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.
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108 Reviews
4.5 out of
5
Reviews
James Tarran
Reviewed September 2024
Cycling the Baltics
Fascinating trip through interesting cities and countryside in the Baltics, led by the brilliant Lina. I was surprised to read recent negative reviews of this tour as it certainly didn’t match our experience. We were lucky to have a great group that really gelled and we all thought Lina was a brilliant leader. It is more of a cruising sight seeing tour then a full on cycling trip, the cycling is incidental on some days and the bikes are heavy shopping type bikes, but the terrain is generally flat and the riding is easy. The hotels were fine, though towels in the in Baltics are very thin and cheap and the trip would perhaps benefit from a non cycling day in the middle with a free afternoon to allow time for laundry and chilling.
Most Inspirational Moment
Exploring great cities of Riga and Vilnius, amazing architecture and lots of great bars and restaurants. Go to the Lucille blues bar in Vilnius if you like great live music.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Lina was amazing, she is intelligent, incredibly articulate and funny and she has huge knowledge of the history of the Baltic countries which she shared in some great stories. She also adds some personal stories about her experience during the Soviet period which made everything seem even more real. A really exceptional Exodus guide.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Little nuggets would be to take a travel plug if you need to do some washing, few hotel sinks have them. Despite being late September, the insects were out in force so bug repellents is a must. There are plenty of opportunities to swim so take your swimming stuff.
Annie Rogers
Reviewed September 2024
Disappointing
The actual rides did not match the trip notes. The description that suggested we would be on trails seeing lots of small villages and churches, the Baltic Sea; the lakes were not true. We rarely saw any of the suggested items. We cycled a lot of roads which was pressured for time and one day on a supposed coast road it was a long slog on a main road with heavy traffic with no views to the sea or lake. The itinerary stated going through forests and meadows but you might as well describe a journey from Kendal to Penrith as travelling through mountains past lakes and pastures but you’re still on the M6!
We were often late getting started on the ride( one day 5pm) and rushed for the showers and evening meals so it felt like boot camp. It needed a rest day built in. We decided to skip one ride to visit Riga as there was v little time to sightsee the major cities otherwise. The bikes were heavy and not well maintained as was the coach which finally broke down delaying the start of that days riding which meant missing the end destination of a monastery. Some people were on e bikes and were often allowed to set the speed so we were v often v spread out and this caused problems for the leader with people getting lost. The trip needs a complete revamp and possibly more initial assessment of individuals needs as these were v varied and would have helped to know peoples sizes to fit the bikes better.
Badly planned; poorly led; badly maintained bikes and dishonestly described trip notes which should fall under the rules of the trade description act. Promised a lot but didn’t deliver
Most Inspirational Moment
I enjoyed the swims in lakes and the Cold War and Amber museums. The last day was the best with a cycle ride on quieter roads with no traffic through more interesting countryside than the usual pine forests ( which became a bit samey ) a boat trip and a swim in the lake. The overall trip needed more variety like this particular day.
The choice of hotels was ok. The city visits were good but needed more time.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Vee was possibly new to the tour and had some challenges to deal with both with poor bikes , a lady who was sick and needing hospital admission, a dodgy coach and a group with v different needs. She also got lost on occasions. She wasn't v clear with her instructions and didn't always wait for us all to come together before imparting them which was a consequence of her allowing the group to get too spread out. Her English was good but she confused the group with mixing vital parts of information with then too many options.
However she gave us lots of history of the three countries plus her own experience of having lived during the occupation. She arranged a number of activities but timings were not always well planned.
I do feel though that a trip like this with a big group ( we were 15) needed two guides.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't do it!
But if you decide to bring your own sink plugs!
Nia Harland
Reviewed September 2024
Cycling in the Baltics but allocated a poor guide
We were looking forward to discovering more about the Baltic states whilst cycling, however we were let down by being allocated a new guide with very poor English who was unfamiliar with the trip. Fortunately we had a lonely planets guide book and were able to make up for what should have been offered. The group was very good fun and we were able to make the best of a difficult situation, however we felt that this trip was well below what we would expect from Exodus.
Most Inspirational Moment
The Baltics are great countries to see by bike, with great scenery. Estonia was so clean and full of history. We found an Old believers Museum (from the guide book) and Tartu was so modern. Latvia was pleasant, but hunger overtook us by 3pm with no lunch stop and Riga was fabulous. It would have been helpful to have been told ahead of time that Midsummers day is the Biggest festival of the year in these countries and we found somewhere to celebrate- eventually! And on to Lithuania. We almost missed the Hill of Crosses (iconic place in Lithuania) as it is not on the itinerary. But we made a forced stop! Klaipeda and the Curonian Spit are stunning, but there was so much more we could have been told about it.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Valdas was a nice chap but had been placed in a difficult situation and was not a suitable guide for this trip.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Check who the guide is to be. Reviews since have been more favourable.
Chris Millward
Reviewed September 2024
Great Trip
Fascinating trip through 3 countries led by an excellent group leader, Lina
Most Inspirational Moment
The beaches on the Baltic - clean, respected, scenic and perhaps surprising how inviting they were.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Lina was excellent - always attentive and enthusiastic. She provided loads of background information and history of the countries. She never tired and always supported us all. Great leader.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Try this trip - you won't be disappointed. Plenty of exercise, good food and, on our trip, really great company (and warm weather).
Phil Harrison
Reviewed September 2024
Cycle the Baltics
Brilliant time with Cycle The Baltics. This was our first cycle adventure but now plan to do more. All three countries were beautiful with such interesting histories. Cycling each day was tough but manageable with plenty of enjoying breaks.
Most Inspirational Moment
Probably spending time at the freedom museum in Riga. However trip had so many different highlights from eating fresh smoked fish, going to markets and swimming in lakes.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Andrius was a fantastic leader, full of fun and keeping us all entertained. Andrius kept us busy day and night and added his own personal touch and freely shared his life experience of growing up in the Baltic’s. The best tour leader I have ever had.
John Coppock
Reviewed August 2024
Having a blast in the Baltics
A wonderful cycle through some of the best parts of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania averaging about 35-40 km a day. It takes in the cultural highlights of the three Baltic states including some stunning scenery, forest trails and four swimming opportunities in the sea and a lake. The trip was made truly memorable by our awesome guide Lina, who combined being an excellent cycling leader with her ‘en-cyclo-paedic’ knowledge of the history and culture of all the places we visited. She also shared her own experience of life in Soviet-era Lithuania including facing the Russian tanks after independence was declared in 1990. The trip was made extra-special by traveling with such a great group of like-minded people, making it all my best Exodus trip so far. Highly recommended!
Most Inspirational Moment
Cycling out of the forest and onto the beach a few times, plus the cute villages.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Awesome! Lina the en-cyclo-paedia was brilliant!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Try not to take a picture while cycling (as I did) as you'll fall off :)
Carol Birch
Reviewed July 2024
Exploring the Baltic States
An easy cycling trip exploring the 3 Baltic states, their capitals, countryside and beaches, as well as gaining a good understanding of their social, political and historical background up to the present day.
Most Inspirational Moment
Not a moment but a week long growing admiration for the peoples of all 3 states who have fought over centuries to keep their separate cultures, languages and political/national identities. Excellent high quality food, cleanliness and quietness.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent leader, knowledgeable about all 3 countries, very well organised, thoughtful of everyone's needs and enjoyment. She definitely went the extra mile to make it a most enjoyable trip for everyone - with a wide range of ages and countries.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't go if your main aim is to do a lot of fast cycling . Do go if you want to see and learn about Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and if you are a road cyclist try a heavier bike out first.
Robert Bowman
Reviewed July 2024
Baltic cycling
Good trip enjoyed by all
Most Inspirational Moment
Loved it all
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leader Andrew was great he went above and beyond what was required
Advice for Potential Travellers
Enjoy
Ian Craggs
Reviewed July 2024
Great way to see these three countries
This was a fasinating trip and and an excellent way to experience the three countries. The culture, the people, the food and drink. The cycling was generally easy and flat. The bikes were fairly heavy but behaved well. The pannier was a great way to easily carry gear you may need during the day. Andrius was a great guide with masses of information about the history of the countries. His sense of humour was brilliant and he looked after us very well organising places to eat, getting snacks for lunches and choosing a beer!
We had a great driver in Anatoli who was very patient waiting for us when we had an impromptu stop, or two, for an icecream.
Most Inspirational Moment
Visiting the cold war bunker and the Hill of Witches
Thoughts on Group Leader
Andrius was very accommodating and discussed plans for each day and possible variations on the itinerary.
He'd lived under Russian rule and it was great to hear his first hand account. He kept us entertained on the coach with his audio clips and sense of humour.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Mosquito repellant is a must as they even bite through your clothing. Take an extra towel in case you want to experience swimming in the Baltic.
Leslie Plumb
Reviewed July 2024
An amazing holiday
A great way to see all three Baltic Countries with really pretty reasonably easy cycling.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Andrius was amazing. The most interesting well informed leader who looked after us all and kept us constantly well fed, well informed with history of each country, entertained with stories, music, Tom Lehrer, and was amazingly knowledgeable in every respect. The Baltics were a great surprise with so much history, some of it in the times of the Soviets not very happy, very beautiful and spotlessly clean and tidy. We also had some wonderful food too.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Really excellent holiday however a couple of the hotel rooms were very hot with no air conditioning at all. I am an experience cyclist and while the bikes worked well they were heavy and had poor gearing. I have been on many cycling holidays, the majority with Exodus but there were the heaviest bikes I have used so far on any holiday. Other than that, as I said earlier, just a wonderful holiday and only 3 potholes!!!
