Reviews

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.

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

Swimming on my back in the lake in Champex thinking "why not?" to every hesitation I've ever had.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A man-child. Man when required to lead us through snow and hills and lakes, child when it comes to table "manners". John displayed the right amount of inspirational leadership while keeping things light so that we enjoyed our hike even on the tough climbs. Couldn't have asked for a better leader and friend on the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You can never go wrong packing light and bring enough cash for all the coffees, meals and activities you might want to have on the side.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being in the French alps in summer, with breathtaking views during the walks and from the chalet.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was friendly, professional and knowledgeable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I assumed I would be one of the oldest people participating in this walk at 61 and was delighted to find that fellow participants were of a similar age and similar interests.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing mount Sumbra

Thoughts on Group Leader

The best guide ever

Most Inspirational Moment

Sitting at the top of Mount Tre Calli having a picnic lunch looking down over the town of Positano was the highlight for me, you cannot describe the views we had over the Amalfi Peninsula. Well worth the long uphill slog to get there,

Thoughts on Group Leader

As I said above, Severio was brilliant. Knowledgeable, encouraging and nothing was too much trouble for him. He even gave up his day off to arrange and accompany our group on a trip to Capri Island. Always willing to go above and beyond the call of duty!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Hiking shoes are necessary but full hiking boots are not needed, some of the walks can be done in a pair of trainers which gives your feet a break from the hiking shoes. Make sure your day pack is big enough to carry a swimsuit and towel to use in many of the villages we finish up in! A refreshing dip is perfect at the end of a hot sweaty walk!

Most Inspirational Moment

Crossing the border from Switzerland into Italy. The views from the Col Ferret were outstanding. Having lunch on the top, enjoying the sunshine and eating toblerone - bliss.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Frank. He was hugely experienced, having done this some 60 times before. Frank set the pace and it was just right. He never went off at a ridiculous pace and I never felt that my safety was compromised at all. He was really helpful when I struggled to cross one pass with my short legs and had plenty of time to make a track through the snowfields when we had to descend through them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was a little concerned with undertaking this trip as I am in my late 50's and the maximum number of days hiking I have done before was 4. We did do quite a bit of training and I would recommend that anyone doing this does try to find some hills before. Having said that, we did not struggle at all. Frank's pace was great. The legs did ache for the first couple of days but after that they were fine. On the last day we did 1670m of ascent and I could have gone on and on! The downhills are definitely harder than the ascents. So pleased we chose the guided tour as it would have been very challenging trying to find some of the routes especially when you're in a storm with limited visibility and being hit with large hail stones.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to pick out one in particular but probably the last day of cycling along the pelesjac peninsular coast - you just wanted it to go on and on.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alan, one of the best leaders I've experienced (I've been on 10+ Exodus trips and usually had good leaders), there was never any time pressure, everything happened (seemingly to us) as though it was effortless. A perfect balance of information, experience and great people skills. He stood out for all the right reasons.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It will be over before you know it so consider adding time onto the beginning/end of the trip if you can to experience a bit more of Croatia. Expect Dubrovnik to be full of tourists - but enchanting all the same.