Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Trip was enhanced by having such a good local guide, Lucas, who really knew his stuff, and was very caring and helpful to the needs of the group
Most Inspirational Moment
Excellent and knowledgeable guide who made sure everyone in the group was included Hearing about the history of the region Good hotels Good local guides in the towns Good to visit smaller cities - Tartu, Kleipeda & Kaunas, and trips to national parks.
Exploring the old cities, particularly Tallinn. The rooftop restaurant at Riga Islande Hotel. Visiting the Curonian Spit and the Hill of the Witches. The Cold War Museum.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Inna worked very hard to make sure that we all had a good time. She was always friendly, approachable and attentive, and managed to organise all 18 of us without causing any friction- very impressive! We found her commentary really interesting, particularly her anecdotes about what it was like growing up in the former Soviet state. An excellent ambassador.
A well balanced trip taking in nature, history, architecture and more in this fascinating part of the world.
Most Inspirational Moment
Almost too many to mention!
Tallin was a beautifully preserved old town.
Riga an exciting and busy city.
Hill of crosses was very moving .
The vsits to the sea / lagoon were invigorating and a great break from the cities.
The history of the region was so interesting.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Andrius was the perfect guide!
He kept us entertained throughout with his amazing knowledge of everything to do with the region. Passionate about the history and nature of each of the countries we visited. Kept our group (15) organised and punctual throughout, and took a personal interest in each of us.
And then there were the jokes...
Advice for Potential Travellers
Prepare for all weathers. We had a range from 30+ degrees to heavy rain over the trip. Good walking shoes for the tours/trips.
This part f this review is from Peter Marshall. A very enjoyable, educational and adventurous tour
Most Inspirational Moment
Difficult to say; there were so many of them.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Without a doubt, Andreius was the best tour guide we have ever had on any tour. He was very well informed, great attention to detail and very easy to get on with. Not only did he make sure we were given every feasible opportunity to learn and feel what it is like to live in those countries and what it was like to live in them when they were part of the Soviet Union, but he also generated cohesion among the group so that everybody became friends, with no exceptions.
A very enjoyable and interesting experience. We learnt a lot about each country from experienced guides who really new the history of each place we visited. Very varied tours ranging from lovely cities with beautiful buildings, to visits to the seaside and countryside.
Most Inspirational Moment
The spirit of the local people we met, despite having gone through some very bad times they had a great sense of humour and seemed genuinely pleased to greet tourists from all over the world.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Andrius was a perfect group leader. He was well organised with a great sense of humour and very patient with us all. He was always ready to help and obviously has a wealth of knowledge and first hand experience of what it was like to live under Soviet rule. He chose restaurants for our evening meals which offered local cuisine to add to our experience and we were lucky to have him as our guide.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take a selection of warm and summer clothes as the weather from country to country changes. Also, good, comfortable walking shoes.
Extremely knowledgeable guide. Looked after everyone. Made each day different. Full of suggestions and adapted to ideas each day. Went to so many different places and all were interesting. Everything went smoothly.
Most Inspirational Moment
Too many to mention. The group dynamic was great. There was so much variety. Andrius really made the whole trip a highlight. The water science testing was a fantastic addition to the trip.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Andrius is a credit to the company. His love for the Baltics and the history is second to none. He made sure no one was left out and went above and beyond for people. His organisational skills are incredible and his sense of humour is amazing. This trip would not have been the same without him as our guide and mentor.
Fantastic overview of three fascinating countries . I travelled with my husband, and we both thoroughly enjoyed the tour.
Most Inspirational Moment
For me it was wonderful to see how these countries, and in particular the cities, have recovered from an oppressive state during the Soviet domination, in such a short time.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Andrius was a great organiser and really encouraged us to explore us much of the culture as we could in the short time we had. Local food was well explained so we could willingly try it. Andrius had a great sense of humour, and really held the group together. His passion for these countries is clearly seen. It was also very interesting to hear if his life during Soviet times.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take good walking shoes to ease your way around the cobblestones. Be prepared for busy days, and sudden weather changes.
This is my 8th Exodus trip since 2017. I appreciate the variety in the cultural tours, such as Discover the Baltics. Over the 12-day period, we visited all three capitals of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, explored historic towns (Tartu, Kaunas, Cesis, and Klaipeda), learned about architecture (Art Nouveau in Riga and Jarmala), trekked in national parks, visited famous churches, took a crash course on Soviet occupation at famous museums, and enjoyed free time to explore on our own. The pace is brisk. Be prepared to board your bus at 9 am each day to begin your tour. There are several long days on the bus as we typically visited two venues. I highly recommend this tour.
Exodus should replace two of the hotels used. They were poor. I did not like being assigned a tiny room with a twin bed.
My Top 12 Memories of the Baltic Republics
1. Meandering the cobblestone streets of Old Town Tallinn, Estonia
2. Foraging for berries in Tartu National Park
3. Riding a giant adult swing between Estonia and Latvia
4. Admiring the red roofed homes of historic Cesis
5. Roaming in the sculpture garden at Gauja National Park
6. Visiting the Art Nouveau Museum in Riga, Latvia
7. Admiring the colorful wooden houses in Jurmala, a 19th century seaside village
8. Learning the etiquette of “fan flirtation” at 18th-century Rundale Palace
9. Walking the trail of tears at the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania
10. Searching for seaside stones at the Curonian Spit, a Unesco World Heritage site between the Curonian Lagoon and Baltic Sea
11. Taking a boat ride on the lake in Trakai, the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
12. Discovering Vilnius’ old town with our Exodus Travel guide
Most Inspirational Moment
I loved our time spent trekking in the national parks, particularly Lahemaa National Park (outdoor sculpture garden), the Curonian Spit (seacoast and Hill of Witches), and Gauja. I was deeply moved by the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania. I found it grim (but educational) to visit the Cold War Museum in Plokstine Forest.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Andrius Mazrimas was a fantastic leader. He taught us so much about the history of the three Baltic countries we visited, from medieval times to today. Since he grew up in Lithuania during the Soviet occupation, he provided much insight about how life improved after Lithuania restored its sovereignty in 1990-1991. We were a large group (18) but he managed to facilitate all the problems, including lost luggage and medical issues. I so appreciated his humor and joking. He also handpicked our restaurants each evening so we could sample local cuisine, such as smoked fish, zeppelins, potato pancakes, and beetroot soup. You will be lucky if you get Andrius as your guide! I appreciate that Exodus hired knowledgeable local guides for our city walking tours. Our two bus drivers kept us safe.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Pack a raincoat and umbrella for the inevitable rainy days. You need good sneakers for walking on the cobblestone streets in the medieval cities. If you are a vegetarian, pack snacks such as nuts and protein bars. Bring a power charge because you will run down your mobile phone each day because you take so many photos!
Finally, the tour is rated a Level 1, but you should be prepared to walk up to 18,000-20,000 steps a day.
A thorough and fast paced tour of the three Baltic countries, with a varied itinerary and lots of time in the wonderful cities. Excellent city tours throughout and a perfect guide. Loved it!
Most Inspirational Moment
Hill of Crosses. Did not know what to expect but was blown away.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Lina was amazing. Constantly went above and beyond. Set up the WhatsApp group before we even started and shared loads of suggestions and tips along the way for eating and sites to visit in free time.
Lina is also very knowledgeable and happy to share insights and personal family history. A wealth of experience and information.
Advice for Potential Travellers
There is a lot of walking on this tour, what with the city tours and so many fantastic sites. Read the trip notes carefully to ensure it is for you.
Helsinki is a very easy add on at the start of the trip, as it is just a ferry ride away from Tallinn.
An excellent tour for those interested in history and architecture
The real strength of this tour was the use of local guides who gave us their stories of life under Soviet occupation and family histories of displacement. Learning about the terrible war time history of the region was balanced by moments admiring beautiful buildings and lovely beaches and forests. There was enough free time to wander and visit a few museums – recommended the Maritime museum in Tallinn, The Occupation Museum (take a tour) and Art Nouveau Museum and Ghetto Museum in Riga. In Vilnius and Tallinn the KGB Museums. There were some long bus journeys, very flat landscape but plenty of coffee and toilet stops!
Most Inspirational Moment
Riga - with its beautiful art nouveau buildings. And we will never forget local guide Olaf's lively tour of the Rundale Palace and the language of fans.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Andrius was an exceptional group leader - friendly and with a dry sense of humour, a good organiser and he was able to bring everyone together as a group.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Consider having a stopover in Helsinki and then taking the ferry across to Tallinn to start the tour.