Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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14253 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Alistair Miller

Reviewed May 2023

Cycling in Albania April 2023

Being honest, I knew very little about Albania, I only selected the trip to spend a week cycling after finishing work and entering a “between jobs” phase and this trip seemed very good value for money. However, this trip exceeded my expectations on every aspect. I have come away with information about the Albanian people and some of their countries difficult history, respect for the Albanian hills, magical memories of the stunning scenery, a happy stomach after a week of Albanian food and drink (including the local Raki spirit!) and stronger legs 🙂 This was my second Exodus trip and I’m not sure if I have simply been lucky but the group dynamics on both trips have been wonderful with everyone getting along just great. I definitely recommend this trip to others.

Most Inspirational Moment

We were quite lucky with the weather. It was very good most days made the most of the stunning scenery. Snow capped mountains, gorges, rivers, towns and cities always look better in the sun and Albaina was no exception. A visual treat for the eyes. Food and accommodation was brilliant. Some accommodation a bit basic but I didn't mind that at all. I liked that fact that we cycled from the hotel door to the next hotel door on all but one day. Seeing the Unesco world heritage site of Gjirokaster was a particular highlight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Erlis and Tanni were both brilliant. Everything was explained and no queries went unanswered with a full and comprehensive response. Erlis' breadth of knowledge of Albania was impressive. I could cycle up beside him and ask a question and we'd discuss for a few minutes - fantastic. His arrangement of the hotels, food and coffee stops was spot on. I felt really spoilt for the week. All I had to do was get on and cycle and I really did feel safe throughout out the whole trip!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go ahead and book it. If you like cycling and seeing places you will not be disappointed. I got hold of a local SIM card at Tirana airport for about £15 (lasted for three weeks) which worked well for staying in touch and backing up photos to the cloud. Be prepared for hills - both up and down. The ascents on day 6 were pretty tough going but had been well advertised in advance. Some of the Albanian roads were a bit rough. Lots of very large Albanian shepherd/guard /stray dogs throughout but no untoward encounters.

Peter Williams

Reviewed May 2023

Exactly that

Better than walking in the Dolomites. Great variety and three climates in one mid-May week including snow. Hotel Torrecerredo is an ideal walkers hotel, clean, easy going, relaxed and good varied menu.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting our guide Luis's home and sampling local cider and wine.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Luis the leader was terrific, friendly, patient but confident at all times. Full of knowledge about the plants and local area.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some of the walks graded moderate although straight forward and easy would be rated strenuous in UK.

Sharon Reuben

Reviewed May 2023

I LOVED this trip

I LOVED this trip…my 10th with Exodus but my first walking holiday, and there was so much to enjoy. The walks were tough and I was nervous; I’m used to walking much further but not used to such steep hills and the many, many steps. But though my legs were often screaming, it was well worth it and I’d highly recommend the trip and the area.

The hotel was nice, rooms simple but had everything I needed, the town we stayed quiet but lovely, the restaurants are all fantastic in the town, and the beach is lovely – and it’s a rare thing for a beach to not be dominated by the Italian ‘beach clubs’ that usually take up most of the best spots.

The wine tasting is a very special evening.

Most Inspirational Moment

The view of Portofino as you come over the headland, walking across the terraces that stretch for miles across the mountains, with a village ahead of you and another behind...the sense of achievement when you reach each one!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michela is a fantastic guide; great company, kind and thoughtful, informative and she worked really hard to ensure we got the best from our trip, including being flexible to dodge potential / actual bad weather. She put our safety and enjoyment at the forefront; the paths were very steep and the stones very slippery so I agree, it's not suitable in bad weather. But we got to explore towns we wouldn't have seen, and all her recommendations - for our free time and the final rainy day - were spot on. Every day Michela gave us options; ways you could skip a section, shorten a walk or do something a little different if either an injury or just by choice, you wanted a change from the group walk. This made the whole trip very accessible to everyone.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do bring trekking poles and hiking boots, it's very uneven terrain. It was great to be based in one place - no packing & unpacking - but most of us brought more than we needed! A camelbak or bladder are very handy, to sip water constantly rather than use a bottle. Take note when there are beaches available that day - the water is stunning, so wear or take swimmers ...I was always keen to get my boots off and feet in the water, and would have swum if i'd had my cossie! Some days it's worth grabbing food in Moneglia where we stayed, so you have more time to chill out in the lunch stop...obv some people just wanted to head to a restaurant / bar, but it's nice to chill, head to the water etc as well...Ice cream is good everywhere but obv Michela knows the best spots! Tag days on before / after or both...Pisa has so much more to offer than the tower, and Lucca is stunning, very different and just 30 mins from Pisa by bus or train. Local transport is excellent and cheap, so you can see and do a lot in this region.

Claire Brady

Reviewed May 2023

Puglia cycling

Wonderful! The guide and driver, the hotels and the routes were all excellent. A memorable trip with a great group.

Most Inspirational Moment

Staying in a Trulli house

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic-he quickly got the measure of the group and worked our days around the weather and sights. He changed timings when he recognised there was a benefit to do so and checked with the group to ensure we were all happy with arrangements. He went out of his way to book and recommend great restaurants and sights to see when off the bikes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare for all weather conditions-it’s quite changeable

Linda Edwards

Reviewed May 2023

Another Excellent Exodus trip

This was our 4th Exodus walking holiday and it has lived up to expectations. George lead us on 6 fantastic walks, and planned everything meticulously… transport, lunches, pace of group. The Galaxy Hotel was just as described, friendly, great sea views and ample breakfasts. And, yes, as commented on in other reviews, the bathroom is ready for an upgrade but everything is works and is clean. Exodus remains our go to company when we are looking for a walking holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk to the Roman columns and the walk through the gorge on the last day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

George looked after us all superbly, making sure the pace was right for everyone, so that no one fell behind. The lunch spots were thoughtfully chosen as were the welcome beachside tavernas at the end of most walks. He clearly has a passion for the island he was born on; this came through when he was talking about wildlife or the history of the area.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would say that the holiday should be billed as moderate rather than leisurely/modest. Most of the walks involved quite steep ascents and descents. The gorge path is narrow and you need a head for heights. But it is the scenery is amazing. Take your poles and have confidence in your leader.

Anne Marie Harrison

Reviewed May 2023

Great Trip

Have just come back from a great trip based in Kyrenia. The guide, Gizer, knows the area very well and could tell us a lot about the history and culture as well as flora and fauna and birds. There were also some great optional extras, such as a trip to Salamis and Famagusta and, on the last day, to Nicosia. He organised visits to several evening restaurants, that served traditional Turkish Cypriot meals, the last one being especially good. I thought the level of walking was quite challenging for a “Leisurely” grade, although that was partly due to it being quite hot. The group size was excellent at 12, and we mainly got on very well, although one couple spent most of the time away from us as they had not expected such hard walking. The hotel was excellent, with a wide choice of a buffet breakfast, very comfortable rooms and friendly, helpful staff. All in all, a great holiday and I feel I’ve got to know a lot more about North Cyprus.

Most Inspirational Moment

Spectacular scenery, and getting to hear about the history of the island

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very experienced and knowledgable. Gave us lots of information. Worked long hours.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Good walking boots and a walking stick recommended. The trip notes say you must have Turkish Lire, but generally they are happy to take euro's dollars and pounds. Lires are useful as small change for entrance to loos etc

Phil Molyneux

Reviewed May 2023

A great new tour

Being on the first trip of a new tour I was expecting a few teething problems but these were more than compensated for by our excellent tour guide (Jordan)

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in the beautiful Tuscany country side in conversation with a doctor who has pioneered a technique to treat/repair spina bifida on babies in the womb! It’s amazing the people that you can meet on holiday.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jordan Benson was great at resolving problems (there were a few) and ensuring that everyone had a very memorable holiday and lots of wine

Advice for Potential Travellers

The Villa Arnilu was great but on our trip the pool was out of commission and also the wifi was inadequate. I suggest that it is worth checking that these have been addressed if they are important to you. I also found some of the walks a little more strenuous than I had anticipated for a level 2 holiday. I am in my mid 70’s and all the walks had stunning views.

Tony Thornton

Reviewed May 2023

Fantastic trip & Guides

Highlights: # seeing abundant wildlife/bird life throughout trip # cycling through varying landscapes # the tour leaders/guide/driver/cooks The entire trip covered 2000km (cycled almost 500km of it) and we saw varying landscapes, some of which was quite stunning.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too difficult to say one moment. Over 12 days there were many. My favourite cycling days were in golden Gate NP, Royal Natal NP, cycling down into Barberton & cycling from Graskop to Blyde river Canyon. Wildlife & birdlife was amazing in Kruger NP but also throughout trip. Keep your senses alert throughout whole trip - there are many sights, sounds and feelings to be experienced.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bradley Campher & Evans Angel were brilliant, both individually and as a team. Bradley is excellent as a cycling guide. He provided clear briefs of the cycling segments. He made sure we were safe and provided much needed support & encouragement. My bike performed well with no issues. Bradley also cooked meals and provided helpful information on history, cultural issues. His motto is to ensure the client comes first & I felt that was true for me. Evans main role on this trip was the driving and he also cooked lovely meals. He followed us closely when we were cycling to warm drivers and in case we needed water, food or other support. He is a qualified guide and so provided information on many matters including info on the animals in Kruger and other interesting information

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get fit for the cycling. Most days are very undulating so lots of uphillls, as well as a couple of great long downhills. Great scenery to distract you though! Well worth the effort. I had certain concerns about coming to SA but I felt very safe with Bradley & Evans guiding our trip. SA is an incredible place & people are very friendly. . Wildlife & birdlife are amazing and seeing the big 5 and more made the trip for me, as well as the guides, Bradley & Evans :-)

Bridget Moore

Reviewed May 2023

Discover the Baltics - does what it says in the brochure

Finally got to do this trip which was on my bucket list before the pandemic. It was certainly worth the wait and lived up to all my expectations. This is one of the best Exodus trips I have travelled on. I find ex-Soviet countries fascinating and we certainly got a good introduction to the histories of all 3 countries together with an insight into their views about the current situation. This was due to the generous ways in which both our guide Andrius and the local guides were prepared to share some of their experiences from less liberal times. It was all very thought provoking and led to some thoughtful discussion between fellow travellers. But on a lighter note – the itinerary was more varied than I was expecting. We saw capital cities, medieval streets, Art Nouveau architecture, crumbling and restored castles, fishermen’s wooden cottages, Soviet elite holiday homes, a palace built in the time of the Tsars , a decommissioned nuclear bunker, museums, art galleries and some ex-KGB “facilities”. Trips into the countryside were also included, we visited the sea in all 3 countries, some fantastic national parks and drove through wonderful forests. Even the weather was on our side – I could be forgiven for thinking the Baltics are countries where the spring sun creates beautiful dappled patterns whilst glinting through the fresh green forest foliage. It only rains when you are in the bus between destinations! However, there was also a heatwave in Southern Europe, so future travellers should not take too much notice of this comment.

Most Inspirational Moment

The beach at Altja in Lahemaa National Park - so peaceful and such beautiful colours. Maybe not inspirational, but certainly memorable Plokstine Cold War Museum and the KGB museum in Vilnius.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were so lucky to have Andrius as our group leader. He was well organised, efficient, enthusiastic, but also empathetic, sensitive and with a very sharp wit and good sense of humour. It can't be easy to share life experiences which have the potential to be uncomfortable, but Andrius was willing to do so, and I for one, feel that I have come home with a much greater understanding of some events which happened during my lifetime and I am now better placed to share this with my own children. Andrius was also very good at spotting a suitable restaurant for some sociable group meals.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this trip - you won't regret it. Don't worry about getting bogged down on the sand dunes on the Curonian Spit (I was) - the footpath is a boardwalk to prevent visitors from causing erosion by walking all over the fragile dunes.

Michael Britton

Reviewed May 2023

Wonderful Walking in Andalucia

It was a very enjoyable week, almost too hot to walk with temperatures in the mid 30s most days, but the guide was very careful that we stayed safe in these temperatures. The walks were varied and interesting – our favourites were Day 3 (walk in the Sierra de Grazelma) and Day 6 (El Chorro gorge and walk El Caminito del Rey). The optional Sunday lunch tapas on Day 2 in Villanueva de San Juan was excellent and it was great to see the locals out for their lunch too. The hotel was excellent, beautiful location with stunning views. It was well-maintained, clean and we had a lovely room with a balcony. The dinners were delicious, especially the last night-paella; the lunchtime baguettes were also excellent. The hotel was very good catering for our dietary requirements. It was lovely to return to the peace of the hotel (and the pool) at the end of every walk. The day in Seville was brilliant, with several optional extras offered (Alcazar tickets, a flamenco show and a tapas lunch), but there was no pressure to join any of these activities and you could do your own thing if you wanted. I would recommened this holiday to other Leisurely/Moderate walkers

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the El Caminito del Rey...... The views of the spectacular gorge, seeing parts of the old path made of railway sleepers and concrete, seeing a train on the viaduct on the opposite side, the glass-floored corner, the suspension bridge, etc, etc.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowledgeable and passionate about Andalucia, full of information ranging from local flora and fauna to castles and history. Passionate about walking, but ensured we were all safe in the extreme heat. Arranged meetings at sensible times, keeping us informed about the next day's activities and writing details on a white board at the hotel in case we forgot. Not mentioning going home until the end of Day 7! Exceptionally helpful e.g. booking meals, tickets, shows for us, collecting medication from the pharmacy and supporting other walkers in the pharmacy. And such a vibrant personality!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you need one, take a hair dryer - there is one in the hotel, shared between 8 rooms, though this was not a problem the week we were there.

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