Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Great memories:-Completing the climbs on day 1 and 2.-Cycling as close as it gets along the coast line on several occassions.-An amazing Croatian lunch at a family run restaurant in what to me seemed the middle of nowhere. -Dubrovnik early in the morning! I will certainly come back here. -Last but not least: making new friends to go on more Exocus holidays with. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader Vlad was great, he doesn't usually does this particular trip, but much more advanced ones. By the end of the week we were all convinced he was super-human. With the patience of angels he made sure the whole group managed most of the rides. He is passionate about his country and encouraged us all to make the most of all opportunties to explore. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you understand the skill level you need to do this ride, several in the group hadn't and it made the rides a lot harder for them and slower for the overall group. Because we all got on so well, it wasn't an issue in the group I was in, but could have been in a group who were after speed. Know your gears and be aware that you will be cycling 55K, with 2 x 1000m climbs on 2 days and around 35K the other days. 

Most Inspirational Moment

There were several highlights. The visit to Mount Etna was very interesting and the cheese and wine tasting later that day was most enjoyable! The Zingaro NP was lovely to walk in with some interesting museums in the park. The scenery was lovely and it was good to get some exercise and enjoy the countryside. The food and wine in Sicily is great and the people were very warm and friendly. Noto is beautiful and so is Erice.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Salvo was an excellent leader , full of knowledge and enthusiasm for his Island and especially the Etna area. He was patient and organised. An added bonus was that he is very sociable in the evenings .I learnt a lot about Sicily and Sicilains from him and also learnt a bit more of the Italian language. The driver , Luca was also very good , very friendly and sociable. The local guides were also very good.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip is very much a sightseeing trip. It covers a lot of the Island and therefore there isn't a lot of time spent soaking up the scenery and culture in any one place. It is listed as leisurely /moderate but compared with other trips I've been on this one was just leisurely . The walks on Etna and in the Zingaro Np are only very short. There are some steep bits , but mainly in the towns and villages due to them being built in hillsides or the tops of hills. Don't settle for a sandwich at lunchtime,instead find some local delicacies in the local pasticcerias. Great local food and quite cheap.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many highlights. All the walks were great but I really loved Valley of the Ten Peaks/Sentinel Pass, Yoho National Park and Crypt Lake. Loved the Waterton Lakes region, it was so different to the other 3 areas we camped in.Great wildlife sightings, grizzly and black bear, elk, moose, deer, sheep and pika!  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Renee and Catherine were great - fun, friendly and helpful, nothing was too much trouble. They cooked fantastic meals, and Catherines lunches were mouth watering.Renne has so much great knowledge about Canada and was willing to answer the many questions. They were the best guides I have had on any trip I have been on. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Weather is very changeable so make sure you pack clothes for layering. 

Most Inspirational Moment

We had many excellent experiences but I think from a walking point of view it must be the Amphitheatre at Drakensberg. After a cold and not too promising start the weather gradually cleared to reveal some awe inspiring views. I think the best picnic stop ever !!!The Game drives were great and varied: The first private game reserve we stayed at was very memorable seeing many animals but we came across two young Lionesses who were not at all bothered by our presence, great for the photographers. When we entered Kruger The water hole was very busy with Elephants, Hippo, Giraffe .... quite a sight.        

Thoughts on Group Leader

Admire and Mathew worked very hard to make things go smoothly, between them they had a lot of knowledge and if they didn't know usually found out.  They made the trip a very pleasant and memorable one.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a very varied holiday but does involve some long coach transfers. If you really don't like coach travel it may not be for you. But for me ... I thoroughly  enjoyed it.We are not campers but this was no problem. The guides had the tents up in no time and the beds very comfortable. The tents large enough to store your gear and tall enough in the centre to stand. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole Dalmation coast itself and especially Dubrovnik.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take note when the guide says there's hills involved!

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk down the Demosaris Gorge & swimming inthe lovely blue green Agean sea at the bottom

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thanos was brilliant.His enthusiasm,knowledge of cultural,political& historic issues was incredible.Nothing was too much trouble for him.One of the best leaders I have walked with.

Most Inspirational Moment

Exploring Mount Etna and having it brought to life (not literally!) by our naturalist guide.Tasting the delicious food and wine that Sicily has to offer and trying some new things.Wandering the streets of the delightful villages of Noto and Ragusa and discovering at my own pace.Finding out about Siracusa, Ortygia, Palermo and Agrigento through our enthusiastic and friendly local guides.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Salvo was very friendly, helpful and informative about his home of Sicily.  Everything ran really smoothly and when there was an unexpected change of plan he coped admirably.  He was always willing to answer our endless questions with patience and attentiveness.I am most grateful to Salvo for taking the trouble to introduce us to some fabulous restaurants, which we surely would not have discovered otherwise (although I did put on about half a stone!). 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your Italian phrasebook with you - they love you try the language.

Most Inspirational Moment

The clouds in the early morning pouring over the rim of Ngorongoro

Thoughts on Group Leader

Clara was knowledgable, clear, helpful, fun and friendly. Boniface the driver and Esther the cook were also excellent. They all got it just right.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don't need to take a rollmat! (I hadn't read the blurb well enough and took mine). Your website's list of what to take was v helpful and got it right. We bought pillows in the supermarket we stopped at in Nairobi. Which was a good move as they were really comfortable, tho it seemed rather decadent and in ecological (tho we gave them away at the end).

Most Inspirational Moment

Floating in the Dead Sea , something I have wanted to do since childhood. At 58 It lived up to all expectations

Thoughts on Group Leader

Friendly well organised informative and great at preparing snacks. I am confident his facts were 99% accurate.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I trained hard for the cycling part of the trip . The first 2 days were relatively easy there was only one day that I found anywhere near challenging. I did enjoy cycling through the countryside and stopping for our snacks. We saw all the major sights but if sight seeing is your main concern other trips would take in even more such as Castle Karak. If you like your cycling challenging there are other options. For me the this trip was about right but I came home less fit than I went,

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk from Montescaglioso to Matera. Fantasic views, walking through varied and interesting terrain and very different to the walks at the beginning of the week.The hotels in Ostuni and Matera were fasinating with their querky layouts and interesting history.The food - antipasti, antipasti and more antipasti - absolutly delicious!  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Angelo was an excellent leader who was very mindful of the needs of the group always consulting, advising and making suggestions. His knowledge of the area was excellent. He had great empathy with the local people and worked very hard to make this holiday the best experience possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't eat or drink too much!