Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing to the monastery in Petra. A tough climb and an awesome view. Watching the sun rise in the desert. The sunset was fantastic, the starlit night was frighteningly vast, and the sunrise the next day worth getting up for Snorkelling in the Red Sea - what a lovely relaxing way to spend the afternoon away from the sand and mountains for a bit. Watching my daughter climb to the top of a sand dune as I struggled along behind!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Khaled is a very busy person. He has a role with the ministry of guides which means that he was on the telephone an awful lot and I felt he was somewhat distracted during the week. There was a one-hour strike on the first Petra visit day by all the guides. However, I was impressed by the way he almost ran up and down the boulders when he took as round the back of Petra on the second day to visit the high place!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not over-pack. Jordan does not require great formality in wear, You will need decent shoes for the Petra walks for 2 days - I had good quality trainers, or lightweight walking shoes, Do not expect to be in the middle of nowhere for your stay in the desert. You will be able to walk to another camp or to the road from your site

Most Inspirational Moment

The Zingaro walk was particularly meaningful for me. 30 years ago the Reserve risked to get cut in two by a highway. National associations along with hundreds of Sicilians demonstrated against the distructive plan and thanks to them we can now enjoy beautiful walks with breathtaking views. As an Italian myself, it simply made me proud.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Fabio, has been the key to the enjoyment of our holiday. You can tell that he loves and knows every inch of his region.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The Zingaro and the Mt. Etna walks aren't demanding at all, but if you feel unsure walking poles can make the difference. Walking shoes are more than enough though. Local transfers are usually quite long, so a good book or some music could do. I personally took a lot of pictures (and sometimes a nap!), plus our leader now and then gave us information about what we were seeing while driving by, making the journey not boring at all.

Most Inspirational Moment

The many & diverse ethnicities of the Chinese people with their own different traditions & identities. The sheer size & enormity of the country that has grown so rapidly (complete with its huge numbers of German cars).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jenny, wow what can we say, except that she's just an amazing, inclusive, intelligent, inspirational group leader, whose knowledge knew no bounds. Her grasp of English & associated humour was a real treat. Jenny was forever mindful of the groups needs & wants. Two group members had birthdays during the tour & Jenny made sure that they were memorable. This was a really nice touch & was appreciated by all

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not bring US dollars as changing them is time consuming due to long queues in the banks. ATM's are in abundance (easy to use & instructions in English) Don't forget your toilet paper (none available in public toilets) You must: 1 - Go up the Shanghai World Financial Centre, for some spectatcular views from the 100th floor 2 - Eat at the Pure Lotus Vegetarian restaurant in Yangshuo (you could turn vegetarian after just one meal!) 3 - Visit the Han tombs Museum before they get too well known (optional excursion)

Most Inspirational Moment

I cannot swim so snorkelling was something I thought I would never do - wrong!! The group leader guided me, for which I was really grateful. Never thought I would be able to say I had snorkelled with Penguins, sea lions, turtles, iguanas, sting rays, gorgeous fish and sharks!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent - his knowledge was superb it really enhanced the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go - do not worry, easy walking and brilliant once in a lifetime experience (unless decide to go again!)

Most Inspirational Moment

Many days were just perfect days! One day I was having an early moring swim in Lake Nicaragua, went for a walk to watch monkeys, cycling, boat ride back to the mainland, more cycling and then popping out at the Pacific to have a swim in the lovely warm waters there. Brilliant day all round! The boat ride - although I was a bit unsure whether I liked being so close to large crocodiles! Hot springs with pina coladas Panama

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was a lot of fun, super organised and able to sort out any wishes we had

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was happy to have my handle bar bag with me as I don't like having anything on my back, especially when it's really warm.

Most Inspirational Moment

Some nice-but not stunning walks-give a relaxing week. Do not expect to work hard-the walks are low level and manageable for anybody with a basic level of fitness. The day we walked by the Roman marble quarries and saw the columns that were carved in one piece from the rock was especially interesting. The gorge walk was also nice, but cloudy weather and high winds spoiled what could have been a great day out.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cecile was a good leader-organised and on the ball throughout. She made sure everybody was well looked after with dietary requeirements, and gave a lot of information on flora and fauna.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The hotel in Karystos is basic but friendly. Unfortunately the seafront setting is very noisy at night. The trip notes describe Karystos as a thriving market town, but we saw no evidence of this The causeway is full of litter, the streets are defaced by grafitti-even the local museum has grafitto over a roman marble column laying outside, and a magnificent old steam engine there is rusty and grafittied. I think we have seen the effects of the Greek financial problems. Some of the tavernas visited in the evening provided really good food-some were so-so.

Most Inspirational Moment

Day walks with amazing views from all angles, mostly in the Chamonix valley but the day walk in Italy was beautiful, classic alpine scenery watching for wildlife and seeing an Ibex and marmot. the trip up to Aiguille Midi on our day off - expensive but worth it for the views and fascinating displays at the top The food in the chalet

Thoughts on Group Leader

outstanding. Mark was extremely experiences, knowledgeable and tailored the walks to the weather and group. Good advice and information, very supportive to those group members on the trickier bits of the walk. He also gave good information for options for the day off, particularly walks possible from the middle cable car station (although check that the cable car to the ice cave are open - they were closed at the end of sept)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware of the amount of climb and descent. The pattern of most walks was to climb from the valley in the first few hours of the morning, traverse and then descend at the end of the day. Often this involved 900m of climb first thing, but it was a steady pace with time to admire the views. Being fit and doing some uphill preparation will make this more pleasurable. Take poles if they help with the downhill (knees). Be aware of the season as the trip notes explain, all cable cars are not open in sept.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trek from Paro to Thimpu. Through forests and across mountains. The camping was great.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was very knowledgable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go!

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk along the valley which ended at a taverna where James Oliver filmed a cooking programme! A local dog followed us all the way and agreed ( did not want to jog back home- rather waited for a taxi)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thanos was lovely. He knew everyone on Evia and told great stories about Greek history, food and local trade vents

Most Inspirational Moment

I informed Suzi that I was unable to keep up with the group and would make my own plans. She made a new plan for my vacation and had me meet with the group at every opportunity in a manner that allowed me to truly enjoy my vacation. She was encouraging, enthusiastic and took each traveller under her wing. This vacation was on my partner's bucket list and he got to fulfill his plan and we got to enjoy that together.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suzi was upbeat, knowledgeable on so many levels, truly able to meet changes of plans with enthusiasm and bubbling over with love for the area, its people and history. .

Advice for Potential Travellers

Truly understand the rating of the trip. Bring your camera and enjoy the beauty, the people and their history from the beginning of time to the present moment.