Most Inspirational Moment
Scenery in SE hills was especially good.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Brilliant, could not be faulted
Advice for Potential Travellers
Change your money on the street!
Suggestions
No it was brilliant
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Children of the revolution!
Great trip, crew worked tirelessly for us, fascinating place.
Cycle Cuba
Good trip, superb guide, interesting journey.
Of 8 on the trip, 6 came back with (subsequently medically-diagnosed) Giardia.
Not Exodus’ fault, but people should be made aware of this problem so that they seek medical attention earlier. This is more than holiday tummy.
I have been on many guided holidays, not only with Exodus, and our guide on this trip was probably the best we’ve encountered.
Most Inspirational Moment
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Thoughts on Group Leader
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Advice for Potential Travellers
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Suggestions
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June Cuba Ride
The most favourite group of the five Exodus trips I have experienced, but the least favourite of the holidays. This trip certainly isn’t moderate in May/June as the weather conditions are challenging. Over 35 degrees every day and high humidity on the bike is no easy feat! Long transfers and head winds add to the interest.
Most Inspirational Moment
Finishing the day cycling the Sierra Maestra. Beautiful scenery and challenging riding, a real achievement for everyone. Closely followed by swimming in the Caribbean surrounded by tropical fish, a real highlight.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Disinterested and disengaged. Very wordy, some of the long bus transfers felt like a long day on the school bus being fed propaganda Not really proactive or showing any anticipation of his guests needs, more about how much he knew and making sure he let us know! I understand he has been guiding this trip for some time, perhaps he is just bored.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Train, train, train! Bring gels and electrolyte tablets with you to keep hydrated, and bring an open mind. Cuba is a third world country, things are not up to a Western standard so take is into account.
Suggestions
Most hotels were fine, the last night prior to returning to Havana is substandard and needs to be removed or upgraded. Train up, bring your own comfortable seat and snacks and enjoy.
Cycling through Cuba and it's history
A fantastic holiday for those keen to experience the delights of this vibrant and happy country. The cycling is tough, lots of hills and a strong headwind much of the time, not to mention the potholes and exhaust fumes! But in the saddle you get to see the real Cuba, off the beaten track, the smiling Cuban faces, the simple Cuban homes and the wonderful Cuban music – all in warm weather and clear skies. We did however not expect the fantastic history lesson that we received from our leader, who left no stone unturned in his explanations of the events prior to, during and post the Revolution of the 1950s. By the end of the holiday we had all gained a much better understanding of the Cuban way of life and we found ourselves being intrigued as to what the future might hold for this amazing country.
Most Inspirational Moment
Understanding the Revolution in great detail was inspirational, but seeing inside the simple homes of a doctor and a university professor and seeing how a 'ration shop' worked, made a big impact on me.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader Carlos was excellent and could have done no more to make this holiday truly memorable. So close were we that there were 'wet eyes' as we said our goodbyes to fly back to London
Advice for Potential Travellers
This holiday really suits keen road cyclists. Many sections of the route involved long straight roads against the prevailing wind in very hot sun! There was very little 'off-road', which for me personally (as a mountain biker) was a bit disappointing. Many of the roads were busy and Cuba has plenty of very inefficient diesel lorries and buses belching out black fumes.
Suggestions
Cubans are not wealthy people but you don't see many unhappy Cubans. You do see plenty of beautiful smiling children's faces as they wave at you passing by. You do hear fantastic live music just about everywhere. You will have to queue up and the bureaucracy can seem senseless and frustrating at times, so don't expect much to happen too quickly.
Cycling Cuba
Excellent trip cycling around the Caribbean island of Cuba. It was like going back in time to the 50s with the old American cars and basic lifestyle. Free from phone and Wi-Fi for 2 weeks was a bonus for me!
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the "real" Cuba away from the tourist hot spots and living like a local. The snorkelling was brilliant on the Catamaran trip
Thoughts on Group Leader
Laz was a brilliant guide, so knowledge and passionate about his home country.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Pack a scarf or some form of cover for your face as some of the vehicles do chuck out some smoke!! Wear plenty of sunscreen, the heat is deceiving when you are cycle with a head wind. Wear sunscreen on your lips too - a few of our group had blistered lips. Pack some toilet paper. Cycling shorts and a gel saddle are a must. It can get chilly in the evening so pack a cardi/pashmina. Ear plugs are also handy as some hotels are on main roads. Mask and snorkel if you go on the catamaran trip. Ladies a turban towel for your hair as most places only provide one towel each. I wore a pair of closed toe open sandals which were ideal for keeping your feet cool. Also some sort of carrier for your bike to hold camera, money, tissues etc is handy
Suggestions
Don't expect luxury! Food is very basic - rice and beans! Supplies are limited in Cuba so don't expect an a la carte menu. But, don't let this put you off - as long as you are prepared for this you wont be disappointed and our group found it quite amusing. Don't expect Wi-Fi or phone signal
Not the greatest cycling holiday we have had
Cuba is very 3rd world. The standard of the accommodation was very variable and at times frankly unacceptable. Much of the cycling was on very busy roads with ancient lorries putting out thick black exhaust fumes. The island had its prettier parts but on the whole was flat and uninteresting.
Most Inspirational Moment
We enjoyed the very few off main roads rides
Thoughts on Group Leader
He was very good. The driver also very helpful and safe
Advice for Potential Travellers
You may well enjoy the experience but there are lots of downsides to travel in Cuba
Suggestions
Accommodation needs to be upgraded. The bikes we used also had very limited adjustment to personal needs.
Cycling in Cuba
A very interesting and enjoyable trip, the combination of the cycling, scenery, culture, history and music made for a memorable experience.
Most Inspirational Moment
Making it to the hotel in Sierra Maestre.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Liesner was very knowledgeable about Cuba and it's history. He was always helpful and considerate, and a very fit cyclist.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be flexible in your expectations of hotels, plumbing and food. Although not to European standards the rooms were always clean and functional. The food while not varied was interesting and some cases well cooked and presented.
Suggestions
I would have preferred more time at the destinations, more snorkelling and less time on the coach. I think covering the whole island in one trip is over ambitious, but it was still an excellent and absorbing holiday.
Unforgettable
This was our first group cycling holiday and our first trip with Exodus and it did not disappoint. The cycling is really well planned with great backup and the places we visited combined to give us a varied taste of this unique and fascinating country. We found ourselves in great company – the group really gelled and we had a ball.
Most Inspirational Moment
The views in the Sierra Maestre, the most challenging cycling day - reward for our effort; the atmosphere of Trinidad at sundown and the music, the people and sights by the roadside throughout the trip, the walk in the forest on day 10, snatched swims in pools and the sea and the fabulous evening out in Havana that rounded off an unforgettable holiday
Thoughts on Group Leader
Angel was just the best - calm and kind, managing all the unknowns one encounters in Cuba expertly.His insights into life in Cuba were comprehensive, and utterly fascinating - history and facts of course but always delivered with personal anecdotes and in a funny and insightful manner. We all loved him.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Talk yourself out of using WiFi any more than is absolutely essential - it's frustrating, expensive and hard to come by. Have a break! Also, as Exodus advise, if you want snacks of any kind or hydration additives do take them as there is very little available, same goes for suncream - basically take all you need with you and don't rely on shopping .
Suggestions
Whilst it was not Angel's fault (everything else he organised hit the button) we all felt very let down by the catamaran trip from Trinidad and cannot recommend it, it did not deliver what was advertised and we felt ripped off.
Cycling Cuba
Having wanted to visit Cuba for many years I’m convinced this was a great way to do it. It is a fascinating country with a turbulent history. The people and their ability to ‘make do’ when they have so little is inspirational.
Never having been on a guided, group cycling tour before I was unsure what to expect and it took a few days to settle into the format. Apart from the opportunity to see and learn about the country the other great aspect of the trip was the other people on it. They were a lovely group of people each with an interesting life story to tell and cycling presents a great way to chat to people during those hours in the saddle.
Most Inspirational Moment
The people. Cuba is a country with many problems including a broken economy and yet its people manage somehow to get by no doubt helped by the music, the dancing and the rum (one of the few "foods" that's neither rationed nor expensive)!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Lismar was great. Very knowledgeable about Cuba and its history, careful in the management of expectations (some of its Russian built hotels are not in great shape), and all presented with good humour. I always felt he tried to go the extra mile, arranging extra tours and visits in addition to what was described and finding interesting Restaurants where possible.
Advice for Potential Travellers
They say you shouldn't go to Cuba for the food and its true. Its bland, overcooked and with very limited choice - fried chicken, fried pork, fried fish with rice and beans just about sums it up. More to the point though most of our group had stomach upsets, some more than once. Its hard to know what the cause was but hygiene in the government run hotels and restaurants (which is most of them) is probably not great. The privately run restaurants and Casas are probably safer and definitely better quality. Be prepared to spend a long time in the coach. Cuba is a surprisingly large country with generally poor roads so getting about takes time. If you plan to take up the Cayo Levisa extension be aware that its quite a long way from Havana and none of the activities (the main reason we went) run on a Sunday (the only full day we had there). It is a beautiful island though and the food quality is an improvement on any of the other state run places we stayed.
Suggestions
The cycling itself on this tour was a bit of a mixed bag. In the first week we seemed to spend quite a bit of time on flatish, straight roads with quite a bit of traffic. The worst part was the decrepit cars and trucks belching out thick clouds of black smoke - I feel like I had a lifetime's worth of exposure to diesel particulates on this holiday. Some of the days were also not well planned in that we would take the coach somewhere, get out and cycle for a bit and then get back on the coach. One of the off road sections in the first week didn't happen as apparently the track is impassible. It sometimes felt like cycling for the sake of it. In the second week it got more interesting. The best day was one where we actually cycled from one hotel to the next giving a much greater sense of having achieved something.
Exhilarating and fun
This was my first every cycling holiday. I was never a cyclist and although fit cycled moe in this cortnight than i have in my life comvined….but i did it…never once riding in the bus…although there qas no ahame in that! Although one of the weaker cylists i was encouraged by the others and felt a treme dous sense of accomplishment to have completed it.
Most Inspirational Moment
Actually not riding the bus.....altnough i had to walk short stretches on the mountainous day...i did it. The other cyclists were wondèful and our vuide, Lee superb. He woas encouraging, funny and so knowledgeable about the history and the places we visited. We all swear he has a photographic memory.! The sight seeing was perfect and the rides interesting especially when we went tbrough small towns and villages where even the school childen chered us on like celebrities.
Thoughts on Group Leader
FANTASTIC! Incredily knowledgeable and always there to help. On the tough cycling day he stayed behind with me encouraging me all the way. Our drivers too were excellent and always there with help and a joke. They made the whole experience wonderful.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring pens and makers and sweets to give to the kids along the way. They flock round you, not begging but a oen or marker is a prize to them. The people are delightfyl and friendly and it is a pleasure to be able to give them something little that they really appreciate. At the end of tbe trip we asked our gyide if we could leave clothes or toiletries behind and he happily took them to give to needy people...so pack some old clothes.
Suggestions
I am already looking at other trips with Exodus. I felt it was extremely well organised and the informafion given accurate.