Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Spending the last two days near Gubeikou walking along the wall and seeing the stretch completed and the stretch ahead - definitely very scenic. Also the cycling tour in Beijing was a wonderful experience. I was a bit apprehensive at first about cycling in the busy streets but it, surprisingly, felt safer than cycling the streets at home!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jerry was great - very organized and informative. He had a great sense of humour and was passionate about his country and its history. He was always concerned about the welfare of the group and went out of his way to ensure that everyone had a great time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As mentioned above, all of the group meals, including all meals in the homestays, are served communal style and individual meal choices are not available. As stated in the trip notes, vegetarian options are limited. Therefore, people with restricted diets or food preferences may want to consider either bringing their own food or considering another destination if they are not open to trying things they may not eat at home. Also, chopsticks are often the only utensils provided so if you are uncomfortable to use chopsticks you may want to consider packing some cutlery. Walking poles were a definite plus. There were a lot of steep up and down sections and the poles proved very useful, particularly in the descents.

Most Inspirational Moment

The variety of walks was a real high point. By walking in a different valley or at a different altitude on each walk every day had its own distinct landscape and character.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader did a great job of guiding us around the area. As well as the basics of looking after the group and getting everyone around the hikes he gave us some insights into the local way of life and history that really brought the landscape we were walking through to life.

Most Inspirational Moment

Lober Berat, lovely historic town and also the blue eye

Thoughts on Group Leader

See above very good, always recommended great places to eat.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Fairly long drives on windy roads, take precautions if you need to.

Most Inspirational Moment

The historical monuments were stunning. The sheer scale and colour was breathtaking. There was a nice mix of seeing the old alongside the new.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I can't speak highly enough of our tour leader Dilshod. Nothing was too much trouble. His knowledge of Uzbekistan history was incredible. He was helpful, informative and a real pleasure to have with us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a raincoat as we had a couple of cooler wet days. Tea is the national drink, taken without milk. If you enjoy coffee or milk take your own. The sun can be quite strong so take sun cream. All the hotels had wifi, although it could be very intermittent. Alcohol was widely available and very cheap, even in restaurants.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Sinharaja rainforest is breathtaking. The eco lodge was perfect. Sleeping in converted shipping containers in the middle of a rainforest was truly magical.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Exceptional. He was organised, caring and highly professional. He was very informative and entertaining. Our second guide, for the wildlife was incredibly knowledgeable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take binoculars, they say it's optional, but it should be a MUST.

Most Inspirational Moment

The final Salsa class with our Cuban dance partners; realising how hard most Cubans have to work in order to make ends meet; appreciating just how widespread the ability to perform music to a high standard is amongst the Cubans;

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lenay was a fabulous guide. Kind, helpful, very informative, assertive when needed, always smiley cheerful and positive, realistic about what we should expect, and she made it a great week for us all. She was very concerned that we were happy with the accommodation wherever we were, and that we let her know if anything wasn't as it might be. I don't think we could have had a better guide. A big thank you to Lenay for a great week, and for all her hard work.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect some long journeys; don't expect European luxuries or standards of accommodation everywhere; take time to learn some Spanish as the hosts in the cases particulares are extremely kind, and friendly; take things as you find them and with a sense of humour; understand that we are very wealthy/privileged in comparison to most Cubans; enjoy it all!

Most Inspirational Moment

Obviously Machu Picchu does not disappoint and the island stay is enlightening but sand boarding was so fun and I was impressed by the Nazca lines.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Aleks was great. He loves his country is knowledgeable and took really great care of us. We ate every evening as a group being taken to different restaurants.It makes the whole experience enriching.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do the optional excursions such as sand buggies, sacred valley and star gazing. We opted not to fly over Nazca lines as view from tower was good and I was worried about air sickness but those who did it loved it.The high altitude does slow you down so be prepared for taking longer to get anywhere. The sungate walk is a must at Machu Picchu and stay til chucking out time as you have the site to yourself. Meals were cheaper than I expected so we did not spend as much as I had budgeted for,which was great. It was cold in Cusco and on Lake Titicaca especially at night so warm clothes needed. Trip notes are accurate so take their advice.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views of the coast from the mountain and the sea.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fun, relaxed, good local knowledge.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take walking poles and be prepared for lots of steps.

Most Inspirational Moment

our group leader was great. well informed.

Thoughts on Group Leader

This tour was very busy with many long bus rides.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you bring a padded bike seat!

Most Inspirational Moment

The history and sights of Matera. The architecture of Lecce, which some of us did on our free day, was sumptuous. The feast at the farmhouse we went to on our last night was fit for a king!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Giussepe was superb: he gave us loads of information about the places we visited, was an excellent leader of our walks, provided fabulous picnics and recommended or took us to great places to eat. He was very caring of every member of the group, was always cheerful and displayed a really good sense of humour. A first class guide, with only the occasional and slight lapse in correct information about the nature of the walks on some days

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walking was not always gentle and could be especially difficult in the heat, so perhaps not a good idea to go in the height of the summer. Take a walking pole or stick, as this proved necessary for some ascents or descents