Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

This is so difficult to choose. Each day I thought there was no possibility that the next day would be better but we kept seeing incredible animals from being just feet away from Blue Footed Boobies dancing to witnessing young turtles leave their nest for the ocean. If I had to choose it would be the seventh day snorkeling as I was in the water with a fur seal who wanted to play. If I were allowed a second one it would be Sullivan Bay. It's an island that is only 100 years old, created by lava. It was amazing to see the start of life as we walked by tiny plants that were started to grow. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

My guide was Juan Tapia and he has been guiding for 25 years which was amazing because he knew everything about the islands and the animals. He was so knowledgeable but also had a great sense of humour. I was always at the back of the group when we were trekking and I am sure it was frustrating for him as I always took so long to take photos but he never made me feel bad about it. Although he has been doing this for 25 years he has so much patience and still loves seeing all of the animals just as we did.But it wasn't just the guide, the entire crew of the Cachelote were fantastic. Even if they didn't all speak English whenever they saw something like dolphins or turtles they made sure to get everyone as they knew we would want to see it too. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

I brought snacks with me because I was unsure how much food there would be but it was untouched. The food on the ship was great and in between meals when we returned from an excursion there was always juice and snacks.  No one will ever go hungry on the trip and they are very accommodating to people who don't like certain foods. One of the girls on our trip didn't like fish and they always brought her something different.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Struck exactly the right balance between treating us as  independent adults and keeping a watchful eye

Advice for Potential Travellers

Have a trek towel in your kit. Carry a spare biro tucked away. Pack some sandals to give your feet some relief.Keep your sense of humour close to hand and enjoy.

Most Inspirational Moment

It has to be the trekking.  It was so varied and there was so much to see, really lovely walking.  Though the elephant ride was a treat.  And the food - I even ended up opting for spicy breakfasts in the end.  We ate in very local everyday cafes and it was great.  And Anthony the chef's cooking on the trek was another treat.  Madurai of course.  And as everyone says unwinding on the houseboat.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ajiy was terrific, really good fun.  We were a small end-of-season group and he turned this to our advantage.  He asked if we were happy to have a degree of spontaneity in what we did  - if so, he would try to show us the real India.  We were more than happy to trust Ajiy on this and he really delivered, taking us into small tea shops and even people's homes in a way that would not have worked with a large group.  Ajiy also worked out what everyone was most interested in and made sure we experienced this (I now have an unexpectedly thoroough selection of Malayalam movie music).  And we learnt so much without ever getting too earnest.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don't get a lot of begging but a few spare pens for children go down well.Buy Connemara tea for your Irish friends.Leave space in your luggage for Popy umbrellas.

Most Inspirational Moment

We may have been lucky with the weather, which was overcast and misty when we arrived, but which had continuous blue skies and warm sun for the whole of our holiday week. The coastal towns that we visited, Amalfi and Positano, are both very pretty and have their own attractive cafes and bars to be enjoyed after a day's walking. But perhaps the most beautiful town we visited (on our free day) was Ravello, high on the hills and boasting the must-see gardens of the Villa Cimbrone, complete with stupendous views over the coast far below. We also fitted in a visit to Herculaneum on our free day and, on another day, the holiday included a visit to Pompei and a climb up Vesuvius with a walk around the rim.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was Albert, who was very familiar with the area and knew the answers to all of our questions. He set an easy pace but we managed to cover a surprising amount of ground (and steps!) during each day. Wherever we went he had interesting suggestions for where we might get a good cold beer, ice-cream or other treats. He was also exceptionally helpful in making travel arrangements for the free day, on which group members wanted to do a variety of different things. His knowledge of the area and his friendly reception by so many of the locals mean that he was an excellent choice of leader. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for all possible variations in the weather but, with luck, you should have weather as good as the weather that we experienced. Do not miss Herculaneum and Ravello! Expect to have to negotiate a large number of steps as you go up and down the stunning terrain; although most of the walking is easy, it is to be considered as moderate in places, with the odd scramble for a few yards.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling along the coastline and on the different islands and visiting beautiful cities like Dubrovnik, Hvar and Split

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent handling during the trip, good knowledge and funny.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go for it

Most Inspirational Moment

The Walk of the Gods! I'm not a walker as a rule, so I approached this with some trepidation. But it was brilliant - great weather, in fairness (it would have been a different story had it been raining); stunning scenery; lovely villages - and, of course, good company. Walking shoes essential, although there were only one or two slightly dicey bits. I got away with walking sandals on this trek, but when climbing Vesuvius they were a definite disadvantage.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eduardo was very good - patient and always helpful. I picked up some good tips on viticulture from him!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bomerano is high up on the mountain. We went in May, when the forecast was for sunny weather throughout, with temperatures rising to 30c. But the village was always on the cool side - the forecast was for the coast, hundreds of feet below us. And one day it rained (how it rained!) - yet the day turned out to be lovely as we passed through the mountain and down to sea level. So - seriously consider taking warm clothing.We were less impressed than others with the hotel food. The staff are lovely, and the pizza-making and pasta-cooking  demos interesting (we learned a lot), but we found far better (tastier) food in local restaurants, which were notably full of locals. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The first view of Matera old town from the Sassi Hotel - this town is a hidden jewel.The wildflowers of the area which has not been subject to herbicides.Finding out the making pasta by hand is really quite difficult!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Angelo was knowledgeable and friendly but perhaps needed to anticipate the questions of the group. This he will learn as he deals with further groups. Good at getting consensus in the group and arranging meals together etc. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Not really - the trip fulfils the description in the brochure. 

Most Inspirational Moment

This would have to be the superb visual impact of the town of Modica below us and on the hillside as we approached it in the minibus on the main road over the ravine. Sadly for me there was no opportunity to take a photograph but the image is firmly implanted in my mindseye. Otherwise the stunning scenery and architecture.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent in all respects. He was very sociable, had a warm sense of humour and he did everything to make our holiday informative and thoroughly enjoyable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a must for anyone wanting to take in most of what Sicily has to offer, which is substantial, but be aware we were "on the go" for most of the time to complete a substantial itinerary.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me there was a highlight every day and I remember welling up with tears on more than one occasion.. The first time I was truly moved was when we had a wet landing on a beach covered in sealions and they didn't mind at all. Such a priveledge! I swam with a sealion at Espanola beach and the wave made us bang in to each other and he had a little sniff of me. On Floreana I spotted a bird with something in its mouth and our guide realised it was a baby turtle. We then saw a batch of baby turtles emerging from their nest ( in the daylight!) rushing towards the sea with great urgency. Unfortunately many didn't made it as the birds overhead swooped down and took them. Seeing nature so close and not interfering was a memory I will never forget. Our guide Juan had only seen this four times in seven years so we were very lucky

Thoughts on Group Leader

Juan Tupin was great. He was so knowledgeable and good fun. He organised the group very well. I particularly enjoyed our daily recaps after dinner on what we had seen that day and drawing in the big map where we were going the next day. It did become a bit like a game show. Also on our last night when we crossed the Equator he brought out his guitar and we had a sing along and some games which was great fun

Advice for Potential Travellers

I travelled on my own and my roommate was fab. Remember you already have the fact you chose the trip in common so don't let that put you off going alone. My girlie tips are you can take a hair drier and there are loads of electrical sockets for recharging your camera etc. also I took too many clothes. It's really casual on board and you go bare feet inboard so you only need walking boots / shoes and sandals. Some of the beaches are wonderful to walk barefoot on. At night for dinner again its casual. You will have showered before dinner as its hot so I found a couple of nice long sleeved top nice to wear as a change from t shirts perfect but there was no need for the fleece I packed Take a t shirt to swim in to save getting burned. Take shorts. It can be windy on the small pangas which take you to shore so if you have longer hair pack pony tail bands. The cabin is small but the but I found it appeared bigger as the week went on as we found places for our things and you can store a lot in the bathroom. I took a small roller case and it did fit under the bottom bunk. Hotel in Quito is lovely. Get a taxi downtown to the old part on your first day but don't take valuables with you as robbing is common.

Most Inspirational Moment

From the first day to the last the whole experience was great I normally organise my own trips but thought that on this occasion I would use Exodus and I was not disappointed. For me the highlight of the trip was at the Hotel where the host's, a wonderful couple ( Brother's ) put on a show in the kitchen of how to make Pizza's, well, we were in rapture's the dough was flying and they captured the hearts of us all they were trully wonderful people and made us so welcome I can honestly say that you could not better the hospitality anywhere.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

absolutly brilliant

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go with the flow