Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing under the 80m high Fairy Falls on the bow of the Milford Wanderer, water pummelling down on our heads, totally surprised, completely exhilarated and utterly happy. I have to add first seeing Red Crater on the Tongariro Crossing, jetboating, catamaran sailing on the Tasman Sea, walking through Tiritiri Matangi Island’s gorgeous native woodland ringing with exotic bird calls and cicadas, the joy of seeing the glorious colour of Huka Falls. The trouble is that every day had moments like these, so how do you choose!?

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hayley and Josh are an extraordinary young couple, calm, cheerful, incredibly hard working and competent. If everyone drove like Josh, the roads would be safer places. Every suggestion regarding where to eat or shop or what to do in our free time turned out to be good. In his review, Martin mentioned the lady stranger who had a fall, but not that Hayley actually carried her most of the way down a steep mountain after giving first aid! There were, inevitably, some long drives, but Hayley and Josh arranged an enjoyable short walk or other activity at least every two hours. I think I’d trust these two in almost any situation.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t scratch your Blackfly bites! They really are the scourge of South Island, but DEET does deter them so use it. I kept leaving it too late. Bites I managed to resist scratching settled down quickly, those I took the tops off had scabs for weeks and have left scars. Be prepared for the jet lag - it took us a week to get over it after coming home. Take lots of notes as well as taking photos -see below!

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra

Thoughts on Group Leader

not very good.

Most Inspirational Moment

In Syracuse, walking down a little alley, an operatic aria was playing on a sound system somewhere, and all the street traders suddenly started singing along, joining in one by one, with beautiful voices. It was magical! Everywhere we went there were beautiful wildflowers like I've never seen before. Definitely recommend going in April for that reason, as well as the fact that the tourist draws and beaches are very quiet.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leaders were excellent, really worked hard to look after us and passionate about their homeland. The picnic lunches were outstanding.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you practice riding up hills! Overall level 3 is fair, but there are some really hilly sections, with sustained climbs. Also, in April, bring clothing for a range of weather.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was very special. If we have to choose though, the first sight of the Treasury Building in Petra was amazing. In fact all of the ancient city of Petra was beyond our expectations.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zuhair was a wonderful leader. He told us stories and about the history of Jordan which were so interesting and enjoyable. He organised lovely snack breaks and took us to very good restaurants. He was extremely supportive with me when my knees were causing problems. He took such pains to point things out to us when we were in Jerash and Petra and was very knowledgeable and answered everyone's questions. A thoroughly nice man. A word also about the Tourist Police Officer, Sami, who accompanied us. He was also very pleasant and helpful and the two of them could not have been better and really made the holiday special. Nothing was too much trouble for either of them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Well first and foremost don't be put off going to Jordan. Everywhere we went we were welcomed and we always felt safe. Take comfortable walking shoes there is some hard walking in Petra, but totally worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

The areas I enjoyed most were Halong Bay, Hoi An and the Mekong delta. The cities were fascinating but frenetic. Seeing the central towers at Angkor Wat was a definite "wow" moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both group leaders ( Vietnam and Cambodia) were very knowledgeable and passionate about their countries.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take an overnight bag for the trips to Halong Bay and the Mekong delta. Expect to take hundreds of photos!

Most Inspirational Moment

Breathtakingly beautiful scenes as we stood in a fairytale landscape – with snow still falling – watching the snow monkeys playing in the hot pools.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Throughout, our local guide led us confidently from bullet train to funicular, from tram, to bus, to ferry. He took us to places only a local would know about, including, at our request, to a karaoke bar on our last night!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do heed the warnings in the Trip Notes about bringing cash instead of cards; and take warm clothes and sensible footwear to the mountains – we hit minus 4 one morning! The underground system in Tokyo is efficient and easy to navigate, with plenty of signs in English. You do need to be reasonably fit, however – there were lots of steps.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting a school in a rural village in Nicaragua. Spending time with the children explaining who we are, where we were from and listening to them introduce themselves and tell us about what they want to be when they grow up.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was very knowledgeable and organized. He is passionate about cycling and sharing the uniqueness of the countries we visited. Roberto worked hard to ensure a good time was had by all!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Train prior to the trip - on hills and in heat if possible. The bikes were great. I used my own gel seat as well.

Most Inspirational Moment

The marine life around the Osa peninsula was incredible - seeing dolphins and boobies compete to take out a shoal of flying fish near Drake's Bay, or the snorkelling at Cano Island, or the beaches covered in tiny hermit crabs, so hard to pick just one.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gustavo was very knowledgeable about the wildlife we spotted, and gave plenty of information about the local culture too, including a trip to his delightful local pub for our farewell feast.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This really isn't a "Leisurely/Moderate" trip, it is 100% leisurely - and the demographics trended to the older end of the spectrum (there was a 15-year age gap between me and the next youngest, and most of the group were retired) - so be warned that this isn't exactly an adrenaline-filled adventure, and you'll need to be very keen on birds. March was HOT on both coasts, but the cloud forest was very cold - you won't regret packing that jumper even if it looks like a waste of space at first!

Most Inspirational Moment

There are so many moments where you just go 'wow'. I won't go into a lengthy description of the awe inspiring moments as it may spoil it for your own 'wow factor' . But the lava in the volcano was mesmerising; cycling in the backdrops of volcanoes makes you smile non-stop; casually seeing a crocodile and other wildlife as you raft on by was brilliant; sharing conversations at a local school, a bus stop and even whilst being overtaken by a 4 year old girl running up the hill (I was on my bike!) are moments I'll never forget; swimming in the sea as the sun comes up; having my 'guardian angel domestiques' (the bf and Antony and Paul - the mechanics) placing their hand on my back and literally pushing me up the tough hills - I can never thank these guys enough, they are amazing. ...... but mostly, it's the feeling of having pedalled yourself many miles through 3 amazing countries with people that you were thrown together with and shared random experiences with, that you'll never forget.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ah Roberto. What an amazing leader... The passion that Roberto showed both on and off the bike was unbelievable. I don't know where he gets his energy from! Super fit on the bike! I was often up early and would see Roberto working away. Then giving briefings for the day, then cycling back and fore taking photos, making awesome videos that he would then share on fb, plus then giving us cultural information whilst on the van. It was like having our own personal documentary maker and he was brilliant. Awesome knowledge on all 3 countries and a way with people than is a engaging, personal and professional. I can still hear his 'one, two' advice when going up the hills and this is what keeps you going. There are so many things that go on behind the scenes when you have 14+ people to organise and the way he made it seem so easy goes to show how good he is. Oh, and he has some great cycling tops too! He's funny and makes you feel at ease. If I do another trip, I would actually head to Costa Rica just to have him as my leader! Pura vida. The rest of the team were great too. Ronald the driver works super hard and drives so safely and professionally, Paul and Antony, the mechanics were a godsend. Paul is a funny guy, an amazing cyclist and really helped me on tough hills and long flats. Antony - what can I say? This guy is a machine! I called him Terminator 2 as was always looking out for me and pushing me up hills. The strength is has is phenomenal. He made the cycling so much better for me and made my experience better. Thanks guys!!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Learn a bit of Spanish. There are opportunities where you least expect it, to meet locals and exchange a few words. It's a great feeling. Great to take some stuff for the school that you visit. We missed/forgot this and were gutted. Get some hill training in! Read the trip notes, but don't micromanage... the best days for me were the surprises of things I had forgotten and the leaders will change the schedule to make the experience better, or if the roads are busy, to make it safer. We did a white water rafting trip on our day off in Fortuna. Was brilliant but if you want a rest... this isn't it! I left my trainers there, one of the guys was going to give them to charity, so don't throw stuff away if you no longer want it.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is hard to mention only one thing, instead I would highlight my top three: - Exploring Petra. Not just our first (breathtaking) sight of the Treasury, but also walking up the steps to the Monastery and then finding a small cafe with a wonderful view for refreshments at the very top. - The long cycle ride through the desert. There may have been a lot of ups and downs this day, but it was exhilarating to cycle through such beautiful scenery. - The boat trip on the Red Sea, with opportunities for swimming and snorkelling.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zuhair was a knowledgeable local guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I spent a lot more money than expected on this trip, largely due to the weakening of the exchange rate (I was able to withdraw extra money money quite easily in country). I also chose to partake in most of the optional extras, and I am glad I did as they were all very enjoyable - the boat trip on the Red Sea, the morning camel ride in the desert (so tranquil), and the Turkish bath and massage in Petra. I would recommend that you take hiking shoes (or trainers as a minimum) for the afternoon walk on the second full day in Petra to the Place of High Sacrifice - it was rough going at times. Also, pool shoes would be handy for the trip to the Dead Sea as it was quite uncomfortable walking over the salt deposits to get into the water.