Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many! Of course the views - helped by ( generally) sunny but coolish, ideal walking, weather. The day in Italy above Courmeyer was particularly stunning. It has definately inspired me to do more walking in mountainous terrain. An unexpected pleasure was the amazing cooking of our Chalet hosts. The evening meal quickly became one of my most keenly anticipated events of the day!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was friendly and congenial company. He was clearly very experienced, having worked in the region for a number of years, which ensured that I felt safe and well supported while we were in the mountains. He provided lots of information both prior to the walks as well as during them. He was supportive of the 'weaker' members of the group but also made it clear when he thought a particular walk was beyond our capabilities.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walking is not particuarly technically difficult (hence the 3 rating) but it is physically challenging. I would have said that I was reasonably fit and did some additional training in preparation but I struggled (and generally failed) to maintain the pace set by the rest of the group. Between them my fellow walkers had climbed Kilimanjaro, walked the Annapurna Circuit and Inca Trail and trekked to Everest Base Camp! A The central base does allow for the possibility of ducking out of the most strenuous days and our guide provided directions to alternative, less demanding trails when required.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is very hard to pick a highlight. The Villa Barbaro was outstanding and memorable. The overall quality and variety of the food and drink was terrific. The last night meal at The Swallow, was a corker!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Severio was pleasant, with an easy going style but he could have been better. As a native of Italy, it would have been good if he could have told us more about the culture and history of the region. I didn't expect him to be an expert in all areas, but he would sometimes make up answers to questions instead of just saying, 'I don't know, perhaps I can find out'. His knowledge of flora and fauna, for example, was poor, which is not a problem in itself. LWhat I found irritating was,for example, that when we came across the body off large black snake and asked what type it was; rather than admit that he didn't know;he told us that it was a grass snake. A couple of days later we discovered that it was actually a European whip snake! Generally, he was a bit too casual. At lunch stops, we rarely knew how long we had to eat; he would often just say, after a while, that we'd be leaving in five minutes. Severio always got us where we needed to be on time, but didn't volunteer the sort of additional information that would have added a great deal to the holiday. A simple map of some the places where we stayed and visited would have been helpful or a verbal outline of recommended places to see or things to do , would have been useful.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Tunnel Of Hope

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was very good.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Watch Out For Pick Pockets In Sarajevo

Most Inspirational Moment

The morning from Drake Bay when we were going snorkelling. I don't swim well so was tempted to stay behind. As it turned out we saw lots of humpback whales, many with babies, pan tropical dolphins & the lots of scarlet macaws when we stopped at an island for a picnic lunch. A very special morning which I felt privileged to witness. The quetzal watching in the beautiful Savegre valley was also very special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I have never met a leader who is more knowledgeable, caring, hard working & fantastic at his job than Johnny. He really turned a great holiday into something special. His wildlife knowledge really made a difference & his love for his country shone through.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I took a walking pole which I found incredibly useful on the often slippery up & down forest trails. It's also good to know that Drake Bay Wilderness Resort will do your washing at no extra charge, with the humidity in the area nothing can get dry.

Most Inspirational Moment

It has to be the gorilla trek. Despite having read all the favourable reviews before my holiday the trek exceeded my wildest dreams.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent nothing was too much trouble for them and they always had a smile on their faces. They were also very knowledgeable

Advice for Potential Travellers

Add three days to the trip and visit Murchison Falls.

Most Inspirational Moment

The last day with the walk up to The Doorstep overlooking the sea surrounded by limestone rock formations.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Good sense of humour and lots of fun. Helped us rearranging taxis to Zadar on the last day. Carried my case at the last hotel preserving my knees for the walk!

Advice for Potential Travellers

See advice about booking taxis above.

Most Inspirational Moment

It has to be the gorillas at Bwindi National Park. Despite having read very favourable reviews before the holiday the gorillas were way above any expectations I had.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Were always accessible and cheerful. Nothing was too much for them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do an extra thre days to Murchison Falls. The Red Chilli company do an excelent package.

Most Inspirational Moment

On the day off in Siena, at night, we visited the Zebra striped Cathedral and they projected film onto the walls. And Siena was so beautiful. Having a whole day midweek to wander round Siena, with the option of a self guided short ride if you wanted it, was inspired. The cycling, the routes, the choice of roads, was inspirational. I don't like gelato but I was told that San Gimingano where we spent a few hours, has the best gelato in the world

Thoughts on Group Leader

Radu Man was our group leader. For a Romanian guy he was such an Italian. An obsessive gelato eater and bike stacker and wearer of the best bike gear. He was really funny, organised, warm, energetic, knowledgeable, a great cyclist, a great banterer, and he and his support guide knew how to fix bikes. They checked the bikes even without us asking. He and Reece, who supported him, worked meticulously to behind the scenes and it meant we never got lost, and never lost a cyclist, and knew what we were doing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you don't want to wear a small rucksack, bring a panier rack and panier. Tuscany is hilly, be prepared to cycle up the hills as well as down them. Leave some room in your suitcase shopping. Siena and Tuscany have some great shops. Book one or two nights in Florence at the end. There is so much to see there and we end the tour in a lovely hotel in Florence.

Most Inspirational Moment

We left base camp at 00.00hrs, full of trepidation, not knowing what was ahead of us but our feet had hardly taken 2 paces when all of a sudden one of our assistant guides, Alfie began to sing. in the most soothing and calming tone I have ever heard. We were all bewitched by the sound as it echoed up the valley, our names were woven into the lyrics and we knew that he was calling on us to be strong. We were all conscious of our breathing and at times discomfort but Alfie carried us through, As we climbed higher and higher we began to overtake the earlier climbers, they stepped aside for the group with the singer and it was so obvious they envied the momentum Alfie was generating. For 6 hours he kept up the singing and for 6 hours we knew our Angel was with us. We all made it to the top where we all acknowledged the chanter and how much he inspired us to achieve our goals. I have never been in awe as much of a person with a golden voice and I would highly recommend his company on any future trip

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent group leader, very knowledgeable and inspiring. We knew exactly what each day would be like and were never disappointed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Always take a hot water bottle as this is a must for the cold nights. Get as fit as you can as this makes the climb much more comfortable

Most Inspirational Moment

An old lady walking very slowly, using sticks, with so much determination. I do hope she made it. Also we saw a group of people on our next to last day paddling in a stream. That was a vision of bliss!!! Unfortunately we had more walking to do.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose Bartolome was a gentleman, he was very attentive to the group. We were of very differing abilities but he was brilliant with everyone. He looked after our food, wounds and kept up morale when necessary which wasn't often. He even tended other pilgrims blisters etc.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walk doesn't need mountain boots. Strong trainers would have been more comfortable on this trip. I took boots as advised but my feet got far too hot and I got blisters. Some people walked in sandals but I don't think that is the answer as there are loose stones on the tracks.