Reviews

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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14278 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Nicholas Nelson

Reviewed September 2022

Brilliant!

We enjoyed our week with Julian down in the Rodolpi Mountains, trekking the hills and meadows, on the lookout for the wildlife of the region. We loved it all. The landscape (sort of alpine-esque) is gentle in places and vigorous in others. Every day the walks took us to new areas and vistas. People have impressions of what Bulgaria is going to look and feel like and this week resets those expectations completely. We summoned up the energy to head to the hide a couple of times and loved it there – a real “in the moment” way to spend three hours. The hotel was welcoming and comfortable with ample delicious local specialties to fuel our efforts. Travelling in September we were surprised by how many flowers were still out, the butterflies and insects, the huge range of funghi, not to mention the very varied bird and mammal life of all sizes. There was the familiar, and the new, at every corner.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Julian was a highlight in his own right! He patiently dealt with our curiosity on everything from the bears to the political situation in Bulgaria and everything in between. With his fluent Bulgarian he took care of everything, my only decision to take was the daily choice of lunch sandwich filler. He managed different abilities in the group and as "informed" amateurs, he kept us brimming with facts and figures. Blagodarya Julian!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The terrain is quite varied, sometimes stable and level forest path, other times quite broken large stone paths, get some rigid shoes and walking sticks! Some of the days we set off up hill quite rapidly, to reach meadowtops, be ready for that but there's always a good gentle patch to catch your breath. Go with an open mind and a love for what's around and you'll not be disappointed.

angela whitbread

Reviewed September 2022

Amazing & Beautiful

A much waited for trip to see everything I had always wanted to see and more, a brilliant small group that got on well from the start, and an amazing guide Ahmed!

Most Inspirational Moment

there are many the Tomb's of Nefertari, a visit to elephantine island to Animalia to see how the Nubian people lived and still do, seeing the gold mask of Tutankhamun was amazing and you can get really close to it. all the colours are stunning in all of the tombs at the valley of the kings and especially the valley of the queens which is deserted so go before more people realise its there!! Seeing all the places that I learnt about in school has finally been realised but I will need to go back as there is much more to see. The parties on M/S Esmeralda were memorable in many ways for the dancing and audience participation. cruising down the Nile seeing all the wildlife and watching all the children on the banks of the Nile waving back at us onboard an experience not to be forgotten.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ahmed was amazing he entertained us all with making us all god, goddesses, Pharaohs & Queens to make explaining things easier and fun, nothing was too much trouble for Ahmed; he arranged a tour to the valley of the queens for me to see the Tomb's of Nefertari and Prince Amen Khopshef and arranged a boat transfer back to M/S Esmerelda. His love and passion for his country and his experience and knowledge cant be bettered and he is always willing to answer questions and explain things further over dinner and evenings after dinner as we all had many questions for him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go you will love it!!! be prepared for early starts to avoid as much of the heat as possible and avoiding the crowds but its all worth it.

nancy maglio

Reviewed September 2022

excellent trip

This was a fabulous trip. The rides were challenging with hills but absolutely beautiful coastal views, quaint villages, and beautiful hillsides covered in grapes vines, olive trees and lavender. Dinners were very good, especially the farm to table one. Time spent in Dubrovnik was a great way to end the trip. 2 of the 3 hotels were good, one could be better. The guide Mario was excellent and made the trip that much better!!

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.

Katherine Burke

Reviewed September 2022

Wildlife galore!!

I’ve just got back from canoeing the Zambezi Valley- what a trip!! We saw hippos, elephants, crocodile, monkeys, baboons, Impala, Kudu, warthogs and even a porcupine and a leopard!! The tents provided were really good- tall enough to stand up in, with mesh panels so you could look out if you wished. The stars at night were beautiful so I’d really recommend that. The canoeing was at a steady pace and suitable for all abilities- the hardest part was often getting in and out of the boat!! If you haven’t camped or kayaked before, don’t be put off, the pace was just right and the support from the leader and assistant leader was great. We also had a couple of game walks and a night game drive. The food was simple, but tasty and there was plenty of it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing all the wildlife- I loved the hippos and we even had an elephant join us for lunch one day!

Thoughts on Group Leader

CB was a very good leader- knowledgeable and quick to help with any problems. He definitely had a sense of humour as well! Evans, the assistant leader, was quieter, but always on hand to help.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Tips- you definitely need a torch and a camera! There are no shops on the trip so if you want snacks or alcohol, buy it on the way to the campsite from the airport. This is not the trip for anyone who likes a lie-in! We had breakfast at 7 every day.

Mary Roser

Reviewed September 2022

You have to go!

An exhausting trip as so much travel involved but entirely worth it – Julia our guide was exceptional – we all agreed best guide we have ever had and should surely win guide of the year award! Also, we were blessed to have an amazing group so that made the times and experiences should be shared well with fond memories and laughs along the way. The county itself is diverse and massive – lots of bumpy roads and long drives. But, you will be wowed and rewarded with every new destination. It was a real adventure and not a ‘holiday’ as such – came back knackered but so pleased i went – well worth seeing and so glad we had a exceptional guide and great group!

Most Inspirational Moment

loved the lakes and the salt flats

Thoughts on Group Leader

Exceptional - Julia is the best i have ever had as guide - best ever!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for long travel on uneven roads - but you will be rewarded with the destinations that seem to get better as trip progresses

Donna S

Reviewed September 2022

A Week in Jordan - a great adventure

A well organised trip visiting the main highlights of Jordan in a week. We had a great guide, Nuwar Jodeh, who shared with us her vast knowledge or Jordan and its history. The accommodation on the whole was great and we were well looked after in the hotels with regards to food and services. Also there was time to relax when visiting the Red and Dead Seas. Nuwar and our driver ensured we had a magical tour discovering the highlights of this amazing country. I had the pleasure of sharing it with a great group of people too.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the Treasury at Petra. The site itself is vast with lots of historical sights to see which did involve a lot of walking and climbing up steps, however everyone was free to do as they wished so no pressure to walk miles if you didn't want to.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nuwar our group leader was brilliant, she looked after us and ensured we had the best time during our stay in Jordan. She was very organised and was flexible when requests were made to adjust our schedule, eg leaving the hotel earlier to visit Petra when the weather was a bit cooler and before the crowds arrived.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure you bring some good walking shoes (boots not necessary), to ensure you enjoy the walks, and a rucksack/bag for the overnight stay in Wadi Rum.

Nigel Turner

Reviewed September 2022

Extra days in the Azores

We booked this cycling trip to provide an additional week following the Exodus ‘Walking in the Azores’. That holiday visits four islands but not Terceira. So, by booking both trips we were able to visit five of the nine islands. It’s easy to get between islands by ferry or plane. There is a lot to see on Terceira so it’s a good place to visit. Angra is super, the volcanic cave is really good and I developed a keenness for photographing the colourful ‘imperios’ of the Holy Spirit which can be found in most villages. They look like (but aren’t) brightly coloured little chapels. The cycle route takes you round the island over three days with inland rides on the other two – five days in total. You can see quite a lot. When you go inland off the coastal roads it can be quite steep. This is especially the case with the first day of cycling (Day 2) which is probably the toughest, especially if you’re getting used to the bikes. These are mountain bikes with 2 x 10/11 gears. We’re used to hybrids and 3 x 8 so these took a bit of getting used to and we found we needed to walk up some of the hills. Having recently done two ‘moderate Exodus’ cycle trips, I reckon it is one is at least ‘moderate’ with some tougher bits where it’s absolutely fine to walk. One of the nice things about Terceira is that outside the towns there isn’t lots of traffic. We adjusted our route on Days 2 and 5 (the inland days) to suit our interests and were given good ideas from Tiago who supplies the bikes. Day 3 was our best day. There is a choice of routes. I did the route down to the edge of the coast and my wife stuck more to the roads. There were great views of the islands of Soa Jorge and Graciosa and we had lunch at the café attached to the cheese factory. The highlights of Day 4 were cycling through a herd of cows that was being moved between fields, cycling through the US airbase (mostly mothballed) and arriving at the religious monument that looks down on Praia. Praia is lovely. My wife relaxed on Day 5 in Praia and I cycled in the morning to the mountain with the wind turbines, for a great view both ways. We were lucky, there was a summer festival while we were there and we enjoyed a local food area, bull running and marching bands. It rained on Day 6. I completed the route and could see that it is pretty nice through some fishing villages and past interesting volcanic hills. We then added an extra day in Angra. So there are five interesting days of cycling – especially if you’re used to mountain bikes, are good at steep hills or don’t mind walking occasionally. If you’re not so sure then e-bikes are available and one of us would have preferred that! Being self-guided, the dates are flexible and so it’s easy to combine this with another trip or your own island-hopping plan. We booked late and at relatively short notice but rooms were available by upgrading our accommodation. The other islands we visited were very interesting and had different attractions – see the walking tour for ideas. Tip: one of the delightful things about the Azores is the blue hydrangeas. Our week in Terceira was in early August and we found that the hydrangeas were getting past their best at lower elevations.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through a herd of cows moving from one field to another. Enjoying Angra.

Thoughts on Group Leader

This was self-guided.

Advice for Potential Travellers

See above about linking with other trips and the blue hydrangeas.

Nigel Turner

Reviewed September 2022

Extra days in the Azores

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through a herd of cows moving from one field to another. Enjoying Angra.

Thoughts on Group Leader

This was self-guided.

Advice for Potential Travellers

See above about linking with other trips and the blue hydrangeas.

Paul Henderson

Reviewed September 2022

Hurray and hurry to Costa Rica!

If you have thought about visiting Costa Rica, then don’t put it off. We visited this delightful country in September, not apparently in the Wet Season, but in the Wetter Season! However, don’t be put off by that. When it rained (mainly in the afternoons) it did rain heavily and it came at a time for a welcome rest. But despite that we did achieve a tremendous amount, and it is worth noting that some things can only be seen at this time – eg turtles laying eggs in Tortuguero, and whales playing in the Pacific Ocean. Key to the success of our trip was Glenda, our outstanding guide (and a “good witch!”): she knew exactly where to go to see the sloth and baby feeding in the trees, where the ellusive quetzal could be found, how to hunt down the red-eyed tree frog at night; she was also an expert on the country‘s biodiversity guiding us through Rain Forest and Cloud Forest, identifying all the trees, ferns and plants; in addition, she was always on hand to save cameras dropped into lagoons, and advising how to order the best well-balanced meals in the Hotels, Lodges and Restaurants. Costa Rica was unforgettable in so many ways, and I for one was so glad to have chosen this Exodus Trip .

Most Inspirational Moment

The whale watching trip was truly unforgettable: as the speed boat leapt over the Pacific Ocean swell, none of us were prepared for the amazing performance laid on for us by a humpback whale and her calf. For 30 minutes we were enthralled by the ballet the two of them put on breaching every two to three minutes. The excitement of this experience was truly unforgettable, and we were all felt privileged to have been given an opportunity to see nature at play in this way.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Glenda was a real star: she was full of energy and life, sharing her passion and love of her country. Throughout the trip, Glenda made sure that we were her priority and that we were all given the best chance to appreciate the wonders of her country. No request was ever too much for her, and her sense of fun and humour helped us all relax throughout the trip. Her knowledge of her country’s biodiversity, and her ability to spot and identify both flora and fauna was remarkable. Without her I am not sure we would ever have discovered the elusive quetzal, but with her we saw makes and females twice - and then she used her skill to enable us to have photographs on our phones through her telescope. Glenda wanted us all to feel like we were part of her family, and her wish was that we would persuade others to come and enjoy her country. I hope many more will follow in our tracks - you won’t be disappointed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the humidity and the rain. September was the start of the “wetter” season, but mornings were nearly all sunny and hot, and actually we only had two afternoons which were torrential. But you will need to have a good poncho or waterproof top - perhaps a small umbrella? The humidity can be very high, so there is a need to have a good change of clothes as wet clothes do not always dry overnight. The other issue might be whether to have cash or use debit/credit cards. Some extra activities could only be paid for with cash (US dollars) and it is important to understand that not every ATM gives dollars but they all take commission.

Cathy Peck

Reviewed September 2022

What a delightful week!

A group of strangers met at Porto airport, and departed from there a week later as friends. The week was well planned, excellently organized, by and expertly led by Lina and her husband Antonio. They lavished care and attention on us to ensure we enjoyed to the maximum our time in the beautiful Douro valley. The walks were delightful, with panoramas of vineyards and river valleys. And, of course, every day we enjoyed tasting the delicious wines and ports of the Douro valley. New tastes and types of wine were explained by expert guides at the wineries, and enjoyed with gusto. No swilling round the mouth and spitting into a spittoon for us! The food was delicious and portions were extremely generous. A single order divided into two halves was not unusual in restaurants. We had outstanding lunches at some of the wineries, in beautiful surroundings. A most enjoyable holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to say. Every day was most enjoyable, and gorgeous vista succeeded gorgeous vista. We walked through several villages, and it was so interesting to see village life - some clearly losing population and young people, and others where there was new building going on, and we could see the village expanding. Perhaps the most inspirational was the visit to Quinta das Escomoeiras, a small new organic winery producing delicious vinho verde. According to the owner, some 15 years ago, he decided he want to build an organic winery, and so he did! The quinta is in the beautiful position amongst the hills overlooking the river valley.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Lina, was outstanding. Nothing was too much trouble, and she was aware of and pre-empted an special needs. I couldn't carry my suitcase, as I had broken my elbow, and Lina was most solicitous and made every effort to ensure that she was on hand to help. She was a delightful guide, knowing in depth the walks, country, flora and fauna, and taking care to explain what we were seeing or walking through. Her husband Antonio was also very helpful, and took many, often humourous, photos of our adventures. Showing the day's photos at our evening briefings was a great start to the evening.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't expect rigourous or long walks. The walks are graded 1 for a reason, and were perfect for me.

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