Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers  

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!

Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!

Haven’t posted your review yet? Here’s how to do it…

Once you return from your Exodus adventure holiday, you will be emailed a link to add your review. Any feedback collected is posted onto our website, totally unedited.

Alternatively you can navigate to the relevant trip page and add your review via the Reviews tab.

Reviews

H C

Reviewed June 2023

Beautiful views

I nearly didn’t go on this trip as I prefer longer walks with more challenge, however I’m really glad I went! Who can fail to enjoy themselves where there’s a beautiful view everywhere you look, the weather is wonderful (22 degrees on average over Easter when I was there) and the paths and walking is varied. Even if you’re used to doing level 4 or higher graded walks I still think there’s much to enjoy and yo’d be missing out by omitting it because it’s a level 2. The guides (Luis and Francisco) were helpful without being bossy, knowledgeable without labouring the point and just really easy company.

Most Inspirational Moment

'Inspirational' is a bit of a strong word isn't it? Being by the coast and seeing amazing views with perfect blue skies and turquoise seas day after day is pretty wonderful. The hotel in Sagres was pretty nice too!

Thoughts on Group Leader

As another review states it was great to see how well known and well liked Luis was wherever we went. He really believes in investing in the local communities and businesses that we visited and they clearly respect and like him for this. Even on the day off Luis and Francisco went out of their way to make sure we were all doing what we wanted to do and were thoughtful and kind beyond what I've experienced on other trips. Francisco is also very capable in an understated way and knows so much about fauna and flora but doesn't over do it (i.e. we didn't have to sit through a botany lecture every day but nonetheless learnt some interesting stuff). They were a great pair of leaders.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wear sunscreen and SPF lipbalm! It's windy so you don't always feel how intense the heat is but the bathroom mirror lets you know later just how much you caught the sun... Also, there are no kettles in the rooms in the first two hotels.

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Adam Tayler

Reviewed June 2023

Great Cycling

The Netherlands is a great place to visit and the cycling is easy coz it’s a cycling nation with cycle paths everywhere but the bike agency was pretty ordinary. The weather was bright and sunny every day but that north wind was very cool so we had to wear jackets when we were cycling.

Most Inspirational Moment

The canals, windmills and wildlife. Everywhere we went there were families of duck, geese and swans and the farms we passed by had sheep, cows, chickens, goats, horses and pigs. The ride along the sand dunes was spectacular. We saw deer in the dunes !

Thoughts on Group Leader

NA

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a cushion for your bicycle seat. Make sure your bike is functional and fits you and not just some random bike left for you. If it's not right, call the bike agency and make them come and fix it - don't be easygoing and think you'll be ok.

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Carole LeBlanc

Reviewed June 2023

Porto to Lisbon Atlantic Ride

refer to my comments hereunder

Most Inspirational Moment

Small cycling group, cycling along the coast, experiencing Portugal's culinary cuisine (prices for our evening dinners were within reason)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very organized, excellent communicator, patient, and always made sure everyone was safe

Advice for Potential Travellers

if you are an occasional rider, think about using an e-bike, some days it can be very windy along the coast;

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Mike Corcoran

Reviewed June 2023

Cycling in Jordan

Excellent and well organised trip. Bikes in good condition and relatively new. Daily cycling a little less than several of us expected but the level (3 – moderate) is appropriate. Suitable for a keen weekend cyclist, not necessarily someone looking to do lots of miles per day. That said, some downhill sections were long and difficult. Traffic not a problem. Throughout, food and accommodation were good – although the desert camp bedding did require a sleeping bag liner. Overall, sights and sounds of Jerash, Petra and Dead Sea made this a memorable trip well organised by Exodus.

Most Inspirational Moment

Both Jerash and Petra were outstanding visits. It's a pity the one week schedule doesn't allow more time there - if anything, I'd drop the Aqaba element in favour of more Petra or Wadi Rum time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sammi was an excellent leader, obviously an expert in herding cats. Similarly 'Us' and the cycle team were great.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get in more cycle practice than you think you'll need. Distance isn't the problem (about 40km per day average) but the heat in mid-May was (34 degrees average).

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Juliet Robey

Reviewed June 2023

Wonderful holiday - lovely scenery, delicious food

Cycling route – This is a great 1 week holiday for beginner or intermediate cyclists. I consider myself intermediate. At points Michele lets you go at your own pace so you can go quicker if you wish. Early stages very flat but nice undulations later. The bikes were poor (my only trip criticism) but they might change them. You can apparently pay a little more for a better road bike Accommodation – all nice hotels with good breakfast (excellent fruit, yoghurt, eggs, bread and cakes) Scenery – beautiful. In May we had glorious weather so this does help…

Most Inspirational Moment

Venice - we had some special moments in Venice thanks to Michele especially. Ride through fields of poppies - perfectly timed, only out in May. Approach to Soave is beautiful

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele is so passionate, enthusiastic and patient, a real asset to the trip

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring cash. You are asked to pay in cash for meals together Bring a couple of nicer outfits for evening. Still casual of course but as opposed to being in say South America or Asia, in Europe it is nicd to be a bit less scruffy when going out to restaurants!

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Gareth Fox

Reviewed June 2023

Mallorca (May 23)

Brilliant walking holiday with 7 other friendly walkers and an expert guide, Jacob.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching top of two mountains 1.1 to 1.2km high.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jacob was wonderful: experienced, careful, friendly, flexible, sociable and knowledgeable (he’s a local).

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take walking poles!

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Trish England

Reviewed June 2023

Fabulous

What a great way to explore the south of Croatia. Starting at Split and then island hopping to Hvar, Korcular and Mljet and ending up in Dubrovnik. Stunning scenery, good food and a great group to share the trip with.

Most Inspirational Moment

Having not visited Croatia before I didn’t realise that there were so many islands and the ones we visited were beautiful. The coastal rides were fabulous and dramatic especially on the last day riding through vineyards, olive oil groves and quiet villages. The small historic settlement of Ston was very interesting short stop on the way to Dubrovnik. For me Dubrovnik was an incredible place, Hotel a short bus ride into the city but if you wanted to sit by the beach and relax the hotel was only a few hundred metres from the sea.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mate was a super guy. Very efficient, observant, organised, nothing too much trouble and made the trip a relaxed one. Pacing was good and you could go ahead if the roads allow. Each day was well organised especially when we had ferries to catch, water and snacks provided on some days, when and where to break and meet up with Tommy the driver of the bus and trailer. Mate very knowledgeable of his country and a great ambassador for Exodus and Croatia.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are undulations along the route but the ups give great downs!! But Tommy with the bus was always there if you need him. The optional trip to Mljet is worth it.

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Rob Ashley

Reviewed June 2023

Great cycling trip

Our first time visiting Greece and it did not disappoint. The scenery was beautiful. The weather excellent and our fellow travellers were great company. The food was delicious, with plenty of choice. The hotels were clean and comfortable. Our guides were awesome and looked after us incredibly well.

Most Inspirational Moment

This happened on the last but one night on our trip. Earlier in the day we’d been wine tasting and Dimitris had taken great care to ask us which were our favourite wines. On our way to dinner we were taken to a jetty to watch the sunset, and with a flourish, bottles of the most popular wines were produced for us to enjoy. We were all encouraged (if we wanted to) to stand up and say a few words about what we’d enjoyed, learned or been surprised by on the trip. It was a lovely idea, and I think we all enjoyed the moment (and the wine!).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leaders were Niovi Stasinou & Dimitris Gotsis, with Niovi leading the cycling and sorting out the many bike maintenance issues and Dimitris driving the support vehicle and doing the shopping for our delicious lunches they both prepared. Niovi led the cycling at a very sensible pace. She was very diligent with regards to our safety and made us aware of how she expected us to cycle on the busier roads. She kept us safe, and we also had Dimitris providing cover at the back of the line. They were constantly in contact with each other, providing feedback if anyone was slowing down at the back of the line. They also stopped the traffic at busier junctions, to allow us safe crossing. I was a little apprehensive about the promised picnic lunches, but they were beautifully presented and were absolutely delicious. The choice of evening restaurants were also first class. It was lovely that they both always joined us for our evening meal, although they didn’t really sit still and relax and were constantly on the move, sorting out what we would be eating, explaining the drinks menu and generally looking after us, and we were a full group of 16. They were great fun, friendly, informative and were excellent ambassadors for Exodus and Greece. We loved spending time with them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The cycling was not too demanding. There were some good up hills and some very steep descents where great care needed to be taken. The weather was beautiful and very warm at times, so be prepared for that. We were provided with frequent water stops to keep us hydrated in the heat. We also had stops for snacks. Don’t be afraid to do this trip as there was absolutely no pressure to cycle at a fast pace.

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Penny Metcalfe

Reviewed June 2023

Brilliant trip

This was a brilliant trip. Short walks with a fair amount of up and down through rolling hills, but nothing difficult, though if it’s hot, as it was for the week I did it, it can be a bit taxing. The hotel was lovely, by the river, close to the centre of town with a variety of restaurants and bars nearby, including two just a few steps away across the rear courtyard. The programme was varied with as much emphasis on the prosecco as the walking. In fact, I have found myself describing it to friends as a wine tour with some walking attached.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views especially with a glass of prosecco in hand. By chance, we were a group of 10 all women which in itself was fairly inspirational as between us we had most professional bases covered and discussion was frequently lively and interesting. The prosecco dispensing machine on top of a hill was an inspired piece of kit. You'll have to go to see what I mean.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vania is amazing- enthusiastic, motivational, full of fun, with excellent English. Nothing was too much trouble and she was even available on the day off to help if we needed it. Her outstanding moment for me was running back down a hill and up again in a village to get my hat which I'd left on the table in a bar, in full sunshine and heat. And her producing a bottle of prosecco from her rucksack on Monte Cesen to celebrate reaching the highest point of the walking. She also offered help after the end of the week when we'd finished the tour, when I had a problem with my hotel in Venice.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking poles are handy for some of the looser steeper sections. On the day off, it takes 20-30 minutes to get to Conegliano by bus from the main square and then there are trains to Venice and Padua.

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Geoff McCormack

Reviewed May 2023

The tour guide from hell

Please refer to Charle Waterworth who is our group contact with Exodus

Most Inspirational Moment

As above

Thoughts on Group Leader

As above

Advice for Potential Travellers

As above

Reply from Exodus

We would like to thank Mr McCormack for taking the time to leave a review, although we are genuinely sorry that he was so disappointed with the performance of his tour leader, particularly as this is not reflective of the many positive reviews we receive about our tour leaders on this trip. We are in direct correspondence with Mr McCormack and are hopeful we will be able to resolve his concerns amicably.

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