Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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61 Reviews

4.5 out of 5

Bridget Moore

Reviewed May 2023

Discover the Baltics - does what it says in the brochure

Finally got to do this trip which was on my bucket list before the pandemic. It was certainly worth the wait and lived up to all my expectations. This is one of the best Exodus trips I have travelled on. I find ex-Soviet countries fascinating and we certainly got a good introduction to the histories of all 3 countries together with an insight into their views about the current situation. This was due to the generous ways in which both our guide Andrius and the local guides were prepared to share some of their experiences from less liberal times. It was all very thought provoking and led to some thoughtful discussion between fellow travellers. But on a lighter note – the itinerary was more varied than I was expecting. We saw capital cities, medieval streets, Art Nouveau architecture, crumbling and restored castles, fishermen’s wooden cottages, Soviet elite holiday homes, a palace built in the time of the Tsars , a decommissioned nuclear bunker, museums, art galleries and some ex-KGB “facilities”. Trips into the countryside were also included, we visited the sea in all 3 countries, some fantastic national parks and drove through wonderful forests. Even the weather was on our side – I could be forgiven for thinking the Baltics are countries where the spring sun creates beautiful dappled patterns whilst glinting through the fresh green forest foliage. It only rains when you are in the bus between destinations! However, there was also a heatwave in Southern Europe, so future travellers should not take too much notice of this comment.

Most Inspirational Moment

The beach at Altja in Lahemaa National Park - so peaceful and such beautiful colours. Maybe not inspirational, but certainly memorable Plokstine Cold War Museum and the KGB museum in Vilnius.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were so lucky to have Andrius as our group leader. He was well organised, efficient, enthusiastic, but also empathetic, sensitive and with a very sharp wit and good sense of humour. It can't be easy to share life experiences which have the potential to be uncomfortable, but Andrius was willing to do so, and I for one, feel that I have come home with a much greater understanding of some events which happened during my lifetime and I am now better placed to share this with my own children. Andrius was also very good at spotting a suitable restaurant for some sociable group meals.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this trip - you won't regret it. Don't worry about getting bogged down on the sand dunes on the Curonian Spit (I was) - the footpath is a boardwalk to prevent visitors from causing erosion by walking all over the fragile dunes.

Sharon Toop

Reviewed May 2023

Three fascinating - and very different - countries in just 12 days!

This tour was so much more interesting than I’d expected it to be. Admittedly I knew virtually nothing about the histories of the three countries – other than the fact that they’d all been under Soviet rule – but I hadn’t expected them to be *so* different in terms of their culture, food, architecture, …. I loved the three capital cities – Tallinn’s old town, Riga’s architecture (especially its Art Nouveau buildings) and Vilnius’s university buildings – and also Tartu, Kaunas, Cesis, Jurmala and Klaipeda. I also loved the dunes of the Curonian Spit and walking the Hill of Witches. The Plokstine Cold War Museum visit was chilling (even though I can remember some of the events documented there) and I found visiting the occupation/KGB museums in Tallinn, Riga and especially Vilnius harrowing. Luckily there were much lighter times too: Rundale Palace (where we had a very amusing guide), the beautiful Pazaislis Monastery, the boat trip and walk around Trakai Castle, the amazing sculpture park and reconstruction of Turaida Castle (where I amazed myself by climbing the tower!), the concert in Riga Cathedral, …. So many happy memories of this trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

I think it probably has to be realising that these three countries, which have been through so much in the recent past, are now enjoying their independence as members of the EU and can fully celebrate their individual national identities. On a personal level, for me it was realising that I *can* do things I didn’t think I could do any more, such as iclimbing to the top of the Turaida Castle tower!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

We couldn’t have wished for a better group leader than Andrius! He looked after us all so well and found brilliant places for us to eat lunch & dinner. He was great fun to be with (and was also quick to learn which beers I’d like best!!). Nothing seemed to faze him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go and discover the Baltic States for yourself - you won’t be disappointed!

Felicity Eagles

Reviewed September 2022

3 beautiful countries to discover

I have just come back from a wonderful tour exploring these beautiful 3 countries. It was nice and relaxed with reasonable start times each day but still felt you utilised each day to explore. There was a good range of sights to see and you didn’t feel rushed at any. I came back feeling as though i had a really good insight into these beautiful countries. I felt safe as a lone female in all areas and saw no adverse affects due to the current situation in Russia/Ukraine. Our tour guide Simona was excellent & really went above & beyond what was expected, her knowledge throughout was phenomenal. The hotels were small & standard but brilliant locations. Breakfasts standards varied slightly in each but all had a very basic version of continental, a few you couldn’t get black/english tea in at all. The rooms in most were very small and i would say 100% not suitable as a room share option. Some beds there was no space or had fixed furniture so could not be separated into 2 singles. Disappointing when booking regional flights through Exodus you no longer get included transfers. Not worth the price or wait to pay exodus for them. I got 1 bus directly outside airport to a 1 min walk from hotel (you could see hotel from main bus station ) for €1.50, easy to get as stay on until last stop which was main station. My return flight i had to be at airport early hours so i got a bolt (local taxi) for €5.60 Overall this was a really lovely tour and i’m happy i’ve visited the 3 main Baltic countrys.

Most Inspirational Moment

Tallin was my favourite. Such a beautiful old town and really easy to get around

Thoughts on Group Leader

Simona was amazing. Extremely knowledgeable. Very friendly so felt like one if the group. Always went above & beyond to ensure things ran smoothly & we were enjoying ourselves.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t room share. Bring tea & milk powder if you like a traditional cup of tea in your room or at breakfast (milk always provided at breakfasts but not in rooms) Don’t bother paying the extras for transfers on this trip

Suggestions

Thank you for another great holiday

Brian O'Donnell

Reviewed August 2022

A Cultural Extravaganza

There is so much to see and experience on this trip. From the ancient historic castles and Old Towns, to the more recent era of Soviet and German Occupations, and finally to current times when we see modern vibrant cities and towns looking to the future with their own culture and traditions intact. There is a bit of everything in this trip – ancient and modern architecture, beaches, boat rides, museums, countryside, and great local cuisine.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Plokstine Cold War Bunker

Thoughts on Group Leader

An excellent enthusiastic leader who was able to impart knowledge at all times.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Visit the Maritime Museum in Tallinn, and take in one of the KGB museums in any of the cities. Also, the Museum of Occupation in Riga is excellent. A boat ride in Nida when visiting the Curonian Spit will take you within touching distance of the Russian border!

Stephen Kolek

Reviewed June 2022

Baltic extravaganza

3countries I never thought I would get to visit, but so glad I did. With our great guide Andrius and some witty, funny, knowledgable local guides , not only did I visit these countries but understood the history of the Baltic countries , their independence yet ease of interaction. The trip was full of surprises- a phone box turned into a church in Tallin, walking around the lovely university town of Tartu, paddling in the icy cold Baltic Sea in Jurmala, visiting an opulent Baroque palace, walking the sand Dunes at Nida, visiting an old soviet missile site was interesting and frightening at the same time particularly in May 22.Riga with the zeppelin hangar market places,baroque buildings -The hill of crosses, the wood carving at Nida-so many interesting things to see. Andrius with his great sense of humour looked after us all, chose fantastic eating places and kept us amused on the bus with interesting stories and jokes. A throughly enjoyable holiday and well managed-Go for it yourself

Most Inspirational Moment

The hill of crosses

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great, well organised, caring for those who were not as able, knowledgable, approachable, arranged great places for meals/so varied

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes, go for it So much to see and enjoy

Mark Jordan

Reviewed May 2022

Recommended trip to the Baltics

1st post pandemic trip, originally booked for 2020. A fantastic trip to get back travelling again. Great balance of scenery, history, culture and fun.
The itinerary is well planned snd we benefited from an experienced tour leader who really did ‘make’ this trip so fantastic. He worked around us, the places, and worked hill time making sure we all got what we wanted. No early starts for one😀
The special feature of these locations is their history of being ‘in the middle’ for centuries. Most recently the transition from Soviet rule to European independence. The signs of both are very evident. The icing on the cake got this trip was the tour leader Andrius being born and raised under the Soviets and now benefiting from the new freedoms. His experiences were very good to hear snd learn from

Most Inspirational Moment

Learning from Andrius 1st hand the journeys made by these countries from Soviet to post Soviet existence

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wonderful. Really made the trip work so well for all of us. Very easy to get on with and approach. Great sense of humour snd very knowledgeable. Would recommend any trip he leads.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I wasn’t sure about the temperature/weather and what to take. May in the Baltics had it chilly moments, so a good coat, gloves and hat aren’t wasted😀

Channa Saman

Reviewed May 2022

living history

For the well season wanderer, a trip to Baltics is a time traveller’s delight. From visiting medieval town (Tallin), 18th century chateau (Rundale), wonderful art nouveau buildings (Riga), dour grey soviet era (nuclear missile site) to an optimistic future (Vilnius). Our wonderful historian on this trip, Andrius, knew pre and post soviet rule and was very clear which path for the Baltic states he would choose

Most Inspirational Moment

Art Nouveau buildings , and nuclear missle site

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrius - was brillant, paitence, flexible and informative

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wrap up warm - cold even in May and wet

KARL MUELLER

Reviewed May 2022

Good view of former Soviet states

Group leader (Andrius) was perhaps the best part of the trip. He was born under Soviet rule and just as he entered university the Soviet Union dissolved and his country declared independence. His insights and knowledge of history and society were a real treat.

Thoughts on Group Leader

See above. Andrius was skilled at meeting the special needs of some travelers without inconveniencing the group. We had a schedule that was very flexible. Summary - he was great!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes and check up on the weather to be expected. Northern Europe can still be cold and blustery in mid May. There is quite a bit of walking on this trip - 3 to 5 hours on most days. Early spring has lots of flowers and '50 shades of green' spread over the fields and forests.

Karl & Marion Mueller

Reviewed May 2022

Wonderful view of former Soviet states

Our trip leader (Andrius) was perhaps the best part of the trip. He grew up under Soviet rule and went to university just as Lithuania gained independence. His insights and experiences plus knowledge of history and culture were a wonderful gift. He was always looking out for the group while attending to any special needs. Local guides were generally very good. This was our first trip with Exodus.
The trip was well paced with considerable walking. We had good hotels and restaurants. Weather was often cold and windy with some rain as one would expect for mid May in northern Europe. Spring was just arriving in Estonia and a month farther along by the time we got to Lithuania. Lots of flowers and 50 shades of green from the trees to the fields.

Rebecca Lynch

Reviewed May 2022

MsTripsy

This was my first package tour and I’ll admit the Baltics weren’t my first choice – but I’m glad we took the leap! For anyone interested in history, this is a rich tour with lots of highlights. From a stop at a nuclear missile launch site, to an excellent seaside cafe that smokes fish on the premesis – every day was packed with interesting and surprising things that you’d never get to see otherwise. There’s a fair bit of coach travel, unavoidable when you are doing three countries. And it’s cold even in mid-May! Despite this, our spirits were kept high by our guide Andrius, who was utterly charming and patient throughout – ensuring we all got the most out of every moment, and entertaining us with many personal stories of Soviet times.

Most Inspirational Moment

I really enjoyed Tallin. And later, exploring a medieval castle with an actual torch!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent! He made the trip for us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack more warmly than I did and bring a raincoat.

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