Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably the longest days walk through the forest and a lovely gorge where we saw wild chamoix.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thomas was a great leader, very knowledgeable about the complex Romanian history ( especially military strategy) and the local flora and fauna. His English is excellent and he was very helpful as well as entertaining,

Advice for Potential Travellers

You might want to take a travel kettle if you want a coffee in the evening as it was only available at breakfast. Flasks of hot water are left out for you to make tea etc which was great but the water was not really hot enough by 5ish. There is an honesty bar, the beer is really cheap and all the Romanian wines were worth trying.

Most Inspirational Moment

Bears. Bran Castle. Walking around mountain top in the fog.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was great. Gave a really interesting talk about Romania. Could maybe slightly improve navigation skills.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a compass.

Suggestions

Villa Hermani was lovely. Food excellent.

Most Inspirational Moment

All the mountain scenery and of course, viewing the brown bears from a cache in the woods.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thomas was knowledgeable and efficient but sometimes seemed not very enthused or maybe distracted and quiet. Katharina who owns the guesthouse was absolutely passionate and spent a lot of time telling us about the area, the wildlife, the history and life in Magura. She also went to the bear sanctuary with us and took us bird watching.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The elevation gains on the hikes were generally very gradual. We worried about some of them but really didn't need to. It is an extremely peaceful place but, there are dogs that do bark at night sometimes so you might want earplugs if that is going to bother you. Go soon. This is a magical place that is bound to change eventually.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking up on the bucegi, the long local walk on day three, Brasov, everything on the final day, Thomas, and hanging out drinking beer at the lovely guest house.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I'd skip the optional trip to the bear hide - too far, too bumpy for an evening trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many inspirational moments so I will list them in no particular order: Viewing the bears in their natural environment from the bear hide Watching the bats in the bat cave The 12 mile walk along the gorge and through meadows Visiting Libearty, the bear sanctuary Seeing red squirrels in the woodlands The stunning scenery

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide, Traian was very relaxed and friendly and was keen that all our needs were met. He briefed us on the following day's activities after our evening meals. Traian was extremely knowledgeable about his country's geography, history and politics and he was keen to share his knowledge with us. Before dinner one evening he gave an informal lecture which was really interesting due to the content and Traian's delivery. Traian's passion about his county's future is apparent and we felt we came home much more aware of issues that the people of Romania are experiencing. Traian also leads 'Highlights of Romania' and I believe we gained from the information that is given on that trip. Whilst he had a rather casual approach to walking he didn't get us lost and he let us lengthen walks whilst others continued in the vehicle which we appreciated.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't change your money at the airport as the exchange rate is very poor 4.1 Lei to the £ compared to 4.95 to the £ in Brasov. The restaurants in towns accept credit cards and Villa Hermani accepts local currency, sterling, US dollars & Australian dollars but not credit cards. Your bill for the bear hide trip , beer, wine, tea and coffee is settled on the Friday evening before you leave. If you are used to walking regularly the walking is extremely leisurely, however if you are unfit, over weight or don't like hills then you will find the walking more challenging. We were somewhat disappointed with the amount of walking but enjoyed the long walk and every other aspect of the holiday. Villa Hermani provides a hairdryer which is perfectly adequate but not as powerful as at home. Walking poles are available to borrow from Villa Hermani If you are travelling with Tarom Airlines they do provide you with a complimentary hot meal and a glass of wine or beer, tea or coffee on the flight. We were also given a tasty sandwich on the transfer bus as we did not arrive at Villa Hermani until shortly after midnight.

Suggestions

Villa Hermani is a very comfortable place to stay and the family run business is keen for everyone to have a good time. (see my tripadvisor review for additional information) The food is plentiful and varied and even the fussiest eater should not go hungry. I was particularly impressed with the vegetarian food on offer as it was very varied and tasty. The Villa Hermani operates a very successful and great value for money honesty bar. You take what you want from a large fridge then write your name on the sheet provided and put a tick by the items you have had. At the end of the week you are given the total and asked to pay in cash. This also applies to payment for tea and coffee (other than at breakfast when it is included) the WiFi and for the trip to the bear hide.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing four bears from our hide in the woods.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thomas was very energetic, very knowledgeable with - for a German - a great sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the Trip Notes carefully. There is no opportunity to change money for the first few days, so either take some Lei with you or spend some time in Bucharest first - as we did. I would also recommend taking walking poles.

Suggestions

The trip to the bat cave on our first day was a bit naff, although it did give me the chance to make jokes involving Robin. The food on the trip was plentiful and very tasty and our one evening meal away from Villa Hermani - in Predeal - was sensational. If there is one thing I have to suggest to Exodus it would be to dispense with the "meal" on the bus the first evening. This consisted of a fairly indigestible pre-packed sandwich at a time when no-one felt particularly hungry. I would also suggest that the cost of the trip to the bear hide be included in the price of the holiday. Who, after all, is going to refuse the chance to go on this excursion?

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing bears in the wild

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowledgeable and efficient

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of cash - no cash machines anywhere near the guesthouse.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the bears! There were 2 opportunities - an evening in the hide and a visit to the Sanctuary to see the 'rescued' animals. No- one could fail to be moved by the stories of these bears.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tomas was a very good guide. His knowledge of the area history and wildlife had obviously been well researched.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't bother taking much lei ( local currency) - Euros are acceptable in most places. Added to which, there isn't too much to actually buy. The extras at Villa Hermani are extremely reasonable. Make sure you take extra footwear - we got very wet one day and although there is a 'warm room' , boots will not necessarily dry overnight.

Suggestions

The Villa Hermani is a terrific place to stay. My room - a single was very comfortable - plenty big enough ,with a balcony, en suite and lots of hot water. Needless to say, immaculate. The food was excellent - no choice but well cooked and plentiful. Breakfast was large with a good choice in the morning and for preparing packed lunch. Book early if you want a single - there were not many available. This is quite a demanding trip but well worth doing. A former reviewer noted that some of the days' activities ended quite early but I found that this was a good chance to rest, shower and compare notes with other members of the party.

Most Inspirational Moment

It was the overall variety for me, therefore hard to pull out one inspirational moment. And so I won't.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Overall he was good and I thank him for one particular action (enough said!). Probably could have added a little more to what I got out of the trip, especially in terms of understanding the history of the country and its people.

Advice for Potential Travellers

While graded an activity level of 2, remember that this is in mountains with 20km covered one day. Inevitably the group travels at the speed of the slowest. You'll be pretty unlucky not to see bears - wild they are, but also fed so the viewing from the hide is very likely to happen, and to be quite enthralling. The binocs are a real plus here.

Suggestions

Probably worth adding that the Romanian people are certainly friendly / welcoming. The schnapps should be sampled (or the cherry brandy version if something sweeter is preferred). Stating the obvious, the people on the trip really do help to make it. And this tour was a good bunch. The bat cave wasn't a stand-out moment for me, but maybe at times it's rather more populated (with bats, rather than people).

Most Inspirational Moment

My favourite part really was seeing the bears it was truly magical, cute and cuddly. The heart did pound a little as we walked to the bear hide but knowing they are more scared of you than you are of them helped a lot. We saw many bears over 10 in fact including a mum with her two cubs, truly amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Udi our group leader was fabulous, he was very knowledgeable and insightful with all that he shared. I particularly loved that he knew so much about all the flowers and birds it really added something to the trip for me.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you get travel sick at all then take travel calm tablets with you. There's not much travel involved but if you suffer its really helpful to take them, once I did I didn't suffer at all. I travelled with KLM via Amsterdam from Leeds and they lost the luggage on the way out so make sure you have flights that allow at least 2 hours transfer otherwise they will struggle to transfer your bags for you.

Suggestions

Romania is a beautiful Country with so much to offer, I'd highly recommend this trip to anyone who likes to walk and see nature at its best. simply wonderful!