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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14002 Reviews
4.7 out of
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Reviews
Ilona Jamieson
Reviewed October 2024
A fabulous trip in so many ways!!
Hiking on Mont Blanc, even late in the season was an experience not to be missed. The weather, though mixed, never stopped our itineraries and we had glorious sunshine on several days. Chamonix and the mountain range are awesome, naturally, but it was the combination of the area with the most welcoming and caring chalet team and the warm artistic vibe of the Art Deco Chalet Bediere that gave this trip such a special place in my heart. Jeffry Oonk, an erudite biologist as well as an experienced and patient mountain guide gave expert guidance and confidence on every section (some quite challenging) of the trails; his instruction, patience and good humour, coupled with a quiet “Well Done” at the end of each trek, was so up-lifting. Clare and Liz made Chalet Bediere a warm and welcoming place; they both went to huge efforts to provide a happy atmosphere, excellent and varied meals and some of the most delicious cakes for afternoon tea, you could imagine. I’m so happy that I was assigned to this particular chalet, with such a brilliant team. We had a small but fabulous group of five; conversations on the hikes and in the chalet were stimulating and full of banter and laughter. I honestly was gutted to leave and end the experience. Thank you to both our chalet team and my group for the most memorable week 💖
Most Inspirational Moment
On reaching the summit of each ascent and taking in the sheer beauty of the white mountain peaks …. Even more so, on a cloudy day, when the clouds parted and the sun-bathed mountains emerged through the gap … breathtaking!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Experienced, informative, patient, supportive, good-humoured and encouraging; one of the best.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do pack lightweight climbing clothing and waterproof outer wear. Trust in your guide, as there will be some sections that are perhaps more challenging than expected; but the trails are well cared for and there are well-placed wall bars/chains for narrow sections. I highly recommend this trip …. So much is packed into the week, but there is also plenty of time to relax after the day’s hikes, have a cosy drink in town with fellow guests and enjoy dinner together each evening.
Debbie Hopkins
Reviewed October 2024
Incredible week!
This has been on my bucket list for some time and it did not disappoint. The variety of each day made it feel like so much more than just a week. Petra was even better than I imagined but every location held its magic. Ayyad our guide was superb and so knowledgeable about his country and its history and went above and beyond to give us a memorable trip. Despite all the troubles in neighbouring countries, I never once felt unsafe and in fact with so few tourists, the Jordanians need our support with tourist areas being so quiet (though great as nowhere was crowded and the people are just lovely – everyone was so welcoming wherever we went) It was lovely to end the week at the dead sea and being able to use the lovely facilities at the hotel. After such a busy week, getting a few hours by one of the pools was much needed as well as a float in the famous dead sea.
Most Inspirational Moment
2 winners for me; Petra at night - to see the treasury lit up at night and to walk down the gorge lit by lanterns was simply magical against the beautiful night sky. Also camping in the bedouin camp. This was also truly magical; sleeping under the incredible night sky, sitting around the campfire then watching shooting stars until we could no longer keep our eyes open - I will never forget this night!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ayyad was brilliant - great sense of humour and always looking for the best experiences for us such as joining us to climb to the high place of sacrifice in Petra but then showing us an alternative longer route down. He clearly loves his country and did his best to teach us about his culture and language which all went towards making the trip even more special. As a vegetarian, he was great at always ensuring that I was catered for when we had our evening meals and did a good job of organising a group meal almost every night.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Just do it! Be prepared for lots of walking, especially on the days visiting Petra and for varying temperatures eg Aqaba typically much hotter than Amman. Wearing loose clothing covering knees shoulders (for women) was actually great at keeping cool. As a vegetarian, main meals were scarce but there was always something to eat, usually mezze style dishes - just be prepared for limited choice. Don't take your best swimwear to the dead sea - the mud might not come out afterwards..!! Walking sandals are fine for most days but walking shoes at least for Petra as it's difficult underfoot at times. Do Petra by night - don't expect much and you might be surprised! It was a highlight for me. If you have room, take your own snorkel to save renting them in Aqaba and if you're a cat lover, some cat treats will be very much welcomed by the Jordanian cats..! I was very popular..! Cash was needed for the optional trips but I mainly used cards in shops and at restaurants - they were accepted widely. Finally no need to take towels and all hotels had hairdryers!
John Cartwright
Reviewed October 2024
A wonderful week's walking from our base in Chamonix - the art deco styled chalet La Bedière
A great week’s walking in the mountains around Mont Blanc. First off, a big thank you to the team – Jeffry, Liz and Clare – who were excellent. We had pretty good weather given that it was the end of the season. In fact the first day was spectacular – blue skies and sunshine – making for some memorable photos. Jeff is an exemplary guide, showing amazing dedication to his job. He gave us all the information we wanted and more – he’s quite fond of plants me thinks, and knows a lot about them. Our walks always started with a through warm up session, and then the ascent could begin. Quite steep sometimes, but Jeff was always on hand to help anybody of a more nervous disposition on the more challenging sections. And if all that wasn’t enough – he has a good sense of humour too. Liz and Clare were expert chalet hosts – the breakfast was just right, and there was even porridge offered on some days. The lunch items were varied and tasty, and the cake waiting for us at the end of each walk was very welcome. Really nice food for dinner too. Plenty of variety throughout the week. The chalet La Bedière is based in Chamonix and for me is the best of the three on offer unless you really like hot tubs. Nicely furnished, amazingly warm and good sized bedrooms and bathrooms. Centrally located – just ideal.
Most Inspirational Moment
Our first day walking up to L’Aiguillette des Posettes was the highlight of the week because the weather was superb. On a couple of the days mist shrouded the hillsides but even then I enjoyed the terrain and the atmosphere within the forest.
Thoughts on Group Leader
I think I've said enough about him already ;)
Advice for Potential Travellers
You need a reasonable level of fitness, but the walks are all doable unless you really do have bad vertigo. Don't bother with poles unless you use them at home - they're just a hindrance.
Joe Loveland
Reviewed October 2024
Fantastic fit for us, no itinerary is for everyone
Bottom line: We loved the gorgeous hikes to remote parts of Crete that many travelers miss. Our two Greek guides helped us experience and learn about their beautiful and unique country. It was a special, unforgettable trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
The gorgeous long hikes along the coast to remove places like Loutro, Preveli Beach, and the marble beach. (Note that we were unable to hike the Somaria Gorge on day two, due to a tragic rock slide that killed one and trapped others, so I can’t speak to that hike. My understanding is that it is the most striking of the hikes, and one of the most physically challenging.)
Thoughts on Group Leader
Because our two guides were local, the information about Crete and Greece was unique and wonderful. Occassionally, language and culture impacted communications, as should be expected, but it wasn't a huge issue. We loved them both.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This was a great trip for me and my wife (age 63), but no trip is for everyone. To help others decide if this trip is right for them, I’m going to share some of the positive and negative feedback we heard from others in the group.
Some days at the beginning of the week were more strenuous and long than some in our group wanted. Other days at the end of the week didn’t have as much hiking as some participants wanted. Also, be aware that two of the hotels in remote areas weren’t top-notch – no drinkable tap water, tiny showers, very basic breakfasts, and small rooms. For us, these two hotels were still lovely for a brief one-night stay. However, if high-quality hotels are important to you, this trip might not be for you. The other hotels during the rest of the week were much nicer, and the one in Rethymno where we stayed two nights was exceptional in all ways.
For us, the week offered a good mix of things that we couldn’t or wouldn't have done without a local guide. We’re pretty fit, and were looking for a very active week, so the itinerary worked for us. But if you are not looking for long, strenuous, and hot hiking, this trip may not be for you. That’s not Exodus’s fault, it’s just that different trips fit different people.
It should also be noted that this is the first summer Exodus has offered this trip, and they are seem to still be fine-tuning it. For instance, the wine tasting was dropped, apparently due to feedback. I’m confident the trip will get even better over time as Exodus adjusts based on customer suggestions.
Stephen Babbage
Reviewed October 2024
Had a great time!
This was a very well run tour, with good accommodation and (thanks to our tour leader, driver and fellow passengers) a terrific atmosphere. Albania perhaps doesn’t have as big highlights as some other countries we’ve visited, but this Exodus trip is an excellent way to see it.
Most Inspirational Moment
Staying inside the ancient citadel of Berat.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our tour leader Edjon (Ed), and our driver Medi, were both great fun. It would be impossible not to have a good time in their company! Ed also arranged for lots of little extra visits, tastings etc that significantly enhanced the trip.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don’t expect the slickest tourist experience in Albania (e.g. the dishes you order in a restaurant may not come out in the order you expected); just roll with it. Do expect friendly people and a very safe country. Don’t go in peak summer unless you’re OK with very hot weather – September was a very pleasant time to be there. Changing money in exchange offices is extremely easy, and there’s no commission.
Fraser Laird
Reviewed October 2024
Challenging but fun week
Good week, well organised and with a wonderful group of people. Enjoyed all the hotels and the food, especially the picnics. Found the rainy days and strong headwind very challenging but really enjoyed the sunny days. Be prepared for all weathers. There were plenty of stops to catch up as I was going at a slower pace than the fitter cyclists and e-bikers. Great to see round Porto and Lisbon too.
Most Inspirational Moment
Being peaceful in the beautiful scenery and with some dramatic Atlantic skies
Thoughts on Group Leader
Group leader Dinis was excellent as were the support team of Leonel and Filipe. They were all very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Consider an e-bike if you think the ascents might be a challenge for you. You can keep it on a low level and still get some exercise. I changed to an e-bike for the last day as my knees were aching and I really enjoyed the day.
Kyra Rose
Reviewed October 2024
Walking in the French Riviera is a must!
I recently enjoyed this fantastic walking tour with Exodus!
We were based in the charming town of Menton, perfectly positioned to explore the stunning French Riviera. Surrounded by so much history, and some of the best coastal views and of course some of the best Mediterranean food.
The variety of walks offered breathtaking views from the coastal capes to forest and limestone paths.
Hiking Mont Bastide was a highlight for me – once you summit, and on a very clear day you can see everything from the sea views to the amazing maritime Alps in France and Italy.
Exploring Eze, was my absolute favourite village. A fairy-tale town with enchanting cobblestone streets and historical charm with its hilltop garden and views of the sea were captivating. Treated myself at the local Perfume shop for a nice keepsake.
The diverse gardens throughout the region were a delightful surprise, particularly the terraced garden of Serre de la Madone with a serene escape.
So happy I got to enjoy so much of the Riviera over the week and what is has to offer!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our local leader Sandrine really made this trip! She is a mountain guide and having her lead and making my group feel so comfortable with the walks, was great. Teaching us some tips and tricks for the descents was helpful and will be using on future trips!
Arlette Lee
Reviewed October 2024
A special week
A beautiful country.
Most Inspirational Moment
Not on the itinerary (seeing the Royal Opera House) by night. The grand mosque, only our group inside before 9am, I walked in not expecting much looked up, and had a wow moment. The turtle nesting, a starry night by the ocean seeing turtles through the 5 stages, unreal. Very lucky to have seen this at the end of the season. I loved the 4x4 driving to the Canyon and the drive through the date plantations. The last two days, I thought were the best, raw nature at your fingertips. The souk in Nizwa was very chilled, a relaxed experience. The cattle market was an eye opener. The Desert was a bit disappointing, after Wadi Rum, Sossusvlei it didn't do much for me. The hotel was good, yet I thought there would be more to do.
A special week where we enjoyed everything in peace. The six of us, and few other tourists in sight for the majority of the week, because of the fear of travelling to the Middle East and the heat. The Omanis are very welcoming and I felt safe.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Brilliant. Ahmed provided fantastic insight, culture, and personal stories detailing the lifestyle of the Omanis on the trip. Fascinating. Ask questions to find out more. The drivers were great.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Wear linen. You'll be covered up most of the trip. The only people I saw on the trip not appropriately dressed were Brits in strappy dresses! There are signs everywhere about the dress code and respecting the culture, yet this group couldn't manage to put clothes on. Bring a UV umbrella and electric fan if you are not very good with heat. It was 43 degrees for us in September!
A lot of travelling, not much walking on the trip if you are into your fitness. Don't forget your refillable water bottle.
Marie Roth-Bates
Reviewed October 2024
It's Not Just About the Wine
The whole week was fantastic! The walks were beautiful, the group was lovely and gelled well, the wine and food were delicious, the hotel staff was gracious and accommodating, and Jordan (our guide) made the whole experience work!
Most Inspirational Moment
Sitting around during down times or at meal times hearing other people's stories. It was great getting to know the other travelers, laughing and sharing experiences.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jordan was brilliant! He set the tone for the whole week, making it fun and safe. He provided great routes to walk, all sorts of fascinating knowledge, and kept an eye out for the needs of each individual. His passion was evident in his respect and care for the group and the locals.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be willing to be open and engage with the other travelers. It makes a huge difference in the whole experience, even if you are doing this solo.
Michelle Burton
Reviewed October 2024
Varied walks, knowledgeable guide, great overview of Madeira
We had a very enjoyable week in Madeira with our group of 14 and guide Nelio.
We thought the trip worked really well to be able to stay in 4 different locations across the week to really see all parts of Madeira and allow short transfers for each walk. We enjoyed all the walks and liked the variety – coast line, forest, levadas etc.
The biggest disappointment of the week however was not being able to do the main walk of the week on the final day (Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo) – due to a fire in the middle of the walk a few weeks previously, as well as bad weather.
But the alternative walk Nelio took us on (a levada from Fajã da Ovelha finishing with a steep descent on PR19 Caminho Real do Paul do Mar) was a real highlight and finished in the little town of Paul do Mar for beers in the sun and a refreshing swim in the sea.
The walk on day 4 at Queimadas Natural Park (walking along the Levada do Caldeirão Verde) was really interesting and beautiful, but we felt far too busy and quite dangerous. You walk along the narrow ledges of the levada with steep dropoffs, with two-way traffic so you have to keep leaning out over the rope barriers to let others pass. There have been incidents there, and it could do with either making it one-way, or certain times where people go in or come out, so it stops the 2-way traffic which the narrow ledges cannot accomodate and makes progress very slow.
One point that we also felt could improve the trip was the ability to buy/make packed lunches. The first day in Machino we all had to go to the supermarket to buy food for the following day. We all found this difficult as there was little options for easy picnic food. The rest of the week most of us just made a sandwich at breakfast to bring with us.
We thought it would make the trip a lot simpler if the hotels allowed guests to make a small packed lunch at breakfast, or alternatively provide a packed lunch service for a small fee. Apparently Exodus had mentioned to some others in our group that it would be possible to buy prepared packed lunches from hotels.
It was not always practical to go to a supermarket, and they often didnt have appropraite items.
We found all the hotels to be of good quality and enjoyed all our stays.
We loved the pool at Hotel Dom Pedro which we enjoyed on both afternoons. The spa at Hotel O Colmo and Hotel Aqua Natura Bay were great, and it was lovely to be able to use the large pool and facilites at the Pestana Casino for the final few days.
Our favourite hotel of the week however was the Hotel Aqua Natura Bay which was super clean, modern, great facilities, large bedrooms, excellent staff and great location just across the road from the natural pools. The included dinners here were fantastic and beautifully presented.
The transport for the week worked well and although the trip notes mentioned public transport, we had a private mini bus for the whole trip. Although be aware on the trip from Porto Moniz to Funchal, all luggage was stacked up in one big pile at the back of the minibus which made it cramped for the people at the back, and any bags at the bottom of the pile got squashed.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Nelio was a very competent guide and was careful to ensure the walks were within the groups capability and always went at a pace to suit everyone. He was very careful on safety and clearly highlighted any areas to be careful.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The weather did change a lot during our week so bring layers, waterproofs and suncream!
