Most Inspirational Moment
Visiting various Saxon villages and seeing fortified churches
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very knowlegeable and supportive
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Transilvania and beyond
A great, very well orgsanised trip. Lots of great things to see and do.
Great combination of physical and cultural activities!
For the first—and probably last!—time in my life, I got what felt like VIP service, because the amazing and honorable company that Exodus is, let this trip run even though I ended up being the only guest! From what I could tell, the trip was run almost exactly how it would have had there been a full complement of guests, and I think I even got a few extra perks that I may not have been afforded otherwise. The cycling was fantastic with great routes, and only a handful of stretches that really tested my limits, otherwise it was mostly very manageable. There were a few cultural stops during the rides and in the evenings that were a nice change of pace and provided interesting insight into Romania’s past. The guesthouses ran the gamut but always provided nice cozy places to rest each night. Finally, food was perfect for me—breakfasts were pretty consistent, and lunches and dinners had a nice range of soups, sandwiches, salads, main courses, and desserts that hit the spot after a nice day of cycling!
Most Inspirational Moment
Watching the cows come home in Viscri :) Gave new/true meaning to an expression I've used for so long without giving any real thought to.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Radu and Vlad (plus Tudor!) were wonderful and humored me throughout the week. Safety was always the number one priority—which was great since I can be a little reckless at times so it was good having Radu keep me in check! They were all so good about answering my neverending questions (make sure you test Radu's knowledge of Romanian history!) and really worked to provide a great experience!
Advice for Potential Travellers
None of the guesthouse rooms I stayed in had A/C, which was perfectly fine for me since I'm always cold, but for anyone who tends to run hot and is doing this trip in the summer months may want to keep this in mind and come prepared with ways to keep yourself cool. Also, please don't beat my QOM on Strava :)
Wonderful week in stunning Transylvania
Memorable cycling trip in mainly rural Transylvania: great crew, lovely and varied accommodation – an amazing experience.
Most Inspirational Moment
No one moment, just enjoyed the beautiful landscapes, learning about the history and culture, fab company and good wine.
Thoughts on Group Leader
We couldn’t have asked for better than Cristina, with Vlad in support. We had such fun, a great insight to Romanian life and we were so well looked after.
Advice for Potential Travellers
You’ll love it! We had very hot weather, but I know it can be variable in that region so be prepared for anything. Most meals are covered so you don’t need huge amounts of cash.
Romania cycling
Great Trip .
Most Inspirational Moment
Farm Visit and just the relaxation of the holiday
Thoughts on Group Leader
Christina and Radu
Advice for Potential Travellers
Enjoy
Interesting, entertaining and sporty way to see Transylvania
Overall a brilliant and interesting trip. We felt like we had seen and learnt so much about the countryside, the culture and the history. Some great cycling, definitely need to be reasonably fit but nothing we couldn’t manage. Fabulous views, varied countryside, we really got an idea of the area. Accommodation definitely basic but clean, showers worked and comfy beds. Excellent food really loved it all. Friendly people who were enthusiastic about their locality and customs. The cultural visits in between the cycling were excellent. Our guides Christina and Radu were brilliant, very knowledgeable and always willing to share their information, always helpful and smiley! Great lunchtime picnics!
Most Inspirational Moment
Cycling on the quieter lanes through the countryside.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Christina and Radu were both brilliant, they were a key part of making the trip exceptional. Christina cycled with us and organised the cultural visits, her knowledge was excellent, she was super patient, always enthusiastic, and the perfect host. Radu drove the van and gave technical support, again very knowledgeable and interesting on the more recent romanian history. Again always sociable and helpful.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you are on a push bike do get fit. Take your own toe clips/cycling pedal straps as the bikes don't have any sort of toe clips. Easier than taking your own pedals which is fine if you can be bothered but for the type of cycling I think pedal straps would be useful. Take your own water bottle.
A great way to explore Romania
This turned out to be yet another great Exodus cycling trip. Cycling is the perfect way to explore the lovely countryside, and see people living a simple country life. There was a nice balance of cycling, culture, and visits during the day. The cycling was not too hard-core and the accommodation generally was simple but clean and comfortable. Some of the nicest places we stayed were local rural guesthouses with a warm welcome. The food was not particularly exciting but perfectly palatable– (bread was generally disappointing and a bit dry). We were lucky enough to have a great group of people who were fun to be with. As usual everything was incredibly well organised with a well-balanced programme of activities, and we felt looked after. Bikes were good and well maintained by the wonderful Radu.
Most Inspirational Moment
No one stand out moment, but lots of nice memories - The wonderful City of Brasov, with its beautiful buildings, large open square and cafe culture (A great place for a short weekend break). Lunchtime picnic in the woods overlooking huge meadow, a horse and cart ride through the countryside to one of the fortified churches.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Tudor was very hard working and nothing was too much trouble - good local knowledge. Sometimes a bit irritable with the group when we didn't quite take on board instructions (did talk for quite extended periods of time which meant we sometimes lost the thread a bit!) Radu the support leader was fantastic, excellent English, great company, also hard working and knowledgeable
Advice for Potential Travellers
We had been told than places took Euros as an alternative to local currency but this was not the case. Cards not always accepted in rural areas, we needed many more Lei than we expected
A great week and a super country
This is a super trip if you are up for ‘moderate’ level cycling, want to visit a new country and are interested in seeing a village lifestyle that may well soon disappear. It is full of small but magical moments – overtaking horses and carts, waves from villagers, passing hi-fives with children and visits to the baker. the blacksmith, the mill, and being shown round a fortified church and a ruined abbey by the local priest. The scenery is great – for the first couple of days we would be cycling alongside snow-capped mountains. That then turns into the lush green hills of Transylvania. The first three days have the longest routes and we were glad that we’d done some hill training before the trip but we coped – although we were usually last we weren’t far behind! The routes are well planned and there is less traffic in Transylvania than on our previous cycle trips in western Europe. Some of the dirt roads are being tarmacked and will soon be smoother rides. The dinners in the small hotels / guests houses were very good as were our picnics and snacks during the day. The fortified churches are really interesting and, as a keen photographer, there were plenty of opportunities for good photos along the way. Btw, the bikes were fine!
Most Inspirational Moment
I'm split, so here are two: - Hearing cuckoos every day while cycling. I used to hear them at home as a boy - that doesn't happen now in southern England but it does in Transylvania at least in May! - Seeing the cows come home in Viscri. There we were, enjoying our food and wine at dinner, and our host says 'the cows are coming home'. Out we rush...what a surprise! Enjoy!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Tudor is excellent, he's a very experienced guide, with super local knowledge, a nice friendly style and good focus on a safe trip. He made our last day - we chose not to visit Bran Castle and instead to go to Peles Castle but via Brasov. That was a super addition on his part. We'd been in villages and small towns. To visit a 'Saxon' city was great. The Black Church and the main square were both wonderful. Thank you Tudor. Our driver Lucien was great too and added to the vitality of our small group (post Covid and with war in Ukraine, we were six + guide and driver. There were no Covid issues or disruption. The Romanians have taken in many Ukrainian refugees and two families were staying at the church in Vulcan.)
Advice for Potential Travellers
The accommodation isn't in standard hotels - it's a mix of small hotels and guesthouses. There's something to like about every place but also the odd thing that isn't ideal but it all adds to the special nature of the trip. In a couple of guesthouses we shared a bathroom with another trip member and that worked fine. In Vulcan the room was a bit basic but the evening welcome from the priest was fab and, after a couple of glasses of welcoming schnaps, it didn't matter!
Amazing adventure with glorious scenery and many animals
An amazing adventure into a unspoilt landscape. This well organised trip had so much to offer, the scenery, the welcoming local people, the traditional cuisine and the wildlife.
Most Inspirational Moment
There really were some many but favourite moment was watching the cows in Viscri return home to their individual gates.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent!!! Funny, enthusiastic, informative and kind.
Advice for Potential Travellers
We didn’t take coats but needed them.
My first cycling holiday, definitely not the last
Thoroughly enjoyable 6 days of cycling in great company, final day sightseeing of Bran Castle and Peles.
Cycling never difficult, mainly rural farmland scenery and rolling hills. A few uncomfortable dirt,rutted tracks but bikes good enough to cope.
Stop off activities all worthwhile apart from Bran Castle – a congested tourist zoo which is best avoided.
Peles fabulous, beautiful setting
Social evenings with food, drink and great companionship.
Most Inspirational Moment
Romanian short hills proved more challenging than the bastard long ones! Seeing rural Transylvania and the life people lead a real treat, coming back to the busyness of London and M25 quite a shock. And how great a place to visit is Bucharest, people had warned me it would disappoint.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Radu is superb. Well organised, knowledgeable, friendly and wanting everybody to have the best experience. Manged to smile and soldier on whilst wrestling with a nasty sore throat for a few days.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Expect mixed cycling terrain (much good road, but also gravel/dirt roads, rutted farm tracks, and a little bit of unpleasant congested main road) because that's what you'll get. If you want to see Bucharest then go early or stay on after, definitely worth a couple of days. Pay to go on the tour at Peles, worth it.
Cycling through Transylvania
Another super Exodus trip with a great group. The countryside is lovely and most of the cycling was on minor roads and tracks – so peaceful and calm. The cycling has quite a few climbs to increase the heart rate but nothing too severe. The accommodation was varied, clean and comfortable. We were clearly mixing with the local communities and we received smiles from everyone we met. Food was good and locally sourced. All in all a great trip
Most Inspirational Moment
Umm - for me there is nothing that stands out from the many great times I had. The church service in Vulcan, the fascinating fortified churches, the rural communities , the peace and quiet of the cycling, the homesteads we stayed in - they all combined to make an enjoyable holiday
Thoughts on Group Leader
Madalina - what can you say … such enthusiasm , organisational skills, personnel skills, knowledge and a smile that lit up the room. Always willing to help and it was pleasure to have her as our leader . A great lady !
Advice for Potential Travellers
You need to be reasonably fit but nothing special. There are few places to change money during the trip so get money either in your home country or from the airport ATMs. You don't need that much cash as almost all meals are included. Don't drink the local water and use hand gel before eating. . Its a great trip that brings you close to rural Romania.