Reviews

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very helpful and patient.

Advice for Potential Travellers

DEFINITELY Bring insect repellent.

Most Inspirational Moment

The beautiful scenery on the island of Mljet! Our guide Mario took us up to a viewpoint during an optional hike and the view was absolutely stunning!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mario was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable in the area and the intriguing history of Croatia.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I highly recommend the optional trip to Mljet!

Most Inspirational Moment

Having not visited Croatia before I didn’t realise that there were so many islands and the ones we visited were beautiful. The coastal rides were fabulous and dramatic especially on the last day riding through vineyards, olive oil groves and quiet villages. The small historic settlement of Ston was very interesting short stop on the way to Dubrovnik. For me Dubrovnik was an incredible place, Hotel a short bus ride into the city but if you wanted to sit by the beach and relax the hotel was only a few hundred metres from the sea.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mate was a super guy. Very efficient, observant, organised, nothing too much trouble and made the trip a relaxed one. Pacing was good and you could go ahead if the roads allow. Each day was well organised especially when we had ferries to catch, water and snacks provided on some days, when and where to break and meet up with Tommy the driver of the bus and trailer. Mate very knowledgeable of his country and a great ambassador for Exodus and Croatia.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are undulations along the route but the ups give great downs!! But Tommy with the bus was always there if you need him. The optional trip to Mljet is worth it.

Suggestions

Just do it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Having not visited Croatia before I didn’t realise that there were so many islands and the ones we visited were beautiful. The coastal rides were fabulous and dramatic especially on the last day riding through vineyards, olive oil groves and quiet villages. The small historic settlement of Ston was very interesting short stop on the way to Dubrovnik. For me Dubrovnik was an incredible place, Hotel a short bus ride into the city but if you wanted to sit by the beach and relax the hotel was only a few hundred metres from the sea.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mate was a super guy. Very efficient, observant, organised, nothing too much trouble and made the trip a relaxed one. Pacing was good and you could go ahead if the roads allow. Each day was well organised especially when we had ferries to catch, water and snacks provided on some days, when and where to break and meet up with Tommy the driver of the bus and trailer. Mate very knowledgeable of his country and a great ambassador for Exodus and Croatia.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are undulations along the route but the ups give great downs!! But Tommy with the bus was always there if you need him. The optional trip to Mljet is worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Downhill coastal sections in glorious sun. Fun evening meals out with group

Thoughts on Group Leader

Really excellent. Indefatigable, fun, knowledgeable, confident leader and problem solver.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We had unseasonably wet weather at the start, so change of clothes/footwear & lightweight cycling rain cape useful. Even so, packing light helps.

Suggestions

Would have preferred to hire cycle helmet as hassle and bulky to bring out and not guarantee that won't be damaged on journey. Will be looking to book another bike holiday with Exodus. Selecting the holiday from the drop down harder than it should be!

Most Inspirational Moment

The view of Korcula town on the coast with the sea and mountains behind was a great picture I will remember, even better than the view of Dubrovnik from the fortress

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mario knew lots of informaton and shared this to give us background details of the areas we were cycling and travelling through

Advice for Potential Travellers

The mountain bikes with half suspension seemed heavy and more than required... until we hit the gravel tracks on Hvar and through the vineyards when they were definitely needed. The pace suited everyone.

Most Inspirational Moment

It was all inspirational, from the beautiful scenery to the challenging bike rides.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mario was fantastic!! He was a natural; friendly, encouraging, helpful and flexible. Mario was easy going and didn't let things bother him. Even when we missed a ferry one day, he was on it immediately finding alternative plans. When the ferry to mjlet was cancelled due to winds, he quickly found an alternative ride for us to do. He seemed to truly enjoy hanging out with the group and it is always great to be able to hear stories from a local who can share what it is like to grow up and live in another part of the world.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would get an e-bike if I did this again just to have a little assist on the hills. They were doable but it was a challenge since I had not been riding a lot this summer.

Suggestions

The hotel in Lombarda was not good at all. It was dirty with mold in the bathroom on the tile and ceiling. There were many ants in my room - on the floor, desk and even the bed. When I told the manager, he seemed angry that I was bothered by it. They got out a vacuum which was only a temporary fix. There were other insects and spider webs as well. The bedding and towels were not very good and neither were the breakfasts. This hotel was disappointing, but the town was nice.

Most Inspirational Moment

Day trip to Mljet, swimming to lakes and spotting a 2 tailed Pasha ( butterfly!) for the first time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader Mario was excellent and made sure everyone was comfortable with the pace and really was an exceptional lead and a great ambassador for both Croatia and Exodus. Our group of 11 was mixed age and ability but everyone got on well and had a fantastic time! Amazing scenery, beautiful crystal clear waters and quiet roads. Organisation was brilliant, water, snacks, when and where to break…bus and trailer availability etc. Nothing was too much trouble and Mario really put in loads of effort to ensure everyone had a great holiday. He was tolerant, easy going and friendly … even when he had to repeat himself several times because people hadn’t listened to the instructions ! Mario really contributed to making this holiday one of my best ever holidays!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t be put off by the ‘Undulating’ nature of the routes… the descents are amazing and the support vehicle is always there if you need it! ….. I am not a cyclist… just reasonably fit.. and I managed the trip no problem. Bring beach shoes… there are sea urchins!

Suggestions

Can’t wait to book my next trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip to Mjet was amazing, it was a completely unspoiled island, and it really felt like you were cycling through a paradise, there were butterflies everywhere and the sea was crystal clear blue, the hike to the top of the island was also amazing, and the view from the top was epic, we even had a swim, and in late May the sea was a good temperature. I would recommend you bring some water shoes as it's quite stony.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alan was a very good leader, he was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. He really made an effort with everyone, especially on the more challenging parts of trip giving people motivation, and having general chats. In the mini-bus about 15 minutes before arriving at our cycle drop-off's he would give a detailed itinerary of the rides so we would know what to expect. He he also helped me with fitting my own pedals that a bought along which was really helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would have to say take the optional trip to Mjet, and take some water shoes if you decide to go swimming as it's a bit stony.

Suggestions

The demographic of people on this trip was great, a really good mixture of age and groups vs solo travelers, and as a solo traveler in my late 30s it really suited me and we all got along really well and I made some friends! Also the food, wine and beer was amazing out there!

Most Inspirational Moment

The last day in Dubrovnik, with an excellent local guide, was a highlight for me

Thoughts on Group Leader

Competent, friendly, good-natured. I would personally have liked a bit more information about history and culture of the places we were cycling through, rather than googling it myself.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would recommend this trip without hesitation. The only heads up I would give is that a surprisingly large proportion of restaurants and other retail establishments in Croatia do not take credit cards. If you are concerned or cautious about the risk of COVID (as we were) you should know that pretty much all meals and other interactions were outdoors, and that people in Croatia seem to have reached the conclusion that COVID is no longer a factor at this time - much as people in the UK and the US apparently have too (writing as of May 2022) - no masks, no precautions.

Suggestions

My only criticism would be of the hotels - the first was very good, the second almost made Fawlty Towers look good (unable to provide sheets for a double bed, and not particularly ashamed of it either!), and the third was OK but certainly could have been better (eg. no lifts in a multi-story building). However none of this affected our enjoyment of the overall trip. Exodus says that their trips are COVID-safe, but nobody (including the tour leader) were aware of any particular precautions or requirements that participants (including the tour leader himself) were vaccinated, so this was basically a fiction.