Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Whilst the walks were fantastic taking the cable car up to the Aguille du Midi was absolutely awesome.  The views of Mont Blanc were amazing.  What can I say, simply brilliant.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was really good considering this was her first time on this tour and she had to cater for a range of walking ability.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As you can guess the first is at the end of the tour go up the Aguille du Midi and buy a multipass ticket (4 euros extra).  However, go early to avoid the queues.  Take a packed lunch, water and walking trainers and walk the balcony route to the Mer de Glace from the mid station.  You can then get the cable car down the ice caves and get the train back to Chaminox on your multipass ticket.Take compeed and a knee brace (we had several people develop knee trouble and braces were expensive).  Take some gaffer tape in your bag (comes in useful for all sorts).  Fill up on snack bars and chocolate on the first day as it may be sometime before you can again.  It's expensive so take plenty of money if you want drink and cake etc at the refuges.

Most Inspirational Moment

Trogir, Korcula and Dubrovnik are beautiful old cities. Korcula , Mijet and Lokrum are gorgeous islands with lovely walks and scenery. The wine tasting was excellent, such a wonderful building inside and plenty to taste. Walking round the walls of Dubrovnik was a highlight . The day I spent on Lokrum on the free day was lovely. It may be small , but it has a lovel restaurant in the grounds of the old monastery , lots of paths to walk on and barely see another person with good views,good swimming off the rocks and an interesting botanical gardensand peacocks! It was recommended to us by a couple of locals who said it was where they go to chill out, and it certainly delivered.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The hotels were good and varied. The hotel in Dubrovnik is out of the old city but it is really easy to get a bus into town and they seemed to run every 10 minutes or so. Get a 3 day bus ticket , it will work out cheaper and includes free entry to various museums and the cable car.

Most Inspirational Moment

The hike to Harding ice field was fantastic with amazing views and ever changing terrain to hike through.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leaders were fun-loving and quirky. Their enthusiasm and passion for Alaska was contagious.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Its nothing like I imagined or expected. Go with an open mind and you will love it.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Countryside is mostly flat and the traffic light so cycling was not a problem and we did not cycle in any of the large cities. The distances of a maximum of 50kms per day were easily manageable. I am not a cyclist but a runner and although I had done some cycle training before the holiday, I had no problem with the cycling. A measure of fitness is required for this trip.The Cities of Tallinn, Riga and Villinius are interesting and my only criticism of the trip is that insufficient time was allowed to visit these places and if you have the time available, I would recommend arriving a day earlier than the trip and leaving a day later. The tour araound Cecis Casle could be dropped in favour of an earlier departure for Riga.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had two Group Leaders, Petyr met us in Tallinn and stayed to Lielupa and then Tomas took over for the remainder of the trip. Both Leaders were satisfactory but lacked the sprak of enthusiasm usually associated wth Exodus leaders.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just as you are approaching Klaipeda you use a cycle track which is fast but a post has been broken off leaving about three inches protruding in the middle of the track. I did not see it and fell off the cycle breaking my collar bone and severely bruising myself. The Lithuanian A&E was excellent and I did not have to pay anything as I had the E111 card.Beware of that post, I am sure that all the potential leaders of this trip will be warned of its existence now and hopefully the local Company are putting pressure on the Klapedia authorities to saw off the post to ground level.

Most Inspirational Moment

Trekking up close to the mont blance massive range and se the reflections of the mountains on the river ..wow

Thoughts on Group Leader

Trip leader was experienced and knowledge  in regards to the mountains and the tour ...

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't wait... go for trek...

Most Inspirational Moment

The view from my hotel window and from the train windows.Walking in the mountains and river gorges and cooling off at the end of the day with a local beer flavoured with chestnut flowers in the Bar des Amis .   

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rudi was an excellent, considerate and thoughtful leader with an impish sense of humour. He allowed those of greater ability to walk on ahead  to a meeting point at their own pace  and most walks provided a shorter circuit for those who felt it necessary. We seemed to stumble across a bar most days and he even had the keys of an old shepherd's hut where we could brew up.  On one walk he had gone there earlier and hidden cans of drink for us in a cold mountain stream - - - a kind thought.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bocognano was ideally situated and by-passed by the main road traffic. There were a couple of restaurants, a small shop, the Bar des Amis and a good artisan bakery. Guessing when the shops/restaurants would open was a skill that would take more than a week to acquire.  The station was only a short walk from the hotel.    The hotel was as implied in the Trip Notes - - - a bit old and quirky but with friendly and helpful staff and a laid back cat. Much more fun than an impersonal modern one. Rudi's advice that Corte would not provide enough interest for a full day's visit was well founded. We all went to Ajaccio on the rest day. Our thanks to John, an ex French teacher who got our tickets !   

Most Inspirational Moment

Despite not cycling much in the UK, we managed the distances easily, although I was sometimes defeated by the hills - the countryside is NOT 'pancake flat' as described on the website and my legs protested. However, it was a great feeling not to have to dismount all the time! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alan's route notes were very detailed so no chance of getting lost (although if you need reading glasses you will be stopping frequently to check them).  On the rest days, there were several route suggestions. He also very kindly came to pick us up earlier than scheduled, thus avoiding a wait of several hours at Flaca station.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some hills! Despite the breeze, we were sweaty and red-faced when we arrived at the hotels (all of which were up a hill) but a quick shower and a swim restored us. You may wish to take gel saddles!

Most Inspirational Moment

The itinerary was so full it is impossible to single out just one highlight. They must range from the spectacular mountainous landscapes around Theth and Valbona National Park to the sheer scale and drama of Berat Castle or the humbling surroundings of Ardenica Monastery.However, perhaps the abiding memory is one of the pervading optimism that seems to exist, despite the relatively short time since the demise of the repressive communist regime. The towns are vibrant, colourful and lively places. People everywhere were polite, helpful and genuinely warm and friendly.The same was true of neighbouring Kosovo. The contrast between a village cemetary, where the majority of headstones depicted deaths on the same day as a result of a massacre during the 1990's conflict, and the flourishing cafe culture and general sense of wellbeing in Prizren was truly inspirational.Both countries have made remarkable progress since their recent troubles.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Dorien was exceptional. Intelligent (a qualified psychologist) with excellent English and a remarkable local and historical knowledge (with his father he is co-owner of the tourist company handling the trip on behalf of Exodus).The group developed a real rapport with him and greatly appreciated his efforts on our behalf. He was considering modifying some of the walking as his previous group had found it too difficult. However, we convinced him that we were capable and he even substituted a stiff 5 hour route for the easy leg-stretcher on day 2.While being in the forefront of current tourist development in Albania, he is also very much in favour of a responsible, sustainable approach to this and promoting local involvement as far as possible. He was keen to take on board any comments, suggestions or criticisms in this respect.

Advice for Potential Travellers

While this trip is a mixture of walking and sightseeing, some of the terrain in the north of the country over the first few days is quite demanding and hardly ' moderate ' (compared, for example, to the Transyvania or Rodopi walking). A good degree of fitness is essential and poles indispensible for some of the steep rocky trails.Having said that, the toughest days come early on and the second half of the week is rather more relaxing. Exodus trip photos don't really do justice to the scenery so find some other websites to get a better idea of what is on offer.If you are fit and are considering this Albania trip then go ! I guarantee that it will exceed all your expectations. But hurry - things are developing rapidly and it won't remain a hidden gem for much longer.Catch it while its traditions and naive beauty remain largely intact.

Most Inspirational Moment

The summit climb is the obvious one, we were fortunate to have brilliant weather and were able to spend over an hour taking in the views and enjoying the photo opportunities, and a splendid snack provided by our guides.The camp on day 2 was also quite spectacular, the scenery from my sleeping bag was quite awesome.The gite was also great, simple but effective.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was not the most attentive Exodus leader we have come across, but got us all to the top in one piece and down again. As it was Ramadan the energy levels of the guide and other staff were less than they might have otherwise been, full of admiration for what they achieved while fasting.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a nail brush! The dust gets every where and a nail brush was the only way of really getting hands clean. In Marrakech the guide wasn't really good value, might be better to do this yourself.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of Tete Nord des Fours at 2756m having climbed a long snow field and seeing the wonderful 360 degree views and, at the end of the day, lying in my tent, wrapped in my down sleeping bag in a meadow of glorious wild flowers, at the head of a valley, under a glacier, by a river and with cow bells in the distance .. All my dreams come true! Also the dips in cold mountain rivers at the end of hot days.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I was pleased when I read that we were to have Graham as a leader as previous reviews of his leadership were glowing. He managed the group well but his job would have been easier if there had been a second leader to bring up the rear. He gave us the opportunities to stretch ourselves with extra peaks and further challenges on our 'rest' days and he took pains to explain each day in advance so we were well prepared and equipped for what lay ahead.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Everyone says it, but do get fit before you go. It makes the whole experience so much more rewarding! Ensure you have a memory card big enough to hold all those photos. Good, silicone ear plugs for some of the camp sites!