Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

It has to be the ride into Sienna and arriving in the main sqaure. It's also pretty amazing arriving in Piazza Michelangelo in Florence. The Piazza del Miracolos in Pisa takes some beating. or maybe it was the first taste of Vino Nobile de  Montepulciano?

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leaders Mike and Rudy were both great, very experienced and committed to making sure that everything went smoothly and that everyone in the group had a great time. Nothing was a problem and they worked hard all the time to make things even better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The distances are not long but it's quite up and down. You'll enjoy the trip more if you do some hill training before you go. There is an optional hill to ride up on the return from San Gimignano - the incline is gradual so you can certainly complete it and it's a great feeling when you reach the top and look down where you've come from!

Most Inspirational Moment

It was surely the 'Walk of the gods', wherein we left from Bomerano and finished in Positano.  The scenery is spectacular!  Also I enjoyed the traditional aspects of Agerola [locality of hotel accomodation].  We were lucky to have been at a time when the locals celebrated their annual feast.  The Agerola people are very welcoming and the food is excellent!

Thoughts on Group Leader

I enjoyed Edwardo's company.  He is very sociable and being a local, he knows very well the surroundings and even the people!  

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would avoid going to Amalfi in hot weather.  This would spoil the 'walk of the gods'.

Most Inspirational Moment

The last bike ride on small roads to Zuljiana - perfect. The road clung to the side of the land with the sea below. No traffic and just a few coves and small villages. Then oysters in Ston - a peach of a place.The set lunch on the way from Vela Luka on day 3. Perfect for a light lunch during a bike ride.The trip to Mljet though we were left short of time waiting for lunch at a restaurant (majority didn't want to eat on boat)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent: Confident, fit, smart with very good English, upbeat, sensitive to individual needs and fair. Very easy company. Cannot think of any minus points!

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip probably surprised a lot of us in being fairly tough - it was no ride in the park! When you look at pictures of those Dalmatian islands you probably think they are mostly flat but they are not! There were some very fit people on the group as well who took off like the Tour de France and kept us going full pelt. Very good though - far better than being in a group predominantly laid back and dawdling along.

Most Inspirational Moment

Can't decide between walking the walls of Dubrovnik or exploring Diocletian's Palace at Split - but the waterfalls at Krka were pretty good too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A great friend as well as being thoroughly professional in everything he did.  He enabled the group to come together and enjoy ourselves, even with those early starts!  A real champion for Croatia.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walking is correctly graded as Moderate, since the actual distances are not that great.  The climbs are on rougher ground than I was expecting, however, but I'm 70 and I managed them all without holding the party back in any way.The final ascent of Bojin Kuk on the last day is NOT Moderate and should be offered only as an option in the Trip Notes  -  as Zeljko very sensibly did.  5 of us out of 12, including me, elected to let the others go on at this point.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on the sumitt and realising I was on the rooftop of the whole of North Africa. The views in every direction left me with a lump in my throat. I vowed I would not leave it too long before doing something like this again.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hard to put into words. He was simply the perfect guide, he quietly controlled everything kept everyone calm and ensured the pace ideal for acclimatisation. He made every decision and got each one right. He was very knowledgeable to talk to about a vast range of topics. He had a great sense of humour. His patience and generosity of spirit was amazing when a member of the party struggled. And he even organised and participated in the end of trip celebrations. So impressive Yahya was simply outstanding!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are reasonably fit and enjoy non-technical climbing in magnicent scenery this trip is superb. I took and early morning Easy Jet flight that gave me an extra day in Marakesh and that was a huge bonus partly for doing the tourist bits but also for socialising with other members before the others arrived.

Most Inspirational Moment

This is hard , there's so many ! I think that my fav moment was sitting in the desert with one of my new friends at night after we had watched the sunset as a group . We let the others return to camp and just sat , suddenly we heard the rocks making noise . We got closer and it got even weirder . Until we realised that the walls of rock around our camp were amplifying and sending the sound out like a speaker and the it was bouncing back at us . Wadi Rum makes you understand why the locals believe in Djinn (spirits) that live in the desert . Amtospheric doesn't even come close , awesome !!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was a very nice guy with a big heart and a passion for his country and his religion . He tried to bring us along for the ride and widen our perspectives . For me that is what travel is all about . I was genuinely sad to say goodbye . I think he wanted us to be happy and tried hard to make that happen but he also tried to give us little words of wisdom that might stay with us . 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get fit !!! This sounds like an easy ride but trust me there's lots of climbing and walking for up to 8 hours a day at some points . The first 4 days are full on . Bring walking boots and buy a head scarf in Jordan , very good for keeping the sun off you . The company info and all guide books say you need to cover up more than you do on a cultural level . The Jordanian people seem to appreciate and like westerners , you are kind of given a pass on most stuff . EAT !!!!! Mansaf and Makluba .............delicious !!! Its diet time for me people !  

Most Inspirational Moment

On a couple of the higher, longer walks, looking back to where you had started/ just come from and seeing the scenery, distance, views and distance travelled.

Thoughts on Group Leader

No group leader as such, but the hotel team and staff were just excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Start on the lesser distance walks and build up to the biggies

Thoughts on Group Leader

Udi - good sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Accommodation is fine. Food is excellent. Be warned that the 'dinner' on the first night whilst travelling from the airport to the hotel is a poor quality sandwich and bottle of water.

Most Inspirational Moment

Passing from Switzerland into Italy over the Grand Col Ferret was a really special moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was extremely helpful, friendly & knowledgable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go for it, you won't regret it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Enjoyed using parts of the GR20.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great! Very friendly and looked after us very well. She joined in with all our activities including having a meal out at local restaurant on our day off from the hotel.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You definately need one or two sticks. Strong walking shoes are ok but boots are probably the best footwear.