Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of a big hill and then being able to come down the otherside to the sun set, we got to the hotel by Lake Nicaragua in time for a sunset that set the sky alight, in that moment you really felt like you were on another planet.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was lovely, very funny and was able to interact with all group members, he had a personal touch and got on well with the drivers and mechanics, it was a great atmosphere.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Most places you go take card payments, so you don't need as much cash as you think!

Most Inspirational Moment

Karnak and Luxor temples at night

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good. Naiel had extensive knowledge of Egyptology - I still don't know how he remembers all of those dynasties. He was friendly and helpful throughout.

Advice for Potential Travellers

MONEY ATMs are readily available including in hotels. You can only withdraw Egyptian pounds (EGP), but get some (I needed about 80 GBP worth) for minor purchases, meals, drinks – and toilets, where you will be asked for a tip of 10 EGP (about 27p), so a wad of small notes is useful. US dollars (USD) are the most useful currency for the tip kitty, meals, hotel bills, optional trips and major purchases. They are acceptable almost everywhere, including street sellers, but there is no coinage in circulation and the price might be rounded up generously. You are likely to pay rather more than if you use EGP. Change, if required, will be in EGP. I got through around 350 USD. Sterling and Euros are not so useful. They may be acceptable in hotels and major tourist shops, but not generally elsewhere. Credit cards are fine for optional trips, hotels and major purchases.

Suggestions

Security in Egypt is tight, with armed police and some army much in evidence, as well as a security guard on the bus for parts of the trip. This is primarily to keep tourists safe, as they contribute about 1/3 of the economy. There are limited opportunities for going off on your own.

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved it all but cycling up Ooty hill I guess. Also loved the overnight boat trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic, couldn’t be more helpful

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Spotting an ever increasing list of new wildlife - animals and plants alike, seeing hummingbirds, toucans or macaws at breakfast! The nature walks were just brilliant. But other moments include: cycling in bibical rain to Playa Platanare, staying in the Wilson Botanical gardens, staying at Pachira Lodge in Tortugeura.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fab. Memo was extremely knowledgeable about Costa Rica, past and present, and all of it's fauna and flora. His talks were engaging and he had a great sense of humour. He was clear in his cycling instructions and kept us alll safe :) He was also very patient - he often had to explain things to us several times - mostly becasue our holiday brains just weren't working!! He was well assisted by Jason - mechanic - always smiling and helpful. And Luis, as previously mentioned, great driver, friendly, helpful and kept his bus as clean as humanly possible and had fruit and snacks ready for us on the stops.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have binoculars, take them. Assume you will be very hot! Take loads of pictures!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Galal was very knowledgable and eager to ensure we understood everything he had to tell us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for early mornings and some delayed lunches - keep some snacks available!

Most Inspirational Moment

Where does one start? Japan is a country of contrasts between cities and countryside, but wherever we went we were taken by the polite respect that people show to one another and which was extended to us. The country is free of litter and the Shinkansen trains are fantastic. The food is amazing, though be prepared to eat a lot of raw fish in a variety of guises.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kuzu is an enthusiast, keen to show us the best of Japan, particularly the gastronomy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go there with an open mind, experience the place, the people and their culture. Embrace the food and drink, but be prepared to eat raw fish and seafood. Enjoy the onsen (public baths), and be prepared to overcome your inhibitions!

Suggestions

The assistant tour leader Vaskar was excellent and very considerate. He not only ensured our comfort and convenience but contributed valuable suggestions to the leader especially on the one rainy day.

Most Inspirational Moment

My personal highlights were hearing about Mardi Gras in New Orleans from our leader who had lived there and experienced the whole 2 week festival and to then see costumes and further detail in the Presbytere museum along with a great exhibition on Hurricane Katrina. We also had a few great evenings in New Orleans hearing a variety of musical acts on the steamer dinner cruise and in the bars of Bourbon Street. Visiting Graceland was also memorable and Sun Studio in Memphis was so much more than expected and so exciting to see.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were so lucky to have Mike as our leader as he made this holiday an amazing experience. His knowledge of music of all types, civil rights and slavery is exceptional. He has also lived and worked in the area and had visited everywhere we visited multiple times before. This meant he could point us in the right direction of things to see and the best bars and restaurants to try. This saved us wasting time trailing round trying out places. His enthusiasm was infectious. In addition he is very kind and thoughtful and worked hard to make sure everyone on the trip was happy and saw and did what they wanted.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I had done a fair amount of research in advance, but the trip exceeded my expectations. There was so much to see and do related to music and I learnt so much about civil rights and slavery. The hotels are adequate so don’t expect luxury but are well positioned close to city centres and walkable to the main sights. Although I have been to the US a few times before it takes a while to remember every price has tax added to it and in restaurants a minimum tip of 18% is expected and tips for every round in a bar. I see that the trip we did that started and finished in Atlanta seems to have been changed to a shorter one starting in New Orleans and finishing in Nashville. This means you would be covering a lot less miles than our trip which covered well over 1600 miles. However you would miss out out on stops in Atlanta, Birmingham and the Jack Daniels visit.

Suggestions

I have been on about 7 exodus trips and been lucky enough to have had some exceptional tour leaders, but Mike is unbeatable.

Most Inspirational Moment

tomb of Tutankhamun

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, full of historic stories but his 'people' skills could have been better. He was often quick to dismiss questions/observations which didn't fit his narrative. He messed up the booking of optional trips, failing to let us know what days the trips were on and advised the wrong opening times of the Nuburian museum at Aswan which meant some missed going. Clearly he loved sharing his knowledge but needs to member it's own holiday and not just everyone shares his passion and take on the history.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book an extra day or 2 at the end to chill in Aswan and it's a busy full on trip

Suggestions

Cruise boat could have done with tea/coffee making facilities in rooms and water should be included at mealtime.

Most Inspirational Moment

From a cycling perspective, making it to the end of the really hard hill climb was very inspirational from a personal perspective! I loved the view from the hotel in Lake Girithale, breathtaking view. The final beach hotel was wonderful. Standing on the sand looking out at the ocean at the surfers was wonderful and the final poolside BBQ was very special. The pools at that hotel were fab as well as the one at Chaarya hotel Seeing elephant and leopard on safari and a fin whale while whalewatching also very special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ruwan was a wonderful group leader. He was incredibly patient, knowledgeable, flexible, attentive, great wildlife knowledge too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring your own loo roll and hand sanitiser. Bring cycling shoes and trainers because one will get wet. Bring high quality camera. Bring a sarong for easily going into temples to tie round your waist