Highlights Of Central Europe

Our Clients’ Reviews

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. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

1 | 2

• 

  Margaret Brown

  HIGHLIGHTS OF CENTRAL EUROPE

  

  Written August 2010

  A fantastic holiday with a variety of experiences, especially if optional extras are taken, such as the classical concert in Vienna, boat trip on Danube, visist to Salt Mines and to Auschwitz. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Exploring cities independently with a map in an unknown language and a fistful of unfamiliar notes.

  Walking down the mountain - although I wanted to start from higher up. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Knowledgeable about the places we visited, able to advice on location of ATMs in each town and how much money we needed in each currency. Only the birthplace of Liszt eluded him to be fair! A good sense of humour and soon picked up on our individual characters. Praise also must be given to the driver who joined in some of the jokes even though he knew no English and we knew no Slovakian; and drove confidently through all the different countries, often while the passengers napped.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Read up in advance about each place and know what you would like to see and do. A map of Central Europe that one person had was good to show the route we were taking. Take clothes that don't crease and can be worn several times. Take some good shoes for walking round all the cities and boots for walking on the mountain trails. Book it!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The travelling in the mini bus was uncomfortable at times due to lack of leg room. Another day to explore Vienna would have been appreciated and another day at Cesky Krumlov to allow opportunity for having a go at rafting through the rapids. The trip notes were accurate, but the map attached showed that we would visit Bratislava which caused some confusion.

   
• 

  Barbara Scorer

  HIGHLIGHTS OF CENTRAL EUROPE

  

  Written June 2010

  Exodus planned the route really well to take in the highlights and contrasts of central Europe, including great cities and some beautiful countryside.  

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  There were so many:-

  the classical concert in Vienna and looking out over the city from the balcony during the interval

  dancing to live folk music at the wine festival in a Budapest park   

  Radek, the wonderful local guide in Prague who brought the history and culture of his home city to life

  going on a 'communist tour' in a genuine Russian car from the '50s in Krakow

  the cool beautiful calm of the Tatras after the heat and activity of the cities

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Lovely laid back Erik with his gentle sense of humour. It was good to have a guide from central Europe rather than a British guide. You felt like you were experiencing things from the point of view of a local rather than an outsider looking in.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Read up on the places you will be visiting before going so as to make the most of every day. The time in each place is short, so you need to be focussed on what you want to get out of it before going. Other than that, just do it. If you like cities, mountains, art, culture, history you'll love this trip.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The trip was like walking around an art gallery and viewing a series of beautiful painting that changed daily. All in the company of my fellow international travelling companions, who made it all so much fun. It made me want to go back and explore the area fully and in more depth.

   
• 

  Jeffrey Chesnick

  HIGHLIGHTS OF CENTRAL EUROPE

  

  Written August 2009

  This was a really interesting, busy holiday that did exactly what it said in the brochure. We saw, learnt and did a lot and had a lot of laughs on the way. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

   The architecture and individuality of each city. The excellent and informative city guides that made learning about each city fun. Visiting the small UNESCO sites that we would never have found or travelled to under our own steam.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Marcel our group leader was brilliant. Very informative and well read about all the palces we visited. He knew all the good places to eat! He was always calm and patient.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take  plenty of cash or make sure you have a big enough bank balance to allow for cash withdrawals from ATMs

  Don't expect to use credit cards in any of the countries on this trip. Most restaurants were very reluctant to accept them and most refused point blank. Surprisingly most attractions i.e. entrance to museums don't accept credit cards either!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

   Be warned. The hike down the mountain from Kasprowy Wierch in Zakopane is that- a hike. It is not that easy. The paths are well trodden but exceptionally uneven. Not for the unfit!

   
• 

  Stephanie Van Tatenhove

  HIGHLIGHTS OF CENTRAL EUROPE

  

  Written June 2008

  My first Exodus trip and I was disappointed. Very little background inormation given of a general nature. Far too much reliance on local guides, which resulted in a lot of specialised nationalistic and historical information, but certainly did not cover my areas of interest in Art and Architecture nor did we get much practical information e.g. opening hours of attractions or public transport information.  After all we were in countries where few of us were at all familiar with the language. We got lost a great deal between places ,so arrived late and then did not have enough time. We spent too much time in Holasovice( should have got to Cesky Krumlov earlier) and Szentendre (especially as we arrived very late in Budapest and simply did not have enough time there) and Egar. We were constantly being told that there was something marvellous to see from the left or right hand side of the bus but we rarely stopped. We saw a lot of the outside of "places of interest" but not much inside. Constantly frustating.  

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The short time we had in Cesky Krumlov, Spis castle, the Zakopane descent and it was nice to see Prague again. Would have liked more time in Budapest.It seemed interesting. The hotels were excellent overall.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Aggie was a very nice lady, who told great jokes but I have had much better guides. She did not make any attempt to form a cohesive group: on our first meeting we didn't even introduce ourselves. She seemed to have little sense of time; we left later than necessary and took longer to get everywhere and she gave quite misleading information about walking times. She did not seem to have done any of her own background research, but relied on previous guide notes and the local guides. The information she gave to the group before the descent to Zakopane in the Tatra mountains was dangerously misleading for many in the group, who found the long descent frightening and exhausting and who were very stiff for some days after. Overall she provided vey little leadership and on several occasions was not with us during arranged tours.She was quite enthusiastic about the extra trips which were not included and needed to be paid for. 

  ,

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Prepare yourself as thoroughly as possible and carry as many guide books as you need.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Sorry to have been so critical but I was so disappointed overall. Coming from Australia, for 6 or so weeks, means I can't carry guide books for guided tours and, when I have done Explore trips I haven't needed them. The hotels and breakfasts were excellent.

  Exodus Response

  Unfortunately we had considerable problems with our local partners in Central Europe on this trip series last year. I hold my hands up in saying that this trip wasn't to the usual high Exodus standard. We always strive to improve our trips and I am confident that, having changed to a completely new local partner for 2009, we will do so. I'm sorry that this negatively affected your enjoyment of the holiday.

  Andy Ross (Regional Product Manager-Europe)

  
  

  - Exodus Staff

   

1 | 2