Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Mount Fuji emerge from the clouds when we arrived at Hakone.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Initially disastrous. Pepe? stepped in on day 2 and was excellent until he handed over to Shin-ichi Maruyama who provided excellent service for the remainder of the tour. He really went the extra mile, including guided tours around Tokyo that weren't part of the itinerary. He always ensured that the group kept together, essential when connecting trains where there was a 5 minute gap between them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just savour the whole experience. The Ryokans, especially in Takayama were very different but should be taken in context. What's the point of staying in 5 star hotels. You would just be missing out on a truly Japanese traditional inn. Surely that's the whole point of the trip. Plus the food was exceptional. Also be prepared for long days, long train journeys and lots of walking. But if you want to see so much in such a short period this is what it takes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Panoramic views from Monte Cesen on the last day of walking were awe-inspiring, in spite of the somewhat hazy day. Visit and tasting of prosecco at the San Gregorio winery was also very enjoyable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Serena Cassol, was excellent. She shepherded the group effectively, keeping us on time without being annoying. She gave us good advice for the dinners which were not included in the package and also for the activities which were possible on our free day. She is an enthusiast for the prosecco region and that helped a lot.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The distances noted on the trip notes are often longer than the actual distances walked. While the walking is of modest difficulty, I would recommend using walking poles because the trails are frequently uneven and have loose stones so the walking poles are very helpful for balance.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking around Alberobello and Matera

Thoughts on Group Leader

Barbara was a delight. Knowledgeable, warm and attentive to the different needs of the group.

Most Inspirational Moment

Many, but seeing lions and whales close to, and visiting a 'community' were very special moments

Thoughts on Group Leader

Justin Barr is simply the best leader you could ever have. He is passionate about the tour and his country and leaves no detail to chance. He was inspirational in finding the best places over and above what formed the tour and he looked after our every need. Thank you Justin, you are amazing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

S Africa can be hot and cold in 1 day. Take cool and warm clothes. Take the extra tours offered as they make the travel experience very rounded. Especially, do not miss the 2nd Game Drive on day 2. You see spectacular wildlife close up, and finish after dark with a great meal in a wonderful location. The 'township' (now called 'community') tour, gave us an insight into part of S Africa 2018 that we could not have experienced elsewhere

Most Inspirational Moment

Lots of stunning views of the volcanic scenery

Most Inspirational Moment

The off trip visit to the Akrotiri excavation site of a buried Minoan settlement on Santorini plus the visit to the Santorini Museum of Prehistoric Thera. All the excavation finds are housed in the Museum.( I did this instead of the trip boat trip around the Santorini Caldera). Also the deliciously cooked octopus at the tarverna on Paros.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thanos has a wealth of knowledge of the island's history plus an extensive knowledge of flora of the islands. All of which he imparted, to the group at regular interval and was never seeming not to be able to answer the most obscure questions. He ensured the group was well catered for at the local tarverna's' that the group ate at. Plus ensure the group exited the ferries in a timely manner. All this meant that trip ran seamlessly thus providing an very enjoyable experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walks on Paros & Naxos are on country paths with mixed under foot conditions, the same applies for part of the Santorini walk. Thus good walking foot wear is essentail plus I found walking poles usefully on the uphill and down hill sections of each walk. I noted that in 2019/2020 brochure that the Santorini boat trip has been replace by free time in Fira. I would recommend the visit to the Akrotiri excavation site, which is being classified as "The Pompeli of the Aegean". While it is not as extensive as Pompeli, it is covered by a very interesting building and can be easily reach on the local bus in 20 minutes from Fira. You will be required to get your luggage on and off the Ferries via the rear loading ramps. So you need wheel luggage that can be pulled along or travel light so you can carry your stuff. Large items of luggage are stored on the car deck of each ferry.

Most Inspirational Moment

Views from the headlands looking at the crashing waves

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your waterproof trousers - I had mine ready to pack and left them in the bedroom!

Most Inspirational Moment

Too difficult to choose one moment or place as it means "downgrading" all the other equally great places on this trip. If I have to pick one great one...….. its too hard! I can list the bottom ones - Zingaro walk could easily have been left out - not a great walk; the Mt Etna walk was a stroll on a windy hillside and didn't give any feel for Etna, its there to pass the time while any of the group do the optional summit excursion. (My following tour was a week walking on the Volcano trip so its not that I don't like walking!) All the rest of the itinerary is equal first.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tiziano and the driver Allesandro were both great. Good company, very cheerful, very helpful. Tiziano was always available and preceded each free time with an orientation tour and suggestions ending at the coffee shop where we could find him with any questions (we also had his mobile number)

Advice for Potential Travellers

If like me you are a bit fed up of long bus journeys on similar tours then this tour is great for you, the 14 days allocated means there are no early starts or long bus tips, I think the longest was 3 hours the rest were really short allowing enough time for a short sit down before another wonder around. The expert guides were all excellent. There is a lot of easy walking but easy really depends on your view of walking I guess. I don't want to steal another travellers comments but his app after about 10 days told him he had walked 70km - sounds like non stop walking but it really didn't feel like it -don't be put off you can walk around a lot or not according to your preference - the coffee shops are great!

Most Inspirational Moment

The night sky at the Sanctuary was as expected - the clearest and brightest I've ever seen. You almost can't see the asterisms for so many more stars are visible in between the main ones!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Chandra, was excellent, always helpful in good mood and full of laughter.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do some training beforehand and get walking poles if (like me) have problems with your knees. Going down the many stairs which are higher than usual can get very painful. Pack a lot of versatile layers as the temperature varies between +32 in Pokhara to -7 at the Base Camp. I went in October and did NOT have a down jacket and could just about manage at the base camp while wearing literally all the layers I had with me - no need to pack unnecessary extras.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling against the clock along the coast at sunset to catch the boat to Whale Island, making it up the Hai Van pass in extreme heat and humidity, cruising in Halong Bay and generally taking in Vietnamese rural life as we pedalled through the countryside. Also truly special was the evening with a local family who cooked us about 8 courses, chatted with us and entertained us with music, including a song sung by their 5 year old grand daughter.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Special praise goes to our amazing guide Linh Vo - so experienced, knowledgable and attentive he shared his fascinating personal and family life story and against various odds cycled for the national team. A lovely guy who worked tirelessly to organise us, meet our every need and keep us safe and well prepared. We gained so much insight into Vietnamese culture, society, family life and the history and politics too but always in an approachable manner - he regularly entertained us with interesting stories, jokes and even songs. We always felt safe with him in traffic and he was on the ball at all times ensuring no one was left behind. He even dished out pushes up the passes to those in need of one! We especially loved that he organised home cooked food to help local families and took us to unusual spots not seen by many such as the most flamboyant cemetry we have ever seen.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel light, we took too many clothes, no need to take snacks as the guides source a lovely variety, no need for a head torch a phone will do. Take only day-long suncream - the humidity will sweat off anything else. If you want any clothes copied or made in Hoi An take pictures or a sample with you as you won't have long to decide on options. Stay on in Hanoi if you can to soak up the mad, noisy, colourful and fascinating old quarter. Above all else, just go!