Most Inspirational Moment
The bear hide was really fantastic! But Ilove all the treks in he mountains too.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very knowledgeable and interesting
Reviews
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!
Haven’t posted your review yet? Here’s how to do it…
Once you return from your Exodus adventure holiday, you will be emailed a link to add your review. Any feedback collected is posted onto our website, totally unedited.
Alternatively you can navigate to the relevant trip page and add your review via the Reviews tab.
Select a trip specific review:
Reviews
CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE
Perfect holidays if you like wildlife, nature and history…as well as eating good food!
CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE
A very nice time had by all
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the bears
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellant the best we have ever had with any tour company.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't eat too much before you go, the food is lovely.
CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE
As with my previous Exodus holiday in the Rhodopi Mountains of Bulgaria, this was a good holiday made even better by the excellence of the guide every day and the high standard of the accommodation allied to the knowledge, passion for conservation and helpfulness of our hostess. Despite the unusually wet weather we still got out and about to see some of the special natural and built wonders of the area.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing a total of 6 beavers swimming in a river so near a townWalking amongst beautiful and sometimes rare/protected flowers in a dramatic landscape
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent - I am so impressed by his ability to explain not just all the fauna and nearly all the flora but also the complicated history of Transylvania in English.Despite a lot of rain and the varied abilities/aptitudes of the group, not to mention a great deal of driving, he remained cheerful, unflappable, endlessly helpful and considerate.One small example - I was particularly keen to see alpine plants, especially the rare Dianthus which I understand is native only to the national park we were in but the leader took time and effort to explain to me that in the weather conditions it was not possible to get high enough to do so.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go as soon as you can in case EU food regulations, the need for modernisation of the economy and changing aspirations of young locals change it forever.
CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE
Carpathian Culture and Wildlife (May 2011) is a wonderful mix of visiting ridgetop villages and farms in the Transylvanian mountains, hikes up into the forests and pastures, nibbling on delicious fresh cheese at a shepherd’s hut, and visits to other local highlights such as the lovely medieval architecture of Brasov and the castle known as Dracula’s Castle which is surprisingly charming and lovely.
Most Inspirational Moment
1. Being in these beautiful Romanian national park mountains with fresh air, fresh food cooked by Katherine and family at the inn, and hiking every day in a different direction and meeting the people of the mountains, villages, and cities.2. The dedication of our terrific guide Cosmos Dan and our hostess Katherine and her husband Hermann, and friends, to protecting and promoting the beauty of Romanian countryside and wildlife. I was particularly moved by our visit to the bear sanctuary where rescued bears (captive & often wounded or abused for performances) are healed, rehabilitated to living in the woods, and protected for life. 3. Eating the best fresh cheese I've ever had in my 57 years at the shepherd's hut high in the mountains.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Cosmos Dan is an inspiration himself with his dedication to protecting his national heritage environment for future generations and seeking to share the beauty of the land and wildlife with visitors. He is a native of the area, knows every square inch of the land and the hidden trails and all about the wildlife). As a former National Park ranger, he is particularly well suited to guide people with an interest in the ecosystems and wildlife of the area, but being a native of the region, he also knows everyone and has insights and answers to any and all questions.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring an appetite for delicious Romanian home cooking and energy and a walking stick for the mountains and enjoy a wonderful vacation. You will be very reluctant to leave.
CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE
I am really glad that I chose this trip. Romania is a beautiful and fascinating country to which I hope to return. I could have easily stayed much longer. Villa Hermani is a lovely, clean and comfortable guesthouse with great food!
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing 9 bears and cubs from the bear hide was brilliant. It was also great to see the work carried out at the sanctuary in Zarnesti in rescuing mistreated bears and providing them with an environment close to what they should have experienced as wild bears.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Both Cosmin and Udo were very enthusiastic and knowledgable about the area and it's history : )
Advice for Potential Travellers
I would definately class some of the walking as strenuous, a walking pole might be useful as some of the up/down hills are steep!
CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE
I had a fantastic time in Romania. It was interesting and educational and, at times, entertaining! A fascinating and complicated country with lots to explore.
Most Inspirational Moment
The highlight of the trip for me was seeing 9 wild bears from the bear hide, mainly adult females with cubs.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The group leaders were great and very knowledgable about the local area, culture and wildlife. Between them, Cosmin and Udo were able to answer the majority of my questions. Udo also provided plenty of entertainment throughout the week! Katharina and Herman were welcoming hosts at the guesthouse and made the stay very comfortable.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't hang on to leftover Lei with the intention of buying souvenirs at the airport. Apart from the food court, you will need Euros. Oh, and watch the palinc?- you have been warned!
CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE
Fantastic scenery and wildlife. The guesthouse is a real gem, great food and friendly staff.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the bears and beavers in the wild will always be a great memory. We were lucky enough to see 2 mothers with cubs.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Both of the guides we had were very knowledgeable and very keen to share their information about the local area.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Watch out for the walk back from Bran Castle quite an uphill!
CARPATHIAN CULTURE AND WILDLIFE
Food for the soul! – A week of stunning scenery and good company led by Cosmin and Katerina, both of whom’s passion for Romania’s wildlife and culture is inspirational.
Most Inspirational Moment
Vistas so wide you can't take it all in. So many different shades of green.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Cosmin has a passion for Romania, it's wildlife and history. He is very knowledgable and he loves guiding. A great guide!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make sure you are fit! There is no such thing as 'flat' on this trip. It was often steep and sometimes loose underfoot. That said it wasn't hard walking all day every day due to the 'culture' part of the itinerary.