Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The ride back from Pupnat to Korcula was very pretty - topped off with a swim in the sea - perfect.  In fact any day finishing with a swim was great.  The last day of cycling along the coast was also very pretty.  Cycling throught the vineyards was great too. I also thought the evening out at the home cooked food place outside Korcula was excellent - if a bit more pricey than we had been expecting (230 Kuna each) - this may have had something to do with the grappe.... Oh, and worth going to the Tower Bar in Korcula - good views in the day time, but make sure you can deal with ladders.

Thoughts on Group Leader

This was Bojan's first tour on his own and I think he did a great job managing a varied group which had diverse demands.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Croatia is not a cheap place - though not overly pricey either.  As breakfast is the only meal included in the price there is plenty of money to be spent on food (and ice cream).  Many of our group requested thet we have some picnic lunches which I think was reasonable (but you need a ruckack or something to carry it in from the supermarket!).  The meal at the the top of the hill on the first day's cycling was very nice, simple food (bread, cheese, proscuttio and grilled veg) but many felt over priced - and as we hadn't had any choice or say I think some felt a bit "had" - hence the request that the group have a bit more freedom of choice. Obviously we expect our guide to make good recommendations for dinners etc so most of the time most of the group went with his advice - and it was very good.

Thoughts on Group Leader

John and all the group were excellent.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to pick out just one, because it was the contrast of all the different days that made the trip so much fun.  And a really great group of people definitely helped!  The dinner on the last evening at a fish restaurant, eating outside and watching the sun set over the sea, was pretty good too...!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joe was an excellent leader, always calm and cheerful and very well organised, as well as knowledgeable about the flora and fauna.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take clothing for all eventualities - we had a mix of wind, rain and sun on most days.

Most Inspirational Moment

The ascent with Mohammed up to Haje, the broken slate, the sheer steep incline, the Juniper trees fast extinguishing over the years.  Had an awesome ascent and descent to Mount Ouanakrim (minus 7 temperatures) and snow and an early 5am start with crampons/ice-pix, FABULOUS!!! Felt like a mountain goat, superb time...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, realistic and helped Frankie out on ascent from Mount Toubkal as she had vertigo, we had a fabulous group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Communicate with your guide, prepare with the right clothing and equipment and be prepared for anything...

Most Inspirational Moment

After calling in on a lesson in the village primary school and being persuaded to join a hastily formed girl football team, the joy in the face of the girls when they scored the first goal against the boys' team.

Thoughts on Group Leader

His command of a range of languages was amazing and his flexible approach to the itinerary made the trip even more enjoyable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you take a long scarf that can cover your head, neck and most of your face for your trip in to the Sahara.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, it was the simplicity of the village lifestyle with subsistence farming - it was the stuff of text books. The people were hugely friendly and if anything, slightly amused and delighted at seeing the Westerners.  I went on this trip to see the Wall as it was something that I'd always wanted to see.  I didn't expect to want to return to China again.  However, I believe I will. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danny is the tour leader that you always hope you'll get when you book a holiday.  He knew his stuff, was proud of his country and went the extra mile to make sure that things were the best that they could be (food, trips, timings).  He also knew when to get out of the way and leave us alone, so we weren't 'herded' around the place.  Danny added to the holiday and was a great ambassador for Exodus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For potential travellers on this trip: Read the trip notes properly - everything is there but some of the points are quite simply stated and the importance of some of them only came to light when on the trip.  Some of the walking days were short because the weather was cold, which was disappointing - so adjust the timings with the seasons. One nights accomodation, in my opinion, was less than basic, so think about how you want travel.  Buy a new camera - the scenery is huge.  Get a sleeping mat, the beds are hard.  The food was fanatastic (bar the Green Tea Biscuits - why I ask myself?) but you do have to be prepared to try something new. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably watching the sunset from a clifftop bar with a beer and a pizza.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Michele, was an absolute star. He had a great sense of humour and worked really hard to make sure everyone got what they wanted out of the trip. Nothing was too much trouble.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some of the routes involve riding along cliff edges, all with barriers and perfectly safe but if you don't like heights this might not be for you.

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra & Jerash were even better (and larger) than I had expected.Staying at the  camp at Wadi Rum  was great. The meal the Bedouin cooked was my favourite of the week and seeing dusk and dawn in the desert was an experience I will always remember.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. His English, knowledge and sense of humour greatly enhanced the whole experience

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don't need to bring a towel at all...not even for the Dead Sea and snorkelling

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing looking into the steaming crater of Mount Vesuvius was amazing.  The ruins at Pompeii were simply awesome with a wonderful sense of the region's history.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christine was brilliant - her local knowledge is extensive and she went out of her way to help us get the most out of every day.  We were all very grateful for her hard work!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are travelling in May its worth taking some warm clothes for the evenings - the temperature in the mountains is quite a bit lower due to the altitude.

Most Inspirational Moment

It would be difficult to pick one highlight as the trip is so diverse.The rainforest was excellent and we both loved the nature walks and all of the animals and creatures we saw. The accomodation was specatacular too. Not in a 5* hotel way but it fitted into the environment perfectly and really added something to the stay.The Inca Trail was tough in places but enjoyable with exceptional support from the porters and guides. No-one really suffered from altitude sickness etc but I'm sure this was partly because we were so well fed, watered and looked after. As the trip notes suggest as long as you are reasonably fit you'll be fine. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan was brilliant. Not only was he passionate and knowedgable about Peru he was funny, helpful and even gave photography tips to everyone! We can't say enough about how much Juan added to the trip.The local guides should also receive praise. Emerson and Edwin in the rainforest were great and Emerson must have the best eyesight of anyone I've ever met to spot baby caiman, in the dark, from about 100m away! Wilson plus the porter team on the Inca trail were also very good. How the chefs create the meals we had during the trail in a little tent I'll never know.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When you arrive in Lima change quite a bit of dollars into soles straight away. Although the trip notes suggest you can use dollars (and you can) the exchange rate is not very favourable and we found it much easier to have soles instead. Also, try and get small denominations (20 or lower) as many of the smaller shops and stalls have trouble changing anything bigger.Pack light. We thought we had but we still had far more than we needed. We were able to get laundry done on arriving in Cusco and again after the trail and with a 7kg limit on your trail bags and not needing much for the rainforest (light clothing and long sleeves and legs) you'll find a lot of what you take doesn't really get used. Don't forget layers for the evenings on the trail and on the homestay! Waterproof ponchos seemed to work better than the bag covers when it rained heavily on the trail too. Only about 2soles in Cusco if you ask around.