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.

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14448 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Barbara Cheded

Reviewed August 2015

Exhilarating

If you want a holiday with 360° spectacular views and muscle-building, heart-pounding ascents then this trip will fulfil your requirement.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing over boulders to eat lunch beside a fast-moving, glacial stream; foraging for wild raspberries for dessert; friendly encounters with Italian sheep and having the privilege of petting an inquisitive lamb; a butterfly resting on my shoulder for an interminable amount of time; sitting in 'grasshopper meadows' and hearing the incessant chattering from the hillsides.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rupert was an outstanding leader. He had great knowledge of the area and put each walk into context in relation to where we had walked previously or to our accommodation. He was attuned to the needs of individuals in the group, giving waypoints to stop at to those who wanted to move ahead faster and supporting those who moved at a slower pace. He shared his botanical knowledge with us, offering alpine leaves for us to sample, collecting herbs with which to make a 'tisane', or pointing out dangerous plants used as early anaesthetics.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The paths are a mixture of paved ski-tracks, woodland trails and rocky paths with short sections of cables, chains and vertical ladders. The ascents are steady and sustained from the word go, steep at times, with few level sections until you have gained height. With this in mind, I would suggest you get some regular hill-walking in before you travel to better prepare yourself. If you plan to wash a few items of laundry, pack a washing line and pegs and, if you are lucky enough to get a room with a balcony, you can hang it outside.

Jenny Smith

Reviewed August 2015

Wildlife and Wilderness of Botswana

This trip absolutely delivers – incredible wildlife and an opportunity to appreciate the wilderness of Botswana. The opportunity to get away completely from modern life and appreciate the beauty and scale of Southern Africa is brilliant. The unpredictable nature of the trip adds to the uniqueness and the surprises. We saw many many unexpected sights – a leopard fast asleep on a tree, its kill hanging beside it with the leopard’s cub snuggled up asleep on a lower branch; a lion feasting on a rhino kill; elephants walking into camp… Every day was special. In addition to the wildlife, the landscape was incredible with beautiful sunsets and starry evenings.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, the experience of being able to do so much wild camping enhanced the experience. Lying in the tent on the first night in the Okavango Delta, listening to the hippos bellow and the lions roar gave me an appreciation of the natural world you could not get anywhere else. The contrast of the beauty of the Okavango Delta with the barren bleakness of the Salt Pans was also awesome - both so different but so memorable. The scale of Victoria Falls was breathtaking, and the sheer amount of wildlife we saw, especially in the second week, was amazing. Stan kept stating 'High hopes but no guarantees', but in fact every day was unique and special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam was great. Calm, patient and clear, with a great sense of humour. Tents went up and dinner was cooked every night as if by magic. It was very impressive what he could produce on an open fire night after night. Stan's knowledge and passion for the wildlife and geography of Botswana was unsurpassed. Despite the fact that both of them must have done this trip many times, they were both excited and enthusiastic every day and that was infectious. The support team of Timon and John also worked incredibly hard to help the smooth running of the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I think this is an incredible trip, and if you are not phased by camping you will love it. The wild camping gives you an opportunity to experience Botswana which you would not get any other way. The camping was, by my standards, pretty deluxe - camp beds, toilet cubicles (often with impressive views) and great food. It also got you very close to the animals! I was lucky and got a tent to myself, it is snug with two… You also have to be very organised with your packing as you have early starts and you are on the move most days. Be aware, it gets very cold at this time of year. I wasn't prepared for this - it was 2 degrees on the first night in Maun! For several nights I was wearing 4 layers and a fleece hat - even in my sleeping bag. It was also very cold in the truck in the morning. If you go at this time of year, I would advise some warm layers for the nights. It is warm during the day. Also you will need a SA charger for Botswana (Zimbabwe uses UK plugs) - you can get them at J-burg airport. I would also recommend a spare camera battery as you will be away from electricity for quite a while.

Ian Middleton

Reviewed August 2015

Dancing on top of Vesuvius

Lovely spot on the Amalfi Coast away from the crowds down on the coast / beach itself. Scenery is dramatic. No shelter from the sun (or other weather!). Food is excellent. Developed calf muscles that I have never had before!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Making & spinning pizzas with the hotel chef. Feeling the heat (sun & volcanic) at the top of Vesuvius (excellent local guide giving geological tour round the entire lip of the volcano - off limits to unauthorised visitors). Found time for a brief dance at the top.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christine is an excellent tour leader. She is very positive, helpful and informative yet suitably relaxed. Great sense of humour. Looked after the slowest in the group as well as directing the way for the faster walkers. She set up an excellent low fuss sandwich service which catered for all our tastes with plenty of variety.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking poles help. Stair training is good practice. There are only 3000 steps between you and the beach. Fortunately you do not do these all in one go! Pompeii - take a small shoulder bag for your sandwiches, etc. as rucksacks are not permitted by some museum officials. Carry plenty of water as most days do not have water refill stops until the end of the day.

Patricia Moore

Reviewed August 2015

Highlights of the Dolomites

The walking was varied and challenging enough ( Grade 5), our group was a good mix which seemed to click straight away and we were blessed with perfect weather the whole week. The views were magnificent and the walks well planned. It was good to use the available ski lifts to save slogging up the lower slopes, so that we could start higher and go further.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing up a steep slope to the Vaiolon pass, involving a fixed ladder on Day 2 Coming down a long and steep descent through meadows and forest on Day 4, after a stimulating walk over a couple of passes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert was excellent. Sometimes a man of few words, he was always aware of where everyone was and how they were doing. I always felt comfortable in his group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This was a more expensive holiday than I had expected. last year ( in Tuscany) the daily travel to start the walks and the wine with the meal was included. Here, everything was extra and we used both bus and ski lifts in abundance because we were staying a long way down the valley from many of the walks. People should be warned about this

Myra Daly

Reviewed August 2015

Trip of a Lifetime!

This is the first time I’ve ever written a review online but I feel that it’s absolutely worth it. I’ve just returned from the Cycling Cuba trip with a group of 17 others (from late teens to mid-sixties) plus our excellent guide Laz and drivers Tuna and Alberto.

The trip surpassed all expectations – I loved it and really feel that I saw and experienced a lot of Cuba; from bustling Havana to the Caribbean beaches, old town Trinidad, 5* hotel in Santiago, fishing village of Gibara and much, much more. It was all excellently organised and Laz made the organisation look so easy, which no doubt it wasn’t. The drivers were so helpful and everybody always had a smile on their faces. There was a variety of food and accommodation – some not great, some excellent but that reflects what’s on offer.

I’d recommend this trip to anybody. Do it, do it soon before the American brands move in and it’s awash with Starbucks and McDonalds!

Most Inspirational Moment

Everything - the variety, the music, old cars, feeling that I was using all my senses (smell, feeling of sunshine on my skin, hearing the birds, looking at the views etc). Seeing the inside of houses was an amazing experience and really showed me what real life is like. It's very difficult to pick one moment though - everything added up to a great trip. Cycling-wise I really enjoyed the bits off the main roads.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Laz was excellent - so knowledgable, calm, personable, funny, organised and professional. Everything we needed/wanted and more. Couldn't have asked for more, he made it an excellent trip!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring lots of suncream, long sleeves if you're sensitive to the sun (it's really really hot in mid-summer), wide-brimmed hats for when you're not cycling, snacks (otherwise there is only fruit at the stops), electrolytes and salt replacements (yes, you'll sweat!). If I was going again I'd definitely bring a small handlebar bag for the bike to store my camera.

Rebecca MacLeod

Reviewed August 2015

Cycling Vietnam - July 18th 2015

This was a very diverse holiday, with a great group of people and a well organised guide and support team. Fantastic food – seafood like you have never seen before, and beer the equivalent of 35p – £1.00.

Most Inspirational Moment

The 10 km climb up the mountain on day 8 was a killer but so exhilarting when reaching the top without stopping. Hearing the other side of the story with regards the Vietnam war. Learning a bit about the different Kings who ruled over the years in Vietnam and what they did or didn't do for the country. Vietnam, neither the war or culture, was a subject I covered at school/univerisyt etc so was quite an informative holiday.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Extremely well orgnaised. Nothing was any bother. The group was well looked after. Danh was exceptional when finding and/or recommening places to eat and drink. The support team also was very well organised when it came to drink stops and also at busy junctions, stopping the traffic or making sure we navigated around busy streets safely.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are confident cycling in traffic - if necessary get in touch with your local council sustainable transport dept and find out about an assertive cycling course. The traffic in some of the towns is very busy and chaotic - if you are a nervous cyclist then this could make you stressed. Although you have the option of going on the bus and not cycling, the whole experience of cycling on the roads in Vietnam is all part of the experience and you don't want to miss it.

Peter Jackson

Reviewed August 2015

Rodopi mtns

A very good holiday ,good mix in group. Good hotel food and service.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day in mountains

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good, but could have got us to introduce ourselves, and to our very good bus driver, and arranged an exchange of e.mails as we all left at different flights.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just to order your brochure!

Peter Jackson

Reviewed August 2015

Rodopi Mtns

A very enjoyable holiday with a good mix of people. Good hotel and food ,service was excellent.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day in mountains, great scenery.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was good, but could have got us to introduce us to each other, like other trips I have been on, also to the very good bus driver, she ought to have arranged to have us exchanged e.mails, we left at different times for flight back so was a rush.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just to order your brochure !

Graeme Donnan

Reviewed August 2015

Mont Blanc Highlights: July 2015

This was an excellent holiday; I wholeheartedly recommend this trip. I went with my grown-up daughter and we both thoroughly enjoyed the walks which, thankfully, were blessed with excellent weather. Had we organized the trip ourselves (which I thought about doing), I doubt we would have found such interesting and varied walks. A very good itinerary that has to remain flexible owing to the vagaries of mountain weather. The accommodation at Chalet Mont Blanc was very comfortable, with excellent homely food cooked by our equally excellent hosts Collin and Jane. They made the group feel very welcome.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was well-worthwhile and enjoyable. I doubt there was one inspirational moment. When on the Italian side of the Alps in the beautiful Ferret valley a flock of Italian sheep ran towards us - we expected them to go around us and keep well away. Not so. They ran up to us wanting to be petted and even licked our boots! Are Italian sheep always so friendly?

Thoughts on Group Leader

The tour leader (Rupert) was excellent; very attentive to the needs of the group and each individual, very knowledgeable about the area and relaxed in his approach to leading the group. I have been with several Exodus (and Explore trips) and Rupert is by far the best leader I have so far been with. Exodus are lucky to have him as a leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bear in mind that the weather is a major factor. Our leader Rupert adapted the itinerary according to the weather forecast, which of course he was wise to do. We only had one day of bad weather though, which happened to be our free day. Take clothing for hot/dry through to wet/chilly conditions. Anything can happen in the Alps, even in summer. It was snowing high up on the Aiguille de Midi.

Dawn Tomlinson

Reviewed August 2015

Cycling Cuba

We were part of a group of 18 aged 16-64 that got on very well and made for a fun time. The most challenging aspect was the extreme heat and humidity on afternoon sections. We were grateful that our guide and drivers provided us with shower stops improvised from water bottles at the worst times and the bus was always available for a rest from the heat if necessary. The accommodation was good to excellent (with the exception of one) and although we were told not to expect much from the food it was mostly good too.

Most Inspirational Moment

The day cycling from Gibara off the beaten track was a highlight, as was the day cycling from El Cobre into Santiago. More days like this rather than long straight roads would be a bonus.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our drivers Tunas and Alberto looked after all our needs well. Our guide Laz was top class. Exodus is lucky to have such an excellent staff member. He organized everything brilliantly and was able to adapt our itinerary without any fuss when things didn't go exactly to plan i.e. accommodation in the mountains being unavailable. He was professional but friendly and joined in our group comfortably.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I believe cycling is an excellent way to see all the different sights Cuba has to offer. Do it!

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