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

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14894 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviews

From Trails to Tasting Rooms: The Unforgettable Algarve Experience

Discovering the Algarve in Portugal was fantastic. Experiencing its beauty by exploring scenic hiking trails was the right way to go. Meeting charming local business owners and talented artisans along the way enhanced the trip. Hearing the story behind a family-run olive oil press or discovering how locally grown berries are transformed into liquors gave us insight into the passion people feel for their land and how they live on it. Sampling the local wines and savoring delicious meals at cozy restaurants was a bonus.

Most Inspirational Moment

The third hike was the most difficult for me, and completing this hike felt like an important achievement. There were other hikes where we had more of an elevation increase; this one felt more challenging. The day after this hike we took a break, and it definitely felt like a well-earned break.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Inês was a kind and thoughtful leader. She was well-organized and kept everything running smoothly. She was flexible and adapted how/what she communicated to us based on the types of questions we asked. Ricardo, who acted in a supporting and guiding role to Inês, was also observant of our strengths and weaknesses and supported as a group and as individuals. They worked very well together, and we all benefited from positive leadership.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Hikes were approximately between 5 and 8 miles long, and the pace was about 2 to 2.5 miles per hour. The first two days, we did quite a bit of uphill walking. (Note: I live and walk at sea level, so consider that.) You may or may not need hiking boots, but ankle support is useful. A windbreaker is a good idea. Definitely bring layers, some times of day can be chilly, and the hills are cooler than the coast.

Interesting trip

Great boat trip through the Maldives with daily snorkelling sessions looking for reef fish, turtles and manta rays and an occasional visit to a local island

Most Inspirational Moment

Snorkelling close up with mantas.

Thoughts on Group Leader

UB

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t chase after the mantas, stay by their path and try to lie quietly and horizontally in the water and allow them to come to you. Avoid the month of Ramadan if possible as the staff can tire out with the food and water fasting and exertions in the water.

A Trip to Remember

We felt that this was a unique trip as it managed to combined culture, cycling and hiking with seamless public transport.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me the Kaido cycle was a highlight. The views from the bridges, purchasing oranges from the market as we cycled past. Who knew there were at least twelve varieties. The quirky cycling hotel at our start of our cycle and the beautiful traditional style hotel waiting for us at the end. We also enjoyed the use of public transport as it felt part of the trip and not just a means to an end.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ayako was an excellent guide. Navigating the public transport system was not an easy feat and we never once missed a connection. She was open to our suggestions and encouraged us to sample the local cuisine and the tradition off onsen bathing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be organised, travel light and enjoy the journey

First trip to this area for Exodus

After a rocky start at the airport where the Intrepid representative chose to hide our name from us, we enjoyed an extra day in Hanoi. The parks were interesting as was the prison visit.
The bus journeys are long but worth it to see real life in the north. It was interesting seeing lots of folk working in the rice fields.
I wasn’t sure about the kayaking at Cat Ba but it was really enjoyable and the water was extremely calm.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visit to a family home and partaking in activities. They were so welcoming.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tri had a great sense of humour and integrated well with everyone. I found him tricky to understand on the noisy bus as he spoke quietly. He was most helpful with language issues and quick to resolve any problems.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking poles were provided but several of the group chose to use their own. Get used to eating white sticky rice at most meals. Be prepared for muddy walks and leeches along the rice fields.

Fantastic week in Andalucia

This trip exceeded all my expectations and we discovered parts of Andalucia I never knew existed. April was the perfect month for hiking, and the weather was warm and sunny but not too overwhelming. It was grade 2 but most of us found the uphills a bit challenging, but not impossible. We saw the most magnificent scenery, ate tapas in mountain villages, and were led by Miguel, one of the best guides I’ve ever experienced at Exodus. His expert knowledge of the area was second to none.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through verdant green countryside surrounded by wildlife and vibrant spring flowers.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Miguel was just excellent. He really knows his stuff and he takes huge pride and joy in being a leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take all the usual things: hat, suncream etc. A lot of the walking routes are exposed to the sun with little shade.

Japan without the crowds

Maybe you have been to Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto and come home loving Japan but feeling you have missed the natural beauty and any sense of the real Japan away from tourist attractions. Or maybe, you have always wanted to visit but don’t like crowds and regimented itineraries. If so, this trip is for you.
We explored a quieter area of Japan at ground level, on buses, trams, local and fast trains, ferry and yes, on foot and by bicycle. Some days were challenging, so it’s definitely for those who love an active life. But other days were fascinating, charming and awe-inspiring as we walked in the footsteps of princesses and warriors (wear socks!) and saw Mother Nature’s raw volcanic power up close (bring sturdy shoes).
There’s a lot of travelling on this trip, but the landscapes are so lovely I finally understood the old maxim – better to travel than to arrive.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking around Setoda town on Ikuchi island looking at deserted temple sites and watching the sun going down over the Inland Sea we had cycled across earlier in the day. The perfect end to a fun day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ayako was a super ambassador for Japan, as well as a really well organised tour leader. She went out of her way to help us with dinner and activity recommendations so we enjoyed our free time to the fullest. She also kept us to schedule on and off all that transport and gave us confidence to explore on our own. I really enjoyed the little history talks she gave us, and appreciated the time she must have put in to research them for us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Unless you're a v regular cyclist, consider an ebike for the Kaido cycle. It makes short work of the steep hills up to the bridges, and you can always switch the motor off for the rest of the ride. I'm not a cyclist, but even I absolutely loved crossing the long high and wide bridges slung across the islands. Unmissable.

Spectacular scenery and very enjoyable hikes

Some exceptionally beautiful views and friendly people made this trip a memorable experience. Paths winding around rice fields and through bamboo forests, being led by local guides – very different to the walks I do back home! The warmth of the people we met, some of whom laid on delicious lunches along the hikes, added to the experience. And the cruise around Lan Ha Bay was a pleasant way to relax and enjoy the coastal scenery.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being welcomed to crash a house-warming party on our hike to Raspberry Hill to allow us to escape a downpour until it passed!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader, Tri, was fantastic, full of enthusiasm and kept us well informed. He is also an accomplished photographer and shared some excellent photos of our hikes with the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trails can be muddy, so good walking boots are advisable. Tri did provide a walking pole, if required. If you're like me and take lots of photographs, then you'll definitely not want to forget to pack your charger!

Amazing Morocco !

Of all 27 trips which I have done with Exodus, this one packs in the most in terms of the variety of scenery and experiences of any I have done ! There is everything from the large cities, such as Casablanca and Rabat, the medinas of Fes, and Marrakesh and Meknes, the Sahara desert camps, walking and taking camel rises over the dunes, two nights in the High Atlas with a hike in the mountains, experiencing a hammam at the local village where we stayed in the mountains, the lovely costal city of Essaouira as well as meeting local people (including lunch with a local family in their home). There are some long days travelling in the bus but there are lots of stops for coffee/lunch and to see things on the way. Seeing the variety of scenery on the way made it really worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Lots of brilliant moments - The iconic camel ride over the dunes, particularly the ride in the morning, hiking in the mountains, having lunch with a local family in their home near Meknes, choosing fish from the market in Essaouira and having it cooked for us at a local restaurant. Admiring the change in landscapes throughout the two weeks was also amazing and incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was brilliant !! He was a very experienced guide and was extremely organised. Everything ran smoothly and effortlessly. He was also calm with a great sense of humour. Very sociable with the group. We also had a lot of local guides on this trip who were also all excellent. Our driver, Abdul was also amazing and we all felt very safe with him on the long bus journeys.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just let go and enjoy every moment ! The village in the mountains can get cold, particularly at night (I was there in April and it was still a bit chilly at night), so pack layers of warm clothing.

Japan in all it’s glory

This was one of the best tours I have been on. The itinerary was fantastic… Travelling through the Japanese islands and doing activities like hiking or cycling and visiting small villages was amazing. Our tour leader Ayako was delightful… always attentive and ensuring everyone was having a good time and able to complete the activities. She had to ensure that we always arrived on time for the trains, trams or buses, and also guide us through different sites with full explanations. She had done her to research ahead of time and as well versed at every site. Our group bonded well and we had lots of laughs.
All in all… 5 stars! ⭐️

Most Inspirational Moment

The food and the cleanliness

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ayako is a natural leader and tour guide - always attentive, knowledgeable and her navigation through the lesser known areas of Japan, and timeliness was impressive.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are several options available in Japan, but if you want one with more physical activity, less crowds, surrounded by the natural beauty of the islands then this is for you.

Action-packed and exhilarating adventure in less-visited Japanese islands

Dorian and Kit enjoyed a mixture of fast trains, buses, hill-walking, cycling, exploring countryside and visiting historic castles, small towns as well as cities. Action-packed, but with time to chill out and absorb Japanese culture and the way of life, especially the intriguing local food. With raw fish often on the menu even at breakfast, it’s not for the conservative taste, but we loved the variety on offer. However, the hotel breakfasts included western staples such as toast and scrambled eggs for the unadventurous. The hotels provided comfy beds, and even futons in one traditional place. We learned to respect the Japanese way of life, for example not to be noisy on a local bus where we annoyed the driver!

Most Inspirational Moment

Impossible to pick just one, there were inspiring moments every day. For example: cycling across high bridges between islands; climbing through different zones of vegetation and reaching the summit of demanding Mt Yufu; seeing steam bubbling from thermal pools; being revitalised by the cherry blossoms in historic Nagasaki after visiting the sobering atomic bomb museum.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ayako was a great leader: caring for everyone, calm, well-organised, knowledgeable and keen to impart information. We appreciated the group and individual photos she shared via the WhatsApp group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack light, you will only have a back-pack, not your main luggage on any of the trains or buses, it will already have been sent ahead to the next hotel.