Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra of course! We spent nine hours at the site on the first day; the (2 hour) climb to the Monastery is not to be missed, returning in the evening for a candle-lit walk to the Treasury. On the second day took the longer, but more interesting and rarely visited trail to the High Place of Sacrifice NB: strongly advised take this 3 hour trail in reverse, as recommended by our guide.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Extremely knowledgeable, especially ancient history and more recent regional politics. Lots of helpful advice at sites to ensure we not only didn't miss the 'must see' but also interesting out of the way places.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You need plenty of spending money. Lunches and dinners usually DR10-15 each, which soon adds up. There are cheaper options in towns, except Petra, but not when you are in the middle of nowhere. And if you are desperate for a cold beer after a hot and dusty day, expect to pay DR7-9 for a pint of lager. NB: food and drink usually plus 7% tax & 10% service

Most Inspirational Moment

Gorroppu Gorge is an amazing site to see, so do go into the gorge once you reach it, The walk up to and in Tiscali, with added bonus of seeing a pine martin there.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eric was a great guide, well organised, and has good relationships with the hotel staff and locals. Eric is very informative and provides accurate descriptions of the walks for the next day so you know what you are in for, He engages well with group. On the walks Eric keeps a steady pace with reasonable rest stops.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Whilst this is a medium grade walking trip, I would say its not overly strenuous and the paths are mostly good. The Tiscali walk and the coastal walk needs concentration in some parts as to where you are putting your feet do to the rocky nature of the paths, On the free day we went to Bue Marino cave. I've been to quite a few cave systems before and was a little disappointed. Not that long, colourful, or dramatic in stalactites. Its main attraction is the water entering from the sea and river. I'd recommend the Liquorice and Whiskey ice cream at the La Gelateria in Dorgali.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think the whole trip was great and so very difficult to pick out spercific moments just the amazing views of the mountains and coastline.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Andre who was fantastic. He was always smiling and his love of his island and knowledge of the flowers, mountains and history was very infectious. Andre made sure we were all safe and enjoying the walks from the fast walkers to the slow and always stopped at the end for a welcoming cold beer! He even gave up his day off on our free day to show us around Funchal

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was a bit older than the rest of the group, being 73 and did find the very rocky descents a bit difficult at times but if I can manage it anyone can

Most Inspirational Moment

For me it was being in the Valley of the Kings. To think how Howard Carter must have felt being there. It was so quiet. Going down the Nile and watching the sun setting will stay with me. Learning that Philae Temple and Abu Simbel were moved when the dam was build - what a feat of engineering. Visiting the Nubian museum. Having cocktails at the Old Cataract Hotel- again very quiet and wonderfully colonial.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sayed was a brilliant group leader and guide. He worked tirelessly to make sure that we saw as much as possible of this incredible place. His english is impeccable and he was great fun too. He varied our itinerary to ensure that we were up early to avoid the heat and get the best of the wonderful archeological sites. We also went out in the evening when it was atmospheric and cool. He is also an Egyptologist and so very knowledgeable about the history of the antiquities and sites we visited.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Drink plenty of bottled water; it's hot! Comfortable shoes is a must as you don't realise how far you walk.

Most Inspirational Moment

Boat trip to halong bay crew on the boat were very pleasant and place was amazing

Thoughts on Group Leader

Was disappointed with our guide. He did not interact with the group and was often rude and impatient with people in the group Was not very professional and this affected our enjoyment of the trip

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting some of the towns really early in the morning where there was just me and the street cleaner around. it was so atmospheric to have an espresso in the Duomo square without the hordes of tourists which would appear later. The Sicilian food specialities were wonderful too

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mileena was exceptional. Nothing was ever too much trouble. She was so enthusiastic and the maps she gave us at every stop must have taken her hours to highlight but they were so useful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take comfortable walking shoes with you and plenty of sunscreen

Most Inspirational Moment

I guess it was wandering through the night in Korcula. The crowds were disappearing the restaurants were smelling gorgeous. The waiters and locals were all chatty and friendly. The light was beautiful for some good night time photos. Then we happened upon a group of about 20 locals in tracksuits with beers practising their acapella singing. Great moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sasa (pronounced sacha but cant type the accent) was fun and bubbly. She tried really hard to keep everyone happy. She moved between everyone in the group with skill and appreciated everyones needs. She organised meals for those that wanted them together, every night. We enjoyed her company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The Pension in Korcula was about 15 minutes walk from the old town. The walk is easy and well lit. It was great moments to get into town for the night time. In Dubrovnik the "Dubrovnik Card" was great value to catch the very easy bus (bus-stop just outside our hotel) and to visit all the sights. I am not a Game of Thrones fan but got caught up in it with other fans visiting all those filming sights (thank you Lili). There is even the IRON THRONE made of swords on Lokrum Island. I sat on it and had my picture taken. I enjoyed that they filmed the latest Star wars movie there "the last Jedi" so got fascinated by that. There is a free map at the hotel that gives you all the filming sights. Get one if you like this stuff.

Most Inspirational Moment

The balloon trip,worth getting up at 4am.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fred was a star,looked after us 24/7

Advice for Potential Travellers

Possibly take a little more spends 100 sterling would be a bit tight for drinks and tips,150 each more like it.All prices are in turkish or euros,balloon trip was 150 euros or 130 sterling each

Most Inspirational Moment

Tirana was the start and was for me a summary of what was to come. The buildings old and new, side by side that says something of the state of Albania's pride in its past and its spirit in opening up to the future and tourism. It made me aware of the need to go on with an open mind and in this way I found it quietly exciting. Unesco sites of Girokaster and Berat survive with sensitive development of the buildings and locations that is a joy.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gledi was inspirational and exceptional. He was knowledgeable, articulate and accessible to questions and ideas with a modest manner and sense of humour. The very best.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is an intensive on the go trip but each day is different. Be prepared for the unexpected and some reading for the long journeys

Most Inspirational Moment

I was really happy on that final descent into Minori.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paolo and the support van driver Rafaele were great--super nice, well organized, patient. Paolo really tried to give us a sense of southern Italy-the history, the people, the places, the food. The food! While you were free to go off on your own, Paolo arranged most of the meals for us and encouraged us to sample the local specialties--olive oil, mozzarella di bufala, various aperitifs and the best antipasti. One person commented that it was like being on a gastronomy tour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare for lots of up and down. There's almost no flat terrain. Bring enough cash. We were running low and it took us a while to find an ATM that took our card. The weather could go from hot to cold to windy to rainy all within an afternoon. Bring everything and store it in the van. The trip notes said the last day was 50K, but Paolo wanted us to see Sorrento which added another ~20K (and the steepest climb of the trip-I joined Rafaele in the van part way up that hill). Word of warning on bus service on the Amalfi coast. On our last day, we took the bus to Vietri to do a little shopping-since Paolo was taking the same bus to Salerno, he made sure that we got there with no problems. Coming back, the buses were so crowded that we either couldn't get on or they didn't bother stopping. We ended up splitting a cab with a German woman who was trying to get back to Maori.