Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There were far too many, each day seemed to provide different challenges and different scenery.The best part for me was the final swim in the Atlantic at the end of the trip having achieved the daily challenges throughout the week.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The Group leader, Richard, was brilliant. He was experienced in the trip so knew it well. He had a lot of organisation to do with regards to the bikes, transport, accomdation and meals but it was all done so professionally that the whole week ran seemlessly smoothly. He had a good sense of humour that helped gel the group together and he was aspirational (by showing us how to do it) and inspirational (by encouraging us giving us belief in our abilities) with a kind caring side for those that were struggling for one reason or another (e.g. too many punctures).He was also very confident in being able to fix most bike issues that we came across.For me, he was an essential ingredient of the trip that made it a great trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The days are tough as are the tracks in many cases. Make sure you take some well padded gloves as my hands and forearms were aching on the last day.

Most Inspirational Moment

Learning to glide in the cross country ski tracks and realising that this was a great way to get outdoors, keep fit, and that this was a real alternative to down hill skiing, which has always scared me!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Completely brilliant.  I had some great conversations with the leader, and she also shared thoughts and experiences with us which showed she really cared about the group. She was obviously passionate about cross country skiing and about teaching it.  A great technician and good company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go prepared for basic accommodation.  No luxuries here.  Take mittons instead of gloves and try and find some really good thermals to wear underneath the mittons.  Don't expect to be stopping at mountain restaurants for hot wine and lunch - there aren't any!!  Lunch is eaten out of doors on the mountains - take a flask, because it gets very cold. Everything is massively expensive.  Take your own alcohol.  If you are in a nice group it gets shared (in ours that's what we did).

Most Inspirational Moment

I suspect that we've all heard of Petra but it isn't until you get there and view not just the size of the famous piece (The Treasury, etc) but the enormity of the whole site that you are inspired.  Around each corner there is another jaw dropping inspirational sight, or is that site?!and I haven't mentioned the snorkelling or Wadi Rum or floating in the Dead Sea......

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danny, the group leader was the best I've necountered so far.  Always full of knowledge and his passion and pride for Jordan was inspirational.  All his recommendations were spot on and the only disappointing meal was when we took the advice of one of the group and went somewhere not wholy endorsed by Danny.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As has been said before, this is not a cycling holiday, but the cycling is a nice part of it. Most of the cycling is routine for a regular cyclist but one day, whilst shortish on distance (50k), is a tough route for anyone. The support from the cycle guides, Danny and the bus (and the tourist police) is excellent so anyone concerned about the cycling can walk the toughest bits or get on the bus.

Most Inspirational Moment

Location was superb. Nice to see the Northern Lights even if not a full on display. Staff - you could not have had better

Thoughts on Group Leader

Henri - was superb, always happy and helpful, despite being very short staffed.He was an excellent instructor too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The Trip notes were spot on - you really do not need any Outdoor clothing - it is all supplied, down to base layer thermals, socks, gloves, hat, shoes - the lot. It was often minus 26 on my trip and apart from fingers occassionaly I was not cold.

Most Inspirational Moment

Learning so much about that part of the world, history of Jordan and surrounding countries....

Thoughts on Group Leader

Danny was excellent - very knowledgeable, passionate and fun to be around. Definitely one of the best guides I have ever had so far.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Not really - apart from "you'll have a great time!" :-))))))

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take medication for altitude early. Do not linger at high passes.

Most Inspirational Moment

My highlight was unexpected.  It was dusk when we waited patiently for the 'wild' beavers to appear and the air beccame filled with bats.  It was wonderful.  Also, walking nearer streams frequently led to some lovely moments when clouds of disturbed blue butterflies would lift off form the pathway.  Gorgeous.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guest house owner was kind and informative.  She accompanied us on some the trips and was good company. The walks guide was very approachable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Drink plenty of water!  Our visit coincided with the hottest, driest summer for a very long time and local farmers were struggling.  Suncream, hat and good walking boots are essential.  Binoculars are advantageous when viewing the beavers and wild bears.

Most Inspirational Moment

I really enjoyed the horse and cart ride, actually. Doesn't sound that inspirational, but I was worried it would feel a bit kitsch, something put on for us because we were visitors. How wrong I was! We were passed by no less than three working horse and carts during the first half an hour, carrying bales of hay driven by fathers and sons. And all the animals are really well looked after, healthy and happy working animals. The Saxon village was wonderful. We ate lunch there, and the wine (homebrew of course) was so good we bought several bottles to take home. You could see the grapes growing on the trellis.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cosmin was superb. He had a great sense of humour and was very good at looking out for us all. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather is changeable in the mountains so come prepared for all eventualities! Even if it's boiling hot a rain shower can come rolling in in a matter of minutes (as I learned when I left my coat behind). 

Most Inspirational Moment

The best walk was down through the Ferriere National Park to Amalfi, through Autumnal Hobbit forest, magical waterfalls and lemon groves.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jo Payne was a great leader. Her judgment was spot on for the situation. On some of the tricky sections of the walk involving ledges she managed the risky situation very well and was supportive to members of the group, particularly those that suffered from vertigo. At all times however it felt like she was just your mate on holiday with you which is a bit of a trick. She possibly been the best tour leader I have come across with Exodus and I've been on a few of your holidays.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking poles would be a great help on this trip as there are a great many steps down from Bomerano to Amalfi and mitigate some of the stress on your knees.

Most Inspirational Moment

The beautiful woods and views from the mountains sides. Seeing the semi wild pigs was somehow very interesting.Swimming in a mountain river pool was perhaps the best thing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good sense of safty and well organised.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walking is easy. There are a lots of woods, so you will love it if woods are your thing. They really look undisturbed by mankind or industry. Do not go in big boots to the seaside, you will look like a being from another planet ( as I did! I also persuaded my mate that boots would be needed for the coast walking.There were many curses). Go with icecream and beach in mind.