Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The Cold War Museum was chilling and reminded us of how close we came to a nuclear war. We enjoyed the tour of Rundale Palace and the visit to the Sand Dunes of the Curonian Spit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We found him quite distant. He didn't encourage or welcome questions. He had his agenda and was sticking to it. He was not sensitive to the needs of some people in our group. He walked too quickly for some of us and at times he didn't wait for us to catch up. In Trakai Castle, he lost 1/4 of the group and never even apologized. to us. He said we were going to the great hall, and 5 of us were left behind. We missed a turn and went on up to the top level while he was still on the main level. I suggest that he should check to see if all have arrived before he starts talking.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hiking from Switzerland into Italy over the Grand Col Ferret was one of the most breathtaking views I've ever seen.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter M. was kind, knowledgeable, and a delight as a human being. He dealt with some difficult situations with humor and grace. His knowledge of the Alps and trekking was vast. He managed the snowy portion of the route with excellent guidance and advice. I feel my hiking is much improved over that type of terrain, which previously scared me.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We are very physically active and hike a lot in our home state of Colorado and still found the hikes challenging. The elevation gain and loss each day are significant. Also, these are long days on your feet, so bring dependable hiking boots. When Exodus recommends that you bring specific gear, I'd heed their advice as you'll need it. I'd also try to pack as light as possible.

Most Inspirational Moment

A beautiful long walk starting in one valley and walking over to another valley with views of multiple glaciers & peaks with an almost 360 degree view.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Einer was an excellent guide, full of information about the area & his country. He took a lot of care to make sure the group able to walk at their own pace while still accommodating the slower walkers. And he carried coffee for all of usto the top of each route every day !! What luxury!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are fit enough to walk all day, with usually more than half the walk of course being up hill.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the Path of the Gods. The walk offered beautiful high viewpoints from above the blue sea and coastal towns. I did not find the Path particularly difficult at our slow pace. However, with hindsight I would have avoided the 1500 steps down to Positano which come after the Path, and instead taken the local bus that avoids the steps and which was available as an option on our trip. After the spectacular high views from the Path, the downhill steps were a slog that took a toll on my calves ! Other highlights included the Herculaneum ruins that offered a fascinating history lesson (the town was destroyed by the Vesuvius eruption that also took out Pompei). The local guide here was excellent. Herculaneum is smaller but less-visited than Pompei. Also, the many beautiful, coastal viewpoints, for example from Villa Cimbrone in Ravello, and the top of the chair-lift on Capri. And another mention for the dinners at the Hotel Due Torri !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eduardo, who was born in the area, was a knowledgeable, friendly and helpful guide for whom nothing was too much trouble. Plenty of inside knowledge of places to visit, and eat lunch. He even arranged local transport and an itinerary for our Capri visit, which was listed as self-guided in the trip notes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The coastal towns and Capri can get hot and crowded in summer. Pompei (an option for the 'free-day') can be crowded with cruise ship tourists. The Herculaneum ruins are quieter. Use walking poles on the Path of the Gods. Expect to eat too much. Try the local wines and beers. It is a busy trip, but that is a good thing !

Most Inspirational Moment

I would say that it had to be our walk on the Glacier as it was something I'd never done before, I didn't know what to expect. We were given crampons and ice picks and roped together in groups of about 12, an experienced guide at the front, and off we went up the Glacier after being told how to walk in crampons of course. The blue of the Glacier was stunning, and looking down into crevices was beautiful. This is an optional extra of the holiday but well worth doing. Quite pricey at nearly £60.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Asbjorn took us on our 1st walk up to Molden Peak. He was great, very informative and knowledgeable . The rest of the week our guide was Inar who was also fantastic. He kept us safe, he knew what we were capable of and he had lots of stories to tell us which kept us amused. He's only a young lad but certainly knew what he was doing, he was a delight.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Most people know that Norway is expensive, but it still comes as quite a shock. If you like a beer to cool you down after a day out walking, take plenty of money. Half litre of lager is about £7.50 and a bottle of wine about £30. Also it might be a good idea to take mosquito spray, we did encounter a few during the week.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our first full day at the Okavango Delta camp with the two close encounters with elephants (described above) was hard to beat. However, spotting a leopard as we rounded a corner on the road and hearing a male lion roar next to its elephant kill ran it close as did another elephant experience on the Chobe river cruise when an elephant in the water approached us while pulling up weeds, washing and chewing on them all within touching distance. Then there were the honey badgers including one in broad daylight and then ……... you get the idea!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Moses was a superb guide, a safe driver and never seemed to stop working, whether it was helping put up/take down tents or digging the bushy-bushy. He was very patient with the various demands made of him- a little forward or a little back (sometimes at the same time!) as people vied to get the best angles for photographs!

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's been said before, in winter (June/July) it gets very cold especially in the open vehicle when travelling in the mornings or evenings. Take wind-proof jackets, warm clothes and even gloves. Opportunities to recharge camera batteries are limited especially in the second week so make sure you take spares to last at least four days and top-up the charge whenever possible. We were a group of seven so space on the vehicle was not an issue, however with a full or near full compliment of 12 space would be very limited especially if some people carry a large amount of camera equipment.

Most Inspirational Moment

360 degree views of Dolomites, Alps and valleys on our Tuesday hike. I didn't bother myself with the names of peaks, so I can't name the place, but it was the most scenic spot I've ever been.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide bailed after day 1 due to a family emergency. He was good while he lasted, though. We had 3 other guides during the week, 2 who were little more than wayfinders, 1 who was excellent in his knowledge of the area, his command of English and his thoughtful presentation of the complicated cultural issues of the region. It seemed that the hotel proprietor helped Exodus with the scramble to find replacement guides. It all went very well, with no negative impact to our week. Excellent job to cover the unexpected departure.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For the travel days, arriving and departing, count on doing nothing besides reaching your destination. The location is remote. I planned a second week in Como, so my airport was Milan Malpensa. Reaching Villabassa required 4 trains, one of which was late and another was canceled (replaced by a bus, fortunately). Trains are frequent enough to be a good option, but taking the Exodus transfer from Venice would have made life simpler. Also, plan to do some laundry by hand, daily. There were no laundromats anywhere in the valley.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing chamois at nearly 2000 metres. Or maybe they were ibex. We asked one of our guides which they were but, rather than taking a dozen steps and looking at them, she asked whether they had long horns. Subsequent research indicates that female ibex and chamois have similar horns.....

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had two leaders. They led us efficently, sorted out lunchtime bills without fuss, were prompt and personable. They obviously have a great love for Slovenia and nature, but what I found frustrating in retrospect is that they said very little about the flora and landscape we were walking through, and the animals and birds we might see. Possibly this is a language issue, though their English was good (and, of course, far better than anybody's Slovenian).

Most Inspirational Moment

Having walked up a mountain, with sweat pouring out of me, breathing deeply, with the sun beating down on us, to get to the top of the mountain, to see the views in the distance below and the mountains in the distance across makes it all worth while. This happened everyday.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara was the female version of Gear Grylls, though she didn't have us drinking our urine! She is very knowledgeable about the Region, the language, and health and safety in trekking. She has trekked in jungles of Africa, South America, to name but a few. She is a trained medic.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have never done any trekking, prepare well, to get the most out of this exhilarating experience. Go for walks starting 6 weeks before travel building up to 10 miles the week before, to harden up your feet and to get your feet used to wearing boots.

Most Inspirational Moment

Having walked up a mountain, with sweat pouring out of me, breathing deeply, with the sun beating down on us, to get to the top of the mountain, to see the views in the distance below and the mountains in the distance across makes it all worth while. This happened everyday.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara was the female version of Gear Grylls, though she didn't have us drinking our urine! She is very knowledgeable about the Region, the language, and health and safety in trekking. She has trekked in jungles of Africa, South America, to name but a few. She is a trained medic.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have never done any trekking, prepare well, to get the most out of this exhilarating experience. Go for walks starting 6 weeks before travel building up to 10 miles the week before, to harden up your feet and to get your feet used to wearing boots.