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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14460 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
Benjamin Stadelmann
Reviewed July 2015
Lovely Hiking Around Dobbiaco
Overall, a wonderful experience. We were somewhat uneasy about a centre-based trip, because if you find that the food isn’t to your liking the first couple of days it could make for a disagreeable week. We needn’t have worried, the chef at the Bellevue is top notch, making terrific use of fresh local vegetables, fruit and cheese and kept us guessing on what the menu would have to offer next. Service was consistently professional and friendly.
What I liked best about the walks was the sheer variety – really no two alike, pastures, meadows, forests, boulder strewn scree fields, babbling brooks, fields brimming with wild flowers, cute hamlets, the suggested hikes had it all. The “moderate” rating is fair, though there are a few parts where a walking stick comes in handy.
Most Inspirational Moment
After a rigorous climb up to the alpine hut at the Three Peaks I was ready for lunch and was treated to an absolutely superb goulash with a variety of fresh baked breads. To get that quality of food out in the middle of nowhere was remarkable, all the more so as the price was reasonable! It puts all the overpriced lousy food in tourist traps to shame.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The self guided notes were thorough and trails well marked, barely used the maps which seemed like a bit of a waste. The walks are very straight forward, did not miss having a guide.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don’t pay too much attention to the suggested itinerary. Weather is a more important factor and how ambitious you feel on a given day. Make good use of the spa, it really helps to rejuvenate those tired legs! Not sure if it is s misprint, but the stated summer temperature of 20-22 is misleading. Yes, it is chilly at night and at peak altitude, but during the day in July it is HOT!! More like 32 in Dobbiaco during the afternoons, but it does cool off very pleasantly in the evening.
Paul Meier
Reviewed July 2015
Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast
The trip starts in Trogir for one night and then moves to Korcula Island for 3 nights. On Korcula, the visit includes a visit to the medieval walled town of Korcula (day 1), a walk from Pupnat to Korcula(day 2) , and a boat trip to Mljet Island with a walk to the peak of Montokuc (day 3), Following this, we returned to the mainland by ferry and stopped at Ston on the way to Dubrovnik. In Ston, we had a wine tasting tour. The second day in Dubrovnik, we visited the old town inside the city walls. On the last day, we took the optional trip to Mostar in Bosnia Herzegovina to see the rebuilt bridge, destroyed in 1993.
Most Inspirational Moment
We were fortunate that a Croatian music festival was going on while we were visiting the old city of Dubrovnik, and were able to hear symphonic and operatic music within the old walled city one evening after a dinner.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The group leader, Zelko Zarak, was a very knowledgeable leader with superb English skills. In addition to his historical and local knowledge, he was more like a friend than guide, integrating himself into our group dinners and activities. Even though our Dubrovnik dinner ended around midnight, he still encouraged us to listen to the Croatian music festival, while still keeping the group together under very crowded circumstances. Truly, I believe he is a reason why our group of 15 bonded so well.
Advice for Potential Travellers
As our tour included several walks along city walls, a climb up to the top of Montokuc, and many optional climbs up church steeples and minarets, booking the tour in cooler months may be a plus. We went in mid-July.
Robin Eley Jones
Reviewed July 2015
Walking in Provence
Super holiday, one of the most enjoyable I have taken.
Most Inspirational Moment
Early June was a great time to go (green landscapes and some lavender/sunflowers) not too hot for comfortable walking.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Yuves was a perfect, very experienced tour manager/walking guide - well organised, great knowledge of the routes and local history. He was very conscious of peoples' differing abilities and client safety. As well as the expected walks, Yuves frequently 'went the extra mile' by introducing to some 'extra' beautiful villages. (On one day, when I left my walking pole behind he insisted on walking back some distance to retrieve it for me!) Because of his friendliness, great sense of humor and efficiency he is my nomination for 'Tour Manager of the Year'.
Anna Cheer
Reviewed July 2015
Highlights of the Dolomites
Superb walking surrounded by weirdly beautiful, jaggedy peaks, with alpine meadows, terrific views, snowfields, bare-rock scrambles, ridge walks, mountain streams, well-stocked, picturesque Rifugios, steep, steep ascents and descents, cable cars, woods, valleys and a truly astonishing number and variety of wildflowers. It is a hard-working holiday but the rewards far outweigh the effort involved.
Most Inspirational Moment
On the final day, after an extremely steep climb, celebrating at the top of a pass with fantastic views.
Finally getting a good look at marmots that we'd heard alarm-calling all week.
Floating silently down a mountain in a chair lift - magical!
Often, if we stopped and looked back, we could see our impressive path for miles behind. We regularly felt a sense of real pride as we realised what we had achieved.
Thoughts on Group Leader
We did not walk with Lizz's group, but she was extremely helpful, friendly and organised regarding other aspects of the holiday.
We have had Albert as Group Leader on a previous trip (Espedalen, cross-country skiing) and we were delighted to discover that he was leading us again. His laid-back style engenders a really nice atmosphere in a group and he has the knack of making you work just hard enough to feel achievement without feeling pushed too hard. His selection of routes was surprisingly varied and we would love to have him leading us on future trips.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take walking poles. There were lots of long, steep descents and poles really help take the strain off knees.
Take a backpack hydration system. It can be hot, hard work and regular sips of water as you go along are much better than waiting until the stops and then drinking loads.
Prepare for the holiday by improving your fitness as much as you can.
John Bailes
Reviewed July 2015
Cycling the Southern coast of Sardinia
The scenery was outstanding and June was the perfect time to go – hot, but all manageable. Most of the group were perfectly happy with the off- road cycling, but we didn’t take to it so well having really only ridden on Tarmac at home. Having said that, the vast majority of the cycling was on the road and the coastal hills and downhill runs were more exciting than difficult. Our guides were very caring and worked really hard to make sure we had everything we needed.
Most Inspirational Moment
Cycling through the villages and towns always places you nearer the local people and their cultures, but the scenery made the trip for me personally. Visiting the beaches and the salt pools added to the variety of the Mediterranean countryside and a stop for photos of Sardinia's flamingos was always going to be a treat.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Mikele and Giovanni were very caring and attentive to our needs and worked hard to ensure the whole group were together at important points/ junctions. Their local knowledge was extremely comprehensive and this added to the whole trip. We have to especially thank them for their thoughtfulness towards ensuring that those with special diets were catered for.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If it wasn't for the fact that there is so much to see and do in the world I would do it again. If you are thinking about doing it and it all seems within your range, then do it! You will not be disappointed and the coastal scenery in June is beautifully colourful. Be mindful of looking after yourself in the sun( although it wasn't overpoweringly hot ) and you will enjoy the company of like-minded cyclists.
Jonathan Dorward
Reviewed July 2015
classic dolomites
A fantastic holiday,great location.Scenery was stunning.Hotel great,nice staff,very helpful.
Most Inspirational Moment
The scenery,it was breathtaking.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Karl Mather was brilliant!! His leadership skills were excellent,his knowledge of the area was second nature.He was very interesting and made our holiday.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Book this trip with Karl,you will have a great ,interesting trip.
Estelle Macdonald
Reviewed July 2015
Vietnam Cycling
Working up a sweat is a great way to bond with a group of complete strangers of varied fitness levels and life stories. By day 14 you know who you will endeavour to keep contact with, and those you don’t have still contributed positively to your whole experience and provided lively holiday tales.
Most Inspirational Moment
A fresh understanding of a different culture was a highlight as well as the mental and physical challenge of the cycling, which I am new to.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Lam was a star. Very organised and always cheerfully encouraging. He also had great support team who worked hard and made every step easy.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Even though the trip is described as moderate, you will enjoy it more if you do a bit of training. I cycled for an hour, including hills, 3 days a week for a month before departure and that was a big help.
Seasonal temperatures play a big part in energy levels also. Next trip will definitely be in spring or autumn.
The 10km hill climb on day 10 was a killer in July heat.
Check with Exodus contacts regarding equipment needed. We did not need sleeping sheets or torches but a little handle bar bag would have been useful for camera, money etc, rather than the heat of a backpack.
Marilyn Staib
Reviewed July 2015
Picos de Europa July 2015
Spectacular scenery. Excellent guide. Good accommodation with lovely view from dining room. Great food.
Most Inspirational Moment
Summit of Pena Main, summit of Mancondiu, Cares Gorge
Thoughts on Group Leader
Lovely chap. Always helpful. Full of enthusiasm. Handled a difficult situation well. Could have a career in meterology.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Itinerary subject to change with weather
Brian White
Reviewed July 2015
Excellent, Tough Trip but Very Rewarding
We did this trek in July and had perfect blue sky weather every day, but rain on the last day for the walk into Zermatt. The trek for us was one of the best European treks we have done and was very challenging/tough but extremely rewarding with stunning and changeable scenery every day. We really enjoyed the camping although the mountain huts and auberge were a little close for comfort but manageable once you got use to the idea of sleeping closely with other people!!
This trek had it all for us. High col passes, snow walking and bum sliding, steep ascents, steep descents, rough terrain, boulder jumping, chains, forests, gushing rivers, waterfalls and lakes and absolutely stunning snow capped mountains and scenery.
However, we were a little disappointed that the itinerary was not followed on the first day of walking and we missed not starting from the teleferique at Plan Praz and also the high level contour walk with ladders and chains.
Most Inspirational Moment
Arriving at a col each day at just under 3000 metres after a long, hard ascent and the stunning blue sky views that awaited us.
Thoughts on Group Leader
As a result of Simon's background he was a fast paced, no-nonsense leader which, on occasions, was necessary due to the challenging/tough nature of this trek. However, a slightly slower pace to meet the total group needs might have been more appropriate as those who were at the back every day struggled to keep up and we had to keep waiting for them to catch up. Conversely, you really need to be a good and very fit mountain walker to get the best out of this trek.
Advice for Potential Travellers
On your first day off at Les Bossons, Chamonix (the warm-up day), do the ascent and descent from the campsite to the Refuge de Bellachat at altitude 2152 metres. This will give you a good feel for what the daily ascents and descents are like, whilst warming you up nicely for what is in store most days. If you make it, try the delicious omelettes at the Refuge and the views are also very stunning.
For the huts and auberge take a head torch with a red light so as not to wake people up with a bright LED and also ear plugs. You only need to take a sleeping bag liner in your day pack and no flip-flops for the huts as croc shoes are provided. You will need to take a towel and soap etc as you can have a shower in the Mountain Huts at a cost of 5 Francs and they are free in the auberge.
The long descents can be very arduous on your knees - definitely take and use two poles.
Michael Cooper
Reviewed July 2015
TOUR MT BLANC
This trek my first to the Alps met and exceeded my expectations.
Most Inspirational Moment
Traversing the Cols between different countries on the trek - Plus the transportation on the cable cars both within the package and as an optional trip on 'rest days'.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Lotte was superb. Very pleasant and supportive to all group members. Managed the timings seamlessly and made adjustments to the route to suit the group and make it even more enjoyable. Ably supported by Charlie.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Consider a single tent and dont expect to loose weight even allowing for the long days walking - In my opinion there is no need to take/consume extra 'energy' snacks etc
