Most Inspirational Moment
Obidos on last day of cycling
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent
Advice for Potential Travellers
Try to spend extra few days in Lisbon area to allow time to visit Sintra &/or Cascais.
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Well organised trip, good hotels with excellent guides
Trip May/June. Cycling generally leisurely with only one notable hill. Route follows the coast on quite roads and/ or cycle lanes for much of the way. (Poor road surface on one day) Hotels generally good 4 star quality, cafes and lunch / picnic stops were an excellent mix with evening meal venues being fantastic quality.
Rubén’s and Rogerio were excellent guides who were very knowledgeable, helpful and good company, just a pity they had no control over the unusually inclement and windy weather. Recommend the trip.
Excellent!
I went in July and our itinerary was as the Trip Notes. We were a group of 8 and everyone got on so well. I enjoyed staying at all the hotels: Ramapendula, Masseria and Sassi. Breakfast at the 1st and 3rd hotels was excellent but somewhat basic at the Masseria. My room at each hotel met my needs, so very happy with what I was given. The walks were interesting except the 2nd half down from Montescaglioso where we seemed to be walking aimlessly with nothing of interest around!
Most Inspirational Moment
All the towns we visited were so interested however two tours I especially loved (1) discovering Matera's UNESCO 'Sassi' district which involved a hike to the Murgia plateau, crossing the suspension bridge, hike to the top of the ravine ending with a spectacular viewpoint of Matera's Sassi district; (2) the guided tour of Matera by the local guide where he shared his knowledge of the cave-dwelling district and his own family's personal journey from cave dwelling to the new apartment in the 'new' town, and we also learned the history of this fascinating place. I also really enjoyed and welcomed the swim in the sea after our 2.5 hours walk from Masseria.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Antonino (Nino) was excellent from start to finish and he spoke very good English. Nino would always brief us the evening before of what to expect the following day. Nino was attentive, responsive, generous, patient, kind and efficient in dealing with any niggles we may have had. Could not fault him. He thoroughly knows his history of the Puglia and Matera region, including recommending restaurants and food to try.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I went in July and the heat was searing every day, ranging from 30 degrees upwards so make sure you have plenty of water, sun block, a hat and comfortable walking boots. Sandals you could wear in some terrain but not all so walking boots is a better choice. Take a small towel to dry yourself when you visit the beach. Credit card is accepted widely but useful to carry some local currency. Make sure you're fit enough for a lot of walking.
5*
I can’t summarise this trip any better than the excellent reviews already given on this page.
A great combination of some varied and challenging walking, comfortable and relaxing accommodation and a 1st class group leader.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent in all respects whether on the walks, at mealtimes, helping out on rest days and just generally being around. I've been on 7 Exodus trips, all with good leaders, but Sara stands out above them all. Her love of the place and the people is evident
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you're looking for a combination of good walking, good accommodation and food all delivered in a relaxed and unfussy (but totally professional) way whilst exploring some new and surprising parts of Italy then give this a go. Even in mid June as we experienced a heatwave we still had a short spell of wind and rain near the summit one day, so be prepared.
Great trip!!
I went on this trip with my mom and we had the best time. The biking for the most part was relatively flat with only one day being rather hilly. We were a small group-7people-but everyone got along well and we all had so much fun. It was a great trip with beautiful sights to see both in town and in small villages along the coastline.
Most Inspirational Moment
The night we went out in Lithuania and the restaurant we ate at had a live band. We requested a song and the group gave us a shoutout and we got up and started dancing which then caused other guests to also get up and dancing. It was just such a fun night all around, great vibes with new friends.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our guide Andrius Mazrimas was amazing. He went above and beyond and made adjustments to the itinerary to offer better biking routes and allow for some more stops/sightseeing that weren’t scheduled.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I think opting to splurge for the electric bike might be a nice choice for someone unsure of how they’ll fair on the hills but I am by no means a well trained cyclist and did ok.
an enjoyable walking week in a quiet and green place
Various enjoyable hikes in green and beautiful scenery – lakes, gorges, woods, mountain peaks.
The base was at Kunstelj Pension, a well-run two-star pension situated in the quiet and picturesque Radovljica.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The experience was enhanced by the exceptional leadership offered by Buggy & Rock, our two guides. Professionally, they seamlessly adapted each day’s trip to the changes in the weather and to the ability of the group. With good storytelling, they gave noteworthy information about the geography and the history of the places visited, and they were always calm, helpful, relaxed, good-humoured, and friendly. They love what they do and we felt good in their company.
Brilliant holiday
Superb surroundings, excellent company, knowledgeable guide and friendly support staff
Most Inspirational Moment
The ever changing scenery The fantastic bonding with other group members and the atmosphere in camp The delicious meals prepared by our camp support Vega on limited camping equipment.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jef was a very kind, caring, knowledgeable guide who also had a great sense of humour. He was very pragmatic about any issues any group members had and was extremely good at supporting people during the 2 weeks at the same time inspiring us to explore other destinations for our next trips.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Enjoy the experience! The trail is well planned to build up your strength and stamina for the hard walks towards the end of the holiday. Take a spare pair of shoes that you could walk in in case of problems with your main walking boots/ shoes (it is very tough on your feet even for well practiced walkers).
Majestic & Spectacular Views
Walked up some really big hills and then descended the other side. The views were stunning. Expected Hotel Adler to be better and Villabassa is really just a village.
My first walking holiday with Exodus……..for anyone who has been on a cycling holiday, stick with the two wheel option.
Most Inspirational Moment
Not having my luggage delayed once back in the UK.......half the group had to wait for theirs to be delivered on the next BA flight to Venice(outbound flight).
Thoughts on Group Leader
Good.......lots of historic information.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Even though the Map says Italy, it's heart lies somewhere else, hence the food is not really Italian. Evening Meal is 5 course and basically you get what is put in front of you(not enough options).
Hot hard work worth the wait and cancellations (due to COVID)
Excellent trip, hot hard work but worth it
Most Inspirational Moment
Having such a wonderful landscape virtually to ourselves
Thoughts on Group Leader
Couldnt fault him
Advice for Potential Travellers
Dont bother taking a sleeping bag, mine remained in my main pack for the duration of the trip, a sleeping bag liner may be useful although I didnt use that either, water purifiers were a waste of time, the mountain spring water should not be polluted with chemicals as it tasted so good unadulterated, no stomach problems from the water as long as you take the guide's advice (common sense really) where to source it. I was there in June into July, it was very hot thwen, I am told that August is even hotter, choose the earlier departure for the spring meadow flowers
Highlights of Albania
Great that the itinerary took us all around this beautiful, mountainous country. So much to keep your attention even on the longest bus journeys. The Albanians are very friendly people and always smiling and saying hello. All hotels were excellent, apart from the one on our last night. It was a bit too hot for most of the time, especially when having to climb in full sunshine! Nice and cool though by Lake Ohrid in Pogradec and I managed a swim there. The only swim included in the itinerary in a hot spring, however, was very disappointing for me. No shade, far too many people in a very slimy and rocky pool, so difficult to get in and out. I hadn’t realised that there was so much Greek and Roman history and ancient sites in the country so that was very special for me – particularly in Butrint National Park and Apollonia. We visited many museums, most were interesting but there were too many for me, so sometimes I decided to give them a miss. Photography is very important for me and there was so much to photograph everywhere we went.
Most Inspirational Moment
We had one inclusive lunch and it was at the home of a lovely family in the village of Dhoksat. The food was absolutely delicious and just kept coming .. finishing with an amazing dessert. A fantastic treat! Also loved all the ancient sites. So happy to have 2 nights at an amazing family-run hotel in Berat. Managed a lot of walks on my own there, and the best was when I left the hotel at 0640 as it was so cool at that time of day!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Arjan was an excellent guide. He knew so much about every place we visited. Also very calm and very friendly. As was our driver, Genti.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I would recommend getting up and out early, especially when it is so hot. I did a lot of special pre and post breakfast walks on my own.
TMB a dream come true
An excellent fulfilled week spent well. Our guide was unbelievably knowledgeable of everything from the mountains to the flowers. Simply couldn’t have asked for a better person to lead us , thanks Jason.
If I were to change anything it would be to introduce a baggage transfer service.
Most Inspirational Moment
Crossing the col ferret - the clouds then cleared to give us the most magnificent scenes of mountains and Mont Blanc
Thoughts on Group Leader
As stated in summary , best guy ever . He cared about each and every one of us and even gave me his poles half way thru the trip when I lost mine! Forever grateful 🥹
Advice for Potential Travellers
This is a challenging trip with long hillwalking days . To enjoy it fully be fit.