PICOS ACTIVITY CENTRE - FAMILY HOLIDAY

8 days from GBP879 to GBP929 including flights
Tripcode: FEP

Countries Visited: Spain

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 5 reviews.

Paul Clark

PICOS MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE - FAMILY HOLIDAY

Written August 2011
Fantastic location in Northern Spain. Cool climate of Picos mountains can lead to changeable weather in August, so be prepared for 4 seasons in a day. Hotel is basic but clean, homely and comfortable whilst favourably located with spectacular views yet within easy walking distance to town. Staff are friendly and helpful and hosts Jim and Pilar remain enthusiastic and knowledgeable about this fantastic part of Spain.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Canyoning. Biggest laughs had by every member of the family. Great local guide and good equipment provided. Worth doing at least once in life.
What did you think of your group leader?
Jim was very helpful, friendly and showed patience and flexibility at all times.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
This holiday does not include activities in the basic price. There was confusion in our party because the holiday is billed as a family activity holiday and all activities are charged on top. This was not clear in the brochure and several members of our group had also found the eventual holiday cost less than transparent.
Booking the hotel separately and then the activities, transfers and flights would reduce the holiday cost considerably. Of course, Exodus need to make a profit. However the difference is considerable and Exodus do not actually do anything on this holiday as Jim is hotel owner, exodus rep and guide.
Perhaps this reflects the fact that Exodus are now part owned by TUI ?

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Hire a car at the airport. This gives much more flexibility to explore the Picos and visit the coast (25km away).
Exodus Response
We are glad to receive all feedback and are happy to see that Mr. Clark and his family enjoyed their trip to the Picos.
We continually review our trips to ensure that the information provided in the brochure and the trip notes is as accurate as possible. While we do appreciate that the 2011 brochure text for this trip was confusing, we ensured the optional activity charges were made clear in the trip notes. For 2012 we shall make the text much clearer to avoid any future confusion. This holiday is specifically designed to maximise flexibility for our clients and ensure that they can get as much enjoyment out of the centre as possible. The intention is to give a very loose itinerary so families can choose the most desirable activities for them and also coordinate these with the conditions and the weather. In order to provide this flexibility it is better for families to choose and arrange their preferred activities on arrival and in accordance to the conditions. While Jim is our local operator on the ground, the holiday is designed by Exodus and we work very closely with Torrecerredo to provide a family experience that is suitable for our clients and which maximises their enjoyment. In addition, booking through Exodus offers additional security to your holiday as we are members of ABTA.

- Exodus Staff
Carla Ownsworth

PICOS MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE - SPAIN FAMILY HOLIDAY

Written June 2010
We all had a great time. Activities, hotel, surroundings and company were all fabulous.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The view out of the hotel dining room was awesome.
What did you think of your group leader?
He was a very interesting guy and told us about the history of the area and his family. He was always very aware of members of the group and his attention to the safety aspects especially during climbing and canyoning were very reassuring.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Remember you're in Spain - 10am start doesn't necessarily mean 10am!!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Exodus hadn't passed on to the hotel the fact that we were in a hire car, so they were expecting to pick us up from the airport. Not a problem in this case but we were a bit disappointed with Exodus on this front.
Simon Wilkins

PICOS MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE FAMILY HOLIDAY

Written June 2008
An experienced and likeable leader together with a comfirtable and friendly hotel in a beautiful location made for a fantastic holiday for kids and grown-ups alike. We'd go again tomorrow!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
For me it'd be coasting down an almost traffic-free mountain road on a bicycle after a hard slog uphill or an early morning walk leading to a beautiful view across a flower covered meadow down into the valley. Climbing and canoeing were exciting and satisfying activities and the kids adored the caving. Our only regret was that we didn't have enough time to try out the canyoning.
What did you think of your group leader?
Victor, our leader, was very experienced and friendly and made the trip very enjoyable. He made sure that all abilities were catered for and had loads of knowledge of the area and about the activities. We shouldn't forget Pilar and Jim, the hotel's owners, who were very flexible with how the activites were arranged the week we were there because of some changeable weather. The other hotel staff were also friendly and accommodating, especially when it came to catering for the kids.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Have a go at a few things you wouldn't normally try. If you don't want your week absolutely crammed full of activities you can relax at the hotel, go into the village or take a walk in the nearby hills. The coast and dinosaur museum are both worth visiting and the sea good for swimming.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is the second Exodus holiday we've taken and have been highly satisfied with both, and are confident that the third we have already booked will also be enjoyable.
Sarah Young

The 4 Cs

Written September 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Our children really enjoyed the 4 Cs (climbing, canyoning, caving & canoeing). Canyoning was probably the biggest thrill.
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What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent. Very knowledgeable, both about the area and about the activities offered.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The Cares Gorge walk is not for the faint hearted – 12.5k in each direction. Take lots of water!! The minimum suggested age of 5 years is too young unless you want to carry them!!The day at the beach is billed as “for the younger kids” but our children 18,16 and 9 had a great time; the surf at the beach was excellent – take a body board! (The dinosaur museum and the fossil footprints at the beach were worth seeing too.)
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The hotel / group leaders kept the itinerary very flexible, changing activities around according to the weather. You need to be adaptable if you are not planning to join in activities every day as the activity of the day may change.
Jane Wilson

Try everything! Including Yoga with Neil - a real expert. You'll have a fab time.

Written September 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Jim and Pilar are great hosts who made sure our family had a great time.

We caved with Jim - an amazing experience and we had total confidence in crawling into a hole that was about the size of a gallon bucket! Pilar led us along the Cares Gorge through wonderful scenery and we canyoned, climbed, kayaked and mountain biked through a fantastic week. The first of the summer holiday and probably one of the most memorable.

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What did you think of your group leader?
Great hosts, very knowledgeable and Jim thought nothing of jumping in his car and circum-navigating the cycle route to find our daughter and a friend who did a "little detour!!"
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Try everything! Including Yoga with Neil - a real expert. You'll have a fab time.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Food at Jim and Pilar's was delicious and we varied the week by eating in the village too. Recommendations from Jim and Pilar resulted in food to get excited about!