Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

On the fifth day we descended via a high meadow, contouring along a narrow trail through a swathe of beautiful Spring flowers. To our left was the view down valley; ahead was the Apennine range. People in the group were chatting about the highlights of the day: the climb through the beech woods, the scramble up the the summit, but for me the highlight was in the moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara was an outstanding leader. She was always prepared, always informative, always ready to make an extra effort to ensure that every member of the group got the most from their week.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The week involves walking in mountain country for up to six hours a day, and the routes do in places require a head for heights. Sara will look after your safety at every point, but you should have a reasonable level of fitness. Also - do not be misled by the destination. It may be a Mediterranean holiday but you are in the mountains and it can and does rain. Admittedly not as often as it does in the UK.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention! Seeing a sloth in a tree at our lodge in the Amazon. Reaching the top of Dead Womans pass on Day 2 of the Inca trail. We were all exhausted, excited and emotional! Also reaching the Sun Gate together and finding out a member of our group had thought ahead and brought a mini bottle of pisco in their day pack so we could all toast Machu Picchu together to celebrate! Also the Titicaca homestay was a brilliant experience, our family was so wonderfully welcoming and it was brilliant to have a party with them in the evening with a local band, dressed up in their traditional clothing!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Flamenia was very professional, knowledgeable and really looked after us. We must have asked her every question under the sun but she was always so friendly and smiley!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not throw away your insect repellent after the Amazon, you will still need it for the Inca trail. It gets really cold in the evening on the Inca trail, if you take metal water bottles with you with covers on, ask your leader to fill them up with hot water before you go to bed so you can use them as hot water bottles. You'll also have your drinking water ready for the following day! Wear two pairs of socks when hiking, it really helped to prevent blisters.

Most Inspirational Moment

None, it was a joy from start to finish.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Armand and Junid were a great team, their enthusiasm and helpfulness never flagging.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it, you won't be disappointed! Get some cycling in before you go as some days are quite demanding, but you always as much time as you like to get to your destination.

Most Inspirational Moment

Completing the long climb on the last day overlooking the beautiful Albanian coastline!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent guides, very knowledgeable, helpful and well organised.

Most Inspirational Moment

walking up the many steps to get to the peak to view the Monastery in Petra - breathtaking! it was made all the more worthwhile because of the effort it took to climb up to the viewing point.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ala was fantastic! He fielded every question with immense knowledge and entertained every random request from the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

when dining out, order either a mezze OR a main and not both as it's way too much food otherwise!

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling Sunday morning through the streets of Athens so seeing the sights without too many other tourists around. The many kilometres of cycling along the coast looking out to the Aegian sea. The great amphitheatre at Epidaurus.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yiannis did a great job of keeping the briefings short in the evening but still informative. He was obviously passionate about Greece and wanted to pass that passion on. As someone who knew little about Greek mythology the stories that he and Angelos told have given me an insight. Yiannis & Angelos did a fantastic job of keeping us fed, watered & our bikes in working order.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Even in May it is already relatively warm (high 20s) but the regular breaks meant that this was manageable.

Most Inspirational Moment

I really enjoyed the kayaking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

"Too Good" as we called him was friendly and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take some ear plugs (unless you like the sound of being called to prayer pre-5am) and don't allow yourself to be distracted by an attractive woman blowing hot and cold (i.e. concentrate on the walking if you can).

Most Inspirational Moment

Great country, exhilarating cycling and wonderful people. Just being there with an exceptional group of people.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guys Armand and Junid are excellent, mixing well with the group, great job guys.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Food and drink are very cheap, only needed £130 converting to cover the whole week with a couple of souvenirs thrown in. Felt very safe, there was never a mention of needing to be careful about valuables etc. Bikes were often left un-secured overnight.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing solid historical remains of cultures which existed 2-3 thousand years BC.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had two leaders who brought a great mix of knowledge, experience, enthusiasm and conscientiousness to a group whose ability and age range varied.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Learn, at least, a few words of Italian,make sure you've got your sun cream (or block) and practice braking with your right hand !

Most Inspirational Moment

If I had to pick one it would be seeing St Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace for the first time when travelling by boat along the Grand Canal in Venice. But encountering a range of historical influences from Austrian-influenced Bolzano / Bozen to Palladian Vicenza to the Roman structures in Verona was also fascinating

Thoughts on Group Leader

I couldn't imagine a more energetic or enthusiastic trip leader - from offering the early-birds extra rides to take in sun-rise views before breakfast, to introducing us to his lovely family in his home-town Vicenza, to packing in a huge amount of highlights when taking us on a walking tour around Venice, Michele made sure that we enjoyed every minute of our trip. Michele was a really good-natured, uplifting guy for whom nothing was too much trouble - he made everything run so smoothly and did everything with a friendly smile. It was such a pleasure to spend a week with him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have the time spend an extra day before / after the trip in Verona and Venice – stunning cities in which there is plenty to see and do. Or catch an early flight to Verona on the Saturday, spend the day in Verona (leaving your luggage at the railway station) and then get a train (one and half hours with German rail (www.bahn.de) to Bolzano) before joining up with the group arriving from Venice in the evening. Then add an extra night in Venice onto the end of your trip.