Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Stunning scenery along the varied route.It inspired (!) you most of the time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele and Giovanni worked all hours to ensure an enjoyable time for all the group...... and seemed to enjoy themselves also. Exodus should keep these two at all costs. The diverse ages (~30 - 81) of the group didn't matter at all. In particular the ladies of the group were all helpful and charming.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Early June is a good time to go. Empty roads and not too hot weather. The Exodus advice to cycle regularly is worth following; Sardinian roads have their ups and downs. We ate well in restaurants, bars, picnics, elevenses with the backup bus. And the geletaria !

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing bears in the forest

Thoughts on Group Leader

Udo was very knowledgable about the area and its flora and fauna.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some of the walking is quite steep- take good strong walking shoes, and more importantly cover for your head in the summer!! The sun can really beat down!

Most Inspirational Moment

The scenery at El Chorro Gorge (with the magnificent vultures soaring around the cliffs at the top), the very pretty town of Ronda, Grazelema, the day in Seville.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alexis was an excellent group leader. He was extremely helpful and knowledgeable, and sensitive to the needs of the group. As few locals in the places we visited speak English, a good guide is essential.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Comfortable walking or hiking boots are essential. One or two tramping poles are very useful too for the hilly areas.

Most Inspirational Moment

We were a small group (five) - I took my inspiration from the other people on the trip who were all a bit better than me and helped me along the way. The off-road section on the morning of the penultimate day - this was harder than anything I had done before and the scenery was spectacular. The end of the final push up to Santiago!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dani was a great leader. He constantly adapted the route to give us more/less off-road biking according to our pace. I learnt a lot and will be much more confident about tackling hills in future. Jose was in a driver/support role for our week but I would also have complete confidence in him. A local guide really makes the difference with food tasting. We got some preferential treatment and delicacies from the restaurants along the camino who all know our guides very well. Try a bit of everything!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get your pilgrim passport stamped - it is a nice momento of the trip. The toughest climb is the road up to O'Cebreiro. There is an option to take the walkers' route to the summit village instead which two of us did and enjoyed. Consider an extra night in Santiago - we flew back on Sunday from the local airport. Go to the Friday night mass in Santiago with the Botafumeiro - none of our party were doing the camino for religious reasons but it was an insight into how much the pilgrimage means for those who were. Packing cubes - I'm a recent convert! They really help for a trip like this when you are on the move all the time. Take your own water bottle as these are not supplied.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being in Venice for the first time was fantastic. The evening we spent in Vicenza was excellent. The hotel was very simple but it was the best hotel of the trip. Very atmospheric and picturesque. The first time we saw lake Garda was also a special moment. Incredible views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele was so committed to ensuring everyone had the best time. He never seemed to stop and was always around when you needed him. Meeting his family in Vicenza was very nice and everyone on the trip enjoyed this insight to Italian Life.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't worry too much about the cycling - it was very straightforward. One tougher day but nothing too much.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the immense Bay of Kotor from Lovcen mountain - wow! Durmitor National Park - spectacular & humbling Mostar - dsepite the hoardes of tourists it is lovely & well worth seeing

Thoughts on Group Leader

Anaid was fun, full of facts & kept things going along smoothly

Most Inspirational Moment

The views were breathtaking, didn't realise we would be so high up, especially having lunch on top of the world at around 750 meters. Achieving the walks was inspirational, as we found certain aspects quite demanding, such as steep elevations, narrow footpaths with sheer drops, but not forgetting we did this with a great bunch of people, who looked out for each other.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Meeting Morton at the airport, he made us feel welcome straight away, and reassured us if we had any problems we should not hesitate to contact him one way or the other. As the holiday progressed he would explain everything the night before at his group sessions for the following days agenda. He is polite, extremely passionate about his work, the walks and the history of the country, plus if he couldn't answer a question, he would go away and find the answer, a true professional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are beginners like my partner and I, then possibly be prepared to be taken out your comfort zone, physically and mentally. But if you persevere with the walks, you will certainly feel a sense of achievement, as certainly that was our experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

The magnificent sunsets in the Amazon and on the trail.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Luis was a fantastic leader, very knowledgeable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Remember to allow for the tips as mentioned in the Exodus brochure.

Most Inspirational Moment

The view along Col Ferret (of Grandes Jorasses and Monte Bianco), the alpine flower meadows below the Col de Vosa .... and zig-zagging up, up, up the Brevent summit on our free day!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great! He adapted the walks according to weather and group and is very knowledgeable about the area, knows his flowers and found marmots! Beware of his jokes!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the itinerary to be altered - even in mid-June this year the snow was too low to do some of the advertised programme. Flowering of the alpine meadows also varies depending on severity and length of winter etc but they are stunning if your timing is right!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Is is impossible to pick a single moment, a choice between looking up at a blanket of stars one night, to walking a section of the trail quietly by myself and then the fist view of Machu Pichu.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cesar was fantastic, a really nice guy who found time for everyone in the group. He was assisted by Anthony and between them they brought warmth, fun and complete professionalism at all times. It was a pleasure to meet tham and spend some time with them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Look carefully at the average temperatures, it was much warmer than i expected during the day and i would have been better with some lighter gear. Be prepared for basic sanitary conditions...but it is part of the experience and a continual topic of conversation on the trail..