Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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8 Reviews

4.4 out of 5

Melvyn Tisbury

Reviewed May 2023

Azores May23

A chance to explore 3 different Azorean islands. Good mix of inland and coastal walks varying from lush green vegetation to barren volcanic terrain.

Most Inspirational Moment

Amazing whale watching trip with 3 different dolphin species plus sperm whales spotted. Absolute highlight was following a hump-backed whale on it's journey for about 15 minutes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jorge was a knowledgeable, relaxed and very friendly guide. This was his first outing with Exodus and he managed the needs, expectations and capabilities of a group with age range from 20-70+ very well. He was willing and able to adapt the itinerary to suit the group's preferences.

Advice for Potential Travellers

May weather varied by the hour and with altitude - be prepared for anything and everything each day. Consider arriving a few days early and /or staying on longer as the 6 days of the trip pass very quickly. We went to the main island of Sao Jorge as well and would recommend it.

Suggestions

Flights did not work - we missed our onward connection to Pico due to late flight from Heathrow and did not get to Pico until Sunday lunchtime instead of Saturday afternoon. This meant the time we did have on Pico was rushed to catch up. Most of those who went back at the end of the group trip also missed the return flight in Lisbon. Walk on day 2 not suitable and needs changing (as both Adam and Emma already know as they were there). General point for Exodus to consider re your environmental credentials: It is standard practice for hotels to provide plastic bottles of water (and often small juice cartons too) with packed lunches. This happened on both this trip and our trip to Puglia and Matera in March 2023. Exodus clients all carry refillable water bottles as per your instructions. I gave my unwanted drinks back but once handed out it is easy for people to keep and drink them. Not good.

Di Blackburn

Reviewed May 2023

Challenging, fun walking trip in the very beautiful Azores

A great hiking programme that showed off the 3 islands we visited at their best (with the exception of the hike on day 2 in the afternoon -I believe you already know about this and the hike has already been removed – it was a shame, as I think for some, it caused some discomfort for later walks). The mix of islands, opportunity to walk/eat together as a group, was a great balance of activities. There was time on a coach/travel every day, however, that was an ok amount of travel, to ensure we got the best of our time there. The Azores are absolutely beautiful and I would recommend this holiday (with a few tweaks). Generally packed lunches were ok, some lovely picnics on part of the route. (one day was poor , the cheese sandwich day, would like to see that improved)

Most Inspirational Moment

A couple of moments, for me personally, finishing every hike, at times that wasn't easy! However with the encouragement and support of everyone it was possible. it hasn't put me off, I know where I need to improve and would go again. I particularly enjoyed the hike through to the waterfall and the opportunity to jump in/swim. Whale watching (whilst an add on to the walking holiday), was brilliant and good fun as a group activity).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jorge was a great group leader, in that he really cared about everyone having a brilliant holiday. He did this by flexing/amending plans (which based on the scope of the group, I imagine wasn't easy at times.) He also shared his time with us all very generously, ensuring that we made the most of our time in each island, sharing tips on where to go etc. He also took time to share his love of music and play his hand drum, giving us the chance to get to know him. Lastly, he helped those of us that were struggling, gave tips on how to improve and encouraged me to stop and enjoy the moment!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read through all the trip advice (including printing off the training plan/strength exercises), before commuting to the trip. It's easy to miss this and if followed would go a long way to being able to make the most of the trip, even for experienced hikers. Pack plenty of hiking clothes - it was very hot and sweaty!!

Suggestions

I fully appreciate it's my responsibility to be fit and able for the trip, however, I do think Exodus could do more to help people prepare/enjoy the trip. i.e. emphasis the fitness check; at the beginning of the trip, check in with everyone on this, ask about injuries etc. Perhaps do some warm up/cool down stretches on each trip. Be clearer on the itinerary about the details of each day: travel time, approximate walking time, meal time, free time. Again, I do appreciate that's always going to vary, however, a bit more of a guide would help everyone to understand what the day would entail. The flight to/from the UK was always too tight a timescale for connecting flights, I would rather pay more and have flights that allowed for some delay time.

Linda Robbie

Reviewed May 2023

Walking in the Azores

Great holiday but should have been longer. Travellers for this trip need to be fit, prepared for steep climbs and humid weather, ‘moderate’ is not an accurate assessment of the walks. Admittedly 3 – 4mph is a bit of a give away, that said definitely a trip to repeat, this is a beautiful part of the world.

Most Inspirational Moment

All of it, a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great personality, totally suited to working with people, a friend to all.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the small print, this is not for the faint hearted and the initial description does not really prepare you for what is to come - 'moderate / strenuous' would be more appropriate. Also prepare to acclimatise to humid conditions. Great holiday and to be thoroughly recommended.

Suggestions

Length of holiday needs to be extended, it is far too short.

Nigel Turner

Reviewed August 2022

A great way of seeing four islands

The Azores are beautiful, especially if you go when the hydrangeas are looking good. This trip is a great way of seeing four islands but, since you stay in only two hotels, you’re not repacking all the time. The accommodation was very good. A smart hotel in Ponta Delgada and a good enough hotel in Horta with each room having a balcony with amazing views of the harbour, Pico island and the sunrise. The breakfasts were pretty good and provided plenty of food before the walks. Both towns have plenty of interest and the nautical side of Horta is great. There were seven of us in the group plus our Sao Miguel guide (Tony) and our four islands guide (Filipe) both of whom were very good. We all got on well. If you’re fit and mobile, and strong enough going uphill and especially downhill, the walks are good exercise and not overly challenging. There’s plenty to see and photograph along the way and each walk is slightly different from the next. The group meals are the lunches with our guides having organised three picnics and three terrific restaurant lunches – local food in Sao Miguel and Pico and very good tuna in Peter’s Café on Faial. In the evenings we generally split into two or three smaller groups. Tip: it really pays off booking restaurants in advance. As The Azores are quite some way away, we decided to stay two weeks and so followed this trip with the self-guided ‘Cycling in the Azores’ on Terciera. So we ended up seeing five of the nine islands.

Most Inspirational Moment

The hydrangeas on Sao Miguel and Sao Jorge. The lunch on Pico. The sunrises over Horta. The whale watching trip. Good chats on the walks.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both leaders were enthusiastic, knowledgeable, good fun and looked after everyone.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In Ponta Delgada try to visit the Museu Carlos Machado/Jesuit College (great ecclesiastical art and church) and in Horta the Museum of Whaling (it’s so well done). The whale watching trip from Horta is great too. We saw several sperm whales. See the comment above about reserving a table for the evening meal. This is pretty easy as you're only staying in two towns, one of which you return to at the end of the week (Ponta Delgada - perhaps book Alcides for the last evening).

Suggestions

The ferry crossings were quite smooth and didn't cause problems for my wife who occasionally gets sea sick. We had a problem with one of our inter island flights but were rescued by the Exodus staff in the UK who spotted that there was a problem and liaised with the local agent to find a solution - thank you Robyn.

Liz Atkinson

Reviewed June 2022

Sunshine, rain and an earthquake in the Azores

The weather wasn’t very kind to us but we did get out walking on all the days.
Bruno our guide was very good. His knowledge of the islands was excellent and he made every effort to tailor the walks to the group. He also adapted the program when we were unable to visit Sao Jorge because of the earthquake.
Loved the botanical gardens and Lagoa do Fogo (although it was difficult to sit by the lake for very long because of the biting wind). I found the islands we visited very interesting.
I didn’t go whale watching in Horta, instead went to the whaling museum (Porto Pim Whaling) and did the circular walk on the hill (Monte da Guia) behind it. Both were excellent alternatives.
The food was very good and the hotels and various restaurants. The accommodation in Ponta Delgada was very good and an excellent location.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bruno was excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take all your wet gear if you go in May, and some warm clothing. The Azores are very 'green' for a reason!

Suggestions

The accommodation in Horta was a little 'tired', and WiFi reception poor in some rooms. A decent length coastal walk would be nice. Most of our walks were through trees or quite tall shrubs, so not many views.

Patricia Barnett

Reviewed June 2019

Truly Wonderful

A really lovely trip to The Azores. A packed itinerary with whale and dolphin watching and exploring the island landscape, which is one of a kind! We saw tropical dolphins, playful bottle nosed and common dolphins and the small striped dolphins. Some played around the boat racing with us across the waves. We saw pilot whales and the magnificent sperm whales. It was a rigid inflatable boat so we were close to the water and it was both fun and exciting.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whales.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I have to tell you about the guide: Nuno Garcia. He is the nicest, most considerate and patient guide we have ever encountered. He was full of fun and always there to help anyone who needed it. He would stand at the harbour smiling and waving as we left to whale watch and he would be there ready with a smile and a wave when we returned. An excellent guide in every way.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a variety of clothing because the weather can be very changeable.

Esther Dawney-New

Reviewed June 2019

Lovely walks in varied and interesting locations

This is a short but packed easy walking trip guided by the brilliant knowledgeable and fun Bruno.
From the lush heights overlooking lakes and craters to swimming in natural thermal pools to whale watching this trip has it all. Bruno’s enthusiasm for his country and love of his job meant he was totally engaged with the group. He probably would have crammed more into the itinerary if time had allowed.
The islands of the Azores are stunning and have to be walked to be fully appreciated .

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many wonderful views and no one that absolutely stands out. Laughing with Bruno and the group is a great tonic

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bruno as already mentioned could not have been more interesting , engaging and fun. as a group leader He excelled in holding the group dynamics so that we had fun together but also walked at a pace which suited all.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a full on trip with little spare time or stops. That said, the walking though some longer but gentle uphill was paced well. The long ( 2 hours) down hill is challenging on the knees so would advise poles and decent rough terrain footwear. Take an additional small (folding variety backpack) to leave on the coach for swim wear. If prone to travel sickness take medication and be prepared to take it 2 hours before the late evening ferry trip ( 2 hour choppy trip)

Carolyn Greenberg

Reviewed June 2018

Wonderful week in the Azores

I’ve been to Portugal before, and was looking forward to experiencing another aspect of this country. This was my first trip with Exodus, and it was very impressive, start to finish. The daily outings, meals together, hotel choices, etc. were A+. Each island was unique and physically beautiful. The walks took us to places off the beaten path, which was exactly why I selected this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is hard to pick one moment - overall seeing how people have made these volcanic islands into beautiful locations is what impressed me.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bruno was amazing! His knowledge and enthusiasm were infectious, and definitely made the trip above average.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The level of this trip was more difficult than I expected - it was trekking than walking. I'm a good walker, so distance wasn't an issue, but the terrain was often steep . One suggestion for the packing list: a towel is needed for the swimming opportunities.