Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling Sunday morning through the streets of Athens so seeing the sights without too many other tourists around. The many kilometres of cycling along the coast looking out to the Aegian sea. The great amphitheatre at Epidaurus.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yiannis did a great job of keeping the briefings short in the evening but still informative. He was obviously passionate about Greece and wanted to pass that passion on. As someone who knew little about Greek mythology the stories that he and Angelos told have given me an insight. Yiannis & Angelos did a fantastic job of keeping us fed, watered & our bikes in working order.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Even in May it is already relatively warm (high 20s) but the regular breaks meant that this was manageable.

Most Inspirational Moment

I really enjoyed the kayaking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

"Too Good" as we called him was friendly and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take some ear plugs (unless you like the sound of being called to prayer pre-5am) and don't allow yourself to be distracted by an attractive woman blowing hot and cold (i.e. concentrate on the walking if you can).

Most Inspirational Moment

Great country, exhilarating cycling and wonderful people. Just being there with an exceptional group of people.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guys Armand and Junid are excellent, mixing well with the group, great job guys.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Food and drink are very cheap, only needed £130 converting to cover the whole week with a couple of souvenirs thrown in. Felt very safe, there was never a mention of needing to be careful about valuables etc. Bikes were often left un-secured overnight.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing solid historical remains of cultures which existed 2-3 thousand years BC.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had two leaders who brought a great mix of knowledge, experience, enthusiasm and conscientiousness to a group whose ability and age range varied.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Learn, at least, a few words of Italian,make sure you've got your sun cream (or block) and practice braking with your right hand !

Most Inspirational Moment

If I had to pick one it would be seeing St Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace for the first time when travelling by boat along the Grand Canal in Venice. But encountering a range of historical influences from Austrian-influenced Bolzano / Bozen to Palladian Vicenza to the Roman structures in Verona was also fascinating

Thoughts on Group Leader

I couldn't imagine a more energetic or enthusiastic trip leader - from offering the early-birds extra rides to take in sun-rise views before breakfast, to introducing us to his lovely family in his home-town Vicenza, to packing in a huge amount of highlights when taking us on a walking tour around Venice, Michele made sure that we enjoyed every minute of our trip. Michele was a really good-natured, uplifting guy for whom nothing was too much trouble - he made everything run so smoothly and did everything with a friendly smile. It was such a pleasure to spend a week with him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have the time spend an extra day before / after the trip in Verona and Venice – stunning cities in which there is plenty to see and do. Or catch an early flight to Verona on the Saturday, spend the day in Verona (leaving your luggage at the railway station) and then get a train (one and half hours with German rail (www.bahn.de) to Bolzano) before joining up with the group arriving from Venice in the evening. Then add an extra night in Venice onto the end of your trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The approach to and ride into Cesky Krumlov was impressive, as was the tour of the town itself. The cycle ride through Vienna and that along the Danube from Esztergom were also very good.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was very good. Jan is very knowledgeable and a very easy person to get along with.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many, others have described them, I think the sunsets at Tortuguero took some beating and SAvegre was my favourite lodge.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Guillermo certainly had his work cut out, a very diverse group, several of us fell ill at various points and he coped well. I think we tried his patience at times but he mostly stayed in good humour. He explained all the options and his recommendations for optional trips were pretty good too. He also gave us some extra treats like taking us to meet his friend who had a horse ranch and showed us his favourite horse in action (as a horse-lover this was lovely). I can't speak for the bird-watchers but he seemed to know his stuff and spotted lots of birds. He also held a meetingmost evenings to talk over the daily 'list' of birds seen,

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it, I'm 50-something, overweight and very unfit, and I coped with it. Do go swimming at La Fortuna, do go on the suspension bridges walk (I'm not good with heights but it was very solid and a superb view), do support the turtle museum at Tortuguero. Definitely tell the guide if you aren't well - several of us were poorly at the same time and our guide took us to a pharmacy, explained our problems and negotiated a good deal on medicines.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many amazing moments throughout the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Edward was very patient, knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and a good sense of humour, even if he did laugh at his own jokes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take walking boots, even although Sketchers were fine!

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking on paths that no one could see and ascending Vesuvius,.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good and thoughtful of every person on the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We found our camelback water carriers very useful rather than filling bottles of water as we used a lot in the heat. And leave room for lovely evening meal and endless wine when you get back.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think walking into the nature reserve between Amalfi and Ravello and not initially seeing the waterfall but feeling the cool mist on my hot back and turning to see it. I think that has to be number one. However, walking around the rim of Vesuvius really made the adrenalin flow for me - I don't have much of a head for heights, but our guide Paul made me feel I could do it and I did!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul was a superb leader, he helped us bond as a group. He constantly told us what a fit group we were and how well we walked together, this meant we felt we could achieve and wanted to stick together. He socialised with us and took trouble to make sure no-one was treated as a favourite and everyone got equal time. We trusted his judgement and he paced us well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to be hooked on walking if you haven't done it before.