Most Inspirational Moment
The gorgeous long hikes along the coast to remove places like Loutro, Preveli Beach, and the marble beach. (Note that we were unable to hike the Somaria Gorge on day two, due to a tragic rock slide that killed one and trapped others, so I can’t speak to that hike. My understanding is that it is the most striking of the hikes, and one of the most physically challenging.)
Thoughts on Group Leader
Because our two guides were local, the information about Crete and Greece was unique and wonderful. Occassionally, language and culture impacted communications, as should be expected, but it wasn't a huge issue. We loved them both.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This was a great trip for me and my wife (age 63), but no trip is for everyone. To help others decide if this trip is right for them, I’m going to share some of the positive and negative feedback we heard from others in the group. Some days at the beginning of the week were more strenuous and long than some in our group wanted. Other days at the end of the week didn’t have as much hiking as some participants wanted. Also, be aware that two of the hotels in remote areas weren’t top-notch – no drinkable tap water, tiny showers, very basic breakfasts, and small rooms. For us, these two hotels were still lovely for a brief one-night stay. However, if high-quality hotels are important to you, this trip might not be for you. The other hotels during the rest of the week were much nicer, and the one in Rethymno where we stayed two nights was exceptional in all ways. For us, the week offered a good mix of things that we couldn’t or wouldn't have done without a local guide. We’re pretty fit, and were looking for a very active week, so the itinerary worked for us. But if you are not looking for long, strenuous, and hot hiking, this trip may not be for you. That’s not Exodus’s fault, it’s just that different trips fit different people. It should also be noted that this is the first summer Exodus has offered this trip, and they are seem to still be fine-tuning it. For instance, the wine tasting was dropped, apparently due to feedback. I’m confident the trip will get even better over time as Exodus adjusts based on customer suggestions.