Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment of my trip was when I got my charity banner out and took a photo with me and my group Leader, Jerry - I have worked so hard to raise money and awareness for this charity and it was an overwhelming emotional experience and very rewarding. The scenery was sensational and breathtaking and we really had such great weather and fantastic views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ah well what can I say about our guide/ group leader - Jerry Wei Wei. A local from BeiJing he was amazing and really made our trip!! His english was outstanding and he had so much knowledge that he shared with us. Nothing seemed too much trouble and he looked after us with patience and humour! He was lovely - we all wanted to take him home with us!! What made the trip really exceptional was that Jerry actually showed us the real China - we interacted with the local chinese people in the home stays and Jerry took us to the most wonderful local Chinese Restaurants! This was brilliant.I had a problem with my eye and Jerry helped me to sort it out which I really appreciated!! It was great to have everything arranged and sorted and to know that we were in a safe environment which took away all the worries so we could just enjoy the whole experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would actually say that, although the trip notes say moderate, I think the walking is a bit more challenging so people need to be prepared for this. Take toilet rolls and wet wipes!!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a few memorable moments. Sleeping under the stars in the wadi rum desert was amazing and very tranquil. You really are in the middle of nowhere and it's a real experience to spend the night gazing up at the stars. The dead sea was great, its a very strange feeling to float in water without a lilo underneath you! Petra by night was lovely and the cycle into wadi rum was just stunning scenery and that was the case for quite a lot of the cycling. I also developed a passion for hummus and would now consider myself something of an expert.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nice guy, very knowledgable and helpful but I did think it was a shame he didn't join in the cycling, especially as this is marketed as a cycling holiday. He was a lot more interested in the cultural and historical side to Jordan and was excellent in this respect but I kind of got the feeling the cycling was a slight distraction that got in the way of a cultural tour of Jordan.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't expect too much down time, you pack a lot in. It's also very hot, more so than I was expecting. It's pretty expensive as well, especially if you like a beer or glass of wine, certainly London prices plus a bit more. Take an eye mask; some of the hotels have very thin curtains and it gets light very early.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on the balcony at Fattoria Voltrona looking at the incredible scenery.  I love Australia but this took my breathe away.The villages that we passed through on our walks. Old and beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Karl was fabulous. This was my first trip with a group leader and a group of people that I didn't know.From the first meeting at the airport Karl made me feel very welcome.Karl was always very happy, helpful and also interesting to listen to.Karl appeared to take time to make sure everyone was included in all group activities and that no one was left out unless they wanted to be. I would recommend this tour and Karl to anyone that was interested in this sort of trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Good walking shoe and be prepare for a lot of hills and steps.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Karl and Ale were both excellent guides. They took really good care of the group and were fun people to hang out with.

Most Inspirational Moment

No one particular moment, although my own personal guided tour of a church in Noto and getting a flower at the end made my day, the sights tend to merge into one after about 3 days!  Etna was very interesting, some great temples, pretty hilltop towns

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fount of all knowledge, whether sights to see or sources of ice cream

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some long days with only a little down time, ofthen we would have 60 or 90 minutes arriving in the hotel then out again, really just on the last day for those on the group flights, so not a holiday if you want to chill, meals can be cheaper than you think, drink bottled water, take lots of photos, good mix of guides to show us the temple area and exploring without guides, split over two minibuses, we mixed around a lot for the seating, also some good accomodation

Most Inspirational Moment

Each walk was terrifically enjoyable, led at a good pace so we had plenty of time to enjoy the fantastic scenary. We had a rich variety of walks from local villages, woods, mountains, gorges and valleys. All this with interesting wildlife and little shrines and churches appearing in the middle of nowhere.The view from the Great Arch on the last walk was something to behold....created by wind and rain we had a spectacular view of the mountains, valleys and tiny shepherd villages below.Walking on these tracks with no other tourists in sight....bliss. We had the fresh air and views to ourselves for 95% of the trip.The farmstay. Set in acres of land its great to see the comings and goings of a traditional Tuscan family rather than stay at a stale hotel. Mama's food is superb and plentiful, whilst the packed lunches were of a good variety as well. Accommodation very comfortable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Superb. Sara led the walks at a brilliant pace to let everyone walk and enjoy the views in their own comfort zone. She had terrific knowledge of the local flora, fauna, local customs, history and gave accurate analysis of the challenges that each walk entailed. She has a great relationship with the family you stay with and the setting at the farmstay is terrific. With Sara's help we were fed like Kings for a week.Excellent recommendations for restuaranats in Lucca and the local town.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Other than GO, not really. Given the high summer temperatures in July and August you may want to make sure that you are reasonably fit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andre was a very committed and knowledgeable guide who knew the walking routes like the back of his hand, and clearly cared very much that each member of the group should have a great experience. 

Most Inspirational Moment

There was a good variety of experiences, from visits to the archeological sites, to free time exploring towns and sampling ice cream in gelaterias, to an amazing walk on the slopes of Etna - and even a wine-tasting afternoon!  The landscape was beautiful, and very varied, and towns and villages were a delight with their cobbled streets and beautiful buildings.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Fabio was first class - all the information we could want, and a great sense of humour as well! 

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to single out, however trip to the Dead Sea was amazing, seeing Petra by Night was fabulous too!  Meeting all those other like-minded people was good too!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was good, however did not cycle with us which was a shame.   Also think at other times he had his own agenda.  He had been out 12/13 weeks on the trot and I basically think he was too tired for all of us!

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is very hot, just be aware of that.  However you will see all of Jordan and it is a fantastic place.  A camelback is a good thing to have too.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sharing a public bus with 30 Greek school children and various locals on the way up to one of the mountain villages for lunch, with all sorts of public arguements and discussions going on around us!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent - highly knowledgable, entertaining, and tireless. Helped out with dinner every night (including serving and clearing!), dealt with all the various needs of the group well and went beyond the call of duty in showing us the local nightlife!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of camera batteries and memory cards, be ready for several hours on ferries (weather was very calm for us). I'd recommend booking an extra few days to see Athens at the beginning or end (if you haven't already) as there is no time on the trip for this (beyond the first evening).