Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

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14516 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

J Collet

Reviewed September 2017

Best of times, worst of times

The TMB is an incredible long-distance trek and if it is on your bucket list, I would recommend it. Emily Scott was our camp manager and did an outstanding job. It definitely was not “roughing it” with Emily in charge. Day after day, I was humbled by the meals that she could prepare on a 2 burner camp stove. My only complaint was the pace that our leader, Kim Jackson, set. We routinely arrived at camp 1-1.5 hours sooner than the trip notes indicated. This wrecked havoc for Emily who on several occasions arrived after we did. That meant Emily was racing like a mad woman to set up camp and create a welcoming atmosphere for us. It also meant that rather than soaking in the amazing scenery, I was powering through the TMB with my eyes on the trail. Had I wanted to race through France, Switzerland and Italy, I would have taken a cycling trip!

I would give 7/5 stars to Emily and her ability to run the camp, 5/5 stars for the scenery and route, and 2/5 to the leader. I averaged to 3/5.

Most Inspirational Moment

It would be hard to pin down the most inspirational moment. However, it goes without saying that my fellow travelers made the trip. They were a wonderful mix of nationalities, ages, genders and backgrounds. Everyone was willing to pitch in making for a terrific camp atmosphere.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I thought that our group leader was sub-par. She set an unrelenting and blistering pace for no apparent reason. It was her last trip of the season and it showed. It often felt as though she was just trying to get through the trip. Each night we would meet as a group to review the following day’s agenda which included the walking distance, terrain and estimated time. We routinely arrived to camp at least 1-1.5 hours early. Kim allowed members of the group to race far ahead putting pressure on those that were keeping a pace consistent with the trip notes. The result was losing a hiker on Day 12. After that incident, she kept the group together but by then there was just 1 day left. I would have far preferred a more reasonable pace that gave us an opportunity to enjoy the stunning scenery.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the elevation gains and losses. Consider getting a single tent. That will give you the opportunity to spread out a bit and will take some of the edge off of two weeks under canvas. I had been on a camp-based group trek before, so I knew what to expect, but for those who don’t, be advised that everyone pitches in to make the camp run effectively.

Kathryn Summers

Reviewed September 2017

A Brilliant Experience

An excellant trip, my first into Africa. Now my compass is set for more.
A mixed age range group, 24 thru 72 but we gelled well.
Our leader Jacob was full of knowledge. A very happy and fun person to be around.
He was backed by a brilliant team.
Albert, our cook. Stonecold, (Boniface) our driver and Dolly (Raymond) our assistant.
We were fed well, driven very safely, and Dolly, learning the ropes, accompanied us on some excursions.

Most Inspirational Moment

Spending time with the Mountain Gorillas. Wow, you can get closer if the Silverback is happy with it. I was just a few feet away from adolescents. Then, Seeing a Lioness, just languishing up in a tree. Magic. Then, The Balloon ride over the Mara. Spotting Giraffe, Lion and Elephant to name a few. Then, slip sliding across the mud to witness the migration of Wildebeest across the Mara River.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jacob is brilliant. Very knowledgable of his country, Kenya, and of the surrounding areas. He ensured we understood the protocol at the borders for a smooth move on. This does also mean some early morning departures, but, Jacob is correct in doing this. We all agreed with him, even offering an earlier start 1 day! Jacob is fun and has stories to tell.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do ensure your kit bag meets the size requirements for the lockers. They are actually quite wide tho. Take a small 'down pack' bag, or use one of your dri sacks for the tenting. Some of the accommodation involves steps. You don't really want to carry your whole kit down there!

Jay Bordoloi

Reviewed September 2017

Wonderful first group cycling trip experience!

The itinerary is accurate. This was my first experience with a group cycling tour and I was a solo traveler. I would say the trip exceeded my expectations because I saw local towns/areas that I would not have normally visited on my own in the country-side, the travel group was a great set of people from all over the world, and the places we visited for food were very tasty and a great sampling of local cuisine.

During the visits to capital cities, I learned a lot about the history of various Baltic countries from the medieval to modern era. Overall, I enjoyed the routes we cycled (generally minimal car traffic) as they were in scenic areas.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through a small town and the tour guide striking up a conversation with an old lady sitting with her cat. Hearing about the lady's history in the town was fascinating and was something I would not have been able to do, had I been traveling on my own.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our trip leader was a wonderful tour guide. She worked very hard to make sure everyone was having a good time and was clear in her directions for what the itinerary for the day would be. She worked well with our driver to coordinate van support and our safe transportation. In addition, her friendly personality helped facilitate the group getting to know each other.

Advice for Potential Travellers

While the route is very flat, I would say 'leisurely' is not so accurate. As generally the group needs to cover 20-30mi/day and have time for van transfers, there is not so much time for frequent breaks. While the pace is certainly comfortable and doable, 'leisurely' to me implies more frequent stops for photo opportunities or small snacks/picnics during the route. I would rate the trip as a 3 or 4, as 10 days of riding in a row on mostly flat terrain does require some level of effort.

Rachel Harrison

Reviewed September 2017

A superb trip with breathtaking views.....

This is a superb trip. Fitness tested but did improve as the week went on. A “fast and light” way to achieve the Tour du Mont Blanc with only a weeks leave. I enjoyed it from start to finish. Many thanks Exodus.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking down into Orzieres and finding our quirky little hotel with a friendly manager and lovely food. A beer in the local cafe rounded off the day. Waking up in Italy to bright blue skies and phenomenal views that we hadn't seen the day before. The coffee in the refuges was a highlight and a welcome pit stop. This is a challenging trek and completing each day left you tired but happy (and nursing the odd blister!)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nick was an excellent leader with extensive alpine knowledge. He looked after the group well, altered plans as required and kept us entertained!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel light! The hardest bit is carrying 10 kgs on your back. You really do not need much. I managed to wash a tee shirt and trousers and they dried (just) overnight. If your feet are at all vulnerable, protect heels and toes with tape (zinc oxide/kinesio tape - learnt from my fellow travellers) as walking with open blisters can be very challenging!

Janet Gibbons

Reviewed September 2017

Highlights of Albania

A wonderful trip to a country emerging from very difficult times, accompanied by a good group and fab guide.

Most Inspirational Moment

Most days there were great experiences. Berat and Gjorokastra were stunning cities, beautiful mountainous scenery, the Blue Eye, the icon museum at Korce, having lunch with a lovely family in Dhoksat, archeological ruins at Butrint, etc. I could go on. And then there was friendly welcome from the Albanian people.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Klodi was an exceptional guide. Passionate about and proud of his country, extremely knowledgeable and professional, caring and very good company with a great sense of humour!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Nothing in particular.

Susan Hely

Reviewed September 2017

Great way to discover southern italy

I recommend this tour of two regions of southern Italy – Basilicata and Puglia and our wonderful guide Guissepe. Relaxing walking off the beaten track together with great local food and wine. Guissepe took care of all the details including organising gluten free food. I was particularly impressed by his plant knowledge as well as history, particularly of ancient Matera. Good amicable and interesting group. Highlights included staying in the Masseria, home cooked feast of food from their garden, swimming at a beautiful sandy beach after a long hot walk followed by a memorable seafood lunch. And dinner at a farmhouse where they kept cows and made all their own cheeses.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sunset at Matera - really beautiful

Thoughts on Group Leader

Loved Guissepe. Never had my Coeliac's disease looked after so well. Very helpful. Good knowledge.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Maybe ask for different rooms. Webput up with a very damp and airless room at the sassi hotel - room 610 - and the third night I was really sick with a cough and had to sleep with my daughter who had a lovely room - 502. Should have asked to change!

Sarah Byrom

Reviewed September 2017

Cycle Cilento, Amalfi Coast

This was the first Exodus trip I’ve done and I can honestly say it’s one of the best holidays I’ve ever had. Our tour guide, Alessandro, was EXCELLENT, so helpful, hard working, knowledgable and friendly. Nothing was too much bother, he really did go the extra mile to ensure we all had a great holiday sharing all his local knowledge and taking us to some fantastic places. If you like mountainous national parks, stunning coast lines, amazing food and some golden sun then this is the tour for you! The only thing I would say is that there are definitely some steep ascents involved so if you’re not feeling 100% energetic an e-bike might be a good option for you (as I opted for & highly appreciated – although all the others in my group who opted for a normal bike seemed fine with this option too so just a personal preference at the end of the day). I should also say, Raffaele, our driver was GREAT too. A fantastic trip – highly recommend and a big thank you to Alessandro, Raffaele and all at Exodus!!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Cilento national park Amalfi coastline Ravello Amazing food!!

Maggie Burghuber

Reviewed September 2017

Chianti walking and wine

The setting in the converted farmhouse is absolutely idyllic – but remember that September is the beginning of autumn and the altitude is high, so you really need to pack something warm for the evenings. The staff are really friendly and very helpful and the accommodation is clean.
I did find the twin beds narrow and the shower a little cramped : but then you get used to it.
The meals at Castella were excellent, especially the antipastas, and the buffet on the first night was to die for – but overall I was disappointed at the vast amount of meat and the lack of fresh salads/vegetables. We found the same trend even when eating out ….. meat, meat , meat.
Perhaps the wine compensated for it? I’m sure I got my 5 -a-day from the wine alone!! it flowed! Oh, and don’t forget the gelatos!
I must say we had a fantastic guide- nothing was too much for him. We’d slog away at the “undulations” (the in-word on our tour)and spent 2-3 hours relaxing in the town, while he’d WALK back again to pick up the minibus.
And the wine-tastings were brilliant: we’ve all learnt about chianti classico. Fantastic cheeses and delicious olive oils were provided. No tasting was the same! Honestly, we all got on so well. Thanks Mark for making our tour so enjoyable and such fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

The scenery was so beautiful. Vineyards and olive groves lining the hillsides. Tall, slender Cyprus trees pointing their way up to the sky - hilltop villages, many of them walled. While walking the vistas would open up, one after the other and I never grew tired of taking them all in

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mark was fantastic. He had so much energy : was up early, kept the timings so that the full itinerary was completed and more; his sense of humour was encouraging. We all know the Italian for "undulating" now - some of them were "cheeky undulations" - or a "little bit of an undulation". What I really found good was the way Mark would drop back and walk with the slower people to encourage them on. After we had walked 9 or 12 km he'd leave us at a town, so we could get a bite to eat, while he'd walk back to fetch the minibus up. Or he's run on ahead to bring the bus down to a meeting point. Incredible- he must be so fit. And whilst out on the walks he carried extra supplies of snacks for the group, so we could up the sugar intake and find our energy for the next etappe. I couldn't believe the extra mile he went to deliver pizzas on his day off. We were sitting in the town and saw him bent on a mission - staggering out with a pile of pizzas for those who chose not to leave the villa His planning was meticulous and he was so knowledgeable about the area. I would say he helped to make the tour so enjoyable

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack rainwear - Pack a torch Take something warm to wear in the evenings

Neil Hatherley

Reviewed September 2017

Good holiday, Rubbish Equipment

Excellent holiday. Hotel wasn’t bad, Equipment was crap, we had a bike mechanic that didn’t care and didn’t know what he was doing. Should of better bikes and if we had more people on the holiday, then I wouldn’t know how they would of coped.

Most Inspirational Moment

Went to Petra to see all the temples.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I've had better before. The first group leader never rode with us

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take more money for the add ones.

Reply from Exodus

We would like to thank Neil for his feedback, although we are very sorry to hear that he was disappointed in the quality of equipment provided for the trip. The safety of our clients and quality of our bikes and equipment are of the upmost importance to us, and we will be investigating the issues Neil has raised in order to ensure all equipment meets the high standards we expect from our local operators.

Monica Princic – Product manager for Jordan

David Bruce

Reviewed September 2017

The Italian Dolomites: Self Guided Walking

Dobbiaco was a tremendous centre and the Park Hotel Bellevue was everything that we would have wanted. The guidance notes for the walks were excellent and each of the itineraries gave us a different view of the Dolomites from rolling pastures to jagged peaks. I would unreservedly recommend the holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in the Tre Cime was beautiful and quiet with glimpses of marmots and alpine, wild flowers hanging on to the rugged terrain. Other walks were almost as spectacular and each had a different character and high point.

Thoughts on Group Leader

N/A

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are up to it, always choose the longer walks. They are quieter and allow you to work off some calories in preparation for the excellent food at the Park Hotel Bellevue.

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