We arrived in Porto a few days before the tour to enjoy the ambience of the city before meeting up with our group on 13 April 2025 at the Neya Hotel on Sunday afternoon! From the start of the presentation of what to expect over the next 5 days of cycling to the 2 final group dinners, this was an exceptional tour with an exceptional team of tour guides and we had the most incredible time with our fantastic group of 16. Joào Colaco’s management of the rides, coffee breaks and lunch stops and post ride updates and what to expect the next day were perfect! I wanted to experience a cycle along the Atlantic coast enjoying the local cuisine and culture and this cycle checked all those boxes and then some! A surprising bonus was that the dinner recommendation for the 1st night was so good, we all opted in for the remaining dinner recommendations each evening as we could experience the most authentic local cuisine and unique locations in each of the towns!

Adine Whitfield Porto to Lisbon Atlantic Ride

This was an excellent way to explore Puglia, the towns of Matera, Alberobello, Ostuni and Lecce all were fascinating and atmospheric yet different. The hotel accommodation was in the town centers in the first three locations and was very good. The cave house and the trullo being a real experience. Accommodation in Lecce was a real disappointment. It was located on a ring road about a 25-minute walk from the center and was a basic business class hotel very few facilities. Our room was bright orange (think Easy Jet) and small, breakfast was limited compared to the previous hotels. Altogether a poor finish to a good experience.

graeme davies Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy

We rode from Porto to Lisbon, roughly 40 miles a day. It was a wonderful way to experience the coastal towns between these two fabulous cities. It did rain every day but with expert leaders we managed to navigate the rain and keep to our schedule, and still enjoy the stops along the way. I appreciated that the itinerary was well organized. The food was wonderful and Portugal is a beautiful country with a rich history that most international travelers are not familiar with.

Sondra Greene Porto to Lisbon Atlantic Ride

A well planned itinerary circumnavigating the island to visit the major sites with the odd dart inland for even more. The minibus was comfortable, as were the hotels, which came in a variety of sizes and styles that added to the experience. Most were right in the heart of their communities, so there was never far to walk for sightseeing or amenities, such as restaurants. Apart from a brief period of Saharan wind and sand, we had perfect weather for sightseeing, sunny but not too hot. We enjoyed everywhere we went.

Ron Powell Sicily Grand Tour

I’ve traveled far and wide, Morocco being my 58th country. But this trip wasn’t just travel – it was transformation, standing apart as one of the most enriching, moving, and unforgettable adventures of my life.
From the sweeping dunes of the Sahara to the winding alleys of the ancient Medina and the energy of Marrakesh, the poetic beauty of the Atlas Mountains, and the Kasbahs, villages, markets, homes — each day was filled with wonder, beauty, and genuine connection—with the land, its people, and with myself.
As someone who prefers traveling spontaneously and on my own, rather than in coordinated groups, two friends and I decided to try it this time, and joined strangers on this organized trip.
A huge part of what elevated this journey well beyond expectations was our extraordinary guide, Mohamed. His deep knowledge, thoughtful storytelling, and sincere care brought the history, culture, nature, and spirit of Morocco to life in unforgettable ways. He didn’t just show us Morocco—he shared it with us. With his passion, and genuine kindness, he didn’t just lead us—he welcomed us into his culture with warmth and generosity. From shared laughters to heartfelt stories, he made Morocco come alive in ways no brochure or solo travel ever could. The experience was poetry for all senses.
Equally important was our driver, Abdoul, whose calm, confident presence made every journey feel completely safe, no matter how winding the road or how chaos-like the road. His skill behind the wheel allowed us to trust, relax, and truly take in the shifting landscapes.
The itinerary struck a perfect balance between adventure and rest, busy and quiet, and the thoughtfully selected accommodations—including the magical desert camp and the rustic charm gite —created an atmosphere of authenticity and comfort. And the food! Every meal was a sensory delight, and I found myself not just tasting Moroccan food and tea but truly savoring it as a cultural expression. Oh, and I will never forget surrendering to the traditional —non-touristy — hammam with the local ladies in Thigza at 6400ft altitude. I felt cleansed not just on my skin, but deep scrubbed from years of inner hurts.
And the most beautiful part of this trip? The unexpected connections—with locals and with moments of quiet awe. This was more than a vacation. It was a passage into wonder. I have returned transformed and with a yearning to return.
I’m deeply grateful to Mohamed and Abdoul, and to all the people along the way, who welcomed us, shared their homes, shared their knowledge, and the love of their country, for taking us far beyond the surface.
If you’re looking not just to see Morocco, but to feel it, live it, and carry it home in your soul, I can’t recommend this journey with Exodus highly enough.

agnes mocsy Marrakech & the Sahara

I have given this tour a 4* rating because the basic structure of the tour was so good.
Matera, Alberobello and Ostuni were all outstanding. The towns have been restored and are fascinating and atmospheric as well as beautiful (especially at night). The hotel accommodation, which was in the centre of town in all three locations, was quirky, interesting, and well-appointed. We were disappointed with the Eos hotel in Lecce, however. It was a let-down and a rather sad end after what until then had been a fabulous trip with amazing accommodation elsewhere. It’s situated on a ring road, a 20 minute walk from the gate into the old town with little in the way of bars, restaurants or atmosphere nearby. It was a budget hotel with pared-down facilities and a disappointing and very basic breakfast. For example, by 8.00 am on the first morning there was limited choice because once foods had been consumed they were not always replaced. The staff were less helpful than in the other hotels. Lecce itself was very impressive with some amazing architecture. However, we were there over a bank holiday and it was consequently very busy. It would be nice to go back when it was quieter. The local guide in Lecce was not as good as the one in Matera, not least because her English was limited.

Susan Howard Puglia: Discover the Heel of Italy