Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong Bay is a beautiful place to go to. Photos just don't do it justices. You need to surround yourself among the sea and mountains to feel the atmosphere. Cycling though the villages was touching; many of the local children and some adults often welcomed us with cries of "hello" and hi-fived us with smiles as we cycled by.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader, Chi, is friendly and knowledgeable. He is able to answer all sorts of questions like local culture/life, country/continent politics, food and of course the logistics of the holiday in an interesting way. Ask him about the HCM Vietnam song that is taught at schools.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Generally clue yourself up on the common sense / street sense things like; bartering is a way of life for them (do it friendly and calmly) and be aware (but not too paranoid) of the list of scams that can happen. The exchange rate is a crazy big number, find ways to quickly do mental calculations and get use to the extra zeros (10,000 dong is about 30p). Crossing the roads in the cities is crazy too. There's lots of mopeds and hooting. It's not aggressive, but just a "I'm here, be careful" message. Just walk across slowly and they will just calmly go around you.

Most Inspirational Moment

The hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia was amazing, no doubt about it, definitely worth the very early start. It was actually cancelled due to bad weather (fog) the first morning but the tour guide managed to book us in with another balloon company the next morning - thank goodness. Ephesus was another highlight, and Termessos as it was so picturesque and quiet. There were plenty of other highlights but one worth mentioning was a caravanserai that wasn't on the official itinerary but the tour guide and driver took us to break up a long drive - it's an inn for travellers and camels along the Silk Road and I really loved it as I'd never seen anything like it before.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zafer was amazing, one of the best tour guides I've had - and a few others on the tour agreed. He knows a huge amount about Turkey and Turkish history which helps make every stop interesting, he can read the crowd and knows when to crack a few jokes or get the bus singing, and he made an effort to find local cheap places for us to eat. I really appreciated his effort.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some long drives and if you travel in Sept, variable weather from north to south - a little cooler in Istanbul but then hot hot hot down south. I recommend at least another day or two in Istanbul before and/or after the tour to make sure you have a chance to see a bit more of the city. Most of the hotels are 2-3 stars, which are totally fine, just be prepared for a few hard beds and small bathrooms that's all. Some of the sights I could've missed but that's probably because I was so spoilt by places like Ephesus and Cappadocia. But these are all little things, overall the tour was fantastic - unbelievable history, delicious food, beautiful geography, wonderful company.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a number! The main highlight for myself was the Via Ferrata walk which a small group of us did on the free day. Easily the most thrilling walking/mountaineering experience of my life! Another highlight was the final walk on the Friday with a spectacular ridge and equally spectacular views. Also climbing to the highest altitude I've ever been to(just under 10,000 feet) was pretty special(done by cable car!)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Eric & Emily were brilliant leaders. Nothing was too much trouble for them and they contributed massively to my overall enjoyment of the trip. Both had a great sense of humour and they were incredibly experienced. The fact they gave up their day off on the Wednesday to take us on the amazing Via Ferrata walk summed them up perfectly. It's obvious that they both love what they do as they have such enthusiasm. Thanks guys.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure your walking fitness is good prior to departure. Also, be prepared for all weather conditions. We had a couple of very heavy showers on a couple of the walks. Walking poles are a definite advantage if you have them. Apart from that just go and enjoy a superb holiday!

Most Inspirational Moment

Eating the pastries on a hillside in a village that time seemed to have forgotten.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent he was very good to ensure we always had a plan b as the weather let us down a few times but we were not disappointed ,

Advice for Potential Travellers

Keep an open mind as your trip may need to be changed.

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed meeting the group and new people who had a passion for the outdoors sharing experiences and story's . Wine tasting in chez republic was a great experience and addition to the trip. I also felt a great sense of achievement on completion of the trip and has spurred me on to book another.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader jan couldn't do enough for the group to ensure we all had a great time he would go out of his way to help with any matter even in his free time. Jan was very knowledgable about all the places we visited and knew his history and at the same time had a great senses of humour . Great trip leader down to earth .

Advice for Potential Travellers

The first 2 days are rather hilly shorter distances but pretty hard going at times after day 2 it's plain sailing it's flat as a pancake or as jan would say a ruler !

Most Inspirational Moment

So many amazing moments: floating down the Zambezi,completely out of contact, no wi-fi, no phones, apart from our 7 canoes no other boats or people in sight, no sounds except the ho, ho, ho's of hippos and the gentle lapping of the river, totally at peace and one with nature. Watching a family of elephants chomping on grass then crossing the river completely oblivious to our boats just a few feet away. Lying in the tent watching a mother and baby elephant walk by in the dark. Waking to find from the prints in the sand that a hippo had slept beside us. The roar of a lion at twilight hunting for food............

Thoughts on Group Leader

CB/Cuthbert and his assistant Ackmed(?) were superb. Calm, confident, extremely knowledgeable & hardworking, friendly, patient and excellent cooks we always felt in safe hands. We could not have asked for better guides.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The rough camping, often sharing the islands in the middle of the Zambezi with elephants, was no hardship at all. Food, cooked on charcoal fires in big cast iron pots, was ample and good. Mattresses doubled as cushions in the canoes. We didn't take or need any extra food or bedding. Take fingerless gloves to prevent blisters and a powerful torch. Take everything you need for 3 days rough camping & canoeing in your hand luggage - just in case your hold luggage goes AWOL (the case of one of our party went to Kenya and did not reappear until the penultimate day of the holiday). We went straight from the airport to the canoes and having everything prepacked in our hand luggage avoided repacking in the dark and did not see -or need- our cases again until we reached the fly camp.

Most Inspirational Moment

The ride through Vienna was fun and so was the wine tasting in Mikulov!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic, the good vibes!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I took an extra day to discover Budapest on my own after the tour, which I definitely recommend.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visit to Trinidad the people and vibe was amazing. Also to explore different areas of Cuba and the people and learning more about the history of the country. Dinner in a farm house in Vinales. Live Music in most restaurants. Also the dancing - salsa was amazing!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jorg - knowledgeable and helpful. Was a bit of a joker.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you stay hydrated. As it can get really hot. I suffered from bad stomach bug after so be a bit careful with where you eat.

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong bay - the postcard pictures you may have seen don't do it justice. We also by chance (while visiting Ho Chi Minh's stilt house in Hanoi) bumped into some war veterans (in full military uniforms) who were paying their respects. With our guide as translator we asked them about that time and their feelings about westerners today. They told us they hold no grudges and warmly welcomed us as visitors to their country. It was quite a refreshing experience - totally different to what I expected them to say. One last thing to include - the war remnants museum. The visit made me feel quite somber but I thought it important that I had visited. The Vietnamese pull no punches when they show the events of that time but you leave the museum with a feeling that while they remember the past, they look hopefully to the future too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I have been on a few trips like this (both with Exodus and other similar operators) and I have to say without doubt that our guide Anh was hands down the best guide by far. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble for him, the trip logistics were handled with ease, he was fountain of knowledge for the many questions the group had on Vietnam's history and culture - and he did it all with a smile. Everyone in our group got on great (we 'gelled' as they say) and he was a part of our group... a friend.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack light, there is plenty of opportunities to get laundry done very cheaply - and it leaves more luggage space for the tailored clothes you will want to buy in Hoi An.

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting a great and varied group of people. Its the people that can sometimes reset your life.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent leader however I consider that local leaders often add more to the holiday with their local knowledge of the area, culture and history.