Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The climb to Mt Kliosi, the Acropolis, the Gate and the Cave of St Nicholas we did early in the week.  The weather was cool, despite a hot forecast and the mist rolled over us on the top of the mountain.  This walk was ,for me, like walking with the Gods.  A brilliant start to a great week.  We came down to the village of Nea Styra for lunch, ( a pretty late one).  A hot cheese pie had been prepared for us by the 92 year old lady of the taverna and a feast of greek food was laid out for us - what hospitality!

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had two; Thanos, exceptional in all his responsibilities.  He is approachable, likeable and extremely knowledgable.  He had to leave after the second day and Cecile took his place.  a French lady living in Karyistos.  She was equally likeable and led some great days out.  She gave us lots of background to life in Kariystos and seemed to know where all the best fruit trees were growing at that time - ripe mulberries off the tree YUM!  Sophoclese her dog accompanied us on the day out to Mt Ohi and the Marble Quarries and gave an added dimension to the day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Keep asking where you can fill up your water bottle and i always carried some snacks as most of our lunch stops were quite late.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sarah exceeded expectations. I damaged my hip shortly before leaving for this walking holiday so I expected to spend my time by the pool drinking gin and tonics. Thanks to Sarah showing me some shorter walks I was able to join in with the group, on some occassions, without spoiling their walking enjoyment. 

Most Inspirational Moment

getting to gilmans point

Thoughts on Group Leader

emmanuel was a brilliant leader giving us plenty of good advice along the way

Advice for Potential Travellers

get to know the other people in your group early on

Most Inspirational Moment

Completing some challenging climbs, and once at the top enjoying some terrific views of the Dalmatian coast with newly found friends.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely terrific. Nice guy, a good leader on the road, and a good leader in the evenings.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If your not 100% sure whether this type of holiday is your thing, take the plunge as most likely you'll be left wondering why you didn't go before now.

Most Inspirational Moment

Machu Pichu was a dream come true and the initial reason for my choosing a trip to Peru. Other main highlights included an overnight stay with a family at Amantani – an emotional & humbling experience, and thereafter the Colca Canyon to view the majestic Condors in flight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were so very privileged to have Fabrizzio Cornejo as our Group Leader. His knowledge & understanding of his country and its people are phenomenal and the passion with which he performs his work is tangible. He went the extra mile in terms of taking care of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prior to departure, I had done a fair amount of reading, particularly relating to cultures, history, and politics of the country and this most definitely made me appreciate & enjoy so much more the significance of all that I was experiencing. I also learnt a bit of very basic Spanish and it was fun putting it to practice!Pack half of the permitted baggage allowance as an excellent laundry service is available in Cuzco, and this also means you will have lots more space for shopping en route – the quality and range of Textiles are amazing and very hard to resist! Read the reviews on the website and be prepared for some long travel, although I did not find this unpleasant as the scenery, wildlife & diversity of the landscape more than compensated. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The stay in Trogir was inspiring..

Thoughts on Group Leader

Edu is a good and reliable leader with a sound knowledge of plant/flowers and wildlife in Croatia.

Advice for Potential Travellers

None except the overnight stay in the mountain hut where, if the temperature drops, be prepared to go without a change of clothing for twenty four hours or so.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing 800 - odd steps up a steep cliff face in Petra, feeling exhausted and out of breath upon reaching the top, turning around fully and then discovering the massive stunning facade of El-Deir! A prize worth the hard climb uphill.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowledgeable, capable, kind, socially very responsible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of spares for photographic equipment or electronic equipment in general. It is hard to come by and ridiculously expensive in Jordan.

Most Inspirational Moment

As a first timer on a "proper" African safari we got off to a brilliant start but every day became special in its own way then the last drive on the last day exceeded expectations with the elephant encounter to surpass all others.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul's own indomitable style kept the group on high alert and his art as raconteur made evenings highly entertaining - his enthusiasm and passion for animals is manifestly evident.  A different judgement of your photography together with samples of his work provides stimulating thoughts and aspirational desires. I hope to have the delight of travelling with him again.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was the only one in the group NOT to have an SLR - some could be intimidated by this.  Also if you have an ipad or similar for downloading and reviewing work with PG in the evenings - be sure to take it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Two moments really - a day and a half spent witnessing a young cheetah play-fighting with his very tolerant mum - leaping up into trees and having to be taught how to come back down! Plus a close encounter with a herd of elephants - a teenage one in particular. Who approached our vehicle a number of times to use it as a scratching post! A magical moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul was his usual whirlwind of hyperactive energy - mad keen on us both seeing some big cats plus also honing our photographic skills into the bargain! It's hard not to find Paul's enthusiasm contagious - and the occasional yelling for 'faffing about' is fine as you know it's just because he wants us to be in the prime position to get the best shot and to experience the animal behaviour up close.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect early starts and long days - not a problem for most as the adrenaline tends to kick in if you have a sighting or hear of a sighting and are going hell for leather trying to get there as quickly as possible! Evening and mornings can be cold - so take a fleece or something. Generally very hot during the day, so any pale people like me need to take a good amount of suncream!

Most Inspirational Moment

I needed and enjoyed the safety of the group but loved the opportunity of free time to tailor some of the trip to my own desires, thus a morning spent walking from Pisac, followed by fresh juice and corn in the market, was wonderful and will stay with me forever; other highlights include returning to Macchu Picchu for sunrise, and climbing to the top of the island for sunset on Amantani, and standing watching Lllama, Vicuna and Alpaca graze next to big lonely lakes, surrounded by even bigger skies, and seeing the ice maiden Juanita in Arequipa.  The white water rafting, the sand boarding........I could go on and on.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabrizzio was great.  He knew everything there was to know about Peru, the Incas etc.  For me he really came into his own when walking us around Maachu Picchu, his love and pride was evident and he enabled us to fully appreciate what we were seeing.  I felt well looked after but not in an obstrusive way at all.  His advice was first class.  He does his job very well indeed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As long as you drink loads of water, and I mean loads (3-4 litres a day), and move slowly you should not be affected to much by the altitude (but you will pee a lot).  Take the opportunity to sleep early at night and on the bus as there are a lot of very necessary early starts to enable you to see everything possible. Enjoy every minute.  Go with the flow.