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.

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74 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Pamela Moore

Reviewed June 2019

Fantastic Trip

If you love glorious mountain scenery on every day of your journey then this is the trip for you. Every place we went looked like it could be an airbrushed postcard, yet the beauty was very real. The walks were lovely and not too difficult, although I do recommend bringing walking poles.

I was fortunate enough to be in a group with Sabina as our guide. While I’ve never had a bad guide with Exodus, Sabina stands out as the best. She did a wonderful job of looking out for everyone in the group and making sure everyone felt included. Her love and knowledge of the Balkans really came through. Our driver was very skilled and he kept us safe on some narrow, winding roads.

Most Inspirational Moment

In addition to the scenery of the Balkans, the history of this part of the world is fascinating. The scars of the war are still very visible on many of the buildings, especially in Sarajevo. I still don't understand what started the war or why the rest of the world looked the other way, but I think it's important to learn from situations like this. One of the dozens of buildings that was destroyed in the war was the City Hall of Sarajevo. I took a picture of the plaque on the outside of the new building and the last line reads, "Do not forget, remember and warn!" I shall never forget.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sabina was an outstanding guide. She did a great job of organizing the trip and everything went very smoothly. On one of our days when we were supposed to walk in the mountains, the weather did not co-operate. That's OK, Sabina made a new plan and we still had a very fun day. If I am fortunate enough to return to this part of the world I would love to be in her group again. I especially loved hearing of her personal experiences during the war.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I'm sure the Balkans are great at any time of the year but I'm very glad I went in May. The days were warm but not too hot, nights were cool and wildflowers were blooming.

Tony Hill

Reviewed June 2019

Bosnia visited

I was hoping to understand more about the recent war in Bosnia. I didn’t learn much except that this is an extraordinarily complicated place the crossroads of Europe geographically and historically, that nationalism is toxic, and that efforts by internationalbodies such as the UN were incapable of preventing war and even genocide if one of the combatants decide on a course of action.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sarajevo, the resilience and friendliness of its people when important issues are still unresolved. It is a living, fascinating city. Montenegro and especially Kotor. An intact, walled old city on a harbour surrounded by steep mountains and with a fiercely independent history. The high mountains and deep river valley's of the countryside with remote villages.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sabina was excellent. She was knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and shared the remarkable history of her family to help us with understanding the rich cultural environment. Her warmth and humour helped bind the group together. Our driver Damen was very professional and soon gained our confidence with his driving on the steep, tortuous, narrow mountain roads.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Old men be warned, there are very few public toilets and stairs and steps are steep and rarely have handrails. The roads are unremittingly winding so bring a remedy if prone to car sickness. Read up on some history before going, it will enrich the experience.

Margaret Smith

Reviewed June 2019

Bosnia and Beyond

I have just completed this Exodus tour of the Balkans, and I rate it amongst the best well rounded tours I have experienced. The itinerary was excellent. The bus and accommodations were very good. There was a very good balance of road time through breathtaking countryside, to walks, hiking and group meals experiencing local foods, to free time. Our driver was safety conscious. I would sign up for an Exodus tour again without hesitation.

Most Inspirational Moment

Experiencing the multicultural flavor of Montenegro, Bosnia and Croatia. Observing first hand how peoples of different faiths with a common history and language can work together for a better present and future.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide, Sabina Sirco, made these countries come alive for us. She has a great personal understanding of the history, the social, cultural and environmental issues of the Balkan countries. Her passion and her depth of knowledge was inspiring, and her enthusiasm spoke to all the tour participants. There was a good balance of hiking the beautiful countryside, experiencing culture and historical sites, trying out local and ethnic foods, and laughing over shared meals. Sabina was always safety conscious. We felt privileged that she shared her own personal experience as a young girl living in downtown Sarajevo during the war. She earned the admiration and respect of the whole group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring good hiking shoes and a rainproof jacket.

Henry Lovegrove

Reviewed September 2018

Full on and great fun

Great cultural and educational experience. Lots of variety of experiences superbly led by Sabina and safely driven by damir. Not enough time in Dubrovnik so most of the group extended the tour independently like us.

Most Inspirational Moment

Happy Jordanians singing on the tractor train

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good organiser who treated us all empathetically and could not have been more attentive and helpful. Some times didn’t allow enough free time at attractions. Very interesting to hear her family war experiences.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Beware of very slippery cobble stones.

Sarah Skinner

Reviewed September 2018

Fabulous scenery and cities

A great holiday, with a good mixture of costal & mountain scenery and the vibrant cities of Sarajevo & Kotor. Food exceeded all my expectations, particularly at the two lunches included at a farm in Montenegro & the village in Bosnia. Our guide Alen was excellent, providing amazing insight to the cultures and history we saw along the way. To quote a t-shirt, no-one boring ever said let’s go to Bosnia!, highly recommend to those with a spirit of adventure.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sarajevo, a city I knew for all the wrong reasons in the 1990’s is now a vibrant city with a lovely old town full with a great cafe culture where you could easily spend an afternoon people watching. At the same time it also has a lot of excellent museums and galleries, some very sobering, but all very well presented and worth visiting.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alen was excellent, he imparted a lot of knowledge of the cultures & places we visited. He also showed we were in safe hands as he dealt in a calm & professional manner when when of our group had an accident while walking.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Unless you have a great desire to go to a crowded place with bars with blaring music & full of kids, suggest you stay the second night in the beautiful scenic Kotor bay rather than Budva!

Cherie Logan

Reviewed September 2018

Guide excellent, tour ok, accomodation lacking

I recommend you. Is it these countries to help them develop their tourism, so they can rebuild their countries for the future. The world can learn from their past, spreading their stories to prevent wars like they experienced.

They are not sophisticated regarding tourism, but they are finding their way because the government does not invest enough and therefore citizens are using tourism money to invest in rebuilding themselves. The stories of resilience and the spectacular scenery make these countries a must see now, before they get to commercially sophisticated.

The only tour downside was the quality of accomodation on the tour which I felt were 1-2star level and did not live up to the price of the tour.

Most Inspirational Moment

The countries were stunning, sometimes raw and compelling which was refreshing (its sobering to see mortar and sniper damaged buildings that show their recent past). The citizens were warm, friendly and couldn’t do enough for tourists as they need to build a strong tourism industry to create more jobs to help each country prosper.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The tour leader (Sabina) was excellent and made our trip great. She was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, careing, friendly and shared personal family stories that bought the regions historical past and impacts to life for us. Would travel with her as a guide in a heartbeat. She spoke exceptional English, had great humour and supported everyone individual needs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

2 of the 3 short hikes/walks were ok if you were average fitness, the 3rd and last hike really did need people to be a bit above average fitness, though you could sit it out and do something else on you own if you wanted.

N Thomson

Reviewed August 2018

Great mix of scenery and culture

This is a good combination of interesting cities and mountains ,with a reasonable pace and comfortable air-conditioned bus;our guide and driver were excellent, with reasonable accommodation and generous meals throughout.

Most Inspirational Moment

Kotor,Cetinje ,the Montenegrin scenery;Sarajevo in general and atmospheric Mostar all impress

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sabina is an excellent cheerful guide who manages the tour friendly and efficiently, she imparts her keen enthusiasm for these countries and is willing to share her personal insight into their history.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Like others have said,just visit and enjoy the experience.

Zoe Medlock

Reviewed August 2018

Superb mix of natural beauty and culture

The trip exceeded our expectations. You start on the coastline of Croatia and Montenegro, which is totally stunning. The drive into the mountain is breathtaking and the scenery continues to delight throughout the trip. The exposure to the impact of the 90’s war is sobering and I was glad to be able to learn so much about it. Our tour guide Sabina did a fabulous job of keeping us running to time but creating a relaxed atmosphere. I would highly recommend this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the bobsleigh track.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very efficient, funny and thoughtful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go!

S Orton

Reviewed July 2018

A little bit of everything at a great pace

Bosnia and Montenegro have it all; beautiful coast line, spectacular lakes which are oh so blue , mountains and charming towns and cities. This trip goes at an excellent pace with at least 2 nights in each place and no early starts or very long drives. Our tour guide Sabina was exceptionally good at explaining the conflicts of these countries enhanced with her own personal experiences. Nothing was ever too much trouble and she anticipated the needs of every member of the group including providing advice post tour. Hotels were of a good standard and well located.

Most Inspirational Moment

I particularly enjoyed Mostar and visiting the bridge but also there were some lovely walks in spectacular scenery by pretty lakes and rivers.

Thoughts on Group Leader

See above. A real ambassador for her country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The history is complex and although explained by the tour guide and local guides having some pre knowledge of the context of the 1992 conflict would assist. Bring a sarong to cover shoulders / legs for mosques. Need bosnian marks for bosnia. Have to get in the country.

C Duensing

Reviewed July 2018

Bosnia and beyond

The trip was everything I had hoped for and more. It is extremely well balanced in that it offers an excellent mix of town and countryside based activities, a mixture of coast, mountains with walking and culture.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in Ludomir And visiting Mostar

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour guide Sabina was outstanding. She brought the information to life by brining in her own stories and memorabilia. I rarely use the term ‘going the extra mile’ but I really think it is fitting here. Sabina went well beyond anything that can be expected of a tour guide, looking after the needs of all individuals in the group, helping with personal crises and even planning beyond the end of the trip,

Advice for Potential Travellers

Maybe read up about the history of Yugoslavia in advance. The trip works very well without this, but you would probably get even more out of it. Stay on for some more time by the coast afterwards

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