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.

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14469 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Lynette Zeitz

Reviewed November 2018

Great itinerary but let down by poor accommodation

The itinerary was very interesting and our tour leader Barbara was great. But the accommodation overall was not good. I wasn’t expecting luxury accommodation but clean and comfortable. However, in every hotel including the 4 star hotel in Ostuni there were problems for various members of the group but the worst was the Sassi accommodation in Matera where I had fresh black mould in my bathroom. Like the other recent reviewer, I found the included dinner very poor. Our group was also supplied with a minivan and bus on two different days that had broken seatbelts. I really would have liked to have rated this trip higher because the sights and experiences were great.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking around Alberobello and Matera

Thoughts on Group Leader

Barbara was a delight. Knowledgeable, warm and attentive to the different needs of the group.

Reply from Exodus

We would like to thank Lynette for her feedback. Whilst we are pleased that she enjoyed the itinerary and found her tour leader, Barbara, to be great, we are very sorry that she was disappointed with aspects of the accommodation. The properties on this tour are usually in typical Apulian style buildings and generally receive positive feedback, so we regret if members of her group encountered issues. The hotel in Matera is carved from rock, thus reflecting the typical and unique architecture of the town, but the material sometimes causes issues with dampness when it rains and we are sorry that this affected Lynette’s stay. We have followed up the issue regarding the broken seatbelts with our local operator to ensure with the transport supplier that this does not reoccur. Marta Marinelli – Product Manager

Alan and Tessa Hayes

Reviewed November 2018

Cape Town and the Garden Route

One of the most ‘magical’ trips we have ever been on. experiencing different locations and cultures, seeing amazing scenery and wildlife and learning about the ‘real’ S Africa. Travelling with like minded people was a bonus. Our group bonded together well, due in part to our amazing guide Justin Barr, who promoted the ‘feel good’ factor.

Most Inspirational Moment

Many, but seeing lions and whales close to, and visiting a 'community' were very special moments

Thoughts on Group Leader

Justin Barr is simply the best leader you could ever have. He is passionate about the tour and his country and leaves no detail to chance. He was inspirational in finding the best places over and above what formed the tour and he looked after our every need. Thank you Justin, you are amazing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

S Africa can be hot and cold in 1 day. Take cool and warm clothes. Take the extra tours offered as they make the travel experience very rounded. Especially, do not miss the 2nd Game Drive on day 2. You see spectacular wildlife close up, and finish after dark with a great meal in a wonderful location. The 'township' (now called 'community') tour, gave us an insight into part of S Africa 2018 that we could not have experienced elsewhere

Mike Theelke

Reviewed October 2018

Beautiful island, great walks

There’s a huge variety of scenery on La Palma and this week gave us a taste of everything. The walks aren’t especially long but there’s quite a lot of ascent and descent so I’d agree with the grade 4 rating. Although part of the Canary Islands there’s often a bit of cooling cloud about and it didn’t feel too hot for walking. The accommodation was all good; six nights in aparthotels with lots of space, one in a regular hotel. The tour leader Henry was excellent, knew a lot about the island’s culture, geology and wildlife and was really friendly and approachable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Lots of stunning views of the volcanic scenery

Neil Hodkinson

Reviewed October 2018

Greek Islands.

This is an ideal trip to get a flavour of three Greek Islands, Paros, Santorini & Naxos. Also it is a good way of experiencing the culinary delights of the islands.
I would question the classification of the trip, which is Leisurely. While there is plenty of time to relax on the ferry crossings betwen each island, all the walks while, relative short have ascents and decents on rough country paths. The path on Naxos is graded Difficult on the local trail board.
However our mixed aged group (50 to 70+) coped with only a few minor difficulties.

Most Inspirational Moment

The off trip visit to the Akrotiri excavation site of a buried Minoan settlement on Santorini plus the visit to the Santorini Museum of Prehistoric Thera. All the excavation finds are housed in the Museum.( I did this instead of the trip boat trip around the Santorini Caldera). Also the deliciously cooked octopus at the tarverna on Paros.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thanos has a wealth of knowledge of the island's history plus an extensive knowledge of flora of the islands. All of which he imparted, to the group at regular interval and was never seeming not to be able to answer the most obscure questions. He ensured the group was well catered for at the local tarverna's' that the group ate at. Plus ensure the group exited the ferries in a timely manner. All this meant that trip ran seamlessly thus providing an very enjoyable experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walks on Paros & Naxos are on country paths with mixed under foot conditions, the same applies for part of the Santorini walk. Thus good walking foot wear is essentail plus I found walking poles usefully on the uphill and down hill sections of each walk. I noted that in 2019/2020 brochure that the Santorini boat trip has been replace by free time in Fira. I would recommend the visit to the Akrotiri excavation site, which is being classified as "The Pompeli of the Aegean". While it is not as extensive as Pompeli, it is covered by a very interesting building and can be easily reach on the local bus in 20 minutes from Fira. You will be required to get your luggage on and off the Ferries via the rear loading ramps. So you need wheel luggage that can be pulled along or travel light so you can carry your stuff. Large items of luggage are stored on the car deck of each ferry.

Pam JELLEY

Reviewed October 2018

Fabulous time...

This holiday was made extra special for us by the professionalism and kindness of the Headwater reps – Tony & Ludmilla. The one day when we got soaked, they came to our rescue and collected us early with no no fuss whatsoever. Apart from that one day the weather was kind and the walks spectacular

Most Inspirational Moment

Views from the headlands looking at the crashing waves

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your waterproof trousers - I had mine ready to pack and left them in the bedroom!

Chris Pope

Reviewed October 2018

Excellent tour

Do this tour! Excellent itinerary, no early starts, relaxed pace but full on interest, guided tours and “guided” free time to wonder, excellent guide, Tiziano and driver Allessandro, great group of 6 people, great food at local restaurants that had lots of character, really good choices. A couple of hotels could have been better standard but they were ok and in a great location so its a choice that I think worked, plus I wasn’t there for the hotels. That said a few great hotel picks in the mix too.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too difficult to choose one moment or place as it means "downgrading" all the other equally great places on this trip. If I have to pick one great one...….. its too hard! I can list the bottom ones - Zingaro walk could easily have been left out - not a great walk; the Mt Etna walk was a stroll on a windy hillside and didn't give any feel for Etna, its there to pass the time while any of the group do the optional summit excursion. (My following tour was a week walking on the Volcano trip so its not that I don't like walking!) All the rest of the itinerary is equal first.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tiziano and the driver Allesandro were both great. Good company, very cheerful, very helpful. Tiziano was always available and preceded each free time with an orientation tour and suggestions ending at the coffee shop where we could find him with any questions (we also had his mobile number)

Advice for Potential Travellers

If like me you are a bit fed up of long bus journeys on similar tours then this tour is great for you, the 14 days allocated means there are no early starts or long bus tips, I think the longest was 3 hours the rest were really short allowing enough time for a short sit down before another wonder around. The expert guides were all excellent. There is a lot of easy walking but easy really depends on your view of walking I guess. I don't want to steal another travellers comments but his app after about 10 days told him he had walked 70km - sounds like non stop walking but it really didn't feel like it -don't be put off you can walk around a lot or not according to your preference - the coffee shops are great!

Filip Hanzak

Reviewed October 2018

Great time in great mountains

The Annapurna Sanctuary trek was well organized and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. It can be physically challenging at times (e.g. climb 3000 stairs in one go at the end of a walking day), but completely doable without many difficulties.

Most Inspirational Moment

The night sky at the Sanctuary was as expected - the clearest and brightest I've ever seen. You almost can't see the asterisms for so many more stars are visible in between the main ones!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Chandra, was excellent, always helpful in good mood and full of laughter.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do some training beforehand and get walking poles if (like me) have problems with your knees. Going down the many stairs which are higher than usual can get very painful. Pack a lot of versatile layers as the temperature varies between +32 in Pokhara to -7 at the Base Camp. I went in October and did NOT have a down jacket and could just about manage at the base camp while wearing literally all the layers I had with me - no need to pack unnecessary extras.

Ruth Bass

Reviewed October 2018

Unforgettable trip, perfect in every detail

We are just home from our best Exodus holiday yet. They have all been great but this one stands out for the truly faultless organisation from start to finish with a perfectly designed itinerary taking in so much scenery, culture and of course wonderful cycling. Our group really gelled and had so much fun – new friends for life. The days were action packed and all the extra things laid on for us were memorable. Hotels were all good and meals, drinks etc amazing value – you won’t spend much on this trip. Praise goes to our amazing guide Linh Vo and his exceptional team – they truly made the trip special.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling against the clock along the coast at sunset to catch the boat to Whale Island, making it up the Hai Van pass in extreme heat and humidity, cruising in Halong Bay and generally taking in Vietnamese rural life as we pedalled through the countryside. Also truly special was the evening with a local family who cooked us about 8 courses, chatted with us and entertained us with music, including a song sung by their 5 year old grand daughter.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Special praise goes to our amazing guide Linh Vo - so experienced, knowledgable and attentive he shared his fascinating personal and family life story and against various odds cycled for the national team. A lovely guy who worked tirelessly to organise us, meet our every need and keep us safe and well prepared. We gained so much insight into Vietnamese culture, society, family life and the history and politics too but always in an approachable manner - he regularly entertained us with interesting stories, jokes and even songs. We always felt safe with him in traffic and he was on the ball at all times ensuring no one was left behind. He even dished out pushes up the passes to those in need of one! We especially loved that he organised home cooked food to help local families and took us to unusual spots not seen by many such as the most flamboyant cemetry we have ever seen.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel light, we took too many clothes, no need to take snacks as the guides source a lovely variety, no need for a head torch a phone will do. Take only day-long suncream - the humidity will sweat off anything else. If you want any clothes copied or made in Hoi An take pictures or a sample with you as you won't have long to decide on options. Stay on in Hanoi if you can to soak up the mad, noisy, colourful and fascinating old quarter. Above all else, just go!

Michael Wood

Reviewed October 2018

Cycling Vietnam - Amazing experience never to be forgotten!

A packed itinerary taking in the full length of Vietnam by bicycle, bus, train and boat.
Fantastic group of new friends supported by a great leader and support staff made this a truly magical two weeks that we will never forget. We are already planning our return trip with Exodus for 2020.

Most Inspirational Moment

The way the group bonded and joined together to make sure everyone completed the cycling days with support from the more capable cyclists and the Exodus team.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our team leader, Linh Vo, made the trip. His honest and knowledgeable insights into Vietnam's history, culture, social and political issues together with his endless enthusiasm, humour and organisation skills meant that we learned so much about the country and its people during our 2 weeks with him. Linh went out of his way to make sure we all got the most out of our holiday and was available to answer any questions or concerns we had. He took us to some fantastic local restaurants, arranged for us to eat with local families and made sure we had plenty of snacks and drinks during the cycling days. We will be keeping in touch with Linh as he became someone we consider to be a friend as well as our guide and we hope to meet up with him in the future on another Exodus trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't take too many clothes with you, you will only need half of what you think you will need. We packed fairly light compared to others in the group and still only wore about half of what we packed. Take it easy on the long cycle days as the heat and humidity will test even the strongest of cyclists.

Ian Elson

Reviewed October 2018