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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53 Reviews
4.6 out of
5
Reviews
Fraser Laird
Reviewed October 2024
Challenging but fun week
Good week, well organised and with a wonderful group of people. Enjoyed all the hotels and the food, especially the picnics. Found the rainy days and strong headwind very challenging but really enjoyed the sunny days. Be prepared for all weathers. There were plenty of stops to catch up as I was going at a slower pace than the fitter cyclists and e-bikers. Great to see round Porto and Lisbon too.
Most Inspirational Moment
Being peaceful in the beautiful scenery and with some dramatic Atlantic skies
Thoughts on Group Leader
Group leader Dinis was excellent as were the support team of Leonel and Filipe. They were all very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Consider an e-bike if you think the ascents might be a challenge for you. You can keep it on a low level and still get some exercise. I changed to an e-bike for the last day as my knees were aching and I really enjoyed the day.
Sean Riley
Reviewed October 2024
Simply Perfect
This was a perfect way to meet new people (you guys rock by the way) and see a new country. The tour was expertly organized and the guides made the experience all the better. While there was some “cycling” to be done the pace was manageable and we still got time to relax and do a little scouting at each of our destinations in the afternoon. There were regular stops during the cycle which allowed us the opportunity to catch our breath and have a snack. At each stop we also got to see a little more of the area or interact with some of the locals. The logistics were all perfectly handled and each nights accommodation was great. The food was also really good and most of the restaurants we went to were excellent with the exception of maybe 2, however these in no way detracted from the tour getting a full 5 stars! If I could take this group and these guides to other parts of the world for similar tours I would be signing up immediately.
Most Inspirational Moment
Nazarè; the stripped houses in Mira (Sorry Dave 😁 ); the stunning forests and estuaries we cycled through; the breath taking views from the cliffs and making it up some of those hills. Also being part of the group that just stoutly carried on through the rain and wind which was apparently very unusual for this tour.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Dinis was the perfect group leader. He was attentive to everyone taking part. He diligently checked our bikes each day made sure that we had the best experience. The information he provided along the way was interesting and he was always ready to make suggestions of what we should do to experience a little more of Portugal when we got to our destination. He was easy to talk to and a pleasure to have around.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Prepare a little before you get there or just take the e-bike. There is so much to see and enjoy on the tour that it would be horrible to miss out because of too little preparation (this includes some wet weather gear, good cycle shorts as well as training).
Janine Traini
Reviewed September 2024
Exceeded Expectations
The trip followed the beautiful coastal route, the hotels were excellent and the restaurants and food was great. The guides were perfect: considerate, helpful, fun, informative and extremely attentive to all of our needs. There was variety in the route as well, we rode through villages, along the coast, through forests, and through marshes. Like minded people tend to do this tour so many friendships were made along the way. I opted for the electric bike and never regretted the choice – I was able to select how much effort I wished to make and was therefore not intimidated by the climbs and was able to enjoy the scenery.
Most Inspirational Moment
The beauty of the coastal section from Nazarè village
Thoughts on Group Leader
Dinis was informative, attentive, interesting helpful, encouraging, fun, just the perfect leader.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't be shy to book the electric bike, a few of the cyclists in our group opted to change halfway through and loved how it enhanced their experience.
Jane Mitchell
Reviewed September 2024
Great trip - weather took its toll
Overall this is an amazing trip which is very scenic and on a lot of cycle paths. We were unlucky to get rain and a head wind for the first few days which made it more difficult. The hotels were great and the other people in my group were good company and supportive. Excellent organisation and support from three guides. I treated myself to an e-bike on the last day as my legs were tired.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing people older than me overtaking the ebikes! There were some very fit people in my group
Thoughts on Group Leader
Dinis is so mature for his age. He is funny helpful and kind. Lionel was also really supportive and encouraging. Philip worked very hard looking after the the van and bikes. I couldn’t have wished for a better team.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take a properly waterproof coat! Also on bad weather days a dry top or warm jacket In the van to put on at lunch stops as I got cold when I was soaked to the skin. I trained on a road bike but these bikes were a lot heavier on the hills..
Curtis Wierenga
Reviewed September 2024
Great trip
This is a wonderful trip! So many great sights from the two cities of Porto and Lisbon and all of the beautiful scenery in between! The coast is so scenic with the rugged cliffs and blue ocean
Most Inspirational Moment
The downhill ride into Foz. Coming around the last bend in the road to see the ocean and the city of Foz from above was spectacular
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader was João. He was wonderful
So knowledgeable and patient and professional but most important was his friendliness and sense of humor
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take your time cycling and enjoy the scenery
Catherine McAleavey
Reviewed June 2024
MEO.240609 - June 2024
My first Exodus trip and it will not be the last. In terms of route, hotels, distances covered, cycle paths etc the trip notes are completely accurate. We were an unexpectedly small group of 6 which gelled quickly and had huge fun, with everyone making a real effort. The whole trip was extremely well organised and well thought out. Wonderful coastal scenery and visits to some really lovely small towns and village. I liked the few hours of down time when we arrived at each new hotel.
Most Inspirational Moment
It's difficult to single out just one moment. Some of the restaurants were definitely highlights. The beaches are stunning but we were were warned that the sea was too rough to allow swimming which was a shame.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader Joao Colaco and driver Dinis were a really superb team. They could not have been more helpful - wanting everyone to have the best possible experience of their beautiful country. Joao was a charming, unflappable, well informed, considerate and patient group leader who went out of his way to make sure everyone was having a good experience. Nothing was too much trouble. He was funny and well informed.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you are in any way concerned about the hills on days 3 and 5, opt for an e bike. I didn't expect to need but was able to switch mid week. A miracle on the hills! Try to add on days in Porto and Lisbon. So worth it.
Robyn Turner
Reviewed June 2024
What a wonderful time with lovely people in a beautiful country
I did this trip in early June. Our route took us through a variety of gorgeous landscapes – cliffs overlooking the ocean, small towns with roosters crowing, a medieval town encircled by fortified walls, beach towns painted bright colors, pine forests, sand dunes, and marshes. I believe there’s no better way to appreciate that kind of scenery than by traveling on a bike.
We were a group of 16 guests – Americans, Britons, and Canadians – and three Portuguese guides. I traveled to Portugal alone and had a roommate assigned to me. She was lovely, and, really, all of us hit it off. I think this kind of trip attracts like-minded people, and the tour leader, Ruben, told us at our initial briefing in Porto that many of us would become friends. He was right.
The first night, Ruben led us on a walking tour to a port tasting. Afterwards, the group split in half and went to two different restaurants Ruben had recommended. After that, most of us had our dinners together till the end of the bike tour. The food was always great, thanks to Ruben’s recommendations. He always sent us to places with excellent hospitality.
All three of our guides were highly professional – well-prepared, helpful, supportive, friendly, accommodating, flexible, and organized. They kept us informed, entertained, hydrated, and roughly on-time. Every briefing was clear and succinct. We understood where we’d be riding the next day, what time we’d leave, and roughly what time we’d arrive at the next hotel. Ruben was a font of information about Portuguese history, culture, flora and fauna. He held forth on topics ranging from Portuguese royalty to the efforts of environmental activists following the devastating forest fires of 2017. Margarida was a strong cyclist and reliable sweeper, and clearly cared deeply that everyone had what they needed and enjoyed themselves. José drove the van with the bike trailer and reliably had our bags waiting for us in the lobby each time we arrived at a new destination. Every time we saw him he was smiling. They prepared healthy and delicious picnic lunches for us on a couple of occasions, and it was obvious they’d put a lot of thought into them.
Anytime there was a problem, such as a mechanical issue, our guides were equipped to handle it. One day, during a coffee break in Nazaré – we had a coffee break most mornings, which I loved – I watched Ruben fix the electrical connection on another guest’s e-bike after they had taken a small spill. I have a bad knee, so I requested an e-bike from the start. A few others decided along the way to switch to one. When we started in Porto, there were four e-bikes out of 16. By the time we got to Óbidos, I think there were 10 e-bikes. Portugal A2Z, which is contracted by Exodus to run this tour, has its headquarters along the tour route, so I guess that made it easy enough for our guides to switch out the bikes overnight on request.
Overall, this tour was everything I expected after reading the itinerary, trip notes, and reviews on the Exodus website. I found the price reasonable, the guides excellent, the scenery stunning, and the hotels clean and comfortable. I will always remember how much fun I had on this trip and the great people I met. I definitely plan to book with Exodus in the future.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Top notch - knowledgeable, friendly, organized, versatile.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Exodus gives this trip an activity rating of 2 on its website. That was probably accurate for me, and I thought the pace was good with an e-bike. But I do think I would rate the activity level a bit higher than that for anyone using a standard bike, based on comments I heard from some of the other riders. Everyone on this trip was in pretty good shape, but the Porto-to-Óbidos bike route can be quite hilly at times, and we rode as much as 40 miles some days. Whether you choose an electric or standard bike, definitely get some long rides in before you do this trip. Some of my fellow riders complained of saddle soreness, but I was fine.
Alan Doyle
Reviewed June 2024
Armando’s Avengers
Pure class! A truly SENSATIONAL tour. Every care was taken to make sure that all the equipment, accommodation and schedule was of the highest quality ensuring that all the participants’ individual needs were catered to. The coast line is simply stunning and Armando’s local knowledge and investment in delivering personalised features ensured for a fabulous experience. The passion, pride and enthusiasm all the staff demonstrated in showcasing their country was tremendous. I would recommend this trip in a heartbeat.
Most Inspirational Moment
The drive that Armando, Inês and Marieanne illustrated in terms of their commitment to sustainability, the environment and making the planet a better place was refreshing, re-assuring and delightful.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Armando showed unlimited patience. He exuded calm. His attention to detail was exceptional. His tour was very well planned, organised and structured. He attended to the needs of his customers in a quiet but thorough manner. When required he demonstrated great sensitivity and discretion. Further, his delivery was laced with a very dry, always appropriate, sense of humour.
Advice for Potential Travellers
In May, the mornings were cool. Make sure you have a warm item of clothing. Bring layers
Dave Kohn
Reviewed June 2024
Unforgettable bike tour from Porto to Lisbon
The bike trip from Porto to Lisbon was amazing. The Exodus team took care of everything, making sure we had the right equipment, transported our luggage efficiently, and most important made sure we had a great trip. Our Exodus team (Ruben, Margarida and Jose) were outstanding, providing local knowledge and helping bring the group together. By the end, we were friends as well as travel companions. I highly recommend this tour.
Most Inspirational Moment
Getting to the top of the steep hill on Day 3 and cheering as everyone made it to the top.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ruben was fantastic. Great local knowledge; passionate about Portugal and the environment; and very caring and supportive to everyone on the trip.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you like cycling and travel, take this tour!
Catherine Brazier
Reviewed June 2024
Great trip with wonderful guides
I booked this trip only 2 weeks before & so happy that I did … I’d never been to Portugal & really glad that I finally have seen it by cycling .. Porto was beautiful & really wished as others have suggested that I could have come earlier .. the days on this trip were full on. we would cycle from one hotel to the next normally starting out at 9.30 ending at 4.30ish with lovely lunches each day paid for out of the kitty that is collected at the start of the week .. (75euro ) then a group meeting about the next days cycle & finally our group leader ( Ruben ) would book a restaurant for us. inevitably we would be back out the door for 6pm for drinks with eating around 8ish for those who wished to join … so very lucky with our group such a great bunch of people who were all very sociable
Most Inspirational Moment
Enjoying the scenery by e bike
Thoughts on Group Leader
I always think it’s the guides that make these trips so special & I honestly couldn’t praise Ruben , Maggie & José enough for their knowledge & the care they took of each & every one of us, all of them are a credit to exodus
Advice for Potential Travellers
If your not a regular cyclist book an e-bike there simply are no hills
