Aegean Coast and Lakes Ride

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...

Average Review Rating: from 18 reviews.

Andrew Osborne

AEGEAN COAST AND LAKES RIDE

Written June 2013
An enjoyable, fast paced holiday with amazing scenery, friendly people and with a sense of being valued by all that we came into contact with. Good food, and nice places.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The basic hotel stop, where we had a fantastic lake view from the terrace. The site had been occupied for over 8000 years and there really were so many differnet remains- we didn't have time to see them.
A fantastic downill which lasted about 40 minutes and had the most amazing views coming to a stop outside a beautiful village mosque..
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader, Ali was good. he cares about his travellers and is always willing to help and try his best to sort out any issues.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The cycling is in the middle range of the Exodus description- there are some intense uphills which can be difficult in the heat- and some great downhills too. You nned to have a reasonable standard of fitness and be used to cycling on a mixture of terrains.
Some of the so called Standard hotels are a bit ropey and one did not have hot water or bedsheets, though looked fantastic- so maybe cotton sleeping bag liner might be an idea? This was only one hotel though. In fact the basic hotel was one of the best in that it was by a lake, beautiful views, good food and really quiet. If you're a townie who gets irriatated by noise such as cockrels or people in the night then you might want a set of ear plugs- not a problem for me, but this is a lot of countryside and it is surprisingly noisy at night in the country.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
There is a lot of cycling in a short time period and sometimes it felt as if there was not enough time to enjoy the holiday. We wish we had taken another week and done some other things after this as it really did go fast. Often you are on the road or out all day until about 6pm so there isn't much time for exploring outside of the tour. The food was very good in all places. You might want to stock up on nibbles as you don't get as many nuts or fruits on stops as we have with other cycling tours with Exodus. The bikes are a bit ropey, but do the job.
Mary Hyde

AEGEAN COAST AND LAKES RIDE

Written May 2013
There is nothing quite like getting away from it all, out into the countryside on two wheels away from city traffic, the wind gently blowing (although a little too much one day 3!!) and the sun shining down on you. The scenery was beautiful and the locals were friendly. Brilliant, well organised trip, my second with exodus and I would absolutely recommend it.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I can’t really decide, there were many ups and downs (the hills that is, not the trip )

I am an accountant and a middle distance runner, therefore by definition NOT A RISK TAKER, but given a few days to get used to the bike,-- coming down those hills was exhilarating.

I travelled solo but felt so welcomed into the group, meeting people from different cultures and with different life experiences made the trip extra fun, & as a group we all got on very well. I don’t think I spent a moment alone. – Thanks team.

There was a chilled out atmosphere and no one felt under any pressure to cycle faster

I was struck by the friendliness of the local people & the fact that we could just rock up at a cafe anywhere and take out our own picnic.

The mud bath did not look endearing, however it was fun- Do give it a go and then jump into the sea afterwards!

Highlights most definitely included going to a local wedding and taking a night boat trip around Dalyan.
What did you think of your group leader?
Hatice was excellent, always in control and looking after our best interests. Answering all our questions and going out of her way to ensure we all had the best holiday possible.

As for Yasar, her trusty sidekick, you made the cycling look a breeze, you entertained us throughout & how you persuaded me to go in that mudbath i’ll never know J.

I’m sorry I booked so last minute which meant you both had to share the one remaining seat in the bus!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I could have benefited from cycling up a hill or two before going! Cycling on the flat is not the same

I would recommend taking padded shorts and or padded seat – I’d take my own pedals next time, if you’re used to cleats you’ll miss them!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Ephesus is well worth a visit, but it’s no Pompei.
Rita Bajusz

AEGEAN COAST AND LAKES RIDE

Written September 2012
It was a very nice trip, good group, enthusiastic leaders, nice views, diverse landscapes. Excellent food! Enjoyable not too stressful riding.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I loved to bike through the little villages, where everybody was waving to us..once we were driving across agricultural fields between two little villages. A Turkish man was working there with his tractor, and he suddenly jumped down from it, with a lovely honey sweet melon, and started to slice it and offer it to us...that was my most memorable and delicious energy booster:)
What did you think of your group leader?
The were cool. Helpful, energetic, funny guys... They were always paying attention to us. On the first day at the first climbing challenge they understood the limits of the group, and the coming days they organised the trip in a way, that was fitting our fitness. When the trip was too challenging they rather offered the mini bus,but if someone really wanted to ride it was possible for them. They always explained in details the itinerary of the route, in many details such us how big the hills were, how many km we did flat, when do we stop etc etc...that give me a lot of confidence for the ridings, andI knew how to use my energy.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Bring your pedals and shoes if you want, I liked it to have it on my bike. Baggy shorts are not necessarily needed.I was wearing tight padded shorts all the time and it was no problem, I was also wearing sleeveless top, and didn't get a sunburn. We didn't need energy bars, because meals were really good and enough quantity and we always stopped at tea houses where you could have a good sugary tea, or the leaders were giving out some chocolate or biscuits, or the locals were offering some fruits, or you could take a piece of fruit from the trees around you.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This trip was really good, I thought there would be time and opportunity for swimming in the lakes...but this was not the focus of the trip. We swam on the last day only after the mud bath, or you could sometimes swim in the pools in some of our hotels.
Dewi Jones

AEGEAN COAST AND LAKES RIDE

Written August 2012
This was a brilliant holiday worth twice the price we paid. The weather,food,scenery,support and company were first class.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The scenery in the mountains and the verdant nature of the countryside. The world heritage sites at Pamukkale and Euphesus were remarkable and just when we thought the trip couldn't be improved we had the optional mud bath after the last day of cycling and the trip downriver to Dalyan, on the boat, to our final hotel. Magic.

What did you think of your group leader?
Maho Arican was an authoritative,experienced,good humoured leader with great personal charm. He was sensitive to the needs of a mixed ability group and clearly safety conscious in his daily briefings and advice. Maho was well supported by his cycling partner and by the bus driver.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I had reservations about the potential effects of the heat in mid August but the cycling was surprisingly comfortable. The dry heat, allied to lots of chances to cool off at mountain springs etc, was fine. I have light, sensitive skin but Factor 50 sun cream avoided any sunburn. One of our group resorted to the support vehicle a couple of times but re-appeared quite happy to re-join the group later on on the route. There were a few "gradual climbs" and one needs to be reasonably "cycling fit" to gain the maximum enjoyment from the trip. The bikes provided were fine. Not as good as my Trek mountain bike at home but perfectly adequate for the terrain, which was mainly tarmac or light gravel tracks. If I was to do this trip again I would take my own pedals, with their clips, to stop my feet slipping occasionally - but a small point in the overall scheme of things.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Take it easy on the climbs - it's a holiday! There was always a chance for a breather when one thought it was getting tough and be prepared for some exhilarating downhills.
You have to explore Pamukkale and Euphesus. Both were fabulous and despite reading about them beforehand they both still had an element of surprise.
Do take advantage of the optional mudbath at the end of cycling on the penultimate day. Hugely enjoyable. We also, as a group, had a Turkish Bath on our final "free day"- arranged by our group leader, Maho. It was great fun and one of the trip's highlights. The "final surprise", arranged by Maho, was also magical and I won't spoil it by revealing what it was. Hopefully you will find it just as wonderful as our group did.
Denis Halpin

AEGEAN COAST AND LAKES RIDE

Written May 2012
From a cycling and a scenery point of view this was a very enjoyable trip but it would have been nice to have learned more about the country - e.g.-more time at Fethiye instead of Dalyan, a little more time at Ephesus.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The scenery was impressive,the climbs challenging and the steep downhill zig-zags exhilirating but for me it was our interaction with the people in the rural areas and villages, particularly the welcoming,curious and genuinely interested children that provided the most inspirational and memorable moments of the trip.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our leader undoubtedly was a strong and competent cyclist who carried out most leadership functions effectively but I felt that during the bus transfers he could have given the group more information about the country being traversed.
He also had a tendency to ignore questions which perhaps were taxing his patience but were important to the questioner e.g.-How much further to go ?
The assistant leader was a likeable happy-go lucky young man and the driver was a very safe, efficient driver and a generally helpful sort of guy.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Learn a few words of Turkish. The adults in the more rural areas will appreciate it and the the children will really be impressed !
Is there anything else you would like to add?
More of a query really. Could the trip be undertaken in reverse ? - starting in Dalyan and finishing with the free day in Fethiye which, to me, seemed to be a more interesting and less commercialised sort of place ?
Sandra Glasgow

AEGEAN COAST AND LAKES RIDE

Written September 2011
What a fantastic holiday. Turkey is amazing- the people, scenery, accommodation and food.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
My son had been to Pamukkale and I had always wanted to see it. It was really special and Ephesus too.
What did you think of your group leader?
Ali was an excellent leader. He could explain things clearly and kept an eye on us all so we all felt secure, but he also had a good sense of humour so we had fun as well as good safe cycling.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Check temperatures/dates as it was rather hot for me early September. However we were always supplied with water on the rides.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
I wish I had tried Exodus cycle trips sooner. At 72 I don't think I will manage to fit in all the trips I'd like to do.
Barbara MacMillan

AEGEAN COAST AND LAKES RIDE

Written September 2011
This was my first trip to Turkey and I know I want to return. The countryside was so beautiful and unspoilt, the food was perfect for me and I found the people charming. There were eleven of us on the trip, and although our physical prowess varied and some of us struggled a bit with the heat combined with some hill climbs, I never felt a failure for deciding to take advantage of the support van on a couple occasionsJ
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were several inspirational moments. I especially enjoyed the time spent in a little place which I think was called Kuanos. While there we sailed to a remote island with Ali and a local boat man, and stayed in quaint chalet type accommodation. The atmosphere ceated by that village was very special.
What did you think of your group leader?
Ali was an excellent leader who managed the motley crew so well. The fact that he was extremely handsome yet still modest was an added bonus!! In fact we were very well taken care of by all three lads - Ali. Yashid and Cammy whose camaraderie and sense of fun was infectious. Our safety was obviously high priority but this never upset the balance of enjoyment.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I would say that the trip was more challenging than I had expected but that was OK. Also I wish I had taken note of where we spent each night as the itinery was adapted in some places. Our time at Pamukkale was limited so it might have been useful to have the guide leaflets in advance.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would say that my 10 companions were also pretty great:-) All in all it was a fantastic week.