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.

Select a trip specific review:

Select

14450 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Helen McNaught

Reviewed May 2018

Loads of fun

It was a wonderful way to see this part of italy. Our guide Fabrizio was informative, committed and funny. It was a wonderful week.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being in Matera and seeing the wonder of the place and what is being done to maintain it. Alberobello was also extraordinary. But most of all the countryside was enchanting.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabrizio is a delight. He took interest in every individual. He was informed about the region and showed his passion for Puglia and sharing it with others. He was full of energy and humour. He also had the sensitivity to adapt to each individual.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel light. Have good walking boots and in the hot months take the very best of sunblock and reapply it often. The sun can be strong. I also put in a light dress to wear in restaurants because I like to dress up a little even in a walking holiday. Also remember that it is impossible to please all the people all the time. Go with the flow and focus on the place you are visiting. If your toast is a little too crisp just remember that's not what the trio is about. Embrace the local cuisine and ways of doing things.

Nigel Goddard

Reviewed May 2018

Petra & Wadi Rum by Bike

A well organised trip with lots of activities packed in. Inside a week our guide ensured we experienced/saw all the highlights of Jordan. However the organisation was such that I never felt rushed or under pressure.

The cycling was very easy. We were transported to the nicest areas to cycle, avoiding the big hills and busy roads. The bikes were brand new and mine was perfectly adjusted. The cycle team were very friendly and competent mechanics. Nothing was too much trouble for them. I’d say this trip is great for leisure cyclists. Anyone looking for a tough physical challenge would not find this tough enough.

The accommodation was great. Clean hotels all en suite. Good food.

All in all a great experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Tough to pick one out. Walking down a Roman High street, floating in the Dead Sea, snorkelling in the Red Sea, the religious sites, Petra, staying in the desert, camel rides, they are all great!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Had everything sorted. Great attention to detail to ensure that all our needs and wishes were met. Put in a great deal of effort to arrange the activites for us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I didn't need my bicycle repair kit at all as, had my bike broken, the team have everything sorted. The bikes were flat bar Trek bikes, tyres must have been about 35mm wide, brand new. I've got lots of bikes of my own and I am glad I didn't take one as the ones provided were perfectly adequate to the job in hand. Same for pedals/saddle. Ensure you take a decent sun hat, sun screen and good shoes. To get the most from the Petra days there is lots of walking and you will spend a long time outside with the sun bouncing off the rocks! There was a lot of food and snacks! I found there to be absolutely no need for energy gels etc during the cycling.

Bob Karnofski

Reviewed May 2018

Wonderful Vacation tour

First tour with Exodus and Im very impressed. From the initial communication, information prior to leaving and the ease with which everything was accomplished. The hotel was great – clean rooms (there was a norovirus outbreak among several groups and I noticed my room was thoroughly cleaned when it occurred.) The only thing was the pool wasn’t heated – so it was FREEZING. So only used once and very quickly! The hikes were amazing, but I believe this should be rated at a Level 3 not 2. Some hikes were very challenging, averaging 7-8 miles each hike and steep areas, loose shale, etc. One hike had 3,000 stairs along the way, another like 2000. It is a VERY steep area. But our guide was awesome, arrangements were made for one hiker who it was too difficult for. The food was EXCELLENT. The staff amazing and very accommodating and friendly. Visited Capri on the off day and was given lots of information on how to navigate. Pompeii and the hike up Vesuvius were a highlight!!

Allin all I had a great time, meet some incredible people from around the world whom Im sure we will stay in contact with. I will definitely take another Exodus trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

The scenery was stunning. I love history so how (and why) people chose to settle here and just the construction of the trails, stairs, terraces. Pompeii was simply stunning. How people could accomplish what they did and the ingenuity.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mikala was just incredible. Outgoing, friendly, great sense of humor. Felt very secure with her and also the sharing of her knowledge of the region.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Great trip - you will be well taken care of by not only Exodus staff but the hotel and restaurant staff. Just a caution - while the trip was amazing - would probably be rated one level higher. You will need trekking poles. They do have some at the hotel to loan

LINDA REID

Reviewed May 2018

CYCLING HO CHI MIN TO HANOI

Cycling Vietnam was an excellent way of seeing the countryside and meeting the local Vietnamese people who were extremely friendly and always willing to help.
The cycling involved flat, undulating and hilly sections so there was a good mix and the road surfaces were all remarkably good. The guide Lam gave you the opportunity to cycle at your own speed, with plenty of stops for rehydration and refuelling as it was incredibly hot and humid. At any junction the bus or the truck was there to point you in the right direction. It was extremely well organised and everything went like clockwork from start to finish. We were well looked after and well fed.
The countryside varied from paddy fields to more mountainous areas which were green and lush, but not as picturesque as I had anticipated.
We had to spend a fair amount of time on the bus, due to the large distances we had to cover, however, we would never has seen or done so much without doing so. The bus was comfortable with plenty of room for us to spread out.

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong Bay was quite amazing and we had a lovely over night trip on a boat, we went sea kayaking which was great fun. We had a trip out to an island TITOP ISLAND, and had fantastic views of the bay from the top. Cycling up the HAI VAN PASS was also a great experience and seeing everyone completing the ride when it was 33C. The group was excellent and we had lots of fun and laughs along the way, so that made the trip for me, along with sights and sounds of Vietnam.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lam our group leader was just excellent - so organised, pleasant, cheerful, always smiling and nothing was too much trouble for him. The mechanic Y was brilliant - the bikes were well maintained and kept clean, if there was a problem it was sorted immediately. The truck and bus drivers were always there to lend a hand, giving out drinks and food and always smiling. A great team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to do some cycling before you go as it is harder when conditions are hot and humid, especially if you want to climb the HAI VAN PASS - a challenging 10km climb. Be prepared for crazy drivers both cars and scooters - there are thousands of scooters going in any direction and popping out from side roads, riding in the opposite direction so you have to be very careful on all roads, especially in busy cities. Not for the faint hearted. However, it is Asia and anything goes. If you want to spend time in Hanoi book an extra day, as we didn't really have time to explore the city.

Graham Mosley

Reviewed May 2018

Sicily enjoyed

This trip opened my eyes; I had thought of Sicily as a hard, arid kind of place, but six days of enjoying the lovely people, wonderful food and interesting sights along the way changed all that. It started well, and then got better and better.

Most Inspirational Moment

The lunch on the day we biked to Noto. Can't remember where it was but we'd had a good ride, hot and tired, and then we arrived at a quiet oasis of dappled shade. We were presented with a range of tasty Sicilian dishes. Lovely atmosphere - I didn't want to leave.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Others have commented on how good a leader Iris has been. She was very, very good, in a quiet and considerate way. She handled a large group of 17 easily but still had time for individual's issues. In particular, she was well organised and always gave just the right amount of useful information at the right moment. Thanks Iris!

Susan Bowers

Reviewed May 2018

Portugal Walking and Wine

Well thought out Itinery, beautiful scenery, fab Hotels and Great leaders

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking amonst the wild flower meadows

Thoughts on Group Leader

Really good. Very caring, very focused and totally reliable

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy!

Peter Wallis

Reviewed May 2018

Fellow travellers make all the difference

First time, out of 6 Exodus trips, I was on my own but once again the like minded group were great. We had great fun while taking in the history and scenery that Jordan has to offer. The guide “Sammy” was exceptional in his knowledge of Jordan which made the history more engaging when sighting. Hotels used had good rooms with comfortable beds, however, breakfast was very limited in selection in most of them. Food in general was not brilliant, with rice, chicken and goat as staple diet. Snacks during cycling brilliant. Bikes were very good and you always had the support vehicle if problems. Overall, you need to see Jordan by any means.

Most Inspirational Moment

Jerash was stunning. Dead Sea was great fun. Petra. The scenery. Cycling down hills through small villages. Can't pick one moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sammy was so knowageable about history of Jordan and passionate to inform others. Organisational skills very good. choise of restaurants ok. Very able to control difficult situation. Like a stick of rock he is Jordan through and through.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Linda Stroud

Reviewed May 2018

So much to see!

Nothing prepares you for how big China is, big cities, big roads, long distances, and a wonderful welcome!
We saw and experienced all the things we planned and so much more. The tour is full on and you will need to be fit to walk the distances needed and carry your own case up and down stairs in the railway stations.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspiring thing about our China trip was being able to experience the local life. I had in my naivety not realised that we would be a novelty to many of the Chinese people. They too are travelling in their country and are enjoying the sights we are seeing. Many of them have travelled very long distances from their homes where they never come across any foreigners. Many times they would ask to take photos of us on their phones. The Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors are everything you hoped to see. Beijing, Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden Palace are all much bigger than you realise. The whole tour enables you to see so many wonderful things. I feel pleased that I have had the chance to see how China is developing at a lightening pace. Go and see it now because it is changing all the time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

This was our first time with Exodus and the first time on a guided tour. Nothing prepares you for how amazing China is. It would have been really difficult to appreciate everything without our wonderful guide Vivian Xi. She translated the language, explained Chinese customs, took care of all the internal travel details, explained all about the tour destinations we were visiting, ordered our food in the restaurants when we could not understand the menus and made sure each member of the group was happy with the arrangements. A truly customer service minded, thoughtful person. I feel we would have missed so much without her.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I have mentioned above that you need to be fit to enjoy this tour. There were some travellers in our group of sixteen who had not done their research or benefitted from a good travel agent as we had. These people were not comfortable walking the distances needed and therefore unable to enjoy the full China experience. We travelled on local buses, mini buses, bullet trains, one internal fight and three overnight soft sleeper trains. All transport was well organised but the overnight trains are slow and noisy and you don’t get much rest. You need to know that sometimes you could be sharing a four bed compartment with strangers. We found the bunks clean but hard. There is usually one squatty and one potty toilet in each carriage. You only need a minimum of “pretty clothes” Comfortable clothes and shoes in practical colours suitable for any weather conditions. We had a little rain, clear days and some dull incredibly humid days. Laundry services are available in the hotels and our guide helped us with these details. We read lots of the previous reviews and gained lots of tips from them.

Jane Loughridge

Reviewed May 2018

Beautiful country

We enjoyed a lovely week’s cycling in Montalbano country along quiet roads surrounded by red and yellow flowers and smelling oleander and citrus blossom.
Iris was an excellent guide who never flapped , always ensuring our safety on the roads .
The bikes were the best I have hired on an Exodus trip .

Most Inspirational Moment

Looking down on beautiful Modica from above after a glorious cycle on the first day . Also the delicious picnics provided , at an extra cost , along the way .