Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The time spent at Palmse at the Manor house grounds. The Onion Villages on the side of the lake were also notable. The Guild Hall in Tallinn .

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lena was outstanding - could not have done more for us all. She was knowledgeable and was able to communicate the stories of the three countries very well.We appreciated the way she was prepared over the trip to share elements of her family story. Always thoughtful and took great care of the tail end riders - us ! She selected very good places for lunches and dinners.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared - do some training beforehand and have the appropriate gear - lycra pants make the ride more comfortable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching the bird ringing at the Vente Cape and being able to hold one then release it after the ringing took place. So cute! Eating smoked fish for lunch on the Curonian sand spit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Andrius was a great guide who was friendly, personable and great fun to be with. He was knowledgeable and passionate about his country (Lithuania) and also Estonia and Latvia.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take layers and wrap up warm. There are strong headwinds a lot of the time that makes the cycling more difficult, even though it is only classed as a leisurely/moderate. Most of the terrain is flat with greater undulations on the final day. We all got bitten during the daytime in Estonia in the forests so take bug spray and use it!!! Some of the bus transfers are long, especially the one to Vilnius so be prepared and take a book! Spend an extra day in Tallinn. You won't regret it. It was the best of the three capitals and so pretty. In the summer period, there are free tours of the city of Tallinn which start at the Tourist office and are well worth going on. We did the Medieval Tour which is delivered by actors and was the BEST city tour we have ever been on! Half a day in Villnius is enough to see the majority of the city and you get this on the last day of the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoroughly enjoyed the 3 capital cities Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius. Learning the history of the region over the past 100 years with the brutal occupation by the Germans and the Russians.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Simon was outstanding. If you are lucky to have him as your guide, enjoy every moment of him. He is from Lithuania and is impassioned about the Baltic Region its history, culture and people. He entertained us with his musical skill and singing voice. Added in many personal experiences, took us to great restaurants and gave us 3 hour bike city tours in Riga and Vilnius.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Hope for some good weather - we had the best average 25c each day

Most Inspirational Moment

It was inspirational to learn of the passion of the Baltic peoples to retain their recently won freedom. There’s a lot of pride and beauty in these countries.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Simon knows the history of the countries and also knows the terrain we were covering. He had a lot of great stories. Was fun to spend time with.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There isn’t much time on the trip to explore independently in the cities visited. If you’d like to do that, book extra time before and after the trip. Also, unless Exodus adds another guide, be prepared to ride independently much of the time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our guide Lina Duseviciene´s told us her family´s history. In Kolkja villagers where selling their onions -

Most Inspirational Moment

We very much enjoyed the bonhomie of our group and the cities of Riga, Tartu and Vilnius were amazing. Where we saw the sea (!) it was beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lukas was excellent! He did everything and more that a guide should do! He joined in with our jokes and was a mine of information - and nothing was too much trouble. Our driver Vladamir was efficient and helpful ( and a good driver)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take insect repellent! If possible take your own bike It can be very hot - be prepared - and vice versa. Don't wash clothes in the Palmse Hotel - whites turn orange!

Most Inspirational Moment

So, so many! Hearing Lina’s family history put so much of the trip into perspective. We had the delightful combination of beautiful rides, the sharing of stories and the incredible history of the proud peoples of the Baltic States.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely sensational! Lina was the best tour guide we have ever had, and that is saying something. Caring, considerate, always looking out for opportunities to improve our experience, there was never a time when she was anything other than a delight to be with. Her willingness to share her story put everything into perspective. Faultless! For goodness sake give her more work, she is a wonderful ambassador for Exodus. I do have to add that your choice of tour guides on all of the trips we have done gives significant credit to Exodus as an organisation. We always look at Exodus tours before considering other travel companies.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are even reasonably fit, do this cycle tour. A really wonderful way to see and hear about the incredible Baltic States.

Most Inspirational Moment

So, so many! Hearing Lina’s family history put so much of the trip into perspective. We had the delightful combination of beautiful rides, the sharing of stories and the incredible history of the proud peoples of the Baltic States.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely sensational! Lina was the best tour guide we have ever had, and that is saying something. Caring, considerate, always looking out for opportunities to improve our experience, there was never a time when she was anything other than a delight to be with. Her willingness to share her story put everything into perspective. Faultless! For goodness sake give her more work, she is a wonderful ambassador for Exodus. I do have to add that your choice of tour guides on all of the trips we have done gives significant credit to Exodus as an organisation. We always look at Exodus tours before considering other travel companies.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are even reasonably fit, do this cycle tour. A really wonderful way to see and hear about the incredible Baltic States.

Most Inspirational Moment

I liked the undulations of the day around Trakkai as knew I would get lost and didnt have to save any energy for other rides! Enjoyed seeing how fast I could go. Really enjoyed the beauty of Palmse. The day at Jurmala was good as we had free time and loved the dachas.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lina was excellent, organised but friendly. Her sharing of her personal experiences of life in Lithuania brought the whole trip alive. She has an extensive factual knowledge of the Baltic and found some great places for us to eat.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If I had known that a cycle pannier was provided, I wouldn't have brought a cycling rucksack. Water was also provided so a single water bottle was fine. The trip notes said that there should be time to look round Tallinn but the Exodus flights were an evening arrival. Some of the group arrived a day earlier to see the city which was a good idea.

Most Inspirational Moment

looking around the old towns and being told of the problems which the three countries had faced during the last 100 or so years.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lina was very personable, knowledgable about the areas we went throuh. She told us in great detail about the histories of the countries, the problems which they faced and, potentailly, still face. She interacted well with all members of the group, ensured that the eveing and lunch time restaurants wer einteresting. It seemsed that the distances which we cycled and were transferred were quite long for the times allocated , we always seemed to be trying to catch up with the schedule. Not sure if that is a problem of the design of the holiday. but loading a nd unloading the bikes takes about one hour

Advice for Potential Travellers

be prepared for fairly hectic days