling of local cuisine.

During the visits to capital cities, I learned a lot about the history of various Baltic countries from the medieval to modern era. Overall, I enjoyed the routes we cycled (generally minimal car traffic) as they were in scenic areas.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through a small town and the tour guide striking up a conversation with an old lady sitting with her cat. Hearing about the lady's history in the town was fascinating and was something I would not have been able to do, had I been traveling on my own.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our trip leader was a wonderful tour guide. She worked very hard to make sure everyone was having a good time and was clear in her directions for what the itinerary for the day would be. She worked well with our driver to coordinate van support and our safe transportation. In addition, her friendly personality helped facilitate the group getting to know each other.

Advice for Potential Travellers

While the route is very flat, I would say 'leisurely' is not so accurate. As generally the group needs to cover 20-30mi/day and have time for van transfers, there is not so much time for frequent breaks. While the pace is certainly comfortable and doable, 'leisurely' to me implies more frequent stops for photo opportunities or small snacks/picnics during the route. I would rate the trip as a 3 or 4, as 10 days of riding in a row on mostly flat terrain does require some level of effort.

Suggestions

Overall wonderful trip with comfortable hotels, great restaurant selection, safe and scenic cycling routes, and a very friendly local tour guide!

Susan Bigmore

Reviewed June 2017

Cycle the Baltics

It was a fantastic trip, every day was a new adventure. The cycling was varied, and there was a lot of custom made cycle paths, e.g. on the Coronian Spit which consisted of just miles of cycle paths. The hotels were great,
the best being the one in the National Park called Palmse Manor, with a stunning lake. The Hotel Braavo in Tallin was probably one not to return to, as they were obviously doing some refurbishments and it was a bit like a “work in progress”.

Most Inspirational Moment

Finding out we'd cycled 403 kilometres over 9 days! It was tough sometimes, but it was a challenge and I was glad I did it. Another inspirational moment was going into a Russian Orthodox church in Vilnius and there was some chanting going on, and it really was very unique and special. The food we had during the whole trip was excellent, I couldn't fault it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Minda was a really nice guy and was very encouraging. I was always at the end of the line (out of a group of 16) and sometimes I'd see them disappear into the distance on rides but he would wait for me. I feel that maybe a back-marker might have been useful. When we talked to us in the bus, I was at the back and couldn't hear him that well, a microphone might have been useful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't take too much luggage and because you're moving on, you never get to unpack your case!

Suggestions

I think maybe a non-cycling day in the middle of this holiday would have been nice to just recuperate from the relentless schedule - sometimes we'd have barely half an hour to get ready to go out to dinner. It was all so well organised - it was my first Exodus trip and I'd definitely go on another one.

Peter Pattison

Reviewed September 2016

Cycle the Baltics

Excellent trip with brilliant tour leader, with surprisingly good weather for the time of year.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting Tallin, and the pretty villages as we cycled down the coast around Klaipeda. The Castle at Trakai was lovely as much of the architecture in all the many "Old Towns" that we visited.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vaida Jusaite was just the best in everyway possible,she has lead this trip many times,so knew all about everything and everywhere in detail. Vaida also selected the very best restaurants everywhere that we went, all were excellent and we would have never found them had we travelled independently.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For an easy cycling trip without challenging conditions as the roads are very quiet,do try this trip as if you enjoyed it as much as we did, you will be very pleased that you went,especially if you are lucky enought to have Vaida as your tour leader.

Suggestions

Try it,you will like it.

Ruth Tobey

Reviewed September 2016

Cycle the Baltics

Just as explained in the brochure enhanced by our wonderful tour leader, Simon. From the fairy-tale castles, westernised beauty of Talinn we cycled through lush forested paths to Riga and the wonderful Old Town of Vilnius. It was eerie actually being in a spot where the Iron Curtain once was and having it brought to mind how close the Russian bear actually lurks.
Our guide was able to explain to us the sad history of the Baltic nations on one hand and the resilience of a most beautiful wonderful people on the other. A great group of fellow cyclists led to the enjoyment of delicious food, eclectic B&B s and an amazing culture.

Most Inspirational Moment

Feeling the resilience and hope of such wonderful people in countries historically neglected by the Western democracies. The passion of our tour leader Simon and our wonderful guide, Ira.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Simon, was extraordinary. In all instances he went beyond the call of duty to make everyone feel like a valuable member of our group and as such our group's convivial nature was enhanced. Simon told us wonderful tales of Lithuanian folklore and he even sang for us in his rich voice. Simon took in consideration the weather etc and was ready to alter situations as per daily requirements, if necessary. He went out of his way to find us local tour guides in Riga and Vilnius who passionately (especially in Riga) recounted the history of their country as we toured each country's respective Old Town. Simon was probably the greatest reason the trip was such a success.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Even though terrain was definitely leisurely- moderate, the most proficient cyclist of our group admitted the history and positives of the cycle far our weighed the lack of challenge. Nevertheless, we had great fun enjoying the fun a flat our fun cycle on a relatively flat terrain. Go - enjoy the culture, food and history of the Baltic Nations.

Suggestions

One of my best trips ever.

Colin McCabe

Reviewed September 2016

Cycle the Baltics, August 2016

A very enjoyable trip with great weather – we had sunshine every day. The cycling (for a reasonably fit non-cyclist) was manageable and we arrived in towns and cities in time to see some/most of the major sites.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Baltics themselves - each country and their towns and cities are full of history and culture. I'm definitely going back to see more.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vaida was brilliant - I arrived a day early and she was there to greet me and some other travellers, and she contacted me a couple of days after the tour ended with my transfer arrangements. She really did go the extra mile to ensure we were all happy and sorted.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring bug spray - I was murdered by mozzies. It makes sense to arrive a day early to see Tallinn as there is not enough time on the trip to properly enjoy it.

Suggestions

The food and hotels were better than I expected.

Neil Neumann

Reviewed August 2016

Cycle the Baltics

Cycled and toured with a great group of travelers. Despite the occasional rain and cold, we managed to see quite a bit and explore new places. The accommodations were conveniently located to important places of interest and restaurants; liked the fact that we stayed in almost all the hotels for at least two consecutive nights.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the Vilnius Jewish ghetto and synagogue and imagining how life was during the war.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lukas was attentive to all our needs and very knowledgeable about the places we visited. He always addressed our concerns promptly and appropriately. He just needs to relax more!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Keep a close eye on the weather reports and pack accordingly.

Kevin Griffin

Reviewed August 2016

Cycle the Baltics

A great trip, blending cultural aspects, great sightseeing, exploring the 3 capital cities as well as some nice cycling.
Terrain was nice and flat and was within the capability of everyone in our group. Distances were very manageable and there was a minimum of waiting around. Lukas, our guide and the driver were simply outstanding in getting us up on our bikes each day with a minimum of fuss. Fast turnaround time between finishing our cycling and being back on the move again on the bus.

Most Inspirational Moment

I really enjoyed the Riga and Vilnius walking tours.... It was great to get local insight into the history and the people. As for the cycling... the scenery everywhere was pretty good... cycling by the sea, through Forest, rolling country-side, stopping for lunches in very scenic settings (castles), great seafood and sampling the many potato dishes on offer!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lukas was outstanding. He handled the group very well, was very attentive to everyone's needs and couldnt' do enough to help. Very knowledgeable about all 3 countries and clearly passionate about his beloved Lithuania!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring rain gear. We were very fortunate to only have experience a small amount of rain while cycling, but the weather is changeable and you could be unlucky and hit a few rain-showers... so be prepared.

Suggestions

I'm happy to recommend the trip. A great balance of health exercise, sightseeing and immersion in different cultures.

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