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Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers  

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56 Reviews

4.9 out of 5

Reviews

Fabulous

It’s now two weeks since I returned from Portugal and I wish I was back walking the wild Algarve. The unspoiled coastline was spectacular with few tourists, just surfers riding the huge waves.
Also what was so noticeable was the fact that there were no litter bins but also no litter anywhere – the environment is truly respected.

Most Inspirational Moment

The amazing rugged coastal walks with an abundance of wild flowers.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Inês is/was unflappable!! Totally in control of the group, acknowledging and adapting to our various idiosyncrasies and providing us with a knowledge and understanding of the flora & fauna as well as the many species of bird.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I’m in my 70’s & relatively fit but I did find some of the days challenging. Most of the paths are on sand, some on rock/limestone and on some occasions you are scrambling up & down rocks. Boots with ankle support and walking poles were invaluable.

Sun, sea, sand, gardens and woodlands - a wonderful walking holiday in the Algarve

This was a wonderful late April holiday in Portugal, my first with Exodus. The itinerary and accommodation were first class. Everything was so well organised and very diverse, the walking covering beautiful countryside and woodland as well as stunning coastal paths. As it was Springtime everything seemed to be in full bloom which was an added delight. As a group of eight coming together for the first time we gelled well together and enjoyed some wonderful walks, meals and activities together. The friendly, gracious and careful way in which our group leader Inês managed the tour was admirable. The additional activities and learning about flora, fauna, and Portuguese customs were perfect additions to the holiday. The bread baking, olives, ceramics, wine and an artisan olive oil producer provided a holistic and rounded experience of the Algarve for us all.

Most Inspirational Moment

The first wonderfully spectacular views of the sea and coastline from the rugged coastal paths

Thoughts on Group Leader

Inês was a friendly, kind and thoughtful leader, passionate about the Algarve. She was very well-organized, hard-working and kept everything running smoothly. She was positive, careful, flexible and very patient and adapted to our various strengths and weaknesses. None of us were aware, until she advised us at the end of the week, that this was her first time working solo with a group. We would not have known! Nothing seemed to be too much for Inês, including accompanying me to the pharmacy when I needed this. I’m very grateful indeed that she was our guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather was ideal for walking, mostly not too hot and only a brush with rain. Shoes or boots with a good grip are necessary for some parts of the coastal and other paths. Also walking poles might be a good addition too. As others have said (and I should have listened!) leave some space in your luggage for wine, pottery, olive oil and gifts.

From Trails to Tasting Rooms: The Unforgettable Algarve Experience

Discovering the Algarve in Portugal was fantastic. Experiencing its beauty by exploring scenic hiking trails was the right way to go. Meeting charming local business owners and talented artisans along the way enhanced the trip. Hearing the story behind a family-run olive oil press or discovering how locally grown berries are transformed into liquors gave us insight into the passion people feel for their land and how they live on it. Sampling the local wines and savoring delicious meals at cozy restaurants was a bonus.

Most Inspirational Moment

The third hike was the most difficult for me, and completing this hike felt like an important achievement. There were other hikes where we had more of an elevation increase; this one felt more challenging. The day after this hike we took a break, and it definitely felt like a well-earned break.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Inês was a kind and thoughtful leader. She was well-organized and kept everything running smoothly. She was flexible and adapted how/what she communicated to us based on the types of questions we asked. Ricardo, who acted in a supporting and guiding role to Inês, was also observant of our strengths and weaknesses and supported as a group and as individuals. They worked very well together, and we all benefited from positive leadership.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Hikes were approximately between 5 and 8 miles long, and the pace was about 2 to 2.5 miles per hour. The first two days, we did quite a bit of uphill walking. (Note: I live and walk at sea level, so consider that.) You may or may not need hiking boots, but ankle support is useful. A windbreaker is a good idea. Definitely bring layers, some times of day can be chilly, and the hills are cooler than the coast.

What a wonderful way to spend a week in November

Our first, but definitely after a fabulous week, not our last visit to the Algarve

Most Inspirational Moment

See and hearing the huge waves crashing into the sundrenched cliffs and pristine beaches. Although seeing genuine local artisans at work and sampling the local produce was a close second.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Francisco and Rafael couldn't have looked after us better. Nothing was too much bother for them and their love and knowledge of Portugal and the Algarve in particular was so impressive.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Leave enough room in your case for the olive oil, pottery and wine you'll want to take home.

November 1-8

We were a group of nine mostly strangers to each other who bonded during this wonderful adventure. Francisco and Raphael could not have been better trip leaders. They were very gracious, helpful. knowledgeable and fun to be with. We did not just hike but about new Flora, Fauna, and Portuguese customs, including food, cork , olives, ceramics, wine and medrano distillation.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, visiting the olive oil producer, and tasting was number one followed by the Medrano plantation where we learned at a local custom of distilling the Medrano fruit

Thoughts on Group Leader

Francisco was fantastic! He was very friendly, organized and knowledgeable. No complaints. He kept us on task without making us feeling hurried. Great itinerary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We were very fortunate with the weather, which was ideal for hiking. Not too hot and minimal rain. When we got to Sagres some of the restaurants were closed due to it being the end of the season.

Another great Exodus trip

Another great Exodus trip. Beautiful views, relaxing walks along deserted beaches and cliff top paths. Rafael, Francisco & good company made it a very enjoyable week!

Wonderful trip!

The wild Algarve and its people are wonderful! The hikes along the high cliffs were truly gorgeous and inspiring. We love learning about the places we travel in, which is why we keep returning to Exodus for tours. The leaders made frequent stops along our walks to explain about geology, history and even the arts of the area, including why the music genre of Fado was so important during the rule of Portugal’s dictator (when we were looking at a town’s murals of a singer).

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting the people of Portugal, especially all the interesting and talented crafts people and artists who are keeping important traditions alive.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Rafael and Francisco were awesome! They were always patient and supportive. Francisco took many opportunities to stop and explain about the geology, history or the arts of the area, asking 'why is this important?' which really engages the listener. We learned so much about Portugal!

Advice for Potential Travellers

We only had 1 day of rain but were very glad we were prepared with rain proof ponchos (be sure and check beforehand that your jacket is truly rain proof!). Be sure and train going up hills, there were some long climbs.

Excellent Walking Trip

Just the right level, lovely group, environmentally friendly and great guides.

Most Inspirational Moment

Both the sampling exercises of the water, and the weeding of the ice plants strangling the indigenous plants along the clifftops.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very safe pair of hands and knowledgeable about the effects of humans on the landscape. Every outing was spattered with information about the environment, and Francisco (and Raphael) were helpful to all of us, and funny too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Late September is a great time to visit Portugal, and getting a taste of the food and history aided our enjoyment, together with a peek at the small businesses burgeoning in the area.

Wild about the Wild Algarve

This was a wonderful trip which exceeded my expectations in many ways: the diversity of landscapes, the variety of walks (cliffs, headlands, dunes, rocky paths) and the knowledge and care of our local guides.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many inspiring moments along the trail: the powerful Atlantic waves relentlessly crashing against towering cliffs and the view of the coastline disappearing into the distance were powerful memories for me.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leaders were exceptionally proud, young Portuguese men who inspired in us, an understanding of this unique part of the world by sharing their knowledge and love of their country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

September and October or alternatively April and May would be the most comfortable walking months. Pack comfortable, worn-in boots as some paths are uneven and be prepared to get down and get dirty on some slopes.

A different perspective on the Algarve

This was our sixth Exodus trip (and overall one of the best). The walks were interesting with spectacular scenery and varied wildlife (both flora and fauna), and we learnt a new definition of the term ‘more or less flat’. The hotels were all good, the first two full of character and the final one in a great location with magnificent views over Sagres harbour and with extraordinarily helpful staff. The hotel breakfasts offered great variety and were excellent fuel for the mornings’ walking. The non-walking activities were well-chosen and interesting. There were visits to a ceramics workshop and an artisan olive oil presser which were fascinating and the tasting at the high tech Vicentino winery very near the Alentejo coast offered a different dimension. The wines were very good, with a noticeable salty tang.
The walks were on paths that were generally good or very good, other than about 1km on day 6 which is over broken rock, but trail shoes or boots should have good treads as some short sections were quite loose and eroded (and could have been slippery if the ground had been wet). We were a little late for the best of the wild flowers on the dunes but they were still very varied and attractive. We saw storks nesting on rock pinnacles just offshore (apparently the only place in the world where they nest on sea stacks) and were lucky enough to see three peregrine falcons on one of the coastal walks.
Overall, this was a great week with friendly and amusing companions from Canada, Scotland and England and superlative guides. If we did it again, we would probably go in the late Spring rather than the early Summer, both to have slightly more varied wild flowers and (perhaps!) to avoid walking in 34 degrees in the hills, but we would thoroughly recommend the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The first view of the spectacular coastline from the clifftop.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leaders were Francisco and his life-long friend Rafael. They made frequent stops on the walks to tell us about the flora and fauna, and the geology on day 6, where there are sites that are world-renowned. They both had a great sense of humour and were thoughtful, anticipating the needs of all the group members, even providing flip-flops for a stream crossing. They recommended, and organised, restaurants for group dinners on every night except two, giving us insights into the cuisine both of the hills and the coast (and lessons in the Portuguese way of eating sardines and deep-fried fish with your fingers!). Overall, they couldn’t have done more to make the holiday a memorable one.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take sturdy boots/walking shoes with a good tread. Some of the walks have stretches on sand dunes and it is worth wearing long trousers on those days if you don’t want boots full of sand! Walking poles are useful for some sections.