Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling and having a lovely picnic lunch in a park as part of the planned activities. An unplanned highlight was the cooking class that was self organized by the ladies in our group when our planned activity ( whale watching) was canceled leaving us with a full day with no alternate plans.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jorge made each activity fun and was considerate of each participants' comfort and needs. He was always available to provide advice about alternate activities and made connections on our behalf to ensure that the self organized outings met our expectations.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hiking the trails around the Sete Cidades volcanic complex, hike along the old hydro electric facility past Furnas, both botanical gardens in Ponte Delgado, biking along coast.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very personable, very knowledgeable on cultural and environmental topics, restaurant recommendations, accessible, checked in with guests, awareness of guest fitness, knew almost everyone in hospitality work on island, lots of fun to be around and chat with. Had options for us when weather cancelled on water activities.

Most Inspirational Moment

The diversity of the cities. Everywhere so clean and safe. Uzbek people very friendly and helpful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

First female leader we've had and I couldn't fault her.

Most Inspirational Moment

The scenery around the Amalfi coast is so spectacular but our guide Teresa, and the cohesiveness of the ground made the entire week very special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Teresa was excellent. She was extremely helpful, compassionate and understanding during the entire week. On her off day she made sure everyone was taken care of and returned to the hotel at the end of the day. Teresa was a huge part of our level of satisfaction with the entire experience. We would request Teresa if we do another trip where she is a leader.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking around the volcanic craters of Mount Etna. The island of Ortigia. Many memorable sites there to be visited, including a vibrant local market. The castle doesn't have a huge amount to see but pay (very little) to go in there so that you can walk the castle walls and enjoy stunning views. The stunning mosaics of the Roman Villa. The temples of Selinunte – less crowded than other sites and in a stunning rural setting. Suggest you use the buggy service here to save time rather than walk between the temples. The Zingaro Nature Reserve was beautiful, the views were stunning and it was inspirational to see how the fabulous flowers and fauna had recovered so well despite the damage caused by a fire in 2025.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tiziano is the best tour leader you could wish for. Superbly well organised, communicative, knowledgeable about all aspects of Sicilian life. He communicated his extensive knowledge with passion and humour. I felt that I came to understand the Sicily of today and the Sicily of the past because he presented them so well. Every day’s schedule was clearly sent to our Whatsapp group, along with regular packages of the history and culture of the destinations for the day. He made sure that everyone in our group had the best Sicily had to offer and addressed everyone’s needs – from the smallest to the largest issues. Tiziano gave us great suggestions for places to visit and where to eat the best Sicily food has to offer. I had an unfortunate fall and Tiziano took great care of me during my hospital visits whilst also ensuring the others on our tour enjoyed their scheduled destinations. I would have struggled to navigate those visits without him and his kind, caring support. He arranged a taxi to enable me to rejoin the group and was there to meet me when I reached the next hotel – by which time he had already booked a GP to attend the hotel to deal with my injuries. Truly professional and compassionate. Exodus UK staff were also in immediate contact due to Tiziano's prompt reporting to ensure that all the help I needed was being offered which I found very reassuring.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I enjoyed the trip to Mt. Etna and took the cable car option and the 4 x 4 trip to reach two volcanic craters. Just going to the top cable car station doesn’t offer as much as continuing from there by 4 x 4. I had taken a walking pole but wished I had two. However, at the top cable car station, it is possible to hire extra clothing layers, poles etc if time allows. I was walking in early May but there was a good layer of snow to walk through – I was glad of a good pair of walking shoes. Disappointing: Taormina: Very busy / designer shops etc. Also worth pointing out that parts of the amphitheatres at Siracusa and Taormina were covered with plastic seating and the centres of those amphitheatres were rigged with technical equipment for the regular evening concerts held in them. Carry your European Health Card with you at all times. It was thanks to having the card and my passport with me that my access to hospitals was smooth and rapid. I found the activity level for the trip was fine for me but I think others might find the Easy/Moderate level a bit misleading. The tour involves quite a bit of walking in order to visit the destinations that will delight you.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many. We had a great all male small group who bonded incredibly well over wine, empanadas and cycling chat, sharing our expereinces of previous Exodus holidays (we all agreed this one was the best). The hotels were more or less all excellent apart from one and the cycling was incredible. Knowing you could cycle with confidence at altitude was a moment for me!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alejandro and Belen are a dream team. It's not a job for Alejandro it's a way of life. He is a teacher, a friend, a guide, a mechanic, a raconteur, a historian and an excellent barbecuer. He's has been guiding for years all over the world and he knows his stuff but more importantly wants to be there and get to know you. The long days checking bikes and sorting logistics of restaurants, hotels and finger mishaps did not at any stage lessen his enthusiasm of energy to focus on giving us the best expereince possible. Belen was on her first tour and she was incredible, enthusiastic, helpful and very organised. We called them our cycling parents!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't overpack-you will spend most of your time cycling. the high altitude takes a few days to get used to so don't get disheartened if you have zero energy on day 1 your body does adapt. Prepare to have fun cycling by getting fit before you arrive, the distances are not that long but there are hills and a few gravel days so you should be confident on a bike and have the stamina to deal with it. There's lots of red wine and steak if you want it but the food is varied with a lot of traditional stews and empanadas. Take some bags of sweets to share (chocolate eclairs as the Argentinians appear to be mad for Dulche de Leche ). Also we spent three days before the trip in Santiago de Chile based in Provincia (lots of do and see from hills to history) and three days after the trip in Buenos Aires based in Palermo (very arty, bohemian and safe) which just gave us a much greater love of the region.

Most Inspirational Moment

Victoria Falls sunset cruise (which was extra) and the falls, which were magnificent Chobe Safari x 2 Sand dunes and petrified trees in Namibia Cape peninsula trip Down time in Swakopmund. Felix Unite was definitely the best campsite

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ian and Ende were absolutely brilliant. By far and away the best guides I have ever had the pleasure to travel with on any trip anywhere in the world. Their work ethic was astonishing - their ability to drive hundreds of kilometres and then quickly cook the most beautiful meals, whilst also ensuring we had all assembled our tents correctly, was amazing. Ian and Ende were true leaders and will be friends forever.

Most Inspirational Moment

Casablanca mosque/Roman ruins

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, almost flawless. Only reservations were slightly slow to react on a couple of issues but all resolved well in the end. If the choice of local guides was his, I would have liked more detail as mentioned above.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Press for assistance in finding things to do in free time. It isn't always obvious.

Most Inspirational Moment

Teresa, our tour guide was great. She kept us well informed about the next days schedule and very encouraging. The views from our hikes were amazing. A great group of co-hikers.

Thoughts on Group Leader

She was GREAT, very knowledgeable, accommodating, friendly, understanding, helpful, funny.

Most Inspirational Moment

Everything minus some of the hotels. Literally the entire trip was a highlight. The cycling, the scenery, experiencing new cultures, the food, the other people on the tour. Incredible trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rei is awesome. He was easily a part of the group while keeping his leadership role in check. He set a good pace on the rides. He was punctual and made sure we had the info we needed. Very hard worker.