Reviews

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

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110 Reviews

4.5 out of 5

Catherine Bannatyne

Reviewed September 2022

Brilliant Baltics on a bike

I was drawn to this trip because I wanted to visit and learn more about this fascinating part of the world which has such a dramatic history. As it was my first cycling holiday I was also keen to choose a trip that wasn’t too strenuous and offered a good balance of activity and cultural interest. The trip fully met, and in fact, exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend the trip as a way of having a really enjoyable and active holiday while experiencing the history and culture of these proud and vibrant countries. (The fantastic weather was a lovely bonus!)

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip is a series of discoveries and revelations that expand what you know and give context to many of the key events of the last century making us all too aware of how fragile our peace and security are. Visiting the nuclear launch site that is now a museum of The Cold War was a chilling reminder of this. But it was a trip filled with fun too. I loved swimming in the Baltic and cycling through the sand dunes. The cities were visited were lively and full of great bars and restaurants with people young and old enjoying life. Particularly memorable was the brilliant band in the Jazz club. I’m not sure if the dancing of Andrius and me did the musicians justice but we certainly had a great time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrius was an excellent guide - intelligent energetic, informed, funny, opinionated and thoughtful - and good company at all times. I always felt that he was working really hard to make the trip enjoyable and rewarding for everyone in the group - a very challenging task when different people sometimes had very different expectations he had to balance. I think he did this with tact and good humour. He always kept us informed about his plans each day but also gave us scope for doing our own thing when this was appropriate. When he did have to deal with a very unfortunate accident involving one of the group members he managed it very sensitively, professionally and compassionately. The success of the trip was in very large measure down to him. Thanks, Andrius! Our driver, Mindaugas, was super too. Totally professional but always with a smile.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes and you will be fully prepared. If you have wanted to try a cycling holiday but haven’t been sure about it, this would be a great trip to start with. I loved it and would now like to try something a little more demanding.

Peter Moores

Reviewed September 2022

Cycling The Baltics

A fascinating trip through the 3 Baltic countries. The terrain was quite flat and the cycling easy over an amazing mix of forest trails generous cycle paths and some road travel. We were blessed with good weather and even managed to swim in the Baltic 3 times. The tour gave us a great insight into the conditions within all 3 countries during the Soviet era and how things have changed since then. The trip encompassed a wide range of activities and experiences ranging from climbing a forest fire watch tower to descending into the depths of an old Soviet nuclear missile site. Our travels were very much “off the beaten track” and we were able to meet the locals and had the opportunity to sample the local cuisine, including pink beetroot soup, smoked herring and potato-covered “zeppelins”.

Most Inspirational Moment

The visit to the Soviet nuclear missile site. It brought it home what the Cold War was all about.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrius was a absolute star. His command of English was excellent and he also understood (I think) the British sense of humour. His knowledge of the history of the region was encyclopaedic and there were very few questions on almost any topic which he was unable to answer. He took great pains to arrange our itinerary so that we saw as much as possible within the limited time available and built in little "extras" where he could. His organisation was superb and the whole tour, which was action-packed, ran to schedule. Andrius made a big contribution to our enjoyment of the tour and we were very appreciative of his efforts. (By the way the driver was also a real star: hard working, always smiling and popping up in the right place at the the right time to load our bikes or replenish our water bottles.)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wear padded cycling shorts. It might be worth while reading up on the history of the Baltic States although you will get a thorough briefing from Andrius on the day.

Richard Beddows

Reviewed September 2022

BRILLIANT.....Although that's due to the guide. Not exodus

Absolutely beautiful countryside, hotels, people and scenery. My holiday was marred by the fact I had contracted covid on day 2. Exodus policy is to just leave you where you are without any support and manage through your insurance policy. ANDRIUS the guide spoke with the group in their thoughts and made it possible for me to enjoy some cycling, albeit I had to travel on public transport for some bits the group were very accepting and gradually I was included in more activities. The guides were brilliant and the holiday for me was saved in most part. I would recommend the trip for the experience, friendliness and knowledge of the guides….but beware of exodus policy regarding covid.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader kept everyone together, had enormous knowledge, was very friendly.....had a weird taste in music....but made sure the holiday was brilliant.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This post has been edited by moderators.

Janet Leverton

Reviewed August 2022

Just do it!

I think this trip is probably one of the best, if not the best, we’ve ever done and having visited every continent, we’ve done a few! We were blessed with glorious weather and a fabulous guide and driver, so that always helps. Lina was so knowledgeable and informative, sharing her family’s story to put the history of the country in context. The days were planned with thought and care, a great balance of cycling and sightseeing, itineraries were changed, always with consensus, to accommodate the very hot days. The cycle network is really good, the roads were quiet and importantly, mostly flat. The beautiful beaches were a revelation, I hadn’t appreciated that the coast would be so sandy and the sea so clean. It was such a treat to be able to swim at the end of some of the days in clean, clear and not so salty water. We knew very little about this part of the world and this trip is a really good way to explore it and get know a little of it’s history; we really enjoyed it, and would highly recommend it

Most Inspirational Moment

The Hill of Crosses was quite exceptional, an amazing sight, unlike anything we've seen before, it's quite stunning and profound, difficult not to feel moved by such a sight. We also enjoyed the cycle along the Curonian Spit, the water on both sides at times, and the pine forests made for a glorious ride.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lina was great; nothing was too much trouble, she really got the the British sense of humour and made each day fun and memorable. I liked that she took group photos every day, along with other pictures that she then posted on our group WhatsApp group. It meant we could enjoy the cycling and the scenery in the knowledge we would a record of our trip. She also posted details of where we had been so we didn't have to remember! We also appreciated she way she told us about the histories of all 3 countries without judgment, explaining the facts with care.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If travelling with cabin baggage only, be aware that if your journey involves a flight from Helsinki to Tallin, the cabin baggage has to be a smaller capacity. We got away with it on the way out but coming back we had to put our bags in the hold.

sue Neal

Reviewed August 2022

Cycle the Baltics

Very good cycle paths at most times. We did try to explore new routes occasionally with mixed results but it was fun. The mileage and level of difficulty suited the group well and I finished each day satisfied with my efforts but not over tired. The bikes were heavy and not of good quality but I do appreciate that they needed to be robust as some of our rides took us off road. One concern I have is that unlike previous trips I have been on with Exodus this trip had only one guide who relied heavily on the bus driver to assist in indicating the route and also made a great deal of use of the goodwill of a few of the riders who were happy to help leading on many of the routes. Our guide was mindful of not losing anyone off the back of the group which meant that he was rarely in front leading and ensuring that we did not go off course. We really need both a guide and a back up man plus of course the bus driver which is what I have been accustomed to on previous holidays.

Most Inspirational Moment

Wandering around Tallinn on the first day and getting my first impression of that city and country was really enjoyable. The peacefulness and cleanliness of a capital city was so refreshing and made me ashamed of Cardiff which is of course the capital of Wales. Also swimming in the Baltic sea was great fun and a pleasant diversion from cycling all day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Spoke excellent English. As most of your guides are, he was knowledgeable and answered all our questions. He took us on several interesting walks around towns and cities pointing out important landmarks and explaining things historically. I think he did an excellent job of guiding the rides when you consider that he was on his own with 14 of us to look out for. He gave us timely breaks and made sure we had access to fresh water, toilet facilities and cafe stops. He must have been exhausted at the end of each days ride yet he still took the time to make sure we knew where to go for dinner in the evening and that everyone in the group was included. We were a little pressed for time between getting to hotels and going out for dinner and I would have liked more time to shower and get ready.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of insect repellent and sun cream.

Lily Owens

Reviewed August 2022

August Adventure in the Baltics

It was the first cycling holiday with exodus and lived up to all my expectations with a great mix of leisurely cycling and cultural visits. Our tour Leader Andrius contributed to the success of the trip with his thoughtfulness, caring attitude, and sheer determination to ensure our group had a lovely holiday. Nothing was left to chance and each day was so varied with a packed itinerary to explore three countries Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania with all its history, culture food and drink. I enjoyed the leisurely cycle to admire the beautiful landscape of each country along Rivers Lakes, Forests and coastal shoreline. Swimming or paddling in the Baltics sea together with having lunches to taste the local cuisine to include smoked fish, soups and of course Zeppelins.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved cycling along the Peipsi Lake and the hilly trip to Otepaa which is known as the Estonian Switzerland which had stunning views of pine forests from the Tower. The trip along the Curonian Spit with the calmness of the Lagoon and then the memorable boat trip to view the Trakai Castle. it was also great in the evenings where the group attended some traditional restaurants and of course the friendless of the people we were fortunate to meet throughout our trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrius was so knowledge to provide insightful history of all Capital towns we visited, Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. To be honest The Baltic countries have history which I was not familiar with it so made it more interesting to hear the tales of the Soviet occupation and how relevant the Ukraine War is today for all of us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was hot in the Baltics so good quality cycling gear with plenty of sun cream, insect repellant. The trip is not for serious cyclists but a nice relaxed mixture of cycling and sightseeing.

Keith Best

Reviewed August 2022

A great trip

Knowing very little about the Baltic States this trip was revelation. Beautiful countryside historic cities and so many places of interest. The cycling was enjoyable and not too strenuous as we passed along mainly flat routes giving us the opportunity to appreciate the the countryside. Our guide, Andrius, was excellent with an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the history and culture of the towns and cities we passed through. We even got an introduction to Tom Lehrer as a bonus.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent.

Keith Best

Reviewed August 2022

A great trip

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent.

Peter Webber

Reviewed August 2022

New Discovery

Originally booked for 2020, we were glad to finally get going after Covid interrupted our plans. Any fears we were not as fit as we might’ve been were quickly dispelled. The terrain was varied, largely flat and very manageable. The weather was brilliant and we could cycle at a good pace. The 3 countries are very different in their own way and we were lucky to have an excellent guide Andrius to explain those differences with his vast knowledge and experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many but the unscheduled stop at the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania as recommended by our guide left a lasting impression. As did the visit to the Käsmu Maritime Museum where we had a simple but delicious fish soup lunch and heard about the way of life there past and present. Seeing the inscriptions honouring the victims of soviet occupation on the wall of the KGB Museum in Vilnius was also a chilling reminder of the current conflict in Ukraine.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrius was amazing. Leading the cycling on his own he succeeded in keeping the group together - quite a feat given the large group of varying abilities. Always on hand, he kept us entertained at all times with his explanations and anecdotes on the different cultures and histories of the 3 countries. He made excellent choices of restaurants for us to taste the local specialties and treated us with tastings of liqueurs such as the rum based Vanna Tallinn and Riga Black Balsum. He wanted us all to enjoy the experience and leave with happy memories and I’m sure we all did.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A gel seat cover for the bike would be handy for the less experienced cyclist. Remember your swimming kit. There were several opportunities to get into the Baltic sea which is not as cold as you might expect!

Carl Harper

Reviewed August 2022

A wonderful adventure

Having never been to the Baltics, and having recently started looking after customers in the three countries for work, I was keen to discover more about Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. A friend from another trip recommended the trip. He was spot on! Andrius is a superb guide and looked after our group very well. We were treated to many hidden gems in each country, none more hidden than the Cold War Museum. We rode through pretty little fishing villages and lovely cities, such a rich tapestry of scenes. Riding was not too strenuous for those new to cycle tourism, yet plenty of scope for those of us used to clocking up the miles. Something for everyone. Make sure you add this trip to your list of trips to do.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Hill of Crosses in Lithuania was very moving and something that will stay with me for a long while

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrius is superb and a credit to Exodus

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack your swimming trucks! The swimming in the Baltic sea is lovely. Good idea to have insect repellent spray on the first few days riding and hayfever tablets as the terrain covers quite a lot of grassland with tick bites common. The views are worth it though.

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