Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking around the crater of Stromboli with steam and sulphur from fumaroles and breathtaking views over the islands. Climbing Stromboli at dusk listening to the thunder of eruptions and watching the explosions and lava fountains in the dark and then descending ash slopes by moonlight. Wine and antipasti evening at Gilberto and Eva in Lipari Descent of Etna and snow covered black ash craters with amazing thunder and lightening show! Watching dolphins leaping off the Bow of the boat on the way to Stromboli lovely coastal walk on the free day with superb views

Thoughts on Group Leader

Maria was excellent, she managed expectations from the start but delivered well above them. She watched the whole group and gave as much or as little attention as people wanted. She was attentive without being smothering. she had lots of suggestions for free time and good recommendations for eating. i think she did a very good job and gave up her free time in catania to eat with the group at a local restaurant on the last night.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A lot of this trip is weather dependent. if the wind is in the wrong direction then its not safe to walk all the way round the rim of vulcano and if the sea is rough the boats cant cross so be prepared for changes of plan. Walking is quite challenging due to heat rather than difficulty, i found poles a great help. The beaches are all volcanic and sharp stones so water shoes are advisable. sicily is chaotic and timetables can be rather flexible so be warned patience is required on this trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

It was all good

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not go in mid summer. Too Hot

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to choose. The Cares Gorge was what I'd been looking forward to and was breathtaking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvado really understood how to be a good leader. He knew the area well, he recognised whenever someone needed an extra bit of support, he had an excellent sense of humour and could laugh at himself too!

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving at the top of a 12 km climb to the view from O Cebreiro. A beautiful old stone village with cobbled streets and awesome views across the mountains. Well worth the pain of the climb in 31 degree heat

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was fantastic, tireless and very patient. He was great company in the evenings and certainly knew the best places to eat. He seems still really enthusiatic and passionate about the tour and the region, despite having done it many times before.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have general all round fitness, but if you go steady you should manage it. Also dont eat a three course meal at lunch and then try to bike up a big hill!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to say as it was all most enjoyable. I felt a sense of achievement every day as I was considerably less fit than most of my group but I still got there in the end! I was really pleased to see so many wild flowers despite being told that the spring flowers were over.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of his country and had a thorough knowledge of the paths and tracks in the area in which we were walking. He very capably juggled our itinerary to cope with at times difficult weather conditions, making sure that we were safe and did not miss any of the highlights, and in fact adding a few extras.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wet weather gear! We had some torrential rainstorms but were always conveniently nearby local cafés !

Most Inspirational Moment

Quite a few, playing football in the amazon was good and watching the sunset on the island in lake Titicaca were great, but the third day of the inca trail walking through the mountains was something else.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wilfredo was a brilliant fella who never found anything to much trouble, knowledgeable and always approachable. Even taking the time on his free day in Cusco to show us around.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a once in life time trip, just go (also wet wipes come in handy camping for four days )

Most Inspirational Moment

The Cathedral on t he second last day. Also the gorge on the same day - sorry cant remember names.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fine. Knowledgeable and related well to the group. Gave an interesting summary of Turkish history to help us relate to the caves and their eras, altho probably went on a bit too long about it. Organized meals well and gave sufficient prior information so we knew what was intended. Was flexible, rearranging the walks to make them more sensible. Guide waited for tail end walkers to catch up occasionally, but then didnt pause to allow them to rest but started immediately.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Worth advising potential travellers that many paths have gravel making them slippery on downslopes. Need to take walking poles. Definitely need hats and sunburn cream becuase of heat in June.

Most Inspirational Moment

This is a difficult question. I think probably walking across a high plateau, and seeing snow capped mountains in the distance.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was excellent. He had a deep love of his home; an encyclopaedic local knowledge; and knew much of his country's history as well. He adjusted the programme according to the weather, and other factors.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do this holiday if you are something of a hiker who can climb hills on rocky paths. Do not do this holiday if you only walk in towns or in parks, and do not have a decent degree of fitness.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting off the bike at the end! Seriously no one particular moment stands out, it is a great place to visit, lots of new experiences and unusual to still see a society being run on socialist principles.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was very hard working, funny and also passionate about his country. He was on duty about 16 hours a day and generally all the eating places, re-fuel stops and hotel arrangements ran very well. Where they did not, this was usually outside of his control. This was his first bike for a long time and he was a little unfit maybe -but so was I....

Advice for Potential Travellers

Leave you pre-conceptions at home as Cuba will suprise and amaze you. It is generally very safe and the people are very friendly. The food can be quite dire with limited choice and tedious. This is changing and will only improve. There is tons of excellent fresh fruit, and most places do a great mojito. Take some drink supplements to add to the water, insect repellant, plenty of sun cream and £ sterling to change. Prices are very cheap by european standards. The hotels are generally the best in each town and most are in restored colonial era style buildings. Don't eat in the Havana hotel, there are better options locally.

Most Inspirational Moment

Great blend of amazing natural beauty alongside some of the most picturesque Italian coastline with gastronomical delights.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was really passionate about this region and all it had to offer.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You need a reasonable level of fitness and if travelling in the warmer months make sure you're well prepared to hydrate and protect yourself from the sun.