Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.
Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!
Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!
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98 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
Helen Clark
Reviewed June 2019
Amazing Albania
So many ‘oh wow’ moments as I was riding through Albania. Beautiful country to cycle through with the first half of the trip more rural, snow capped mountains, lakes, gorges, warm friendly locals giving you a wave as you them passed by, through to the second half of the trip being more coastal, spectacular views of the Albanian Riviera across to Corfu, pretty coastal towns and the stunning blues of the Mediterranean Sea. Albania is definitely not flat but each day was different and equally enjoyable.
The quality of the food was a real delight – delicious!
Most Inspirational Moment
Completing the last and most challenging day and enjoying the camaraderie of the group. We had lots of fun and laughs! Really enjoyed the afternoon at the hot springs as well, incredible setting.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Erlis and Tani were both exceptional. Very supportive, knowledgeable, helpful and above all fantastic at their job! Very impressed.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Just go! But get in some training before you go, ideally a few hills so you are saddle ready.
Henri Kennedy
Reviewed May 2019
Thanks for a fantastic trip
I loved every minute of this adventure. Albania is somewhere I’ve not been to before, nor had any of my friends, and it did not disappoint. It is a beautiful country with welcoming people and cycling is the best way to see it. It’s as yet unspoilt by too much modern development and is like stepping back in time but in a good way.
Most Inspirational Moment
The sense of achievement of cycling up the ascents and the beautiful views all the way up and from the top.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Erlis (Rizvanolli) was a phenomenal leader. He had the perfect balance of being caring and being chilled. I think he is one of life's genuinely really lovely human beings. What an asset he is to Exodus and a fantastic ambassador for his country which he clearly loves.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I took my own pedals and cleats which I think in hindsight was a mistake. The bikes provided aren't road bikes, they're hybrid bikes by necessity and I fund my chain sometimes came off unexpectedly, so its a bit dangerous when you're clipped in as you could fall before you can release your feet. I changed the pedals back to clipless after a bit and found this a much better and safer arrangement. Also take layers as it can get chilly as you climb. Take a few energy gels or bars as I got a bit hungry.
ania sroka
Reviewed May 2019
Amazing Adventure
This trip more than satisfied my curiosity and interest in Albania. We cycled in lots of different regions facing different countries and seeing Albania in all its beauty. Each day offered a different type of ride, the scenery forever changing and the views always spectacular and breath-taking.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing just how beautiful Albania is on so many levels. I felt honoured to have been able to get a glimpse of a country that has just opened its doors to the outside world. Everything from my perspective looked unspoilt and natural. People were really friendly and cheered us on along our journey.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Erlis was an amazing group leader and had a lot of work to do making sure we were all OK. I loved the way he spent time explaining things and helped me to understand the history of Albania from his own perspective and how it had affected his upbringing. Both him and our driver were really supportive and helpful at all times making sure we were OK, had enough to drink and kept us entertained especially when we or rather I struggled up some of those continuous hills that never seemed to end.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go as soon as you get the opportunity. Make sure you have a good pair(s) of shorts as you will be in the saddle for a long time. I brought a pair for each day of cycling and was happy they were well padded as I really needed them to be for the sake of my sanity!!!
Nick A
Reviewed October 2018
Fantastic
A fabulous trip that surprised us from day one. Great food, wonderful people and fantastic scenery. Albania was the winner and we will all recommend going there as soon as you can.
Most Inspirational Moment
Riding the pass on the last day.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Erlis(the leader) and Tani(driver) were fabulous, taking care of every detail for us before we even knew it had to be taken care of. They even managed a complete bike change one night for one member of the group without them noticing.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go now. Don't hesitate.
Sarah Wichman
Reviewed October 2018
Best Ever
Every part of this trip was wonderful, from the people, to the rides, to the organization, to the food, etc. I loved it.
Most Inspirational Moment
It's hard to choose one, but maybe getting to the top of that looong climb on the last day. I also really appreciated the history and cultural info that Erlis imparted to us throughout the trip.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Erlis was an amazing group leader! I had put in place a lot of structures that made our trip as easy and smooth as it could have been. He shared a lot of history and cultural information that really enhanced our travels and understanding of Albania. He was kind and patient and funny, and the trip would not have been as incredible without him at the helm. Tani, our driver/mechanic/snack procurer/hydrator was also an integral part of the group. He was incredibly thoughtful and accommodating, and anticipated needs we didn't even know we'd have.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go on this trip! The trip notes and packing list covered everything very thoroughly.
Francesca Wiseman
Reviewed October 2018
Cycle Albania
Albania is incredibly beautiful. It has some of the most spectacular mountain scenery that will forever be etched in my memory. Cycling is a fantastic way to see a country and visit lesser touristy places and this trip was certainly no exception. The people are very hospitable and the Cycle Albania team were simply amazing. The food was a fusion of Mediterranean and Turkish meze style and every meal was a feast in itself!
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching the top of Llogara pass was one of the most powerful moments of the trip. The climb itself is not too hard - it is long and steady - but the hills on the way to the pass make the climb more challenging.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leader was Erlis Rizvanolli. Erlis was incredibly trusting towards us from the word go: Every day we got a map with a description as part of our briefing which was a nice detail which I have not seen on other cycling tours. Erlis let us ride at our own pace and we would re-group at regular intervals and he did not feel the need to control us and always be in the lead - I really appreciated the freedom to ride how I chose, this is not something I have experienced on other Exodus cycling tours and it made this trip stand out from the others. Due to the meze (sharing) approach to eating, Erlis would pay for every meal and trusted us to record the cost of our food and drink and did not take any money from us until the end of the holiday. Erlis was well organized and the tour ran slick. Erlis went the extra mile to ensure we had a fantastic holiday and even got in the kitchen on the final morning to make our breakfast because the chef was hospitalized in a vehicle accident on his way to work.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Albania is not flat - be prepared to cycle up some hills. The Albanians also love cheese, there is usually one cheese dish per meal (sometimes two) but there was an abundance of food so if you are lactose intolerant do not worry!
Vicky Green
Reviewed October 2018
Fabulous trip
Beautiful country with a mixture of forest, coast and mountains. Our group bonded really well; we had lots of laughs and lots of encouragement for each other up the hills. Food was good; mezze style shared between the group which worked really well. Lots of snack stops to keep us fuelled.
Most Inspirational Moment
Making it up the Llogara Pass which was hot, very hilly but well worth it!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Erlis was fantastic. Very easy going, knowledgeable about the history of Albania and nothing was too much trouble for him.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do some hill practice before coming, as the first day starts with some tough hills. Visit now before word gets out about how fabulous Albania and its people are.
paul cullen
Reviewed October 2018
Cycling Albania
A fantastic way to see this wonderful country. The first part of the trip is mainly inland in more rural mountainous areas and the second part along the Albanian riviera.
Great hospitality and food, considerate drivers on the roads and friendly people as we passed through the smaller places.
The cycling has some challenging climbs on the first and final days but is as described on the trip notes and classification. Nice to have some shorter cycling days to be able to do the tours in Gjirokaster and the Roman site at Butrint.
Most Inspirational Moment
Roman city of Butrint.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Great service by our group leader Dimitri especially in managing and organising the coffee stops, lunches and evening meals.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make sure you try the Iced coffee in cans. Lunches were lovely but maybe too much for lunchtime whilst cycling, show self restraint!
Dinah Gibbs
Reviewed October 2018
Great opportunity to see, hear, taste and truly experience Albania
A week in which you will challenge your fitness, enjoy delicious and healthful food, meet welcoming communities and see the beauty of unspoilt countryside.
Most Inspirational Moment
The Alberian people were kind and generous. All interactions we had were totally positive. We felt welcomed everywhere we went.
Both mountain and coastal areas were wonderful, very different in architecture, scenery and culture.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Dmitry was totally professional. Nothing was overlooked. He was very well prepared, kind, humerous and tireless. Our driver was on the ball with roadside bike adjustments, helping with baggage and a fabulous in- vehicle Playlist. His energy level was impressive.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Train,train, train. You will be glad you did. If in doubt of your desire to cycle like a fiend for a week; consider an ebike. Don't underestimate the hills. There is good reason that your guides supply snacks at every turn!
Susie Giles
Reviewed September 2018
Fantastic Trip
It says it’s challenging and it is – but the effort is worth it. The scenery is fantastic – at times it felt like “cycling through a postcard”… hard climbs and fun descents. The food is great – really fresh and vibrant; lots of good fish, local vegetables, cheese and meat – delicious and plenty of it! An interesting and beautiful country – I’d definitely recommend it – if you are up for some long steady climbing!
Most Inspirational Moment
Getting to the top of the long climb on the last day (even tho I wimped out of the first part of it...) it was still long and amazing views.
