Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Mont Blanc from various viewpoints but in particular from the Aguille Du Midi which we visited on the rest day. We bought a multipass ticket so we were also able to visit the ice cave in the glacier at Montenvers. We very much enjoyed all the walking days especially the trip over the border to the Italian side.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Maria is an excellent guide and looked after all our individual needs on the walking days and at other times. We all found him fun to walk with. We did the walks pretty much as there trip notes but Maria varied the order in view of the weather and other factors which meant we got the best from each day. We invariably had our lunch at the highest point after the morning's climb so to enjoy the best views. Special mention too to our hosts Gon and Lau, our drivers, chefs and general nursemaids. They prepared excellent meals for us and kept the honesty bar topped up!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is covered well by other reviews but if you can extend your holiday either side of the trip (we did both) On return to the airport we stayed an extra night at the NH Airport Hotel which provides free airport transfer both ways and free travel passes for the tram to Geneva centre. There is also an Alpine garden walking distance from the hotel.

Most Inspirational Moment

On the last day - after a long ascent - reaching the high point, looking out over the Mont Blanc massif and realising the extent of the walk and the achievement.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide was energetic, enthusiastic, entertaining and encouraging.He knew the territory and was well prepared each day’s walk. His guiding was kind, caring , adaptable and tailored to each person’s needs. He was clearly an expert. I very much enjoyed his approach to mountain leadership. The camp manager was also excellent. He was well organised and went to great lengths to cater for everyone’s needs and preferences, including giving helpful local information for the free days.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do some long walks in the mountains to prepare for the trip. Don’t take too much stuff.

Most Inspirational Moment

For us, the cycling in Normandy was the highligh, however we believe this could have been extended a to include Pegasus bridge and the British cemeteries in that area.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Celine our leader was fantastic who is very good cyclist and guide spoke excellent English and had good sense of humour which made all our trip most enjoyable, please pass on our thanks

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't wear underpants under your cycling shorts! The bikes we had were hybrid with no suspension so gel seat would be good or ask for upgrade of bike.

Most Inspirational Moment

Out of all the temples, I felt that the jungle covered Ta Prohm was the best.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Seen was the overall leader from Thailand . Due to the rules for Cambodia and Vietnam, he does have to defer to the local guides there. But overall, from an organisational perspective, he did alright, getting us all over the borders effectively.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There's no time in Bangkok. I regret not getting there a couple of days earlier to have a look around. Also, if cycling in June like me, expect very hot and humid conditions which makes even light exercise tough, let alone the 50 mile plus days in Thailand, so do prepare yourself for that.

Most Inspirational Moment

No one inspiring moment but a thoroughly enjoyable trip overall.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nico was an excellent group leader, very informative , personable and efficient. Made sure things - i.e group meals and ordering items - ran smoothly . Happy to explain local customs and history .

Advice for Potential Travellers

Tourism , especially in the hospitality industry , is still developing. It is not uncommon , when asking a waiter/waitress a question to be greeted with " WHAT ?". Also when ordering food items be clear to specify the drinks arrive BEFORE the meal, the meal items to arrive TOGETHER ( i.e rice and stew , both items together otherwise the rice will arrive 40 minutes before the stew) . ATMS are widespread outside banks or in hotels and tourist info. However cards are taken widely as payment method.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Sit back and enjoy! Hotels and food better than expected.

Most Inspirational Moment

The level of the un-explored archaeology

Thoughts on Group Leader

Talked and talked, I gnawed my leg off. Seriously, very passionate and knowledgeable , but seemingly unable to filter the main memorable points and a tendency to lose the 'hook' within the torrent of information. Very helpful most of the time. The goalposts also tended to move, resulting in wrong place, wrong time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Hotel rooms are very variable, be prepared to take the rough with the smooth, singles beware you will get more than your fair share of the rough. Beware of rooms that open directly onto stairs. Travel in the spring when it is cooler, June is too hot, the mountains way well still be snow capped in the early spring. Go soon, this country is developing very rapidly and will lose its' charm very quickly once the 'all inclusives' start to move in.

Most Inspirational Moment

walking though the ornately painted and decorated monastery's while listening to the sounds of bells, smelling the heady incense drifting from the prayer rooms filled with vibrantly red dressed monks of all ages. so many smiling faces

Thoughts on Group Leader

our tour leader Kinley gave great insight into the kingdom of Bhutan, the religions, the art and traditional practices...all with deep knowledge and camaraderie. an excellent leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

warm socks for the monastery's and lots of layers as the weather changes throughout the trip from bright and sunny to colder in the beautiful Gangtey Valley... lots of long sleeves

Most Inspirational Moment

Very many. From driving round hair-raising mountain bends to reach the beautiful Ostrog Monastery in Montenegro and being given a delicious traditional lunch by a local family in the countryside. In Sarajevo visiting the Tunnel Museum to see how the city had managed to bring in supplies to survive the siege during the 1991-5 war. Taking the cable car high above the city to walk along the winter olympics bobsleigh track. Watching the divers in Mostar plunge from the Stari Most bridge.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Evelin was brilliant. Kind and caring, he made sure the whole group had the best experience of his country (Bosnia). He was very knowledgeable about the region's history, environment, current politics. He was able to answer all our questions. He carried luggage to the ladies' rooms at a hotel with no lifts, helped take orders in restaurants, and even acted as waiter in one.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Sun protection and a hat are necessities, also sturdy walking shoes for walks on rocky uphill stretches. It's certainly worth staying on in Dubrovnik as there's plenty of sightseeing there.

Most Inspirational Moment

Got to be the polar bears.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bertie was excellent and inspirational.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get the layering right and you'll be fine.