Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The team spirit which helped me finish the 10.5km climb on the first day! The group were a continued source of inspiration and humour.Loading our bikes onto the roof of the ferry to Mjet and swimming in the crystal clear waters was a wonderfully relaxing and fun day.The outstanding views on the long descents!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bojan was very organised and it was great to be able to concentrate on the cycling knowing that everything else was sorted out. He soon tuned into the groups rather wick sense of humour! He also took us to some great restaurants and a great cocktail bar with fantastic views (don't wear a skirt for the first night in Korcula!).  The traditional lunch and the traditional dinner were probably my favourite meals....and Boris was our trusty van driver! 

Advice for Potential Travellers

As this was my first cycling trip I was worried whether I was as fit enough and tried to follow (most of) the fitness plan on the website. I am glad that I did otherwise I don't think that I would have made it up the 10.5km climb on the first day. The second day we did the 55km practically in one go, only stopping for a couple of quick drink stops, so that we could catch the 1pm ferry. The first two days were more challenging than I had expected but the rest of the week was much easier going.There was a steep descent on fairly narrow lanes and also a descent with tight bends with no barriers in places where there were some drops. For these reasons I think you need to be a fairly confident rider to really enjoy this trip.One point to note is that although there is van cover, it tends to be on an all or nothing basis for each leg and the van does not follow on behind in case you change your mind. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Not sure about inspirational, but memorable highlights included: (1) Second half of Day 3 ride along Hvar towards Sucaraj - cruising along the narrow part of the island with amazing sea views to left and right. I had got in my stride and thought: this is cycling at its best. (2) Lunch at Mate restaurant on Day 5, Korcula - simple but traditional fayre, a great stop over on a relaxing day of cycling. (3) Traditional dinner on Day 5 at family establishment just outside Korcula - amazing slow cooked lamb and simple but delicious salads, great setting.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good overall - responsible, responsive and took good care of us in general. However, he could have been more communicative: I (and I think some other fellow travellers) would have preferred if he had provided more detailed information in the daily briefings.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some reasonably long climbs - eg, 11k and 9k climbs on Days 2 and 3. Whether or not they are "challenging" depends of course on what cycling you are used to. But I think if you do not have any experience of cycling in hilly areas, then some of the hills would be quite challenging. Also beware that whilst you can decide at the bottom of the big climbs to go in the van instead, there was no option of quitting half way (no place for van to stop).

Most Inspirational Moment

The evening tour of Dubrovnik.....perhaps the walk around the city walls.Mljet National Park is pretty special too!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very professional, yet relaxed as well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you can afford it, book on the tour with the premium accomadation.

Most Inspirational Moment

The last bike ride on small roads to Zuljiana - perfect. The road clung to the side of the land with the sea below. No traffic and just a few coves and small villages. Then oysters in Ston - a peach of a place.The set lunch on the way from Vela Luka on day 3. Perfect for a light lunch during a bike ride.The trip to Mljet though we were left short of time waiting for lunch at a restaurant (majority didn't want to eat on boat)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent: Confident, fit, smart with very good English, upbeat, sensitive to individual needs and fair. Very easy company. Cannot think of any minus points!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip probably surprised a lot of us in being fairly tough - it was no ride in the park! When you look at pictures of those Dalmatian islands you probably think they are mostly flat but they are not! There were some very fit people on the group as well who took off like the Tour de France and kept us going full pelt. Very good though - far better than being in a group predominantly laid back and dawdling along.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through the vineyards and down amazing coastal roads with unbeatable views of clear turquoise water, and smelling the lavender and rosemary as we whizzed by. Followed by a lovely cold beer and a bit of banter. One of the days when we had lovely cycling, followed by lunch (amazingly sophisticated home made cheeses and meats, desserts and grappa) under a vine-covered café in the mountains, then later an amazing dinner in an agroturism restaurant in the country with their home grown food and wine. The islands were really special, and not all spoiled by mass tourism. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Went the extra mile for her group, shared her favourite places with us. Full of energy, and did everything she could to make sure that we had the very best time possible, including running down the street to buy us crisps to have with our beers!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware that July is incredibly hot, and if you aren't really fit and/or don't do well in the heat, then it may not be the best time to do this cycling trip, May/June or September would probably be better. And though the holiday is graded moderate, some of the hills are challenging. You can go on the support bus at times (as I did) but get into training first. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The lovely day cycle across Hvar island, truly beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Krsto was good at organising the group without it feeling too much like a school trip

Advice for Potential Travellers

Gel saddle

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bojan did his job well. Nice guy, speaks English well. No complaints really.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Mind your Bus ticket in Dubrovnik. They're made of paper and get damaged pretty easily. Tickets bought as part of the Dubrovnik card package aren't silly cheap and as mine got sweaty, it never worked at all and I couldn't replace it (Had to fork out for a new one!). Non-Dubrovnik card tickets however can be replaced though and as the 'free' Museums are a bit boring and/or small, might be better to buy bus tickets separately anyway and just do the things that are worthwhile; like city walls andcable car/museum. I recommend the kayak trips though. Did one on a free day between flights. Nice alternative to old stones, museums and masses of cruise ship tourists. There's also a bike and wine tasting trip available from the same companies.

Most Inspirational Moment

The towns of Hvar and Korcula.We had two meals at small, family run restaurants which were some of the best on the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bojan was a good tour leader, he was well organised and compentent. Some more details on the local history and things to look out for on the rides would have been nice but he was very proficient and we felt well cared for.Boris needs a new van though, preferably one with air conditioning as some of the transfers were a bit uncomfortable, especially with 16 hot cyclists and lots of bags, cycle hats, rucksacks etc!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The cycling is not too challenging and the longer days are broken up with lots of stops. The hills are steady climbs and the views from the top are well worth it, as are the downhill sections!!I would also recommend buying your own water if you have a senstive digestive system. The bottled water provided by the tour leader ran out on day three and was then replaced with tap water.

Most Inspirational Moment

The last day in Dubrovnik was truly memorable, the weather was perfect and the city had so much to offer. My abiding memery was relaxing for an hour alone with coffee and cake watching the world go by, and contemplating what I had experienced over the previous few days. The cycling was hard but the views were amazing, lunch at the family restaurant and dinner at the farmhouse were extremely good but most of all I remember the group of people that helped to make this such wonderful holiday.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Krsto was very good company and fun to be with, spoke perfect english and had a wry sense of humour. He was very organised and capable, I had complete confidence in his ability to cope with any situation that may have arisen. Exodus are lucky to have him as their representative.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just for anyone who may be apprehensive about a cycling holiday. This was my first ever activity holiday and I only started cycling six months ago, so I was concerned that I may have been too old, unfit and inexperieced to enjoy it. Well I took longer that most to complete the hills but did manage without having to resort to the bus, and I felt under no pressure from the faster riders. So give it a try, no more beach holidays or cruises for me it's cycling from now on.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling along the coastline and on the different islands and visiting beautiful cities like Dubrovnik, Hvar and Split

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent handling during the trip, good knowledge and funny.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go for it