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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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!

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Reviews

Julie Astall

Reviewed October 2015

Challenging but fun

Walking on the Amalfi cast is no stroll in the park. I knew before I booked that there were a lot of steps involved but I made the mistake of thinking they would all be downhill and evenly spaced – they’re not! However i’m delighted I went and quite proud of myself for completing all walks including round the crater of Vesuvius which is quite tricky to start with, and going down into the crater felt a bit scary. Well worth it though – It was my husband’s favourite part of the holiday. Stefan the Vesuvius guide is a real charmer too, and seems to create a magical effect with a cigarette – go and see for yourself! I loved the variety of this holiday, though the evening I hobbled down the stairs because my calves were screaming so much, I did wonder whether I was on holiday or at boot camp!

Most Inspirational Moment

Pompei and Herculeneum (which we visited on our day off) were places I had wanted to see since I was a child. They both exceeded my expectation. My only sadness was that we were so time restricted on both visits. The expanse of both sites, and how much remains, to be seen, is just incredible. The other truly inspirational moments involved members of the group . Foe example, despite a severe knee injury, Neil was determined to complete the main walks including 'walk of the gods' with it's ending of 2332 steps (and that didn't include the flights leading down to them! ) He did it too, without a moan. What a star.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul is very patient, extremely good humoured, and enjoyable company. He even carried a couple of bottles of Prosecco on the Walk of the Gods' so we had a special treat on our final lunch stop. What a hero. A certain member of the group would have prefered Limoncello - so you may need to extend your range of drinks for future trips Paul!!! Despite the whines of 'are we nearly there yet', 'not more ******* steps, and 'can we just cut that part of the walk out', Paul managed to chivvy us all along with his reassuring phrase of 'just round the corner'. He lied but it was all in a good cause.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get into training on some hill walks, and forget using lifts - lots and lots of flights of stairs. Also, the better rooms of the hotel appear to be in the main building. Worth asking if you can get one. A couple of our group had this fore knowledge and had a balcony and fridge!

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Charlotte Lacy

Reviewed October 2015

Fantastic trip to a stunnning country!

This is another great Exodus trip which we thoroughly enjoyed. We decided to go to Bosnia on our honeymoon and it was a great decision. The country is stunningly beautiful and has so many hidden gems. The countryside is incredible and you barely see another person on the small tracks that you walk along. Each city brings a lovely contrast to the walking. They are unusual and fascinating places to visit. Definitely recommended!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many highlights to this holiday it's hard to single anything out. All of the walks offered amazing views and each city had it's own story to tell. We had a preconceived idea of Sarajevo from the images of the war many years ago. However it is an incredible city which is so full of history and has been beautifully rebuilt. The old city is fascinating to wander around and seeing so many different cultures and religions living side by side without conflict was impressive! A must see city for anybody!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Samer was a fantastic leader. His passion about bringing tourism to Bosnia and allowing people to see the beauty of his country was so clear to see. He showed us around brilliantly and was a lovely man who made everyone feel valued.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Keep an open mind throughout the trip and be prepared for the basic accommodation in the National Park. It's completely as described as the rooms are pretty old but the views are stunning and a dip in the swimming pool nearby is a must (although it is pretty damn COLD! Be prepared for some long hours on the little bus as many of the walks can be quite far from where you're staying. Bosnian mountain roads aren't very well maintained but our driver was particularly skilled and determined at getting up them :)

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Gyan Fernando

Reviewed October 2015

Great Balkan Adventure

Starting from Dubrovnik airport we crossed quickly intoKotor, Montenegro. Having enjoyed the beautiful city of Kotor we then drove to Cetinje through a series of 25 hairpin bends! Spectacular!
Durmitor National Park and its gorges was our next highlight. Then came the Zabljak Plateau and finally into Sarajevo.
Apart from this great city we saw the remote and semi-nomadic village of Lukomir, a not to be missed experience.
We next found ourselves in Mostar another great place.
Finally it was back to Dubrovnik!

Most Inspirational Moment

The visit to the remote and semi-nomadic settlement of Lukomir in Bosnia. Also Mostar and Sarajevo itself!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Evelin Balta was a very nice guy with a great sense of humour. He also was good at keeping his sheep together and was good at organising things for us

Advice for Potential Travellers

Spend an extra few days in Dubrovnik

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Barry Cooper

Reviewed October 2015

Highlights of Armenia and Georgia

This is a comprehensive tour through theses ex-Soviet states visiting many Churches but also enjoying fine scenery and interesting towns.

Most Inspirational Moment

To see the renaissance of religion in these two ex-Communist stares and to observe the devotion of the local communities

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had three Leaders, one Raffiq in Armenia and Anna and Salome in Georgia. Raffiq has a brilliant mind having just attained his PHD at 25 and starting University at 15. He must be watched as a possible Armenian future leader. His knowledge of the Sites we visited was excellent and he gave us comprehensive tours without notes. A remarkable tour leader in many respects but he did lack some organisational skills. Anna met us at the Georgian border and proved to be a friendly competent leader who gave us an excellent tour of Tbilisi and into the Mountains but had to return home for family reasons. She did not have the same degree of site knowledge that Raffiq had but her knowledge was satisfactory and she had good organisational skills. Salome took her place and it was difficult for her to fit into an already developed group but after some hesitancy, she developed into another excellent leader and she became a well liked and appreciated leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a cultural tour rather than an adventure tour and as such is different to many tours run by Exodus and on our tour the average age was higher than I have seen on any of the previous twenty-one tours that I have undertaken with Exodus. I am aged seventy-one and in Albania I was the oldest, I would suggest that I was average aged for this Tour. I would recommend any younger clients to consider this when booking.

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Helen Eastwood

Reviewed October 2015

Fantastic trip

Cycling in Cuba

Most Inspirational Moment

seeing the Cuban culture

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, knowledgable and professional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

sun is strong whilst cycling so while vests may seem the cooler option a cycling t-shirt will protect you from sunburnt shoulders/back. During the heat you may prefer to make use of bus to carry back pack whilst cycling so bring water bottle if you have camel back. A small bag that can attach to Bike frame (behind seat or on cross bar) would of been useful to carry camera/phone/sun cream etc when not using back pack although bus is accessible at each stop.

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Claire Howard

Reviewed October 2015

Chimps and Gorillas Uganda

One of my best holidays ever! Majestic wildlife in abundance, fabulous travel companions and a country more beautiful than I expected

Most Inspirational Moment

Looking into the eyes of the gorillas. A dream for many years

Thoughts on Group Leader

David and Vincent made a great team. Nothing was too much trouble.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ignore the trip notes which say no wheels on your bag! Soft bag with wheels is absolutely fine and what everyone else had apart from me! Take a rain poncho rather than coat. Be warned early mornings, long drives and no way is this "leisurely". You need to be prepared to trek for several hours over uneven terrain in humid conditions.

Reply from Exodus

We would like to thank Claire for her feedback and we would like to assure her that the Chimps & Gorillas of Uganda trip is still running, and it is featured in our 2016/17 wildlife brochure.

Sarah Ahern- Product Manager for Uganda

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Graham Johnson

Reviewed October 2015

Superb trip!!

This trip delivered exactly what I had hoped for. Namibia is a huge and rugged country and this is an ideal trip to get beneath the skin of it and get close to nature.

Most Inspirational Moment

Lots, but 12 rhino at Okaukuejo waterhole in Etosha at night was spectacular. Tracking a rhino on foot was an unexpected bonus, a late evening vantage point on top of rocks in the Hoanib river watching elephants passing below was magical. The wild camps in Palmweg were wonderful, food exceptional and camp facilities extremely comfortable. Finally on our last day in Etosha we were lucky enough to see a leopard at Klein Namutoni waterhole in the morning. We returned there for sunset, and right on cue 2 rhino appeared. What more could we ask.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hans and Richard were true professionals. Both extremely hard working, bearing in mind they drive, spot game, prepare lunch and then cook the evening meal. In addition, two great guys, sociable and instructive but also keen to interact with the group. I personally give them top marks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you read the trip notes right you will pack warm clothes, and after the first 2 nights you may well be thinking you've brought too much. When you get to the 2nd camp in the Palmweg you'll be glad you brought warm stuff!! Also, I don't know whether it was the heat or whatever but we all seemed to go through camera batteries at an alarming rate. The vehicles have charging facilities but you will need AT LEAST one spare battery, preferably more, for each camera

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Lesley Shane

Reviewed October 2015

A week in jordan

First of all… Don’t listen to friends and relatives who may be concerned about your going off to the Middle East. Jordan feels extremely safe, the Jordanians are understandably proud of their neutral stance in the Middle East and are welcoming and friendly. and yes, they rely on tourism which is seriously down given the current situation in its neighbouring countries.
Having got that out of the way I highly recommend this trip, it is very rushed as there is a lot to see in a scant week, if you can I would strongly urge you to go a day early so you have a chance to see some of Amman, or stay a day later for the same reason. there is so much we did not have time to do.
The highlight of course is Petra and this trip is set up so you have your tour leader introducing you to Petra on day one and on day two you are free to explore on your own. brilliant.
You do need a fairly high degree of mobility if you plan to hike up to the Monastery or the High Places both of which are a must. You can go up by donkey but that looked even scarier than going on foot! But there is plenty to do in the Valley floor if you cannot hike up these incredible mountains.
Did the snorkelling trip in Aqaba and it was a highlight amongst many highlights. The crew on the boat were helpful, experienced, friendly and good cooks! I cannot imagine it could be better on a beach or wandering around the noisy town. It was a perfect end to our very full week. My only regret is that we did not have more time in Amman to explore the brand new Museum and monuments other than the Citadel and to have a bit of time for shopping. We did manage to get about an hour on Rainbow street which was worthwhile but re were several other handicraft shops recommended in the various guides to Jordan and we simply did not have the time.
I would actually urge Exodus to schedule a Fridday evening departure and this give you a 8 days in Jordan.

Most Inspirational Moment

Well it is hard to pick one out above the others but I think for me the climb up to the Monastery in Petra was probably the most inspirational and then of course there was sleeping out under the stars in Wadi Rum and the camel ride to watch the sunrise also in Wadi Rum. Just being in Petra and absorbing the amazing buildings and sandstone cliffs and the play of sun and shadows on those incredibly beautiful rocks and mountains.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ala was really well informed and happy to answer any questions be they political or otherwise. He could advise us on restaurants, on prices for donkey rides, horse rides, whether to take camel rides or not; he adapted to our requests, we enjoyed having lunch on the run and so he would stop at the best Shwarma shops, recommend the best baclava shops for our souvenirs to take home. He recommended in which order to do the hard hikes in Petra and recommended a particular interesting jewellery shop in Petra. Nothing was too much trouble for him to arrange and because he accommodated everyone we were perhaps a little delayed by one or two members of the group spending more time shopping than others.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be fit.... The hike up to Monastery and High Place is hard going, specially in the heat. You can never have enough water with you and while it is readily available everywhere it is very expensive when purchased from restaurants...2jdr whereas if you buy in bulk at a supermarket it is down to .50jdr. Not many restaurants serve wine and beer so if you like a tipple or two make sure you bring it with you from Duty Free. Or buy beer from a supermarket, it is possible. Any shopping for handicrafts that you want to do should be done in Petra as no time in Amman although there are good shops at the airport but to me it is not quite the same as buying locally. I suggest an agreement be made on day one in Petra that any shopping be done on the second day when you are on your own. That way the group can get the most benefit from having the group leader with you to explain all the sights and options. Take a packed lunch with you to Petra both days, the hotel in Petra did not mind if you took extra from the breakfast buffet. Definitely have a pomegranate juice or two and a daily lemon mint juice!

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Richard Dunstan

Reviewed October 2015

uzbekhistan uncovered

overall rating on the ground brilliant, transport to London and back DIRE; only a few hours of the 12 glorious days but if Uzbekhistan wants to encourage tourism, the age of their (?only) Boeing 757 and the Soviet charm of their staff needs to be seriously improved; this (an overnight flight out of 6 hours so arriving shattered and a miserable 7+ hours back, seats broken, minimal leg room, the most appalling inflight service etc etc) left an appalling impression.
Having got that off my chest, the trip was exhilarating and a much better itinerary than many of the other groups met at the airport (only 2 London flights a week so all, whatever their cost, suffered the same indignities) (C&K, VJV, etc who were submitted to a an unvarying diet (saturation) of the 3 Ms (mosques, madrassahs and markets); this one had intervening days out in the desert including an arguable highlight, a night in a yurt followed by a Bactrian camel ride to a swim in an inland sea

Most Inspirational Moment

our tour leader Dilshod who was unfailingly cheerful, knowledgeable, efficient, tactful etc etc., one of the finest of many trips (50+) but the country is revelatory, relieved of Soviet domination, apparently thriving (natural gas) and happy (although we went off route, deliberately, in Tashkent and walked through districts which had never seen a tourist, a total difference to the sanitised "open" areas, and the cleanliness of the streets was an object lesson)) the "heritage" is spectacular, the most wondrous monuments, heavily restored to almost too spick and span mode creature comforts adequate, the hotels varied from the Soviet in Tashkent to boutique style in Bokhara to less than modest in Samarkand; acceptable, never less than so but never more, always hot water but lacking in individuality or recommendation food very samey, excellent salads for those who dared (the markets were most impressive in the wealth and depth of produce), ; 75%+ suffered from intestinal hurry; those of we lucky who eat off the streets were happily spared

Thoughts on Group Leader

brilliant

Advice for Potential Travellers

go go go

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Eleanor Freckleton

Reviewed October 2015

Sierra Nevada and Granada

The holiday was fantastic – great walks, a very knowledgeable guide and first class hospitality from the family at the Hotel Los Berchules.

Most Inspirational Moment

The final day's walk - a circular walk from the hotel which gives you fantastic views across the valley back to Berchules. Although it is the most taxing walk, it is not too much hard work and it is worth it for the views from the other side of the valley.

Thoughts on Group Leader

George has a passion for the local area and his knowledge is second to none given he has lived in the area for over ten years. He was also very good at making sure people of mixed abilities were catered for on all the walks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The afternoon in Granada was very rushed, just too much to try and fit in. Therefore, if you are thinking of extending your holiday I would recommend an extra night or two in Granada for sightseeing.

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