Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Even though we aren't avid bird watchers, the sight of six scarlet macaws circling, playing and landing in the trees as we watched them from the roadside (spotted by our driver en route), and the early morning trip from the excellent hotel at Savegre during which we saw beautiful quetzals were two of the best moments of the trip. Seeing a crab-eating racoon crunching its way through a large dead crab outside our cabin at Tortuguero was also a highlight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Katia was an enthusiastic, informative and helpful guide. She was happy to tackle any topic thrown at her. She and the driver, Juan Jose, formed an excellent team and it was nice that they joined us for meals etc. She also organised and led, with Juan Jose when the bus was needed, a number of extra walks and trips over and above the activities contained in the trip notes. Nothing was too much trouble for her, to the extent that, after the tour was over and we stayed longer on our own in San Jose, she contacted us to tell us that our plans for a visit needed amendment because of a change in the timing of a local festival.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We couldn't understand why dollars are recommended. Everything is priced in colones, apart from the trips in Exodus' trip notes, and if you use dollars in shops and restaurants, you not only get your change in colones but you also tend to get a poor exchange rate. We had no trouble at all in using colones. We travelled with BA direct to San Jose, so had an extra day before and a couple afterwards on our own in the capital to fit in with flight times. It was good to have time to acclimatise before the trip proper started and to wind down and do some exploring at both ends of the trip. We felt we saw a bit more of Costan Rican life as a result than we otherwise would have. Our criticism of the trip would have been that you see very little of the towns and villages of the country. The Presidente Hotel in San Jose is excellently situated, well appointed and with a good breakfast and staff and there is a great little bar in the street just to the left of the hotel where you can unwind with a beer among the locals.

Most Inspirational Moment

Learning about Pompeii and how the citizens lived in days gone by made me realise just how much of modern day practises were actually in place centuries ago. Pompeii is a huge site full of interest (unfortunately also full of tourists!)

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had a great group leader in Satva, charming, considerate and full of interesting anecdotes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We were advised that walking poles would be useful but I didn't find I needed any. If you do regular exercise running or cycling and are in general good health this holiday will be very comfortable for you. Watch the steps though, they are all around the region and going down can be a strain on your knees. I went to Capri and walked up the Phonecian steps which took 30mins. There was plenty of time to see all the sites before heading back to the boat.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think the local people were the main inspiration. They have turned their country around, stopped living in the past and are building a great place for people to visit and enjoy. The families at the home stays could not do enough for us and welcomed us with open arms in to their homes and were pleased to be able to show us how they lived and worked.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tham was amazing. She is one of very few female guides in her country and has had to work really hard to hold this position. She has done this with grace and a great deal of intellegence. She dealt with everything with ease and professionalism. She was also great fun and made sure we were all happy at all times.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a GoPro or something of that nature as you will not be able to describe the traffic in the cities or the beauty of Kayaking down the river. Photos just don't cut it. I have never seen so many motorbikes carrying so many different things as well as so many people. It is a sight to behold. Make sure you take padded cycling shorts and a gel seat if you have one. The bikes are good and there is no need to take your own helmet as the ones provided are good.

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting new people - experiencing their culture and visiting so many new places

Thoughts on Group Leader

Extremely knowledgeable - fitted in so many extra visits and arranged anything we asked for

Advice for Potential Travellers

Relax and enjoy the experience - everything arranged for you!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

From walking along narrow hillside trails through barley terraces and wild flowers, to eating sumptuous picnic feasts next to trickling streams or high rocky peaks, or stargazing under the clear dome of the milky way, dancing by bonfire light to traditional music, or being welcomed into village schools and local lady Fatima's house for tea...I think the whole trip was pretty inspirational really!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Hamid was brilliant-very thoughtul and a real character!Full of energy and local knowledge, with a very funny sense of humour, and lots of patience, we were always well looked after throughout the trip and trusted him completely. I think its safe to say that our trip wouldn't have been the same without him!

Advice for Potential Travellers

make sure you have a really good sleeping bag as it does get very chilly at night! Take the opportunity for a hammam, totally amazing! Other than that, put your heart into it and embrace all the wonderful people and experiences the trip has to offer, its worth it!

Most Inspirational Moment

I'm not sure that inspirational is the correct description, but Jerash and Petra were the highlights of the trip as we expected them to be and our dip in the Dead Sea a photographic must. Kerak Castle a magnificent structure had us comparing with our local Carrickfergus Castle,built in the same era 1180,and how Moses must have felt standing on Mt Nebo looking across to "the Promised Land".............................. the downside, as is the case in many poorer countries,is the total lack of order,the rubbish dumped everywhere,unfinished buildings,enough! enough!.............and Aqaba would have been better left out of the schedule and an extra day in Amaan before returning home included.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good

Advice for Potential Travellers

No the Web Site covers most of it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Most of the group went to Venice on the free day, who wouldn't be inspired by that!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bob was great, an older Exodus hand, who was coaching Serena who was to take over the reins. So we were blessed with two guides. The interaction between leader and group was just about right and Bob was able to arrange all sorts of activities for one of the group who was carrying an injury which curtailed his walking.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't just drink Prosecco, the local red is excellent. The hotel food is okay and the wine is complimentary and non stop, the bottles keep on coming.

Most Inspirational Moment

I was expecting the night in the desert to be my least favourite part of the trip (desert scenery isn't my thing and I thought the food and facilities would be low standard) but I think it ended up being my favourite and most inspirational day. Sitting around the campfire looking up at the stars (eating really delicious food) and then sleeping in a Bedouin tent was great fun. And the facilities were absolutely fine - I had a lovely hot shower in the morning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wael was incredibly proud and passionate about his country, and extremely well informed. He was skilled at making sure everyone on the trip had a good time and was always available to answer any question - even when we asked him some quite challenging ones on religion and human nature!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a good range of clothing to cover all temperatures and don't forget it rains there. Amman is quite high altitude wise so was far cooler than I expected.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing under the 80m high Fairy Falls on the bow of the Milford Wanderer, water pummelling down on our heads, totally surprised, completely exhilarated and utterly happy. I have to add first seeing Red Crater on the Tongariro Crossing, jetboating, catamaran sailing on the Tasman Sea, walking through Tiritiri Matangi Island’s gorgeous native woodland ringing with exotic bird calls and cicadas, the joy of seeing the glorious colour of Huka Falls. The trouble is that every day had moments like these, so how do you choose!?

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hayley and Josh are an extraordinary young couple, calm, cheerful, incredibly hard working and competent. If everyone drove like Josh, the roads would be safer places. Every suggestion regarding where to eat or shop or what to do in our free time turned out to be good. In his review, Martin mentioned the lady stranger who had a fall, but not that Hayley actually carried her most of the way down a steep mountain after giving first aid! There were, inevitably, some long drives, but Hayley and Josh arranged an enjoyable short walk or other activity at least every two hours. I think I’d trust these two in almost any situation.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t scratch your Blackfly bites! They really are the scourge of South Island, but DEET does deter them so use it. I kept leaving it too late. Bites I managed to resist scratching settled down quickly, those I took the tops off had scabs for weeks and have left scars. Be prepared for the jet lag - it took us a week to get over it after coming home. Take lots of notes as well as taking photos -see below!

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra

Thoughts on Group Leader

not very good.