Reviews

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

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41 Reviews

4.9 out of 5

Laura Knapp

Reviewed September 2018

Do this trip soon! Romania is fantastic!

This is our 6th cycling trip with Exodus and it is one of the best. The route was wonderful with views of the Carpathians, fields of corn and potatoes and horses pulling carts. We are experienced cyclists and the 3/10 level lets one burn some calories but still leave time to visit monasteries, water-driven flour mills and fortified churches. It was good to know in advance that we might have to share a bathroom (4 times, but it worked out) and that the food is rustic home cooking (great cheese, cured meats, mashed potatoes, lots of tomatoes and cucumbers). Our leader, Tudor, was excellent. Remember to save time to do a free walking tour in Bucharest on the last day. Travel guides say that tourism in Romania is “budding”–do this trip now before the country changes!

Most Inspirational Moment

Witnessing the beautiful rural life with an abundance of local crops. Learning the influence of Mongols and Turks, and the Silk Road from China, as this country is so far East. Riding alone on a country road with the yellow flowers all around.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tudor did an excellent job. He let us bike at our own pace which is very important. He had incredible knowledge and love of the area. Also, he put together a WhatsApp group for us (by individual consent) at the beginning. We could share pictures and get more pictures of ourselves. Why hasn't anyone thought of that before? Our driver, Livio was calm and capable. He would provide snacks such as chocolate from his Communist childhood and tell us the story. Or candy bars with the name of the nearby Fagaras Mountains.

Irene Daniels

Reviewed September 2018

Cycling Romania

Brilliant guide
Brilliant support driver
Brilliant group
Fantastic country – mostly in Transylvania
Great bike
Great accommodation
Challenging but very satisfying daily bike rides

Most Inspirational Moment

When one of our group (young female) stopped two galloping horses tied to a cart careering through a small village, even the owners could not stop them and were very impressed

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tudor was first rate; great leader, knew Transylvania's history and geography inside out. Great sense of humour, knew when to be serious and when to be light hearted Great with the slower as well as the quicker cyclists

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book it!

Patricia H

Reviewed August 2018

Great trip

This was my first trip with Exodus and bike tour – but not my last. And I can only recommend it to anyone: a well organised trip, with great guides (Tudor and Liviu – both are always smiling and relaxed but well prepared). Tudor informed us very well of what is ahead and what to expect and Liviu took care of nice coffee and tea brakes (and nuts, chocolate, bananas etc.) waiting for us always in great mood. With both I would go on any trip as I felt well taken care of. And the group itself was nice too.
Though I’ve seen more impressive landscapes n other journeys it was still unique – all the untouched lovely wild meadows everywhere – and the most impressive pottholes I have ever seen 🙂 ! With the bike the impression is uncomparable: the rustic land life, horses pulling carts and the little villages with old men and women sitting on benches in front of their houses waving with a cheerfull smile. very friendly people and hosts. Though there was a lot of meat it was not only meat – but don’t expect to lose weight as you get a lot to eat, and I liked the Romanian Radler, nearly at every guest house you get free wifi. Don’t take too much change – everything is cheap and even with tips I ended up with enough change, but as I will come back no problem.
By the way: they have new bikes, so well equipped for the tour. But bring your gel saddle and enough sun screen and some mosquito repellent and your camera for lovely photos. I think the trip was more challenging than expected, less due to some gravel roads but with some climbs (e.g. 4 k) in the hot summer heat without any shade (I would recommend going in May or June).

Most Inspirational Moment

The visit at the wool mill. And nearly every little village we passed with the bike. After the biking part in Viscri watching the cows, horses and goats coming back from the fields into the village and the visit at the local brick "factory".

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tudor (guide) and Liviu (support car) just great!!!!!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

(See above and:) have your camera/mobile for photos any time that you don't have to stop to take photos. Be fit, especially for the climbs in the heat, don't underestimate it. Be aware that the guest houses are quite simple but they offer anything you need (always warm water, just be aware that is sometimes the opposite of what is indicated on the regulator), sometimes shared bathrooms and it is not always allowed to throw toilet paper in the toilet.

Paula Walker

Reviewed August 2018

Fantastic

Just got back from an amazing week of cycling in this lovely country. Our leaders, Tudor and Livio were wonderful, so kind and considerate, so knowledgeable about this history and culture of their country, superb English, they made this trip fun and interesting. The cycling was challenging on varied road surfaces but the scenery, views of the mountains and seeing rustic farming methods, scythes, horses & carts etc more than compensated. At the end of a hot day of cycling Livio was there offering cold beer and watermelon. At each comfort stop he was there with coffee, tea, a sweet from the region and fruit. Nothing was too much trouble. The accommodation was great, very clean and comfortable, and the hosts welcoming. As a vegetarian I was well catered for. I can recommend this holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

In Viscri towards the end of the tour, watching the cows, horses and goats Being herded from the fields down the Main Street and finding their way to their own homes. An amazing sight. I was up at 6:15 the next morning to watch them all emerge from their homes and congregate in the street to away their journey back off to the fields. Each house in Viscr appear to own it’s on cow so there were quite a few.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tudor was amazing, so very kind and thoughtful with a lovely sense of humour. We pulled his leg about his pronunciation of a few words, but his English was very very good. And his knowledge of Romanian history was encyclopaedic.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a gel saddle cover for extra comfort, and a tube of sudocreme. Romania is a very cheap country to visit, for a week I took out £120 for tips, a couple of meals out, drinks, ice creams and other incidentals...and that was plenty. Investigate Strava for your phone beforehand.

J T

Reviewed June 2018

cycle romaina

really truly surprising place quiet unspoilt clean friendly , good wi fi , mobile phone and yet really untouched by 2oth centuary cars a variety , and then the fortified churches we all yawn ,but with this trip each and everyone has its own special charm . Good varied acheivable ride in deepest quiet untouched country side

Most Inspirational Moment

veskri unesco world heritage village

Thoughts on Group Leader

radu was i think the best i have had so far

Advice for Potential Travellers

do not forget youre battery charger for camera i did and beelive me youll want to take loads of pics

Roger Pattenden

Reviewed October 2017

Fascinating glimpse of rural Romania

Very good trip. The rides were through a variety of terrain and landscapes. On the first few days there were views of groups of local people working in the fields with only the occasional item of usually soviet era farm machinery to help. There were visits to interesting sights including many fortified churches the like of which we had not seen before.

In the context of local overnight stays with which we are very familiar on Exodus trips, those on this trip were all good. The only slight downside for some was the local high fat diet (sausages, salami, fatty pork and pickled cabbage featured prominently ) and hardly any fresh vegetables for nearly all meals. But that was the local diet and was therefore the authentic experience we expected.

It was interesting to see the contrast between rural Romania with its horses and carts and modern Bucharest which we explored at the end of the trip.

The trip lived up to our expectations of seeing a rural way of life which might have been similar to the UK several hundred years ago.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the bakery where the wife made very good bread, in conditions which would give a public health inspector a turn, and where the husband used a cart pulled by a blind horse.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Radu was an excellent leader and Liviu was also excellent as helper / driver and picnic provider. Both spoke very good English, had a very good knowledge of Romanian history and were very pleasant company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for rather different food from a healthy UK diet.

Annette Jorgensen

Reviewed September 2017

Great cycling holiday in Romania

Just back from a 8 days cycling trip in Romania and really loved this trip because here you get the chance of experience the real country life in Romania.

Most Inspirational Moment

The people of Romania was just so friendly and welcoming everywhere we went in the country and seeing their simple but laid back life was a true inspiration for all of us.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The 2 guides Radu and Liviu is by no doubt some of the best guides I have ever had. So experienced and laid back and nothing was too much trouble for them. Also always ready for a party and to take the group out a night so just had so much fun with these guys.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not expect 5 star accommodation but expect something very different every night and to get close to the real people in Romania.

Bel CM

Reviewed July 2017

Cycle Romania

This was an execllent trip. The scenery, food and the people were wonderful. Just the right balance of cycling – good and energetic – and cultural. What made it particularly special was our two guides. Although Liviu was the main guide, he worked closely with Redu, who is also a guide but provided the support on our trip. They formed a great team and we could not have been better looked after. Both were proud and passionate about their country, its history and culture and were determined to give us every opportunity to learn about it and experience it. As well as the main itnerary, they took every opportunity to show us additional things.

The fact that we stayed mainly in small rural homestays gave us an opportunity to sample local hospitality and see village life close up.

Most Inspirational Moment

It was all great but maybe an impromptu visit to the home of a couple who invited us into their yard full of animals, fed us home-made cake and showed us how they continue to live a traditional Transylvanian lifestyle.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liviu, working as a team with Redu, were brilliant. They were so knowledgeable. We learned about the history, food, architecture, politics, traditions, etc. etc.etc. They really went above and beyond to make sure we had a good time. For example, on our first night they learned there was a concert in the neighbouring village so we went there. And on our last night they gave up their first night back with their families to have dinner with us and then walked all round Bucharest with us until almost midnight showing us things that we would never have seen on our own. Thanks both!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go. This is up there with one of the best trips we have done.

Lindsey Fountain

Reviewed June 2017

Cycling, cows and churches

A great mixture of cycling and culture, with plenty of cows and castles along the way. Visiting rural Transylvania is like going back in time to the Middle Ages – farmers still use scythes, people get around in horses and carts, and cows wander the streets. There is a fascinating history to uncover and the locals are very friendly.

Most Inspirational Moment

I really enjoyed meeting traditional craftspeople and learning about how close their skills came to being lost forever in the Communist era. We met quite a few entertaining characters along the way. The countryside is beautiful and the medieval town of Sighisoara is picturesque.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Raluca was a great guide - cheerful, patient, experienced and passionate about Romania. She offered lots of personal insights to bring the history of the country to life, and there was a great balance between cycling and culture. She really went out of her way to make sure that we were all enjoying ourselves. Liviu was a great helper too, keeping us fed and watered on the rides.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for mixed standards of accommodation - some excellent and some a little basic, but all with character. Hot water can be a little hit and miss. There are no hair dryers or kettles, so take your own if those things are important to you. It helps to be not too fussy about food as options can be limited if you have specific dietary requirements. We went in May and the weather was very changeable - some hot and sunny days and some cold and rainy days, so if you are going early or late in the season make sure you take clothes for all weather. But above all, go now before it changes too much!

James Havers

Reviewed June 2017

Cycle Romania

I very much enjoyed my week spent cycling in Romania. We were cycling through very beautiful scenery, visiting many interesting historical sites. We bonded very well as a group and had a great tour leader.

Most Inspirational Moment

In Viscri we visited some local craftsman. They were really good characters and it was very interesting to see their work in action.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Raluka was great throughout the holiday. She looked after us extremely well. When we got to Bucharest she handed us all a nice booklet containing a map and details of local attractions. She was always there to assist us, including when we needed some extra help because BA's computer systems had a power cut.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A lot of the guest houses had Wi-Fi, though not all of them. The Bucharest underground is really straight forward and might be useful if you want to explore different areas of the city. A lot of the places we stayed were very rural, so if you're a night owl take a book, or possibly even some dominoes!

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