Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the pandas they were lovely. It made me realise how delicate and fragile nature is, these animals would struggle to survive in the wild In complete contrast the 3 gorges dam project was a huge technological undertaking, I wondered if the disruption it caused was justified

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ting-Ting was excellent. She managed the group over a very long and exhausting holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are three overnight train journeys. You have to carry your own luggage over considerable distances to and inside the station. Pack as light as possible.

Most Inspirational Moment

Camping in the desert and being able to sleep outside.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very good of getting us all organised and he was very knowledgeable. M

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you organise yourself as there is no real time to sit and think .

Most Inspirational Moment

There is something lovely about the way in which a shared experience means this group travel was a delight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Diane tended to our every need and our estimated over 1000 questions during the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are bringing your bike as hold luggage (not sports equipment) then be prepared for a debate at check in. Get a print off (or a link) of the relevant section of United Airlines baggage conditions (you can ask Exodus to send it to you) as the check in staff do not know their own rules.

Most Inspirational Moment

Termessos was my highlight site. It is in a natural state, and our group was virtually alone there, allowing us time to wander, explore, contemplate. This contrasted with Ephesus, which has been partially restored, but was busy with cruise ship crowds. Istanbul's Blue Mosque was fantastic, but so too were sites not on the itinerary. Such as the caravanseri at Saltanhani, and the restored wooden Esrefoglu Mosque at Beysehir. The Museum Of Anatolian Civilisations, and Antikabir were other highlights. We were amazed to find Kemal Ataturk is so highly revered even today. And of course, being Kiwis, and having relations who fought and died at Gallipoli, this was an amazingly special place. The balloon ride is a not-to-be-missed highlight. Our flight had to be rearranged for the 2nd morning in Goreme after the first flight didn't go ahead due to low cloud.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zafer was an excellent guide. His knowledge, enthusiasm and pride for his country was evident throughout the journey. Long days in the coach would be broken up with history lessons on upcoming attractions, explanations of modern Turkey, and then at the appropriate moment he would throw in some humour to lighten things up. He was always available to answer questions and help make our trip memorable. On the 'free' day at Fethiye Zafer took us to the Lycian rock tombs, the Kayakoy village, then a swim at Oludeniz followed by buying us all ice-creams. It was a wonderful gesture. Zafer took us to group dinners most nights at local restaurants; these are cheap and authentic. By comparison, dinner at the Antalya resort hotel was very average and expensive. A memorable lunch spot was an out-of-the-way riverside restaurant near Aspendos.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Our tour was in September, and it was very hot in the south, as stated in the trip notes. And Turkey is a big country, there are many miles spent on the coach, and some unexciting roadside lunch places. Try to enjoy it all. I enjoyed a wonderful hamam in Fethiye. Do it! And don't miss out on the balloon flight! There is more to Istanbul than what this tour has time for; allow extra time before or after the tour. We also traveled back to Gallipoli for a few more days of leisurely exploration and relaxation.

Most Inspirational Moment

It was fantastic cycling through Cuba rather than sitting on a bus. There was so much time to enjoy the peace and quiet of the quiet roads, fully appreciate the scenery and make lots of stops at road side stalls for refreshments. Trinidad was a beautiful town with lots of great photo opportunities. The history of Cuba was fascinating and, having never visited this part of the world before, it was great to experience the music and feel the salsa beat! Staying in the Casa in Trinidad was a great experience and one that I would highly recommend.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide, Yuri, had a quirky sense of humour and managed our large group of 18 people very well. He was full of information about Cuba and suggested some really nice restaurants to go to on the days when food was not included.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I took quite a lot of snacks, but found that I did not need them. Food was plentiful and the portions large, so I ended up giving most of my food to our guide. Definitely take loads of biros and soap to give to local people, hotel chambermaids etc. as they really appreciate it. Our guide wanted any medicines that we had too, especially paracetamol, and also sun cream, so it would be worth taking spare with you to give to your guide. The cycling was reasonably leisurely, although the hills, when they came, were killers! I cycled in trail shoes and others in my group just in sandals, and both were fine. I would definitely recommend taking a gel saddle and padded cycling shorts-I am so glad that I had both! People are not joking when they say Havana immigration is lengthy-it took me two and a half hours to get through! Make sure you have plenty of water (as it was very hot in the arrivals hall), snacks, a book and a whole lot of patience!!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Definitely the hot air balloon ride. Be prepared for an early morning start (4:45am) but it is well worth it. So quiet and smooth and amazing to drift over the valley and at one point to sail just a few feet above a local hotel's swimming pool!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zafer is an extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic tour guide. He took us to many additional ancient sites that were not on the itinerary. He made sure our group dinners were in local restaurants which allowed us to eat very well, mix with the local people and the meals were always at a lower cost than in the hotels. He often treated us to some Turkish sweets. I was glad to have him as our tour leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some long bus rides. Always have bottled water with you. September/October the weather is iffy so layer clothing. Some of the ancient sites are on the top of a hill - so there are long uneven pathways to hike up. CATS! Hundreds of them. All strays and very hungry especially in the smaller towns. So be prepared to eat lunch and/or dinner and have at least two little faces looking up at you hoping for a handout.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching wildlife while sipping on red wine at the floodlit waterhole in Etosha. Sandboarding in Swakopmund. Climbing up the sand dune at dawn.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sven was great leader. Very good local knowledge both in terms of culture and wildlife. And his sidekicks Rocky and Jonas were brilliant too in keeping us well fed during the rides and while camping. A special thanks from my partner, who is on a restricted diet (gluten & dairy allergy). He was very well catered for during the whole trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I'm a coffee addict and thanks to reading a previous review I took my own fresh coffee with me (with a travel cafetiere mug). It made all the difference on early morning breakfasts on campsites. Most of the cycling is on bumpy gravel roads so take your own saddle or saddle cover unless you're a seasoned mountain biker used to it.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many I could mention..... but the major one was the breathtaking balloon ride at sunrise - yes,expensive but an experience that should not be missed as it will live in your memory forever. Despite the initial weather glitch of early morning fog which meant no balloons went up that morning, after much effort by Zafer who knew how keen we were to go up, the flight took place the next morning - truly amazing. I also loved the relaxed atmosphere of Fethiye in a great hotel by the beautiful marina. The stunning white cascades of Pamukkale were another unique sight followed by evening shopping and dining amongst the locals in the nearby town.

Thoughts on Group Leader

After many Exodus trips I can truly say that Zafer put in more effort than anyone else in the past to ensure that our trip was everything we wanted it to be. Everyday he was very clear about the proposed itinerary and kept us updated enroute with information (something that has been lacking on previous trips) he had the patience of a saint and a great sense of humour. The long journeys were interspersed with plenty of information about the areas were were travelling through and unscheduled stops at places of interest along the way - the Sultanhanı Kervansarayı was a wonderful historic place and a fascinating mosque with wooden pillars - the only one of its kind. Zafer was archaeological graduate who provided sufficient information on sites but never bored us and always had fascinating historic stories to tell. He gave 100% and even gave us the option of being taken to Ölüdeniz and Kayaköy on his day off! Nothing was ever a problem or too much effort and he provided us with various great dining options and experiences which were always to out advantage - wonderful sunset from the hill town of Assos is a great memory.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are a true 'traveller' you won't be deterred by a couple of long days on the coach -we had a great like-minded group who had rarely wanted to leave each others company which made the two weeks fly by. The hotels were varied (some with swimming pools) but more than adequate and realistically are a bed for the night after a fulfilled and exhausted day, a good meal and a few beers!! The weather was lovely in Turkey in September with plenty of hot days so take hats and plenty of suncream, but then evening on th coast chilled off.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in the rain on the canopy walk while looking down on the luxuriant vegetation. Watching the antics of the wide range of humming birds was of course, a lasting experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very pleasant character; well informed on all aspects of the trip with a sound knowledge of the country's flora & fauna and always ready and willing to help. Of our 15 trips with Exodus he was among the best of the leaders, all of which have been very good.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You have to be interested in natural history to take maximum benefit from the trip and thus be ready for quite a bit of walking which, even at age of 82/84, we really enjoyed.

Most Inspirational Moment

Interactions with the locals

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, responsive to the group, helpful, knowledgeable, fun