Reviews

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

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14317 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

LINDA REID

Reviewed June 2023

PITY ABOUT THE SUBSTANDARD CZECH BIKES

The bikes we got weren’t Kelly Bikes as advertised on the initial trip notes but Czech bikes – Leader Fox Sumava. These were old bikes with cheap components, the gears slipped and jumped on all the bikes as the bikes had been fitted with new cassettes but not new chains. The tyres were bald some down to the canvas, the front chainrings were old and worn. There were no spare inner tubes and tyres. The bottle cage on the Ladies bikes was on the lower tube and couldn’t be reached when riding. After never ending mechanical problems, punctures & a broken chain, we asked the guide Andrej to get replacement bikes from the company which arrived the following day. They were the same model but the gears changed on these ones, so we had a mechanical free morning. After lunch there was an accident when the mudguard supports on a riders bike had broken off and attached to the rear tyre, the rear wheel jammed and the rider was thrown over the handlebars, followed by myself and partner. Had this occurred on a downhill section the injuries would have been far more serious. The rider whose bike had the dodgy mudguards was taken to hospital as his hand was very swollen, no fractures but he couldn’t ride his bike for 2 days. Fortunately myself and partner had cuts and bruises which we managed to get patched up using dressings from other members of the group. Andrej’s first aid kit consisted of a few plasters, betadine and a packet of tissues – not much use in the event of an accident. The group’s health and safety was compromised on this trip due to faulty bikes which is unacceptable as it was a CYCLING TRIP. The capital cities that we visited were great, as was the accommodation, just a pity the route to them hadn’t been more enjoyable. The trip notes stated that there would be full vehicle support which was impossible due to the cycle routes and narrow roads which the big bus and trailer were unable to negotiate. On several occasions we had to wait for the bus to appear as the driver had no smart phone or sat nav and relied on a paper map. Fortunately we had excellent weather and didn’t have to wait in the rain. This was an expensive trip and I don’t feel that I had value for my money. None of us had any confidence in the bikes wondering what was going to happen next. I always thought that Exodus looked after you on their trips but sadly this wasn’t the case on this one.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting Vienna and getting a bike tour of the city from the guide Andrej. We went to a Vivaldi Violin Convert in the evening Visiting Budapest which was a lot bigger than I thought. It has so much history. Bike tour of Budapest was worthwhile. Very easy to get around on the metro which was very efficient .

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrej was a really nice guy who tried his best to adjust the gearing on the bikes. He was very helpful telling us where to eat and what the local dishes were. Unfortunately his choice of evening venue in Bratislava was not very good. The food and service were awful. Sometimes his communication about what was happening during the day could be rather vague, as was his historical information. Some riders wished to go ahead of the group and he didn’t give any information on where to stop to wait for the group. Needs to invest new tyre levers to get the tyres off when there’s a puncture Needs to get a decent first aid kit to deal with an accident - dressings, swabs and antiseptic spray

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a decent set of Allen keys and tyre levers. A good first aid kit so you don’t have to rely on the guide. In Czech Republic we used our card and Karuna - they preferred Karuna to euros. In Budapest they took card and euros rather than HUFF. If you’re a vegetarian you’ll have difficulty finding anything other than a salad in rural areas. If we spotted a super market we got bread and cheese. They eat a lot of meat especially pork.

Angela Horner

Reviewed June 2023

What an amazing trip !!

We loved every moment of this trip – the ship (Ocean Adventurer) was extremely comfortable the food and service was second to none the guides were experts in their fields and passionate about the wildlife and the area. We were lucky enough to see Polar Bears in their own Enviroment as well as Puffins, Seals.Walrusss,Artic fox and other bird species. I would advise anyone thinking about this trip to go ahead and do it !!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing our first Polar Bear in the wild.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent , knowledgeable and passionate.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it

Mike Speke

Reviewed June 2023

Scenic cycling in Puglia

A very scenic cycling tour of Matera and Puglia, though the cycling landscape is not as diverse or dramatic as some tours. The challenge was coping with the temperatures of around 30c rather than too many hills. The region though offers great food and drink, and as well as the lovely dinners the lunches were also excellent. It also has stunning religious buildings along the way even in the smallest of towns. The tour is split in two parts, with countryside rides in the first half where you stay in some iconic accommodation such as a cave hotel, trulli house and a masseria. The second half hugs the coast with tourist hotel stays.

Most Inspirational Moment

Like most cycling holidays its getting to the top of the climbs though there weren't too many on this holiday. The climb on the way to Otranto was made tougher after a lovely lunch and a few beers in Castro.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabrizio was very enthusiastic and led the group well. Coming from Bari, he has a lot of local knowledge which he communicated well. He lived in England for awhile so his English is good and he was eager to pick up new phrases.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy the food and drink. Try and find a few craft bars otherwise you will be stuck with the local beer which is Peroni.

Brandon Barton

Reviewed June 2023

Active Jordan in Style

This was my first ever multi-day group tour experience! I approached cautiously with expectations for that reason but I’m happy to say that all my expectations were met and exceeded. We had a well-connected, nice, knowledgeable top-notch tour guide that was able to guide us safely and effectively through the country and navigate any issues with people, tourists, expectations, realistic plans based on our group: it felt like a tailored trip just to us with our input accepted. Our driver was excellent, safety was maintained throughout. The sites themselves were as amazing as advertised, and since it wasn’t a high season we had more of it to ourselves: tradeoff—at times it was hot but not impossibly hot. Our group was smaller and we were able to get close to each other like a small family, everyone was seasoned travelers. All the logistics went smoothly. I can’t be more happy with the trip for all the above reasons!

Most Inspirational Moment

Spending an exhausting but worthwhile day exploring the major crevices of Petra, and the otherworldly vistas of Wadi Rum

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had an ideal group leader who was kind, friendly, patient, able to bring the group together on decisions, deal with multiple personalities, and showcase the best of his country and his culture. We had a nice mix of small personal cultural details and major tourist sites. Explanations were just right: not too long, not too short. By the end we all felt like a new family

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are some strenuous days on the trip: footwear is a major issue. You need hiking shoes, flexible sandals, solid sandals, and shoes that will breathe in hot weather. Starting the big tourist sites like Petra early is a great idea.

Janet Wells

Reviewed June 2023

Exodus Travels Holiday Feedback

What a Wonderful Cycling Holiday We have just returned from the “Cycle Cilento & the Amalfi Coast” trip and have had a wonderful time throughout. We made our own way from Manchester early before the Cycling part of our holiday and met “Paolo” our most excellent Tour Guide at Napoli Airport to join the party to get the transfer to our 1st Base. Paolo is a most excellent guide and we have enjoyed his expertise and knowledge throughout the trip. He put us all at ease straight away and always explained what was going to happen and we thoroughly enjoyed his daily briefings for the next stages of the trip. The Support Staff and Vehicle throughout the Cycling Days was fantastic for water top ups, Bananas and Nuts for extra energy was most welcome especially on the 3 Long cycling days. Paolo was fully supportive throughout the whole Holiday experience and catered for the varied cycling experience. The Accommodation at each location was excellent and there were a number of Group Meals (we pay for) arranged although you could opt out of a couple we did not as we enjoyed the company of the other holiday riders. The Local Foods were amazing to try and see for the 1st time. The Final Hotel and Location in Minori was most excellent. Although some of the days riding was tough in parts (remember it hilly here) it was a thoroughly enjoyable holiday and thankfully we had put some longer ride practice in at home before hand. I am not ashamed to say the Gel Seat I brought with me meant no pains for the whole holiday. There were some new additions to the itinerary which needs updating on the schedule info and the addition to the last day to Sorento was excellent – Well worth that final big 4k hill out of Sorento. If you like Cycling you will thoroughly enjoy this trip and experiences.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many but being able to complete the famous 4k hill out of Sorento on the last day without stopping was one of the best highlights and gave you the energy to complete the rest of the day along the Amalfi Coast Road.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paolo is a most excellent guide and we have enjoyed his expertise and knowledge throughout the trip. He put us all at ease straight away and always explained what was going to happen and we thoroughly enjoyed his daily briefings for the next stages of the trip. He always doubled back to check on the riders especially those at the back. Paolo was a Skilled communicator and always dealt with issues professionally and calmly. Also a special shout out for the Support Staff and Vehicle throughout the Cycling Days was fantastic for water top ups, Bananas and Nuts for extra energy was most welcome especially on the 3 Long cycling days. Paolo was fully supportive throughout the whole Holiday experience and catered for the varied cycling experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes I would advise to consider Gel seat Cover as there are varied seat types, although they can change seats if required. The Gel seat cover ensured I never suffered throughout the long rides. Small Phone / Item Bag is provided on front of bike so you do not need to bring your own. Make sure you practice some long days riding using any new cycling shorts equipment etc to test it out for your liking.

Kim Simkins

Reviewed June 2023

Fabulous week walking in Dolomites

A Fantastic week of varied and spectacular walking with a great group of likeminded people. Stayed in a lovely, family run hotel set in a small rural village. Abundance of good food/wine and had a lovely pool and sauna to be able to relax after a day’s walking. Been travelling with Exodus for 25 years and this was up there with the best of their trips.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many to choose from! The beautiful Lago di Braies on the first day with it's incredible blue and crystal clear water Ten minutes watching a family of stoats playing in a woodpile above the village The incredible variety of wildflowers and butterflies, our guide pointed out a lovely Ladies Slipper Orchid hidden under a log which I had never seen before The Spectacular views of the mountains for our picnic lunches and breaks The wonderful town of Bruneck on our free day, easy to get to by train and full of gems such as the castle, cable car, and fabulous museums of Lumen and Messner with incredible views and a great restaurant with incredible views over the valley A wonderful family run hotel with good food and wine and a lovely pool for a swim after a long days walk

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, Jeffry was a great leader. A good communicator, friendly and extremely knowledgeable. He worked hard to make sure everyone was safe and making the most of their trip. He was super fit, and competent in mountain situations. I had total faith in him and his advice. Also had a wealth of knowledge of flora and fauna. Would have no hesitation travelling with him again, one of the best I have encountered!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is not a walk in the park, but perfectly doable if yo are a reasonably fit and active walker. There are a few exposed and tricky bits to negotiate, and if you are very afraid of heights then it's probably not for you, but I am not particularly comfortable with heights and nothing worried me unduly. The guide was very mindful of helping and advising on the more tricky bits. If you have likes and dislikes with food as well as intolerances, then make sure the hotel know in advance as most of the menus are pretty set. If you don't like fish, then say so as one night was 4 courses of fish. Personally I thought the food was of good quality and plenty of it with lunches also included, I felt that it was good value

Vaughan Sheward

Reviewed June 2023

Stunning views, lovely group and difficult climbs

Absolutely loved this trip. I am more of a runner so I found the mountain climbs quite hard at times, but once at the top, I had the most fun cycling down towards the ocean. Had no idea that Albania was this beautiful!!

Most Inspirational Moment

The entire group making it to the top of the most difficult climb on the last day of cycling, then celebrating with an incredible group lunch at the mountain restaurant.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very passionate about Albania and it's history. Very proud of his country and very good at his job. The group was quite mixed, which he managed well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have a good fitness/experience level with mountain climbs. Otherwise, you may just decide to use an E-bike.

M B

Reviewed June 2023

Excellent trip to Malaysia

A great trip to Malaysia , a holiday of two halves. Wildlife in Sabah, Borneo then historic cities back on mainland .
Covered a lot of ground in a packed itinerary .

Most Inspirational Moment

The amount of wildlife viewed , seeing flying squirrels, the Sepilok Orang Utans sanctuary, crocodile in river . Wandering around Mellacca and Penang old towns.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Borneo - Edwin, very personable and happy to share information regarding local customs . Clear explanations and good sense of humour. Within Borneo we were staying at wilderness lodges so there were not the same number of tourist sites etc as are available on Peninsula in second half of trip. Malaysian Peninsula - Wye , also very personable and super helpful . Ensured everyone in group looked after , always happy to provide advice regarding eateries, tourist sites, travel , costs of attractions, translating in food courts . Not sure Wye ever ate a hot meal with us as she would be busy assisting her guests with translating/recommending food ordering and following up what was delivered matched the order.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Not much cash needed for Borneo ( as staying in wilderness lodges and not many opportunities to spend. Bar bills and possibly extra food/snacks / ice creams/ drinks) . Internal flights the group total luggage allowance is 15KG x number in group . Try to keep luggage weight to 15KG but dont stress if you go over by a small amount as it might be "lost" within group overall total . Take own torches for walking on paths in Borneo and also paved streets on Peninsula towns/cities. ATMs plentiful at KL airport to withdraw cash on first entry to Malaysia , however different banks ( Maybank, CIMB, Public Bank) have different daily limit on withdrawal amount. Always answer "No" to conversion ( otherwise local bank sets conversion rate instead of using Inter Bank Rate ) .

Peter Roper

Reviewed June 2023

Introduction to Spitsbergen

A thoroughly we organised and interesting trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing polar bears

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent and enthusiastic.

Sal Jefford

Reviewed June 2023

An amazing experience from start to finish!

Absolutely brilliant! The itinerary was very well thought out, with the planned treks progressively taking us up to a higher altitude during the day and then back down lower overnight, to allow us to acclimatise in preparation for the summit(s). The scenery was stunning, and the last day visiting the medina and souk in Marrakech was the perfect end to the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's hard to pick just one! Summiting Toubkal (4167m)was obviously a highlight (as was being licked by one of the mountain sheep at the summit!), but the optional ascent of Ouanakrim (4088m) the following day was almost better, due to the section of scrambling near the top - I loved it, but definitely not one for the faint-hearted or sufferers of vertigo...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mo was absolutely amazing; he was funny and engaging, and couldn't do enough to make sure everyone enjoyed their trip to the fullest. He was calm and unflappable, and extremely supportive to those members of the group who struggled on some of the trickier terrain. We couldn't have asked for a better leader. The rest of his team were also fantastic, and we were delighted at the quality and quantity of the food that Hassan (the chef) delivered on a daily basis. Beautifully prepared and presented salads, delicious tagines and local dishes, not to mention freshly fried chips at the top of a mountain! He had the added challenge of catering for both gluten free and vegetarian diets, and he succeeded at every meal.

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