Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking into the cathedral at Monreale and seeing the stunning mosaics was a standout moment. The Roman villa near Piazza Armerina is pretty special too. Selinunte: standing alone among wild flowers and grasses looking up at the honey-coloured stones of a Greek temple glowing against an intensely blue sky.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tiziano was brilliant! He is an experienced tour leader, yet his enthusiasm for Sicily, its food and culture is undimmed. He was great company and made sure everything worked well. He coped well with a couple of birthdays and one member of our group who became ill. He also included some additional stops at places of interest, which broke up longer journeys and added to the itinerary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is an excellent trip. Take comfortable, light walking shoes. May is a good time to visit; not too hot and the flowers are in bloom, although be prepared for some variable weather. Sicily’s towns are often built on hills and there are many steps to negotiate – if you have a problem with these this may not be the tour for you, although they are a good opportunity to work off some of the calories gained from the lovely Sicilian food! We had plenty of opportunity to try a wide range of dishes. Be aware that portions are large and two courses are usually sufficient (antipasti and primi, or primi and secondi). The archaeological museum in Siracusa is a long walk away, confusingly laid out and quite boring. Worth missing. Some of the smaller museums (e.g., on Mozia) were better.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele

Most Inspirational Moment

Our first view of the Sassi in Matera

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marion was an excellent leader who ensured all members of our group had the best time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Unless you have an early departure you will not have time to do the activities described on Day 1. Check what type of adapter is needed for Italy.

Most Inspirational Moment

The fabulous wild flowers, swimming in the Kravica Waterfalls, getting in amongst the alleys of all the old towns; but the trip to Lukomir up in the hills was amazing. Many miles on very bumpy dirt track ending at the village with spectacular views of the gorge and a great lunch was breath-taking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lorenc. Sorry, I don't know his surname. his is the most polite, caring leader you could wish for. We were also accompanied by Dina who is a guide already, but not for this trip - she was learning about it. Her knowledge of the history was great.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are very interested in the history of this conflict I suggest you read up on it first. A couple of the guides were OK, but did not give as much information as they could have. A good overview was achieved.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many inspiring moments to mention. However the walk to Tiscali was amazing. And the fresh seasonal fruit (lemon, cherries and loquots) grown by the hotel, which was offered for breakfast was brilliant. The hotel owners were open, honest and great listeners.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader (Tony Sardo) was attentive to all individuals needs, and changed the itinerary positively to suit weather conditions.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Good quality walking boots/shoes essential.

Most Inspirational Moment

Revisiting Siena

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy!

Most Inspirational Moment

Santiago cathedral was breathtaking

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvard Simenes was excellent. I lost my luggage, Al supported me and came with me to purchase some walking gear.

Most Inspirational Moment

Bears!! And seeing their footprints when out walking, along with all the other wildlife you see and hear (cuckoos).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thomas was fab!! So friendly, a wealth of knowledge, inclusive of the whole group, a brilliant guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take walking poles, as in parts it’s steep and undulating. A lunchbox is a good idea to take, just so it’s not squashed in your rucksack or in the paper bag that’s provided when you make them at breakfast. Take ear plugs as you will hear the dogs barking at night!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the wild mother orangutan with her 1 year old baby up close in Danum Valley. We were the only group on that particular trail at the time and we were able to observe the two eating fruit up in the tree, before coming down and crossing over to a different tree right in front of us. The gentle and relaxed attitude of the mother was such a pleasure to experience and we were able to observe and photograph the two together in their natural habitat for an amazing time. I also personally loved seeing the red leaf monkeys (or maroon langurs). These guys were an incredible flame red and moved through the trees so quickly - such a joy to see. Our guide in Danum (thanks Hairie) did such an amazing time in spotting the wildlife for us, and even managed to find two groups of red leafs on the different days. At Kinabatangan River on our last river safari, we got to see a full herd of pygmy elephants crossing the river right in front of our boat which was just incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had two leaders for the trip - Nizam in Sarawak and J in Sabah. Both were excellent guides and went out of their way to accommodate any requests and ensure that the entire group got the most out of the trip possible. In Sarawak, Nizam was such a lovely, bubbly guide - always looking for things to show us and little extras to do, be it wild swimming in Mulu or going to see the sea stacks (and accidentally finding pink dolphins) in Bako. In Sabah, J took over and quickly learned the group's preferences and desires for the trip. He was excellent at adjusting our schedule or activities to best fit with the group and was able to maximise our wildlife viewings and time spent in nature. I understand that this is the first trip Exodus have operated with the new model of split guide duties. We were lucky that both our guides were amazing, and our group of 7 all gelled really well. It seems to me that it could be difficult for the second guide (and the group) when you switch, having spent the first 5 days bonding and getting into a rhythm with the first guide, only for this to then change on arrival in Sabah. It must be hard for the guide too, to come into an already formed group, but J did a fantastic job.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As mentioned in a previous review, you really do not need much in way of long trousers and tops. It is very hot and humid, so quick-dry shorts and t-shirts are the way to go. It is easy to wash these out in the hotels each evening and they dry quickly in the air conditioning. Almost all the places we stayed (the longhouse excluded) had good air-con and so you could wash and dry clothes quickly and easily. Whilst Borneo is a Muslim country, it is not nearly as conservative as some and shorts and t-shirts are generally fine throughout. Even in Danum, most of us had short-sleeves on; although you definitely do need long trousers and socks there for the leeches. Be prepared that it can and will rain with little to no warning, so if you are carrying expensive camera gear or anything you do not want to get wet, ensure you always have a dry bag or something waterproof to wrap your equipment up in if necessary. I found it far too hot and humid to even consider putting on a poncho or raincoat on during the rain, so just accepted I would get wet. Even after a good soaking in Mulu, I was dry within 15 minutes of the rain stopping. Pack light - you are moving around a lot and do not want to be struggling with a large bag.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Dubrovnik from high

Thoughts on Group Leader

There aren’t enough adjectives to describe how fabulous she was. Went over and above. Best group leader I have traveled with. Including all explore and exodus trips which are about 15

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go on this trip