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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153 Reviews
4.8 out of
5
Reviews
Martin Bowes
Reviewed July 2016
It's a MUST DO!
The Picos de Europa lived up to all expectations and then exceeded them on every day. You simply run out of superlatives on a daily basis.
Most Inspirational Moment
I really found it very hard to find a single moment which would fulfil this description. There were just too many great moments.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alvaro is a great guide. Attentive and knowledgeable of this area which he clearly loves dearly.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Fitness is an absolute must. These are steep hills do not enter them lightly. There are big climbs and big descents and if the heat is up they can be punishing.
Bring a good camera! Bring field glasses.
Sarah Allan
Reviewed June 2016
Totally wonderful
This is a really special trip. Everyday you see a different part of the scenery, which is incredible. From pastures full of flowers (at this time of year anyway), to high mountains with snow, to spectacular gorges, it’s hard to overstate how beautiful this area is. The guide, Alvaro, is outstanding – knowledgeable about seemingly every subject to do with the area (flowers, birds, history etc), fun, caring, well-organised and sociable. The hotel is also lovely and the food is very good.
Most Inspirational Moment
Walking into the high mountains for the first time, ending up in a high valley surrounded by snow-capped peaks on all sides. I didn't know the Picos had scenery like that.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alvaro is the ideal leader, for all the reasons already stated. He is also really careful about everyone's well-being and safety, which is really important. His advice every morning about whether to take waterproofs, fleeces etc, how much water to carry was really helpful too.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Book this trip!
Caroline Simmonds
Reviewed June 2016
Beautiful Northern Spain
This was one of the best Exodus trips I have been on (and I have done more than a few!) Everything came together perfectly, scenery, weather, group, guide, hotel, food – all fabulous.
Most Inspirational Moment
Watching a kettle of vultures (just looked up the collective noun!) circling around a hilltop while we stopped for our lunch. Or reaching a lovely little village hotel at the end of a walk just after a cloudburst where we dried off in the sunshine and sampled the local cider. Or sitting gazing out of the hotel restaurant window at the stunning mountain views.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alvaro really is one of the best. Knew everyone's name by the first morning and took care to get them right ("Caroline or Carolyn?"). Really knowledgeable about his country and its history and clearly as enthusiastic about the area and the walking as we were. Unfailingly cheerful and helpful and a wonderful grasp of English and its idioms.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for all extremes of weather especially heat. Do the optional walk along the coast to Llanes on the free day if offered, and take a swimming cossie for a dip in the sea on the way.
Clare Simpson
Reviewed June 2016
Picos de Europa
Walking the Picos de Europa in Northern Spain
Most Inspirational Moment
Unfortunately due to injury I couldn't follow the planned walks but had an alternative trip and was able to still appreciate the breathtaking beauty of the area
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alvaro was amazing. He took time to find alternative things to do. He has an excellent attitude as well as being very funny!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Not really just be prepared to have fun and get wet!
Wendy Jack
Reviewed May 2016
Picos Dr Europa
Varied walking in beautiful mountains
Most Inspirational Moment
Views of snow clad peaks from summits of walks
Thoughts on Group Leader
Amazing! He had such a varied group he had his work cut out. His knowledge of everything relevant was excellent. He treated us all with respect and good humour.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared to have a wonderful holiday
Iain Forbes
Reviewed November 2015
An enjoyable week - recommended
It’s almost superfluous to repeat what everyone else says – that the hotel is relaxed, informal and friendly and the food is excellent. The walking programme is fine-tuned by the leader on a daily basis to take account of the weather and the abilities of the party.
Most Inspirational Moment
No single moment: as is so often the case in the mountains, it's the views that make the slog worthwhile!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alvaro is an amazing leader, with lots of local knowledge of the terrain and the flora and fauna. During our week he kept a close eye on the (variable) weather and amended the walking programme accordingly so we didn't get too much rain (there was sunshine as well!)
Advice for Potential Travellers
Look carefully at the grade description. I feel that it is slightly more strenuous than implied by "moderate" - as a comparison I would put this trip firmly into Ramblers' Grade C.
Helen Belcher
Reviewed November 2015
Fantastic trip
This has to be the best Exodus holiday I have been on.The Picos de Europa are a very beautiful mountain range and the walks we did were varied and interesting with spectacular scenery .A highlight of the trip was walking the stunning Cares gorge.
Our leader Alvaro was brilliant .He carefully explained the walks we were doing and while we were walking he looked after everyone in the party often running backwards and forwards from the front to the back of the group .
The hotel was great .The hosts Jim and Pilar were very friendly and obliging .My room was comfortable and had a nice modern bathroom .Wifi was free in all areas and was fast and reliable .Best of all was the hotel food .Great menu choices, beautiful presentation and consistently delicious .
Most Inspirational Moment
Walking Cares gorge and climbing the Picos .
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alvaro was excellent .Always cheerful and helpful .He looked after everyone in the party .Hands down the best Exodus leader I have had .
Advice for Potential Travellers
Book this trip ! it really is the whole package and it exceeded my expectations in every way .
DAVID BELL
Reviewed November 2015
Walking in Picos de Europa
A wonderful week of walking in amazing scenery. The hotel is very comfortable and the food 5 stars.
Most Inspirational Moment
All the walks were excellent but the Cares Gorge stood out as the scenery was magnificent.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alvaro was an outstanding leader. Very knowledgeable about the routes, the history, the flora..... He looked after the group very well and his level of fitness was superb. Nothing was too much trouble for him.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take binoculars to appreciate the scenery and bird life.
Paul Mcgovern
Reviewed October 2015
paul mcgovern
Our trip to the Picos was nothing short of sensational. I had no idea such breathtaking scenery was available in Northern Spain. Every walk was different and inspirational.
Most Inspirational Moment
The climb to Pandescura peak was amazing and to be at eye level with the Griffon vultures was humbling. The walk in the Cares Gorge was a real adrenlin buzz.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alvaro was an outstanding group leader . Knowledge, empathy and fitness were all brilliant. Noyhing was too much trouble and all were treated equally. 10 out of 10.
Advice for Potential Travellers
go
Roderick Edwards
Reviewed October 2015
Walking in the Picos de Europa
An excellent weeks walking in the Picos. The scenery is stunning, and the walks are long/hard enough to make you feel that you have done something, but by no means heroic.
The hotel (HotelTorrecerrado) is a small family run hotel – you will get a warm friendly welcome from Jim and Pilar, and the food – particularly the dinners – is definitely 5 star ! If you are luccky, Jim will regale you with Amazing Tales in the bar after dinner !
Most Inspirational Moment
The sight of Griffin Vultures flying so close to us on the summit of Pandescura.
Walking up to the village of Bulnes on the free day.
The Cares Gorge in the pouring rain ! Amazingly atmospheric
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alvaro - amazing leader. Very mountain wise, excellent local knowledge, fantastic sense of humour. His relaxed still of managing the group was much appreciated - everyone appreciated him.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you are going walking to lose weight, this is probably not the trip for you ! Jim and Pilar's cooking more than makes up for the calories you might have lost through walking !
