Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting lost while mountain biking on the day off my walking holiday. I somehow ended up on the walking track and struggled to ride up (actually push the bike up two thirds of the way to the top of Putzalm. It started to rain soon after I reached the top and I had a white knuckle ride down the wet mountain track as I nearly flipped the bike over a couple of times due to the steepness of the descent.I am more of a biking holiday type, but I still enjoyed my walking holiday. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Terrible taste in music, we all had to listen to the Macdonalds/Pizza hut/KFC song everyday on our way to and back from the walks in the Exodus van. For my trip mates having withdrawal symptons (especially IAN) the link to the song is below...  enjoyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTaJ7fmH9qE 

Advice for Potential Travellers

- Put plenty of sunscreen, especially on your lips. The sun is deceptive strong in the cool mountain air.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in the Grazalema Mountains over to the village of Benaocaz. Vultures nesting only metres away almost sharing our lunch! A walk we didn't want to end. Standing on the cliffs high above El Chorro Gorge and just watching the scenery, followed by swimming in the turquoise green waters of the King's lake at the end of another perfect day in paradise.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alejandro was a fantastic leader. Although new to Spain he had learnt a wealth of information about the area. He was a brilliant guide giving meticulous walking information. He was interested in all the wild life and knew an amazing amount about it. Above all he has a superb sense of humour and was really good fun to be with. We all had a great week.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a good back pack and water bottles if going in summer months. We found sticks really useful.

Most Inspirational Moment

Quite eyeopening to share the narrow windy roads with some rather skillful drivers who were actually quite friendly despite my previous impression of mad Italian drivers. Also findig out that our super fit cycling guide Lieven is a professional archaeologist who turned out to be our guide to the ancient Greek Temples at Paestum and our volunteered walking tour guide on our free day! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely fantastic - knowledgeable and responsible. He looked after us in all aspects in great detail -interpreter, menu translator, mechanics, navigator, road marker, shopper, tour guide for historic sights, gardens and even trekking guide for free.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Accept there are ups and downs and that is the price to pay for beautiful scenery. Worth bringing your own snacks as you may not get what you are used to but no shortage of nice coffee and smooth icecream of you are fine with those. The bike condition is good so it is not a big deal if you dont bring your own saddle or pedal but worth doing so to give you the extra comfort. Waterproof is important as weather around hills and coast is unpredictable.

Most Inspirational Moment

The coast ride from Amalfi and seeing Positano after a climb was amazing. If you love long fast descent, then the descent into Maiori is something that will you will not forget.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lieven is highly organised and easy going. He always managed to get us to great cafe stops (and I love those nice Italian Expresso); great little village lunch stops (which he will guide us on little walks round those pretty, narrow steep streets) and his archaelogy training really came to its own when he guided us round Paestum. He even spent the free day with us on a walk from Ravello down to Amalfi and visited the most perfect Italian Gardens which was most memorable. He is also a great cyclist and can outclimb all of us!

Advice for Potential Travellers

We had great weather in June but did have an occasional shower so don't forget your waterproof (that the van can carry for you and you may not need to use at all). The bikes are good and modern but I like having my own SPD pedals and saddles which are very quick to fit. Oh - and don't forget that right hand brake lever operate the rear brakes rather than the front brakes (as in the UK).

Most Inspirational Moment

The best day was climbing up to Lac Blanc. It's the busiest part of the route but for good reason, climbing ladders attached to the rockface, seeing Ibex at close quarters, seeing the views of Mont Blanc from the lake and descending into Chamonix all made for a fantastic days trek.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were in safe hands with Graham. He knew so much about the different routes and the best way to go and he managed to challenge everyone in the group by adding in extras.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel as light as you can because you'll be carrying your kit and there are plenty of places on route to get fresh water or drinks.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's incredibly hard to pick out anything above everything else - highlights include the women's hammam (heaven itself after the previous day's long bus ride!), getting used to a wodge of local currency and just the whole 'wow factor' of most of the places we visited. Even after days of mosques, mausoleums and madrassahs, Uzbekistan still seemed to have something to make you take a mental step back!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Having read a previous review, I'd had some qualms about what this trip would be like, but our group leader was more than up to the challenge - nothing was too much trouble for him, which was no mean feat for a group where a third of the people were vegetarians in a resolutely meat-eating culture! He always seemed to strike the right balance between being involved enough in what the group was doing but also letting people go their own way at times, while still being there for an emergency translation when our haggling skills fell apart...

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip notes do not lie when they talk about long bus rides and anyone taking this trip needs to realise what's involved - the longest one is a bit of a killer mostly because of the poor condition of a significant portion of the road, though our driver was excellent and it never felt unsafe. Vegetarians should resign themselves to a limited menu and fill up on the first course salads (which are usually fantastic) when they can! Approaching this trip with a flexible attitude towards food is key. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Tour guide trying to convince us to swim in ice cold water.

Most Inspirational Moment

Looking out from the top of Sigiraya RockWarm sea swimming!curried green porridge for breakfast - it tastes very good 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Sanpath combined a good mix of organisational skill with Sri Lankan hospitality and conviviality. A hit with adults and children alike. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to choose just one moment but sunrise over the sanddunes and the amazing variety and numbers of animals at the waterhole in Etosha were real highlights. Also camping- the stars and animal noises at night, we especially enjoyed the last campsite with no elecricity and no-one else there.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Shane and Jonas were brilliant, very knowledgable about the country and animals [the food was also really good and tasted all the better for being cooked and eaten in the open air].

Advice for Potential Travellers

It can be cool at night and on the skeleton coast but also very warm further north so take plenty of layers. Malaria tablets weren't necessary when we went. Lots of early starts and busy days.

Most Inspirational Moment

No one particular moment.  The whole holiday was a joy from start to finish. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roger is great.  A very thoughtful and helpful guide.  We could not ask for a better chap.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When Roger says "undulations" he means "hills", when he says "trainers" he means "walking boots".