Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The view out to the peninsula from the top of Kantara Castle.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Apart from knowing the ancient and modern history of the places we visited very well, Gizer catered for all tastes; whatever your diet or allergies; whenever you fancied a meal without the group. Not only was he most courteous, but he also has an excellent sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The service in The Pia Bella was good. The rooms were spacious and clean. Breakfast, the bar, and the local food in particular were good. The pre-arranged Christmas dinner was the least interesting. But most evenings we ate out as a group anyway. It’s worth knowing that the only coffee worth drinking should be ordered at the bar, and you should ask the breakfast cook to make you your choice of eggs because the prepared scrambled eggs are not worth it. A decent cappuccino is very cheap at 20 Lire. This is the least expensive county where I have eaten out for longer than I care to look back. Angora Kavaklidere red wine is very cheap and reasonably drinkable. Cankaya (pronounced ‘Chankaya’) Kavaklidere at 13.5% is a strong white wine and tastes even better quality for the same low price. Make sure you leave the food you can’t eat, or you will make yourself sick. Its good, but there is far too much of it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Driving back to the hotel along the winding coast road and witnessing the most spectacular sunset I have ever seen.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader, Veriano Verde, was excellent and went out of his way to make everything enjoyable for us. He has a good knowledge of the area so was able to tell us lots of interesting things about Agerola. Throughout the trip, he was unfailingly pleasant and helpful. He even gave up his day off to take a group of people up the mountain for a walk that we had had to forego because of the heavy fog.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your walking poles and plenty of thin layers as the weather can be cool in the mountains and then hot on the coast.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Greg was excellent — knowledgeable, clearly genuinely enthusiastic about the local community.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Good walking footwear; layers; waterproof jacket! Some of the days were quite long, with no “escape points”. Some of the paths were very boggy, but there was always a way around. Don’t rely on the published Slate Trail guide book — neither the maps nor the instructions have enoug detail. Don’t go in the underground quarries!

Most Inspirational Moment

Stunning views from the summits!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jenny was an exceptional leader - calm and methodical, with a great ability to "herd cats" and manage the quite disparate range of fitness and abilities in our group, as well as to come up with alternative plans as required. She imparted useful tips constantly, and broke the days up well with frequent short breaks. She was also super friendly and sociable, and worked extremely hard making sure everyone was OK and everything went to plan. Nothing was too much trouble for her to organise.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pocket Rocket will get you up any hill and will become your drug of choice! (Stock up in any local supermarket.). You will really benefit from good hill fitness on this trip. Take a ziplock bag to dinner (the amount of food is massive, but it's so good - I often took my leftovers for my packed lunch the next day.) You may prefer to take your own walking poles if you have them, especially if they fold down, so you can pack them away when not needed. Also, take good winter mountain boots if you have them rather than lightweight ones (I wished I'd taken my B2 boots).

Most Inspirational Moment

All of it ! I loved the trekking and they were all wonderful hikes - We had a wonderful first day where we were above the clouds and so the view was incredible - The day off was wonderful as we visited two very pretty villages Altea was so charming and I also had 2 swims in the Sea in January and I loved every minute of this trip

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was truly one of the best, He had lots of stories and ensured all the clients were looked after and he also provided the best sandwiches I have ever eaten He was always upbeat and full of energy and I really felt he enjoys his job and the area and that really showed Excellent Leader and he showed us several beautiful villages as well as the amazing hikes

Advice for Potential Travellers

You will need Poles and for winter departures warmer clothes as the wind was chilly I would take bed socks or slippers for cold floors in the bedroom but the heating in the rooms was great just cold underfoot as stone floors No need for fancy clothes for dinner - its all very laid back If you are a snacker then take snacks as not many shops around as you are up in the mountains

Most Inspirational Moment

There were quite a few like watching a pair of Albatrosses doing their goodbye for a year parting ceremony, filming a Frigate male puffing up its red chest to show off to the females flying over, swimming with cheeky sealion pups or through shoals of brightly coloured fish. And did I mention the Hammerhead sharks? Still smiling. Nature as it should be with the majority of animals and birds showing no fear of humans. By visiting most of the islands I was able to get a better understanding of the various stages in their evolution and only a week or so from getting back Wolf volcano on Isabella Island erupted again.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dani was generally a good leader and very knowledgeable. His briefings were pretty clear on what to expect the following day and he dealt with any problems brought to his attention in a speedy manor. I hope he has many more opportunities to lead and add to his experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

TAKE EAR PLUGS. The boat engines are quite noisy and when sailing at night earplugs are a must for a good nights sleep. Swim gear is also a must if you intend to snorkel as wetsuits have to remain on deck where you change into them. Make sure you have plenty of spare capacity on your smart phone/camera and I suggest you take both and use frequently. One of our group lost their smart phone when they got back to Ecuador and lost all their pictures.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day the scenery didn't fail to amaze. So close to modern life, yet also so far away. Beekepers, farmers on ancient tractors, stone houses and terraces built by the Moors. Fantastic place!

Thoughts on Group Leader

I have had the pleasure of meeting many brilliant guides and Jose is right up there with the best. Very passionate about his surroundings, very likeable and extremely experienced. Made the trip! Also deserves a special mention for the best home made sandwiches on any hiking trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this - it's very good. Take layers (as well as sunscreen) as higher up it can get cold.

Most Inspirational Moment

Definitely Petra, although I was really impressed with the Roman site a Jerash. Amazing!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was the best for all the reasons listed above!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Check the weather (ahead of packing), for each of the destinations that the trip covers. It changes from place to place. I did this, and did not regret it. Perhaps it’s more consistent in the summer months but it definitely varies in December!

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking around the rim of the crater at Versuvius.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Severio our guide, was very well organised and efficient but in a relaxed and friendly way which made all the activities so much more enjoyable He was very knowledgeable and his enthusiasm for the area and its food and drink was infectious

Advice for Potential Travellers

I am a regular walker but some of this terrain was challenging, in particular THE STEPS!! Would definitely recommend using walking poles and if you've got bad knees maybe it isn't the holiday for you