Most Inspirational Moment
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Thoughts on Group Leader
An excellent leader
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Highlights of Provence
Our first exodus holiday and we would definitely book holidays in the future.The holiday was excellent with good walks,an excellent leader,a very good hotel and food.The hotel location allowed us to walk to other restaurants in the area in the evening which were all goodWe were lucky with good weather and an abundance of wild flowers for the timing of our visit
Walking The Great Wall
What a fabulous holiday, off the beaten track, seeing a bit more of real China. Can’t recommend it enough. We had a great group of people, a mix of singles and couples and we all got along well. I thoroughly enjoyed the overnight train experience to Xi’on too. The walking was at a good pace and the hills and steps a welcome challenge.
Most Inspirational Moment
The Great Wall itself. Until you walk on it and experience it up close, you cannot possibly appreciate just what a feat of engineering it is, and to think it was built so many years ago without today's modern equipment.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jerry was a treasure. He was very helpful and knowledgable, he fit in well with the group and would happily chose him as a guide again on another visit to China should the opportunity arise.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Yes, the trip notes sat soft bags which it right, but make sure they have wheels still! A couple of drop offs from the coach involved a walk, not long for most but with 20kg of weight after a day's walking would not suit everyone.
Outstanding trip!
I enjoyed this trip even more than I had hoped – the country is so interesting, the scenery glorious and the food wonderful! Our guide was proficient and professional and ensured the whole week provided fun, variety and (optional) challenges!
Most Inspirational Moment
For me this trip was more than "moderate" so managing the undulations (!) was a personal achievement...especially the final day. There were so many "wow" moments in terms of the scenery and I stopped often to capture that perfect shot! Day two as we cycled toward lunch provided amazing mountain views and the coastal rides above the sparkling seas were just magnificent. Loved the guesthouse stays and the trip to the geothermal pool
Thoughts on Group Leader
Junid was an excellent leader - he was very calm and measured and at all times a consummate professional. I liked the fact that he stressed each day that this was a vacation and we should travel at our own speed, enjoy the ride and take photos and stop as we wished. This was perfect for me - I like to travel in that way! Junid's knowledge of his country and its history was impressive and his love for Albania shone through!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Visit Albania - it is well worth it! The people were friendly and welcoming and the countryside unspoiled and beautiful. Spending money goes a long way and the meals that we had were fresh and delicious on every occasion and perfect for vegetarians and pescetarians.
Fantastic Fantastic Fantastic
This was my first walking trip with Exodus (first walking trip ever actually) and I could not have been happier. Exodus was fantastic from my initial email inquiring about the trip all the way to the end. The trip itself was absolutely perfect. From meeting the group at the airport to leaving the following week. I met so many really great people within the group and many I hope to remain in contact with. The walks each day were planned very well, leaving the hotel around 9 or 9:30 each morning and returning normally by 4 or 4:30. The picnic lunches were excellent as well as the hotel dinners. The restaurants and prosecco tasting chosen by Exodus were top notch. The hotel accommodations were beautiful and very spacious although the wi-fi in my room was very spotty, but hey I wasn’t there to be on my computer or phone so I was definitely ok with it. The front staff at the hotel were very nice and spoke great English. The hikes were perfect for me, challenging but not so much that you couldn’t have fun. With this being my first walking trip I could have been better prepared with proper walking attire and maybe walking poles.
Most Inspirational Moment
Meeting the fellow group members. They were really fantastic. I haven't laughed so much in such a long time. I have so many great memories from the trip. Maybe the most inspirational part of the trip was the walks themselves and just being out in nature and enjoying the quiet. Sometimes getting off the beaten path is exactly what you need.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Bob Mason was our tour leader and he was really great. Extremely well organized and really on top of things. I think our group really tested his patience from time to time but all in good fun. He rolled with the punches and kept us all right on track. I give him an A +++.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for an adventure. Spend time getting to know your fellow group members and just let all the outside distractions melt away and focus on what you are doing that day. Also, be prepared with sunscreen, rain gear, walking gear as in back pack, poles, hat etc. Bring your appetite! Lots of great food and prosecco!!!
Mount Toubkal climb
Trecking in Atlas Mountains
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching summit of Mt Toubkal
Thoughts on Group Leader
Good
Advice for Potential Travellers
Prepare for altitude
Wonderful way to discover the Amalfi Coast
It’s a full week of walking/hiking trails along the Amalfi Coast, with stops along the way to take in the views or sometimes, to have a drink at a local coffee shop! It’s a great way to experience the Amalfi coast as you walk right into towns you then get to discover for a couple of hours before being chauffeur-driven back to the hotel in a comfortable bus. You stay at the same lovely hotel for the week, which is nice and convenient, and located in pleasant & calm village away from the hustle bustle of the more touristy areas. The hotel also takes very good care of its clientele and make the week fun with different demonstrations at supper time.
Most Inspirational Moment
I had inspirational moments throughout the week as every day is a new adventure! You discover different types of trails and little towns along the way to the more popular cities of Amalfi, Ravello and Positano. It's great to hike/walk while chatting with different people in the group and developing a nice camaraderie with everyone, especially when comparing sore leg muscles! And of course, the views will take your breath away: stunning!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Martin, our group leader, was a very pleasant person to have as our guide. He has a very charming and lovely energy which sets a good tone for the group. He told us stories of particular places and people in history to give us a bit of a background of where we were. He also did his best to help and accommodate people in the group if they had specific requests. I would say he was a fun and caring leader to have during the week.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I wouldn't say it's a beginners level, but if you're reasonably fit, you can do this trip. I hesitated to book it at first not being sure I was up for the challenge, but I'm very glad I did. I can see why it is so popular! I would say to for sure have hiking poles unless you know you don't need them. Not only do they help the joints, they also provide stability at some parts. The pace is leisurely but sometimes certain sections could also be a bit challenging. Regarding the latter, you're stronger than you think and by the end of the week, you become a real mountain goat! I would also mention that the summer months may be a bit too hot for some. I went end May/early June and it was a perfect time to go weather-wise.
A whirl wind tour of Sicily
This trip was wonderful but not quite sure where the ‘leisurely’ rating comes from. It is very full on and really offers a tantalising taste of what Sicily has to offer. Days are jam packed and you often find yourself wishing you could spend more time in certain places. I had no idea it was such a beautiful island and would definitely like to return to do it more slowly.
Most Inspirational Moment
For me it was the cathedral at Monreale. Such beauty and skill. Some of the 'old ruins' were pretty awe inspiring too.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Milena was great, really enthusiastic about her home island and very knowledgeable about the landscape.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for a lot of steps! Also remember it is only a taste of Sicily, a tantalising glimpse.
Excellent cycling trip
This was an excellent holiday. Great cycling, fabulous food, and an interesting itinerary. I would definitely recommend it.
Most Inspirational Moment
Climbing from sea level to 1000m + on the final day was really rewarding.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Junid was an extremely professional, helpful and knowledgeable group leader.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Just enjoy it! The cycling on some days is at the more challenging end of moderate. However, I am not a regular cyclist, and I coped with the more challenging rides fine.
Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands
This truly was a holiday of a lifetime and we would have no hesitation in recommending anybody from 20’s to resonably fit 70’s to go on this holiday with Exodus. The age range of our group was 30 to 71 and we gelled together very well, p[robably partly because of the quality and variation of the tour, with many group activities but time for space if you needed it. Machu Picchu is amazing but then gets trumped by the Galapagos and being on the Cachalote, a schooner with only 16 births, was a huge bonus. Lovely crew, great boat and we went places that others sometimes didn’t so had bays, snorkelling and some walks all to ourselves. The organisation was excellent, hotels comfortable with a good breakfast and the experience unforgetable. It was our first time with Exodus but hopefully not the last.
Most Inspirational Moment
Impossible to say, there are too many, but our first glimpse of Machu Picchu, indescribable in its beauty, size and location surrounded by stunning mountains and deep valleys would be one. Isla Genovesa, with its frigate birds, boobies, short-eared owls and huge density of birds and other wildlife would be another, together with. swimming in various locations with turtles, sea lions and stunning fish. including three hammerhead sharks (optional!). Mention must also be made of the waved albatross on Espanola courting, sitting on nests or flying along the cliffs, amazing..
Thoughts on Group Leader
We had three, in Peru, Quito and the Galapagos. All did an excellent job. Wilmer was warm, welcoming, enthusiatic and helpful as well as patient. Gloria in Quito again welcomed us warmly, was very knowledgable on the excellent tour and terrific in helping when one of our party injured themselves. Similarly David in the Galapagos gave us a terrific tour. He is both very knowledgable and passionate about the islands and their unique wildlife. He ran efficiently to time without ever rushing us and worked well with the captain and crew of the Cahalote. When snorkelling, with the help of the Panga drivers, he guided us well and ensured our safety. Because we were with David for a week on the boat he wins the prize but we cannot find fault in any of our guides.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't be surpised by the altitude in Cusco. Just take things slowly. If you don't do the one day Inca trail walk and the weather is O.K., go up to Macchu Picchu that afternoon. Expensive but well worth it. It is quieter in the afternoon and it then gives you two sessions to enjoy this astonishing place at your own pace. The morning tour is excellent but only covers a small area. If you snorkel in a swimming costume (i.e. not wet suit) be sure to wear a tee shirt - I didn't the first day, big mistake! Mastercard works at ATM's almost always, debit and visa cards often don't, especially in the Galapagos. Preferably make sure you have plenty of dlooars for tips, drinks and small souvenirs, cards etc. before you leave Quito or even better, Peru.
Beautiful Northern Spain
This was one of the best Exodus trips I have been on (and I have done more than a few!) Everything came together perfectly, scenery, weather, group, guide, hotel, food – all fabulous.
Most Inspirational Moment
Watching a kettle of vultures (just looked up the collective noun!) circling around a hilltop while we stopped for our lunch. Or reaching a lovely little village hotel at the end of a walk just after a cloudburst where we dried off in the sunshine and sampled the local cider. Or sitting gazing out of the hotel restaurant window at the stunning mountain views.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alvaro really is one of the best. Knew everyone's name by the first morning and took care to get them right ("Caroline or Carolyn?"). Really knowledgeable about his country and its history and clearly as enthusiastic about the area and the walking as we were. Unfailingly cheerful and helpful and a wonderful grasp of English and its idioms.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for all extremes of weather especially heat. Do the optional walk along the coast to Llanes on the free day if offered, and take a swimming cossie for a dip in the sea on the way.