Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

A trip to the War Remnants Museum in HCMC. This provided a graphic account of events during the Vietnam war. The viewpoint given is not particularly balanced as atrocious acts were known to have been carried out by both sides in this conflict. That being said, the factual information provided and the photographic records displayed give a sobering account of a very dark moment in time. Some of the material exhibited is quite upsetting and this museum is not really a good one for young children. What is particularly inspirational is the contrast between the events of the war and moving forward 40 years to the Vietnam of today. Modern Vietnam seems to have come through it all and is in a pretty good place.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Duy Nguyen was an excellent group leader and the tour was a great success. He clearly knows his job well and gets things organised. He has a degree in history and tourism and is a font of information about his country. No question is ignored and he has considerable patience answering the same series of enquiries from different families! We learned a lot about modern Communist Vietnam as well as its ancient history, colonial conflicts and all things in between. Best of all, he is very good with children. All of the kids on our tour really liked Duy, and he clearly very much enjoyed their company which made the holiday even better than anticipated.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We were advised to consider an extra day at the beginning of the trip to help get over jet lag. We followed the advice - the extra time was nice to get in a bit of extra sight seeing, but we feel that it is really not that necessary. Just turn up Day 1 and get into it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Our hard-working porters who amazed us everyday by setting off after us on the trail, carrying their enormous packs and by the time we finally arrived, not only clapped us in, but had warm drinks and tasty meals ready, and our tents all set up! In terms of what we experienced - amazing condors soaring on the thermals in Colca Canyon; the huge numbers of breeding Peruvian boobies and pelicans on and around the Ballestas Islands (not to forget the penguins); tarantulas and ghost spiders in the jungle, and brightly coloured humming birds in so many places - and finally the brilliant clear night sky in Nazca!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Renaldi (Reny) was informative and helpful throughout and mindful of group members' different needs, particularly on e.g. long travel days where travel sickness affected some of the group. He gave us interesting insights to Peruvian life and culture and brought alive what we were seeing day to day in the countryside, villages and towns, as well as describing the challenges of a society in transition from a largely rural way of life to an urban one. He worked well with local guides, and all the guides we had were personable and well informed and made the places come alive.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's not really a holiday more an experience! Read the trip notes carefully - this holiday calls for stamina and resilience because of the early starts, long road journeys and the altitude changes. Once at altitude pace yourself - it's surprising how quickly you get out of breath! The Inca Trail length is moderate but the altitude make it tougher, plus Peru weather is more variable than it used to be. For example, although dry season, we had two days of rain on the Inca Trail. So go prepared for all seasons and seek your guide's advice on what's expected for the days you're walking.

Most Inspirational Moment

Homestay at Mekong Delta was an amazing experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

All the leaders were friendly and knowledgeable . They told the history of their country in a personal and engaging way.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring US dollars as needed for Cambodia border . Sports gear/running tops comfortable for humid conditions.

Most Inspirational Moment

The 700m ascent to the summit of Monte Piano was tough but exhilarating. Our reward was spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and a unique insight into the WW1 fortifications.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alex was excellent, quietly getting on with leading the group. He is very knowledgeable about the local area. He also taught us the best way to use our poles and imparted other very useful tips on negotiating the mountains.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking poles were very useful as some of the terrain is quite rocky.

Most Inspirational Moment

Looking over the holy land. Staying in the wadi rum watching shooting stars and eating amazing food and visiting wadi rum train station with the steam train - would have loved to have spent two days in the wadi rum and two days in Petra. Making the climb to the monastery in Petra, most unexpected reward after the climb.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was friendly and knowledgable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t buy pack lunches they are not worth it and not nice.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a full size crocodile launch itself into the river in the Mangrove swamps - too quick to get a photo. I had no idea that crocs existed in South America.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was excellent. Despite being under stress from both vehicle issues. (We had to abandon the first minibus after just two days) and domestic issues (his flat in Quito had caught fire because of a defective refrigerator) he remained calm and made sure that we were all comfortable, well informed and well fed. Specifically he took us to fascinating markets, through doors into extraordinary buildings and into roadside sugar processing plants. He had a wicked sense of humour but showed great compassion when one of our party had to return home early because of an unexpected bereavement and when my wife struggled with the altitude.

Advice for Potential Travellers

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Most Inspirational Moment

Views were amazing. Fun banter with the group

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jenn was a good leader and tried her best to accomodate all the people of varying fitness and hiking ability

Most Inspirational Moment

This is really difficult as there were lots of inspirational moments. But Halong Bay and Hoi An were 2 of them. The trip to the tunnels and the war museum was thought provoking and made you realise the impact of the war and that it is really still very recent.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hung was brilliant - very knowledge, organised but flexible. He was great fun and led our group well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is busy trip so be prepared for some busy days and lack of sleep especially at the start of the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably the turtles laying eggs at night time, although the scenery, the oceans and the wildlife are all inspirational.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour guide, Hector, was excellent, very knowledgeable, good English, gave us options to consider, and dealt with the few problems that arose very well. He made sure that we did as much as we wanted, gave good commentaries and has very good knowledge of the birds, animals and insects. He was very patient with the children. The two drivers we had were also professional and drove safely.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A great family holiday, the children of various ages all got on well together, but the humidity can make drying clothes almost impossible. However the laundry services offered by the hotels were generally cheap and quick.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through the wild flower meadows around Valbone and seeing the wide array of colours as well as bufferflies, wild orchids and reaching the snow level!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ed was brilliant! He was clearly passionate about his country and wanted to impart the history, culture, food and drink and all other aspects of Albanian life on us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be open-minded. Albania felt incredibly safe, it's people friendly and countryside delightful. Try the local Raki. Each area produces it's own variety but beware it's very strong!