Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through the Escambre mountains, listening to the birds singing and seeing the small farms which seemed unchanged for centuries. Overtaking horses and carts on quiet country roads. visiting the historic city of Trinidad. Snorkelling on coral reefs in the Carribean. Seeing the Buenavista Social Club perfom live. Drinking mojitos and pina coladas in shady terraces and by the sea.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader Yazel was excellent in all respects. Everything ran smoothly and we were always given clear information. The choice of restaurants for meals was excellent, we had some lovely meals. He gave lots of interesting information about history and society in Cuba.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Cycling - given the heat and the number of hills - was a bit tougher than I expected from the "Leisurely moderate" grading! (Though bus back up is always available if you need it). If you are not already a regular cyclist, do some training. Bring plenty of cash and don't rely on using cash machines or credit cards. Spend a day or two extra in Havana at the end of the trip - it is a fascinating city.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum and learning about life in Cuba before and after the Revolution.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yazel was brilliant - he made everything happen behind the scenes, organised our accommodation and evening meals - he kept us informed and looked after the groups' needs as and when things happened.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Living out of a suitcase pretty much moving day to day meant there wasn't too much opportunity to do laundry or dry wet articles of clothing - if you travel with this in mind you shouldn't go far wrong.

Suggestions

We had Aussie and Canadian travellers in our group and they did experience problems in withdrawing cash even though their banks are not US - I would recommend bringing the relevant cash to change if possible.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling along the coast roads, around the mountians and through towns and villages - rewarded by either a dip in the Caribbean sea or a hotel pool.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was a great group leader. Very knowledgable so acted as a fab tour guide, not just a cycle group leader. Learnt alot from his information and experiences as we travelled around.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A must do trip. If you have the time and energy I'd consider the 2 week trip as once you get there, you'll want to stay longer and see more!

Suggestions

Don't go cuisine, but do go for the cocktails!! Lovely country, lovely people and a really lovely holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to list them all. Getting to the top of the big hill on our last day of cycling felt great. We had wonderful meals at Alberto's in Trinidad and at the Restaurant Moneda Cubana in Havana. Although the quality of the casas particulares in Trinidad was very variable, Lopez and Jumele looked after us royally.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was a great Cuban character with an endearing habit of laughing at his own jokes - so surprisingly and raucously that the rest of us generally fell about laughing at him. He was very informative and shepherded us gently.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take some diocalm or something of the sort: quite a few of the group had dodgy tummies by the end of the tour.

Suggestions

This would have been a 5* review but for the extension trip to Cayo Levisa which we found a bit disappointing. It's a long way from Cuba, the food was very basic, and there is significant building work going on to add a new restaurant and several new bungalows. I'm sure it will be terrific when finished and re-planted but, for now, it felt a little like living in a building site.

Most Inspirational Moment

I would call myself a 'social cyclist' but cycling in such a wonderful place and with such a fun group makes me want to cycle more now that I am back home. For me, a real sense of achievement.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I know everyone makes favourable comments about their guide, but Freddy was absolutely amazing. He really could not have done more for us. His first hand knowledge of his homeland was excellent. He has a brilliant sense of humour. He looked after us so well, even on the evenings we had 'on our own'. Our group was truly great and inseparable. All 17 plus Freddy dined together every night, and we all did the optional bike ride to the lovely Playa Ancon.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I read all the reviews. Great advice. I would add: wheelie case useful for all the moving, and don't pack full....you are literally living out of a suitcase. Also take quick drying stuff e.g. Travel towel. Sink plug useful. I got to use my mask and snorkel but could have managed without the fins, which take up space. A friend told me to take boiled sweets....thank you, they helped me up those hills. Spare water bottle, yes dropped and broke one. Changing money is easy, we did ours after exciting the airport before getting on the bus (we asked Freddy if we had time). But we underestimated how much. We had to change more later in the week. Although most food in, and drinks cheap, you will want to buy soft drinks, coffees, beer and cocktails! The trip notes say 20 to 30 CUCs per day per person for days when food not provided. I would budget 20 per day! And if you want to buy a lot souvenirs, more. Finally, wish we'd taken a Go Pro!

Suggestions

All hotels very clean with air conditioning. Casa charming. Food plentiful. Fantastic holiday. Wish I was still there!

Most Inspirational Moment

The last cycling day was really quite challenging for me , it was a great feeling to get to the top of the hills!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Freddie is brilliant and a perfect group leader. Very self assured, relaxed but in control. Very encouraging and reassuring. A cool guy!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Personally I would n't describe the cycling we did as particularly leisurely but I guess this depends on cycling fitness. We did some roller coaster hills which I think required a certain level of fitness. I certainly wish I had done more cycling prior to the trip. I got very saddle sore!

Suggestions

I would highly recommend this holiday and would definitely book another exodus trip! Thankyou so much!

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling though small towns and villages, where the local children would run out to give you a wave - cliché I know, but lovely when it happens.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were a full group, but our guide Jazel had a great command, while still being warm and friendly.  His knowledge of Cuba was next to none. He went way beyond what I expect from a leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Snacks, like nuts, crisps and sweets, are quite hard to come by, so take some with you.The casa's can be quite noisy, so make sure you take some ear plugs.

Suggestions

While we were there, Presidents Castro and Obama made their historic speeches, announcing a renewal of relations between Cuba and The USA. This will no doubt change Cuba beyond recognition; go now, before it's too late.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were plenty. Diving in the cave of fishes, swimming in the Caribbean, dancing in Trinidad, sharing my 50th birthday with the group, reaching Hanabanilla and seeing the view, cycling through stunning countryside.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A consummate professional. We were lucky to have Freddy as our leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the travel notes and the reviews. The travel notes are very accurate and give you a good idea of what to pack. The traveller reviews are full of good ideas of what to take like a gel saddle, loo roll, torch, F50 sunscreen. Expect to find some of the accommodation a little basic but all was habitable. Relax and enjoy the experience as it passes in a flash. Say yes to every suggestion to go to a local bar, family home or club and you'll see the real Cuba.

Suggestions

We went for my 50th birthday - I loved every minute of the holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

It was fantastic cycling through Cuba rather than sitting on a bus. There was so much time to enjoy the peace and quiet of the quiet roads, fully appreciate the scenery and make lots of stops at road side stalls for refreshments. Trinidad was a beautiful town with lots of great photo opportunities. The history of Cuba was fascinating and, having never visited this part of the world before, it was great to experience the music and feel the salsa beat! Staying in the Casa in Trinidad was a great experience and one that I would highly recommend.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide, Yuri, had a quirky sense of humour and managed our large group of 18 people very well. He was full of information about Cuba and suggested some really nice restaurants to go to on the days when food was not included.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I took quite a lot of snacks, but found that I did not need them. Food was plentiful and the portions large, so I ended up giving most of my food to our guide. Definitely take loads of biros and soap to give to local people, hotel chambermaids etc. as they really appreciate it. Our guide wanted any medicines that we had too, especially paracetamol, and also sun cream, so it would be worth taking spare with you to give to your guide. The cycling was reasonably leisurely, although the hills, when they came, were killers! I cycled in trail shoes and others in my group just in sandals, and both were fine. I would definitely recommend taking a gel saddle and padded cycling shorts-I am so glad that I had both! People are not joking when they say Havana immigration is lengthy-it took me two and a half hours to get through! Make sure you have plenty of water (as it was very hot in the arrivals hall), snacks, a book and a whole lot of patience!!!!

Suggestions

Cuba is definitely a great destination to do on 2 wheels-we needed the exercise too after all the big meals! It is fascinating to see all the old cars everywhere, as well as the colonial buildings, and it is worth visiting Cuba now before it changes too much. A great trip with fantastic scenery and a good mix of activities.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the amazing old town of Trinidad. It has an eventful history that encompasses the slave trade and tabacco plantation era. Nowadays the 'owners' original estate mansion is preserved as it was centuries ago, whilst the 'workers' tiny terraced houses provide a remarkable contrast to the palacial style of the mansion.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was a font of knowledge who guided the group with such a natural and friendly style. It's impossible to find any shortfall.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I wish that I had read a little more of Cuba's history prior to the trip. There was so much to take-in that I'm sure that I missed many interesting features.

Suggestions

The trip is provides exactly what 'it says on the can'!! Its an opportunity to see and hear [many street musicians!!] the best highlights of that Caribbean island