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.
Cycling in Thailand
Thailand Cycling Tours
Top 5 Places to Visit on Thailand Cycling Tours
Ayutthaya: The UNESCO World Heritage Centre of Ayutthaya is the ancient capital of Thailand and dates back to the mid-14th century. In the 18th century a large part of the old town was destroyed by the Burmese. Today it remains an historic site of interest with its splendid monasteries, temples and shrines which define its rich heritage. In the old part of the city you’ll find three of the most significant temples including Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana, and Wat Phra Si Sanphet, which stands on the site of the old Royal Palace. Wat Chaiwatthanaram lies on the riverbank and is one of the most famous of the temples, attracting travellers wanting to see the beautiful sunsets over the water.
Chiang Rai: A tour of Chiang Rai introduces to the more rural region of northern Thailand with its impressive mountain backdrop. Unlike the frenetic Chiang Mai, its older counterpart, Chiang Rai remains relatively free from tourists and enjoys a much calmer pace that inspires artists and a more creative crowd. The temples of Wat Rong Khun (The White Temple) and Wat Rong Sue Ten (The Blue Temple) are nothing short of spectacular and it’s worth spending some time exploring the gardens too. If you want to delve into the past, the Mae Fa Luang Art and Cultural Centre is an unspoiled park that houses a traditional Lanna pavilion, museum and gorgeous landscaped gardens.
Aranyaprathet: Bordering Cambodia and Thailand, Aranyaprathet is a more modern, vibrant town. Here you can wander through a maze of market stalls at Talad Rong Khlua where the locals sell all kinds of goods, from handbags and clothes to homeware. But if you want to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy some tranquility, head for Kanchanaphisek Park, home to various species of birds and plants. In the centre of the park’s small lake standsWimansarannawamin, a beautiful Thai pavilion.
Chiang Mai: In stark contrast to its wild, mountainous setting, Chiang Mai is a sprawling city known for its hectic markets and ornate temples. Among the backdrop of lush countryside and rainforest, you can see the strong Burmese influences in the architectural styles of the buildings. In the evenings, the streets are filled with market stalls where the hilltribes sell their artisan crafts and you can immerse yourself in the local culture. The old part of the city is much more blissful, and you can visit the Chiang Mai Arts and Cultural Centre to learn about the history and culture of the city and its hilltribes.
Bangkok: World renowned for its modern skyscrapers and temple spires that pierce the skyline, Bangkok is a soul-stirring city of contrasts. At every turn a magnificent temple steals your attention as you try to dodge a tuk tuk, and the smell of Thai street food that wafts on the air makes you succumb to the aromatic flavours. There are so many sights to explore that it’s hard to know where to begin but we recommend visiting the Grand Palace, Wat Arun Temple and Wat Pho Temple with the famous reclining Buddha.
Exodus People – Rit Aphiwatthanakul
James Tarran Cycle the Baltics
Fiona Stiff Cycle Morocco's Great SouthReally loved the cycling, it was challenging and very rewarding .Our guides Mohamed and Yusuf were excellent as were the drivers. And the food was wonderful. Apart from the hotel in Agadir which survived very ordinary buffet food. Sadly neither the bikes or the transfer vehicles were up to the job. The bikes were worn out and constantly needing attention and the vehicles did not have enough legroom for comfort, particularly the Prado, which was painful if you were unlucky enough to be in the back.
Steven Elliot Cycling in SardiniaI do feel a little mean just giving 4 stars but there were a few niggles. It’s a great trip and particularly satisfying in that there are no transfers until the end – you cycle from hotel to hotel for 6 days. Lovely scenery, though not quite as gorgeous as described in other reviews. Accommodation basic but clean – no luxury but you don’t spend much time in it. Sardinian food and wine is pretty awesome but mostly fish based.
Gripes. Bikes are old and heavy which make the second and third rides more onerous than they should be- 3400 feet ascent in 36 miles does not usually faze me but knees were complaining for a few days after. I experienced a degree of bike envy for the guide’s lightweight gravel bike. As noted elsewhere the flight times are awkward and we were pretty bored by the end of the last day awaiting our transfer to the airport- a late check out from our rooms on a hot sticky day would have been good. The trip notes were inaccurate which, sadly, is a common issue with Exodus trips. Biggest grouse was, however, that there was only ever one guide on the rides, which meant that the weakest member was either cycling alone or dependent on the good nature of other participants for company. To my mind a bit of a safety risk but I guess we might have been spoilt after our trip to Indonesia where there were always three guides.
I am sounding a bit negative. We had a great time but some minor alterations would improve the experience substantially.
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