Reviews

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

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!

Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!

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14429 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Barry Cox

Reviewed September 2018

Too much Chianti in Chianti . . hic!

This trip is a superb blend of walking, culture and fun. The villa is wonderful and in a great location a short walk from Castellina in Chianti; I especially liked the outdoors breakfast area but everything about it is so quintessentially Tuscan. The scenery is stunning and visits to Siena and Florence gave the balance of walking and culture with the bonus of the wine tastings which added the fun. The walks were well graded and much as I expected in terms of length, but there was also plenty of free time to enjoy the area. The Chianti flowed at dinner time and made for great evenings for the lovely group I was in even if some nights there was just a tad too much Chianti in Chianti!

Most Inspirational Moment

Without doubt the Uffizi gallery in Florence; the gallery itself, the location with views over the city, and the art was quite breath-taking. I had to pinch myself to believe that I was standing next to a Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Caravaggio or Michelangelo original. Florence itself is quite breath-taking too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Clearly Mark comes with much experience and he hugely enhanced the trip with his variety of much appreciated snacks on the walks, finding cheap and good coffee with clean toilets in Florence, and giving us free time in the afternoons whilst he collected the minibus to take us back to the villa. His advice on where to eat or drink was always spot on. The icing on the cake for me was Mark finding a way for me to spend the last afternoon in Pisa and visit the Leaning Tower, whilst he took my luggage to the airport. Full marks Mark!

Advice for Potential Travellers

My calf muscles did ache on a few days so get some exercise in before you go - Tuscany is hilly! Pre-book the Uffizi to avoid the queues - I did and it worked perfectly.

peter winter

Reviewed September 2018

A great weeks walking

The guide , the party and the walking was excellent. Very well pitched as a level 3. The hotel structure was fine but the food was the low point of the holiday. There was not even a bar in the hotel. Breakfast for all 7 days was a hard boiled egg, a slice of formed ham, a croissant and a decent supply of baguette…every day

Most Inspirational Moment

the higher walks

Thoughts on Group Leader

excellent

Sharon Nicholls

Reviewed September 2018

Walking in Andalusia

Well organised. Lovely location. Excellent guide. Great value

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the Caminito Del Ray

Thoughts on Group Leader

Went the extra 10 miles!

Alison Radevsky

Reviewed September 2018

Fantastic

There wasn’t one moment when I regretted my decision to join this trip – it was wonderful from start to finish. Fascinating country, warm and welcoming people, superb food, varied and beautiful scenery, interesting culture…… and that’s just the place itself. Add to that the excellent organisation, top-notch guide and support staff, slick arrangements, high quality bikes, amazingly good quality accomodation, fun fellow cyclists, can-do positive attitude from everyone, and you have a really brilliant holiday. Well done Exodus!

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of the Hai Van pass - I'd never tackled anything quite so challenging on a bike, particularly in searing heat (the promised Sea Cloud in the name didn't materialise, which meant great views, but a LOT of sweat!). It was quite an emotional experience when I actually made it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chi was absolutely first class. Always smiling, positive, helpful, knowledgeable, flexible, charming, amusing. He simply couldn't have done more to make our trip a success. He knows so much about his country, and was very willing to share it with us, but never bored. And if you mentioned something you'd like to see or learn more about, as if by magic, he made it happen - like stopping by the roadside and asking permission for us all to wander into someone's small-holding to look at the crops because we had asked about tapioca and turmeric. And his team (Sau, Can and Y) were charming and couldn't do enough to make sure we were all looked after, well, safe and happy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go! Take a gel saddle and padded shorts. Also a bag for your handlebars to avoid having to carry anything round your waist or on your back, and minimise the sweatiness!

Jan Emms

Reviewed September 2018

Great walking in spectacular Corsica

Corsica was beautiful in the late summer sunshine. The hiking was as described in the trip notes and I felt appropriately prepared for the level of walking. Good central base and excellent use of the trains to allow a varied set of walks. The last two walks were outstanding, though there wasn’t a day I didn’t enjoy.
Hotel was basic but adequate with welcoming hosts.
I would definitely do a similar trip again.

Most Inspirational Moment

Some of the views were remarkable and cooling down in the mountain streams.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sebastian was outstanding. Obviously enjoyed and took great pride in sharing his love and knowledge of Corsica. Went beyond his responsibilities and was a real asset to the trip- Exodus you should use him again!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you carry enough water and if you do need extra supplies bring them with you- no shop in village. The level descriptions are accurate- so do some training to get to the suggested levels. ENJOY!

Stephen Bond

Reviewed September 2018

Porto to Lisbon Cycling Tour

My wife & I have joined cycling tours in Italy, Croatia & USA & unfortunately the Exodus Tour rates very poorly against the other tour companies
We have been used to excellent guides, well rated itineraries & plenty of free time upon arrival each day…none of this was achieved with the Exodus tour
The guides were very pleasant but out of their depth with regards to understanding the customers needs

Most Inspirational Moment

Nil

Thoughts on Group Leader

Guides were pleasant but inexperienced

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try another tour company if taking this route

Reply from Exodus

We would like to thank Stephen for his feedback, although we are sorry that his trip fell below his expectations, especially with regards to the tour’s leadership. Whilst we were confident that the tour leader had the necessary skills to lead this departure, we would like to confirm that he is no longer working for Exodus, and for all 2019 departures only experienced guides that have been trained on our standards and expectations will be used. Additionally, following client feedback, we have made changes to both the itinerary and the accommodation used on this trip, which we trust will improve the tour and we hope will be well received by our clients.

Marta Marinelli – Product Manager

Robert Sellars

Reviewed September 2018

Fabulous time!

The daily trips were well organised and all had some excellent photo opportunities. There were some relatively tough sections (at least for a 71 yo guy with a well-controlled heart condition!) but the sense of achievement at reaching the ‘summit’ was well worth the effort. We had quite a variable group young to old and with variable levels of fitness but our guide, Paul, looked after us well. The group ‘gelled’ together amazingly well and we all contributed to our Group Whatsapp with photos and comments. What made it extra special was the cooking of Zohi and Ben who served up an amazing variety of meals, all of 4-star restaurant quality and alway served exactly on time. A great variety of dishes, I don’t think we had the same dish twice. The food was one of the highlights of the trip. ‘Chalet Chocolat’ is about 15 minutes walk from Chamonix and full of shops and extra activities. A lovely town and we enjoyed the walk (and train!) in and out several times.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit of Aiguilette des Possettes (2,200 metres) and having lunch with a stunning 360 degree view of the Alps. Amazing! A reasonably stiff climb but the reward was outstanding. We stayed there for a good 30 minutes soaking in the beauty of the Alps. A moment to cherish for the rest of my life!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great! Paul was knowledgable, affable and kept the group going. Could not have done a better job. He spent time with all the group members and it was a pleasure to have him 'lead the team'!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes, do some fitness training, particularly some stiff up and down hill walks. It may be described as "moderate" but there are sections where it can be a bit more challenging. Make sure you some good shoes/boots and socks, well 'broken in' to prevent blisters. I didn't have any walking poles but most of our group di and found them useful.

Elaine Waller

Reviewed September 2018

Trip of a Lifetime!

What a wonderful trip from the first day we arrived at Chalet Chocolat and we were greeted by the sweetest hostesses Ben and Zohi and a delicious cake. The food each day was fabulous and the accommodations was like being wrapped in a warm blanket each night. Those beds, I had the best sleep of my life. The view! I can not think how anything could be better. Jenny, our fearless leader, always keeping an eye on everyone, pushing out limits and her passion and excitement of the views shined through.
I highly recommend this trip, but make sure you you are ready to hike up hills. At least 1 hour and half at at time. 😉 You got to see all the nice bits.
Thank you Ben, Zohi for your laughter and amazing meals and Jenny for your kindness, encouragement and strength, you are an inspiration. You made my memories that much more special!
Elaine Waller

Most Inspirational Moment

With the guide encouragement, I went further and farther that I thought was possible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jenny was wonderful, calm and a beautiful spirit. I knew I could count on her and I could tell she really cared and watched over all of us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

These are not leisurely strolls.

Peter & Pamela Ackerman

Reviewed September 2018

Outstanding Trip

We have been on a number of Exodus trips and without doubt this is one of the best we have undertaken.
Uzbekistan is a stunning country with wonderful buildings and monuments and incredibly friendly and polite people. Our guide was the best guide we have had on an Exodus trip, he was so enthusiastic about his country you could not fail to enjoy your time there.
Kazakhstan could really be missed from the trip with the time saved being spent in the other two countries, we just saw lots of open plains and a big busy city in Almaty.
Kyrgyzstan is a stunningly beautiful country with wonderful scenery. Some days involved long drives and perhaps driving all the way around Issyk Kul may be a little excessive but you get great views of the snow capped mountains and have the opportunity to stop at various sites along the way.
The food overall was very good though the service in all three countries is very slow, haphazard and random.
Whilst the dominant religion in each of the countries is Islam they are open to western culture and dress and therefore provided you offer the usual respect in mosques etc. there is no issue regarding the suitability of clothing

Most Inspirational Moment

The Eagle hunter in Kyrgyzstan Registan Square in Samarkand The people of Uzbekistan

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader in Uzbekistan was outstanding

Advice for Potential Travellers

If possible only take a rucksack with your overnight gear to the yurt.

chris hayes

Reviewed September 2018

walking the great wall of china and xian extension

spent 6 days walking the great wall of china and then a walking tour of beijing. we then went on a sleeper train to xian where we saw the terra cotta army

Most Inspirational Moment

walking on the unrestored parts of the great wall.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jack was great and spent a lot of time explaining the history and he was a great ambassador for his country

Advice for Potential Travellers

We took metal water flasks with us but were given small plastic bottles of water every day so we didnt need the flasks. In september the weather was great and i took warmer clothing both for the day and night which i didnt need.

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