Reviews

A tough but exciting adventure

I have hesitated about writing a review this time as I was one of the slower riders but as someone who reads them I think it can help sometimes. So here goes.
This was a very tough cycling trip for me. Having said that…..I’m glad I did it.
It was certainly a case of either cycling up a mountain or down one. Only a few miles was flat. The climbs went up and up and up and up and up. Hours at a time. In most cases the gradient wasn’t too bad most of the time but it was a long slog to get to the top……with many false summits on the way which really take some doing to overcome and carry on. The descents of the other side were fantastic. I loved them. Down and down and down and down forever. Great speed. Great thrill.
I am relatively fit and active for my age and do many sports but this cycling was hard. I am not a club cyclist. Obviously those who do ride more seriously climbed the hills better and got to the top a good 20/30 minutes before me………but I did manage to cycle the whole trip and am very proud of my achievement. The mini bus was always available for those who did not always want to cycle.
We were well looked after and I never felt at risk at all.
I wasn’t too keen on my bike !! Not as good as my last Exodus Cycling Holiday. Trouble was none of them had any front suspension and we did go over some very rough terrain and some very long descents. Very surprising not to have this feature in this day and age.
Personally I felt it appropriate to dress modestly but not necessary to the extreme. Shorts seemed fine with many of the ladies wearing their lycra shorts. T.shirts with sleeves (long or short) were the most common tops. In the evening I found a long dress very comfy but a very casual one, nothing fancy. Or leggings or loose trousers. I wore a jacket one morning when we started off with a long downhill otherwise I was never cold.
The hotels varied quite a bit from concrete beds in one mountain auberge to a suite with huge comfy beds and loads of hot water in others………….with everything in between including some very nice traditional old rhiads. I loved it all being different and enjoyed all the experiences.
Some of the hotels had swimming pools and we did manage some swims but often the long cycling days meant we didn’t always have much time in the evenings……..plus in my case I was very tired (ha ha).
Alcohol was not always available. We were delighted on the few occasions it was and the guides did their best to find us some at other times. It’s just nice at the end of a long hard day !!
Food was good. There wasn’t anything I didn’t like. However, I have “suggested” to Exodus that at least eggs are needed for breakfast with such huge rides to cope with. We did have eggs every morning except for two when it was just bread and jams. Very nice but just not substantial enough.
Being on the move means that washing clothes through is pretty much impossible although some people did manage. Getting them dry is the difficulty.
Take toiletries as they are not always provided.
Make sure you fill your water bottle again at the end of the day so you have drinking water for the night and for cleaning teeth etc. Most hotels do not provide water in your rooms and it cannot always be bought.
Nobody got ill that I know of but it’s only sensible to be careful. No ice, ice cream, salad washed in suspect water etc. Usual stuff.
The mountains catch the sunlight beautifully. They ouse power. The landscape is rock and sand but it still has great appeal.
We had a super group of people from various countries. It worked well.
I recommend the trip if you want a challenge because it is certainly that.
If you are prepared you will be fine. Enjoy !!

Wonderful trip of discovery and friendship.

My first trip to France and walking tour with Exodus the trip exceeded my expectations having the most amazing time ! We were a small group of 5 and lead by our lovely guide Isabelle tracked through such beautiful countryside , up and down hillsides to reach our destination of which was always a breath taking view! It did rain , and I’m glad it did because our alternative excursion ( Botanical museum with medieval gardens & Abbey) was just perfect ! Beautiful villages, great Autumn colors, wonderful food, great company, laugher, picnics and more ! Now to decide which tour to do next …….

Walking tour - Mont Blanc Highlights

This was an outstanding trip. Stayed at Chateau Chamonix in very comfortable accommodation. The hostess and host (Sarah and Rich) were brilliant people. Very welcoming, organised, knowledgeable and great fun to be around. The quality of their cooking (especially Sarah) was second to none. It was like being in a Michelin star restaurant. Food quality was matched by the fun at the kitchen table, where we met wonderful people with similar mind sets. Jim, our guide, was also a sensational fellow. Our tours were organised carefully, were varied and Jim was extremely considerate to all on the walks, taking into account different fitness levels. He was also extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the terrain. We had a fantastic time and would not hesitate to do it again. Would highly recommend this to anyone with an outdoor interest (and have done so!).

Wildlife and hiking

A well paced hiking tour with free time to relax in the remote alpine accommodation, in the mountains of Transylvania. This is certainly the place time forgot with small farming communities farming sheep and cattle, and small orchards aplenty. Dogs are tied up or in the fields protecting the livestock from the bears and other predators.

The accommodation is basic but comfortable. We went when the weather was getting cooler and at times it was a little cold in the room. We had to remind the owners to put the heating on, which they did!

There were 3 course set meals in the evening that were hearty and consisted of local produce but possibly limited if you are vegetarian/vegan. Don’t expect there to be snacks like crisps and chocolate to be available, expect local fruits instead!

The guide kept us updated on the itinerary during the week and gave a very informative tour of Brasov and Bran.

All in all – a place to get away from it all and enjoy a slower pace of life! It was a very noncommercial region to visit and very refreshing in that sense!

sicilian volcanoes

I personally had problems with travel.
As a group we were stranded on the island Lipari for 3 days instead of 1 day due weather preventing ferries to operate.
On the last day we climbed Mt. Etna. This proved to be a challenge mainly due the sulphur clouds.
I was unwell the next and it took a week to feel better. I know others in the party were susequently ill.
My friend , who I travelled with , when he returned home was admitted to hospital suffering from pneumonia. After a week he has left hospital still recovering.
The guide on the holiday was helpful to me with my travel problems. He is a nice man , easy to get on with. Given the problems we were having , he could have been more proactive and communicated more clearly what the siuation was.

Essential Peru

This was a fabulous adventure! Recounting it to friends at home, it seems incredible that we saw and experienced so much – or travelled so many miles in a relatively short time. It was not an easy trip with lots of early starts and long road journeys and several times I found myself a little out of my comfort zone but the group was mutually supportive and our leader Sebastian was a true professional. Everything was carefully planned – we always had drinkable water, hotels were ready for us and always happy to store our luggage for us if we were away for a few days. Our ascent to altitude was carefully managed and none of us became sick. Each evening Sebastian would invite us to eat with him. Sometimes we did, sometimes we didn’t but he always made a huge effort to make sure that he chose a restaurant which catered for everyone – even a non meat, fish and egg eating almost vegan like myself!
His love for his country was infectious and his knowledge impressive – all of this helped to make the holiday memorable and he was always generous with his time, going out of his way to cater for those who wanted to do things apart from the group. Thankyou Sebastian – great memories – some of them very funny!

Outstanding - lives up to its reputation!

This week endorses the many positive reviews already posted. It is a perfect mix of incredible scenery, just challenging enough walks, a lovely homely hotel, lots of variety in the week’s programme and excursions, great food, and we were lucky to enjoy a fun group of people from England, Canada and our own New Zealand. Our guide Severio was fun, knowledgeable, thoughtful and supportive – especially when we needed to seek local medical assistance. The hotel staff are family and fabulous. Do it – it will be an experience you will never forget!

Wonderful trip but not for the faint-hearted

My wife and I did the trip in the latter part of September 2018, and Anthony was our guide. We had a great group of 12 – we all gelled well and sort of ‘looked out’ for one another. Which is important when you are spending all day every day with each other. Our crew (Anthony + 3 companions) were very engaging, kind, helpful (re ‘what was that bird’ and more) and generally kept the show on the road. We saw amazing wildlife pretty much everywhere we went. The food was really excellent – and surprisingly varied. Having said that – the ‘warning’ – you spend 13 days on the road. Many of them are true wild camping. No running water, hole-in-the-ground toilets. It’s hot and dusty. Sometimes at night animals wander thru the camp. You think twice before going to the loo (but you do, eventually and inevitably, go)… And it’s enormous fun – great experiences, great company, great photo opportunities, and nature in the raw. But you will come back tired. It’s part of the deal…

An Excellent Trip

This trip was lived up to the billing in the trip notes in every way: excellent hotel with attentive staff and excellent food; excellent walks and free day options; and luckily for us, excellent weather.

Amazing holiday ! Fantastic leader and support team

Amazing holiday, excellent cycling just at the right level to be a rewarding challenge, extremely well organised, leader Long Le and his support team were 100%. Beautiful country with outstanding scenery and excellent food and accommodation.