Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

An amazing trip that lived up to my expectations. A great group consisting of singles and couples aged 20's to 70's.Vinales was beautiful and I could have stayed there longer. The Casa check in here is unique-your name and guest house hand written on A4 paper and waved at coach.Being in Trinidad for the 500th anniversary and surrounded by music and dance in the streets.Lots of rum-preferably dark and at least 7 years old.Being given a friendship bracelet by the landlady in Trinidad and the welcome in all of the casa's. Welcoming but not intrusive.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jorge was brilliant with unending patience and diplomacy. Any problems were sorted and  always helpful with ideas when having free time. I hope he is enjoying the union jack umbrella I gifted to him, we never lost him on the tours as we could spot him a mile away.Alex was an excellent driver who drove the comfortable Chinese bus safely. Jorge tells us China have donated about 2,000 buses. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack lightly as this is the first holiday I have been on when I have never unpacked my case.If doing the optional catamaran trip from Trinidad which I would highly recommend, you need beach shoes as there are sea urchins in the area you swim.A beach extension for a few days would have been good as a hectic but fulfilling schedule.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling in the rural areas in particular.  We enjoyed learning about the different crops like rice, rubber plantations, and how people make their living, and the culture.   

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nee was a great leader.  She made the trip very enjoyable and we felt very safe.  She is knowledgable, friendly, and she made sure we all had a good experience.  She worked well with the other local guides and kept us on time so we wouldn't miss out on anything.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some of the cycling is in fairly heavy traffic so you should be comfortable riding in traffic.  The group used hand signals to indicate potholes, obstacles, etc. for the rider behind which was very helpful.  

Most Inspirational Moment

The visit in the home stay and the biking in the Mekong Delta was the best part.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A very plesent expirience, we had the best guide you could give us. She was very aware about our securety and very paitent with everybody. She also had a great knowledge of how people lived in the different countries and how one ought to behave.

Most Inspirational Moment

The tiger painting I purchased at the local art studio in Ranthambore National Park!!!  It is incredible, a life long memory and to see the artists at work and view their work was absolutely fantastic.  The money paid is used to train young future artists, support tiger rehabilitation and the remainder to the artist.   The Taj Mahal was spectacular but so was the opportunity to view a tiger on safari and I particularly liked the insight into countryside India.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A very presentable and knowledgeable young man.  However as we travelled there was not much interaction or description of buildings, areas and sights along the route, particularly noticeable as we drove out of Delhi and passed some incredible buildings without knowing what they were.  If asked about a particular thing he was quite forthcoming.  On previous holidays we have had leaders who would forewarn us of sights about to come into view.  This was something that would have added to long hours of travel in buses.

Advice for Potential Travellers

India was enjoyable and would advise travelling light as there were so many different hotels and long hours on buses.

Most Inspirational Moment

The optional trip to a waterfall from Trinidad involves a 3 hours walk through a forest but it is absolutely amazing. And you get to have a dip in a refreshing lake :)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Friendly, patient and knowledgeable group leader; with a great sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is Worth extending your stay to relax on the beach at Varadero as the tour Taste of Cuba can be a little tiring as we are constantly moving and visiting different places.

Most Inspirational Moment

The increasingly charmimg Berber villages -- the last 2 villages and the last campsite were delightful;The contrast between the rugged sandstone desert rock and slate scree with the beautiful oasis villages, irrigated fields, crops and palm trees; Climbing into remote mountain spaces and looking back down to the valleys;The exhilaration of the height and the exertion to get there --and then to look back, and down and across.To wake into a frosty morning, but be trekking in bright warm susnshine in t-shirts a couple of hours later; and then to lay in the sun for a lunch-time kip by mid day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was attentive, and caring -- very athletic ( could sprint across the mountains), but not forthcoming with information -- he did answer all questions but did not offer any information at any point. When I had a slight knee injury and was unable walk for a short time, he dealt with it brilliantly -- had the first aid kit to hand, bandaged my knee and then arranged a donkey ride for the rest of the afternoon.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In the winter  - my trip was in January - don't under-estimate the cold and frosty nigths. You need a 4 season cocoon sleeping bag and lots of layers of really warm and light weight clothes -- wool and cashmere did it for me. I was cosy at night with a thermal vest and leggins, a merino jumper, a flanelette night shirt, a cashmere polo neck jumper, and thermal socks -- all inside my duck down cocoon sleeping bag!  I could then sleep cosy and open the door of my tent and sleep under the magical star-filled sky. Fantastic!Take a small plasic jug or large beaker; it has multiple uses --eg use it to take some hot water from the kettle to wash your face once or twice a day; us it as a tooth brushing mug .....Take lots of thick quality tissues and anti-bacterial wipes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to count, swimming at sunset in deadsea, walk to high sacrifice in Petra, candle evening in Petra, amazing feeling of peace just relaxing at Monestry and Urn Tomb in Petra and 'the view' in Little Petra, boat trip and snorkling in Red Sea. Great happiness.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Super Sami - fun and very knowledgeable. Great company. Big thank you.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take good walking shoes or boots as ground at Petra is rocky and loose cobbles. 4 Seasons sleeping bag for desert stop over enabled me to sleep outside under the stars. I loved it.  

Most Inspirational Moment

So many:cycling on road and off road by quiet plantations, jungle, forests, rivers, canals, deserted hamlets, markets, and also through busy towns and exciting local traffic. Friendly waves everywhere. The highly impressive Angkor Wat, but also rest stops at ordinary local Buddhist temples.Homestay and boat trips in the Mekon DeltaVisiting the haunting Killing Fields and the S 21 detention centre, as well as exploring the Vietcong tunnels. Distressing, but important to experience.Saigon by day and night- a beautifu, vibrant cityGood accommodation and outstanding food at great value . At lunches and evening meals we experienced a range of truly delicious local dishes. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nee was outstanding in every way: kind, considerate, attentive to the needs both of the group and of individuals, funny and so well informed. Definitely one of the very best leaders ever. She led a very good, supportive team of guides, drivers, mechanics and cyclists.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The bikes were very good, but I was glad I brought my own saddle and pedals: having clip-on shoes was an advantage. I also brought a small saddlebag to fix on my saddle, so I did not have to carry anything on my back in the heat. But then you can access your things from the support bus every 10-20K.No need to bring cycle snacks- the provisions at every rest stop were amazing. There was water, electrolyte sachets, iced tea and coffee, coke. To eat we had many delicious fruit, nuts, biscuits and local delicacies to try.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching and joining in with the Buena Vista Social Club on Christmas Day. Really learning a lot about Cuba. Feeling the change that is coming to this country.

Thoughts on Group Leader

She was excellent, got involved with the group and didn't shy away from questions about how it really was.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We spent about £150 each. Money changing was easy. Two booths outside the terminal we arrived at. The food was OK, the best was local food in vinales. Shame that isn't what you get everywhere. Take loads of photos, this country will change massively once the Castros are gone. Capitalism is coming!

Most Inspirational Moment

The Panama Canal and the vision of people over a hundred years ago, and what it has become today. The rain forests - peace and tranquility, in a slower world. The scenery, the flora and fauna, and the wildlife. The people ...... All of them!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

There are not words to convey the respect we hold for Janiell who went the extra mile in all aspects of the trip to ensure we had the very best time. She is a legend, and we love her.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Deet - and lots of it. A bit of training on a bike. Even if you are fit, the heat adds an extra dimension