Thoughts on Group Leader
Great
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take cabin baggage only! Despite the best efforts of Andrius my luggage never arrived in the Baltics and is still stuck somewhere in the black hole of Edinburgh Airport
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Baltic July
Thanks to wide comfy saddles and mostly flat terrain the cycling was easy and enjoyable. My favourite area was Laheema National Park in Northern Estonia with wooden fisherman’s houses, empty beaches and BIG swings. Swimming in the Baltic is lovely – the temperature is perfect and it’s not salty.
Our guide, Andrius, was great at setting the historical scene and teaching us what it’s like to be a Lithuanian with an off-beat Lithuanian sense of humour. He led us round Talinn, showed us the art nouveau in Riga, cycled us through Vilnius as well as various smaller towns, castles and even a nuclear launch site. He was particularly good at organising places for us to eat Zeppelins, drink mead and dig our fingers into freshly smoked fish. But he was even better at setting up musical experiences. We heard a pipe organ concert in a Riga church, a big swing band on the water-front in Klapedia and best of all, our fabulous group spent a memorable night dancing like no-one was watching to a funky jazz band playing classics. Thanks Andrius.
A special mention also for Mindogas, our ever-attentive driver who kept the whole show on the road.
The Baltics
The trip was well organised and offered the perfect mix between cycling and cultural visits. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. The driver was supportive and friendly. We tasted the local dishes and I enjoyed the variety of food offered. It was great to have a local guide who knows the background and personal stories that greatly contributed to learning about the countries we visited. The routes chosen to cycle were really beautiful. I also appreciated the time we had in each capital city.
Most Inspirational Moment
So many memorable moments! Seeing the storks nesting and baby stroke popping their heads out of the nest, having a dip in the sea, admiring the beautiful buildings and managing to cycle the distances each day!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Andries was full of energy and kept us on the go the whole time. He was keen we saw all aspects of the 3 countries. He was very knowledgeable and gave us a good understanding of the the history of those countries. He had a great sense of humour and related well to everyone in the group. He took us to some great places to eat and taste the local delicacies.
Well organised trip, good hotels with excellent guides
Trip May/June. Cycling generally leisurely with only one notable hill. Route follows the coast on quite roads and/ or cycle lanes for much of the way. (Poor road surface on one day) Hotels generally good 4 star quality, cafes and lunch / picnic stops were an excellent mix with evening meal venues being fantastic quality.
Rubén’s and Rogerio were excellent guides who were very knowledgeable, helpful and good company, just a pity they had no control over the unusually inclement and windy weather. Recommend the trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
Obidos on last day of cycling
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent
Advice for Potential Travellers
Try to spend extra few days in Lisbon area to allow time to visit Sintra &/or Cascais.
Excellent!
I went in July and our itinerary was as the Trip Notes. We were a group of 8 and everyone got on so well. I enjoyed staying at all the hotels: Ramapendula, Masseria and Sassi. Breakfast at the 1st and 3rd hotels was excellent but somewhat basic at the Masseria. My room at each hotel met my needs, so very happy with what I was given. The walks were interesting except the 2nd half down from Montescaglioso where we seemed to be walking aimlessly with nothing of interest around!
Most Inspirational Moment
All the towns we visited were so interested however two tours I especially loved (1) discovering Matera's UNESCO 'Sassi' district which involved a hike to the Murgia plateau, crossing the suspension bridge, hike to the top of the ravine ending with a spectacular viewpoint of Matera's Sassi district; (2) the guided tour of Matera by the local guide where he shared his knowledge of the cave-dwelling district and his own family's personal journey from cave dwelling to the new apartment in the 'new' town, and we also learned the history of this fascinating place. I also really enjoyed and welcomed the swim in the sea after our 2.5 hours walk from Masseria.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Antonino (Nino) was excellent from start to finish and he spoke very good English. Nino would always brief us the evening before of what to expect the following day. Nino was attentive, responsive, generous, patient, kind and efficient in dealing with any niggles we may have had. Could not fault him. He thoroughly knows his history of the Puglia and Matera region, including recommending restaurants and food to try.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I went in July and the heat was searing every day, ranging from 30 degrees upwards so make sure you have plenty of water, sun block, a hat and comfortable walking boots. Sandals you could wear in some terrain but not all so walking boots is a better choice. Take a small towel to dry yourself when you visit the beach. Credit card is accepted widely but useful to carry some local currency. Make sure you're fit enough for a lot of walking.
5*
I can’t summarise this trip any better than the excellent reviews already given on this page.
A great combination of some varied and challenging walking, comfortable and relaxing accommodation and a 1st class group leader.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent in all respects whether on the walks, at mealtimes, helping out on rest days and just generally being around. I've been on 7 Exodus trips, all with good leaders, but Sara stands out above them all. Her love of the place and the people is evident
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you're looking for a combination of good walking, good accommodation and food all delivered in a relaxed and unfussy (but totally professional) way whilst exploring some new and surprising parts of Italy then give this a go. Even in mid June as we experienced a heatwave we still had a short spell of wind and rain near the summit one day, so be prepared.
Great trip!!
I went on this trip with my mom and we had the best time. The biking for the most part was relatively flat with only one day being rather hilly. We were a small group-7people-but everyone got along well and we all had so much fun. It was a great trip with beautiful sights to see both in town and in small villages along the coastline.
Most Inspirational Moment
The night we went out in Lithuania and the restaurant we ate at had a live band. We requested a song and the group gave us a shoutout and we got up and started dancing which then caused other guests to also get up and dancing. It was just such a fun night all around, great vibes with new friends.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our guide Andrius Mazrimas was amazing. He went above and beyond and made adjustments to the itinerary to offer better biking routes and allow for some more stops/sightseeing that weren’t scheduled.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I think opting to splurge for the electric bike might be a nice choice for someone unsure of how they’ll fair on the hills but I am by no means a well trained cyclist and did ok.
an enjoyable walking week in a quiet and green place
Various enjoyable hikes in green and beautiful scenery – lakes, gorges, woods, mountain peaks.
The base was at Kunstelj Pension, a well-run two-star pension situated in the quiet and picturesque Radovljica.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The experience was enhanced by the exceptional leadership offered by Buggy & Rock, our two guides. Professionally, they seamlessly adapted each day’s trip to the changes in the weather and to the ability of the group. With good storytelling, they gave noteworthy information about the geography and the history of the places visited, and they were always calm, helpful, relaxed, good-humoured, and friendly. They love what they do and we felt good in their company.
Brilliant holiday
Superb surroundings, excellent company, knowledgeable guide and friendly support staff
Most Inspirational Moment
The ever changing scenery The fantastic bonding with other group members and the atmosphere in camp The delicious meals prepared by our camp support Vega on limited camping equipment.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jef was a very kind, caring, knowledgeable guide who also had a great sense of humour. He was very pragmatic about any issues any group members had and was extremely good at supporting people during the 2 weeks at the same time inspiring us to explore other destinations for our next trips.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Enjoy the experience! The trail is well planned to build up your strength and stamina for the hard walks towards the end of the holiday. Take a spare pair of shoes that you could walk in in case of problems with your main walking boots/ shoes (it is very tough on your feet even for well practiced walkers).
Majestic & Spectacular Views
Walked up some really big hills and then descended the other side. The views were stunning. Expected Hotel Adler to be better and Villabassa is really just a village.
My first walking holiday with Exodus……..for anyone who has been on a cycling holiday, stick with the two wheel option.
Most Inspirational Moment
Not having my luggage delayed once back in the UK.......half the group had to wait for theirs to be delivered on the next BA flight to Venice(outbound flight).
Thoughts on Group Leader
Good.......lots of historic information.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Even though the Map says Italy, it's heart lies somewhere else, hence the food is not really Italian. Evening Meal is 5 course and basically you get what is put in front of you(not enough options).
Hot hard work worth the wait and cancellations (due to COVID)
Excellent trip, hot hard work but worth it
Most Inspirational Moment
Having such a wonderful landscape virtually to ourselves
Thoughts on Group Leader
Couldnt fault him
Advice for Potential Travellers
Dont bother taking a sleeping bag, mine remained in my main pack for the duration of the trip, a sleeping bag liner may be useful although I didnt use that either, water purifiers were a waste of time, the mountain spring water should not be polluted with chemicals as it tasted so good unadulterated, no stomach problems from the water as long as you take the guide's advice (common sense really) where to source it. I was there in June into July, it was very hot thwen, I am told that August is even hotter, choose the earlier departure for the spring meadow flowers