Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

So difficult - was it the quad biking on dunes stretching as far as the eye could see for 360 degrees, or spending time watching the pride of lions playing and interacting almost within touching distance of the truck, or watching the sun rise after climbing a huge sand dune or scrambling on all fours up the Waterberg plateau? Each day brought a new experience and a significant challenge bringing its own thrill of achievement.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When the trip notes say the temperature can get down to freezing at night in August, they were not kidding - make sure your sleeping bag can cope in a tent- or bring lots of thermal undies!Water is all drinkable - great.Travel was often very long, often on gravel roads, not for tender behinds! Take a good guide book to read and to make sense of the amazing landscape and wildlifeCan't always promise it but there were no nasty beasties biting us at this time of year.

Suggestions

A wonderful holiday, a hidden gem of Africa. Just 2 million people inhabit the huge land so traffic was not a problem even in the capital.

Most Inspirational Moment

The last day was rainy and misty. We went ahead with the climb to Aguillette des Houches in spite of low visibility. Just as we arrived on the col, the clouds parted and the top of Mt Blanc came into view: what a moment...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get fit before the trip: this makes it so much easier to enjoy even the harder parts.

Suggestions

You have to JUST DO IT!

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip to Halong Bay was particularly rewarding and the scenary and experience was fantastic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour guide couldn't do enough to ensure we had a safe, comfortable and enjoyable trip. He recounted many personal and fascinating insights that made the trip and the places we visited come to life. A great guy and a pleasure to have his company thorughout the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is a long flight so be prepared ... bring plenty of insect repellent ... sign up to the extra activities that Linh arranges they are great fun ... expected it to be very hot and wet so bring change of clothes and take advantage of opportunities to get clothes washed

Suggestions

This was a premium trip so flights were used instead of bus ... this is highly recommended. 

Most Inspirational Moment

That first glimpse of Macchu Piccu as we passed through the sun gate is something I'll never forget. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

What a lovely lady. So helpful & she really went out of her way to make this a trip of a lifetime for all of us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't forget that spare battery for you camera - you'll likely need it!!!

Suggestions

To quote the ad: just do it!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

There are many inspirational moments - from Herculaneum and Pompeii through to Ravello and Amalfi - the "Walk of the Gods" would be our top choice.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christine was very well organised and looked after us very well. She had a wealth of knowledge and kept the walks at the right pace. Our expecations were well managed in terms of hills and steps! Exodus has very good leaders and guides and Christine was no exception.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you can cope with 6 - 9 miles walk in the heat (if you go in the summer) - it was over 40C on Vesuvius (even the locals were complaining!) - so we had to take it slowly and drink plenty.

Suggestions

This is a well structured trip in a lovely part of Italy. You cannot fail to enjoy it, the walks are great, the hotel food is excellent and there is a lot packed into the week - it is very good value.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were no bad bits during the week, but the highlights included the 2 day walk with a night in the refuge. The walks covered the highest peak in Tuscany, plus an earlyish morning walk to the second highest peak in the neighbouring range. Seeing the sunset high up in the mountains was amazing and worth the walk alone.The food at the accommodation was perfect and plenty of it, always seconds available!There was plenty to challenge and enjoy on the walks, with chains, scrambling and ridges all done at some point, plus forest walks but always excellent views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz was our leader, and she was excellent, she was friendly and helpful and made sure that we all knew what we were doing every day and made sure we were comfortable on each walk, by allowing the faster walkers to go on ahead, but giving clear instructions of where to wait for the group. On the walks she made sure that we were all ok, and on our day off she ensured that we all knew what the options were for us to do. On the last day, as we had a late flight back to London, Liz ensured our day was full with a trip to Lucca and Pisa, thus meaning we had 7 full days.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are not fit, or do not walk regularly then this is not a week for you. However, if you are fit or walk regularly in the hills then this is a week for you.

Most Inspirational Moment

Without a doubt it was reaching the Sungate on day four of the Inca Trail to obtain the first view of Machu Picchu.A close second was the sunset on Amantani island on Lake Titicaca. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan was a wealth of information who assisted everyone in the group with their individual needs and never seemed to tire of answering questions and accommodating group members.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring along good insect repellent, carry toilet tissue paper at all times and make sure you have a good camera with long battery life!

Suggestions

Don't have too many expectations and go with an open mind to new experiences and meeting new people.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the sun rise over the sand dunes at Sossusvlei on my daughter's 18th birthday was something very special.  But quadbiking on the dunes at Swakupmond was thrilling in a completely different way.  Seeing the landscape change from dunes to scrub desert to lush-ish green covered mountains as we travelled north through the country was pretty amazing.  And then all those incredible birds and animals.  How one can become nonchalant about seeing springbok, zebra, giraffes, warthogs, baboons, the seal colony, elephants and even rhino seems unthinkable but then add a lion with its kill; two lionesses with their cubs, cheetahs, hyenas and even a rare sighting of a leopard with photography opportunities to die for and words begin to fail me...Plus the fact that we are the least likely family ever to sleep under canvas and yet we loved it... all.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Franz was terrific.  He struck the balance between sharing his knowledge of the country and its inhabitants (of all kinds) and giving us the space to spend family time together.  We drove along looking left and right and straight ahead learning about Namibia's history, its economic, political and cultural context, and came home much more knowledgeable about the birds and animals, the geography and geology and so on.  He was really well organised and prepared us fully for each day and all activities.  And he had a great sense of humour too. And accompanied by Jonas, who cooked for us brilliantly, they were a great pair for whom nothing was too much trouble.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you go in the summer months; do take lots of warm clothing.  We didn't really have enough and there were nights and early mornings when warm gloves, woolly hats, ski jackets and thermals would have been useful. Don't expect to have much time to read and relax.  We took books that didn't even come out of our bags. And there is quite a lot of bus travel; so do take this into account.

Suggestions

I would heartily recommend this trip and the luxury of having a teenage departure meant that the itinerary was adapted to meet the needs of the group.  We also loved the balance of camping and nights in lodges.

Most Inspirational Moment

Eating tart at Mama's surroubded by amazing views and good company

Thoughts on Group Leader

Couldnt fault Oliver. Patient, knowledgable, good fun, really made the trip

Most Inspirational Moment

There was more than one moment.The green turtle nesting and returning to the sea with the moon rising above the Caribbean sea with thunder and lighting in the distance.The humpback whale breaching in the Dulce Gulf again and again.The sea crashing through the trees where the rainforest touched the ocean.The lighting storm over the cloud forest whilst looking to the pacific ocean.The iguana falling out the tree by the bar in Tortuguero.Scarlet Macaws flying over the mangroves.Being woken up by Howler Monkeys.Need I say more?

Thoughts on Group Leader

Berny was fantastic.  Warm friendly and knowledgable.  He went above and beyond with many more activities than the trip notes described.  In particular his early morning bird walks were a highlight for me.Without him the trip would not have been the success is was and I will always remember and be grateful to him for making my journey through Costa Rica memorable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go. Don't wait. Go.Be prepared for high humidity and take walking shoes with you - you will need them.Biting insects are everywhere - if you are prepared with long trousers and cover youself you will survive! Even though I did get some bites they did not detract from my wonderful trip.

Suggestions

Costa Rica is spectaular.Take every opportunity this trip offers.  Do the night walks, take the optional extras it will enhance your experience.