Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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14179 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviewed January 2011

A TASTE OF CUBA

I had an absolutely amazing trip – lots of sun, salsa dancing and mojitos in fantastically historical and cultural settings

Most Inspirational Moment

Best place I went to has to be Trinidad with its manana attitude, sun, nightlife and beautiful setting...am even thinking of taking a career break and going back there for a while...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader had amazing knowledge of the country, its culture, history and society and whatever we asked him he had an answer dotted witrh personal stories. He was a lot more open than I was expecting...and was a great slasa dancer...

Advice for Potential Travellers

None really, just expect the unexpected and the lower the expectations the more you will be blown away

Reviewed January 2011

CYCLING CUBA

Cycling Cuba was the best way to explore this incredible country. The cycling is perfect for any level and organized exceptionally well !! Cuba is the beauty and the beast : I did find Cuba beautiful and ugly , so much to learn , to see , a different world from a different time !

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding along the coasts and cycling through Sierra Madre and country side . Visiting farm houses and being their guests in their simple houses and live style . Trinidad is a magical place and I loved the music at Casa Trova in Santiago . Cuba is colorful rich in culture, music, art , simple things that we take for granted in our countries are very precious over there !! ( an example :toilet paper, ice cream ..)

Thoughts on Group Leader

The best way to be really helpful sometimes is to be there without imposing yourself to the group ! Sometimes it's best to lessen more then talk. That's the best advise I can give him... but it was fun to meet a real Cuban, BIG ego w BIG personality and a BIG love for life, sport and WOMEN !!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes, bring your anti pollution mask !! Cuba has very little traffic ,it's great for cycling but ironically the few ancient trucks and cars create a huge cloud of black smoke that get straight in to your longs , even in the middle of the country side !! Strongly recommended !

Reviewed January 2011

KILIMANJARO CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE

This was the most amazing adventure of a lifetime. Yes climbing to the summit was extremely tough both physically and mentally, not least because you have 50% less exygen to breathe in due to the altitude. Guide ratio best on mountain. Porters brilliant. Food, exactly what was required.

Most Inspirational Moment

Most inspirational moment has to be reaching Stella Point. The feeling of elation, the relief that you're finally at the summit produced tears for us all. Also loved climbing Barranca Wall. Also the climb down and up to Kerranga camp was tough but a huge relief when we finally arrived up at camp. Knowing that I could easily achieve these challenges gave me a huge confidence boost.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Makeke was a good leader. He gave concise, clear briefings on the day ahead's challenge; but he was occassionally economic with the timings. But the trip notes were the same. Ie. it says on day one that you will enjoy a 2 - 3 hour gentle walk through woodland. It took us 5 hours due to heavy rainfall causing the path to be like a quagmire. When the guides set off you may think that you are going far too slowly but trust in your leader that he knows what he is doing. Conserve your energy and you will have a more enjoyable experience.Makeke was a good communicator and his words will always ring in my ears: "The weather in Kili is unpredictable".

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't take a shewee. It doesn't work. Do take a pack of cards for when you arrive in camp and you're all in the mess tent drinking tea. Our guides loved playing Cheat! Always listen to your guides and be truthful with how you're feeling. Don't be macho and think you'll be alright! They will do what they can to get you up to the top but you need to be honest if they're going to help you. Do take lots of snacks, especially chocolate. If you have any left over (make sure you do), the porters love it. Don't go thinking you'll have food like you're used to at home. The porridge tastes different but it is excellent fuel so mask the taste if you don't like it with either Cadbury's drinking chocolate (supplied), brown sugar (supplied) or honey (supplied). DRINK LOADS!! Can't emphasise that enough. It will help with altitude sickness. Also in addition to your platypus/camelbak have 2 extra water bottles. On summit night your tube from your water will freeze but you need to keep drinking. Use Nuun rehydration tablets (or similar) and put them in both extra water bottles. Place these upside down on the outside of you backpack. The top of the bottle will freeze first so you will be able to drink from the upside down end. Ladies take lots of tissues (and hand sanitiser) and have them as easily accessible as they can be; I used a bumbag.

Reviewed January 2011

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

A clean and pleasant hotel in a picturesque town set within the stunning landscape of the Dolomites. Good transport links gave us easy access to various skiing areas and picturesque walks if you need a rest from the skis.Our party was made up of beginners and experienced skiers – we were in the beginners group.

Most Inspirational Moment

Skiing on virgin tracks through the woodland early one morning. For my wife it was walking through deep snow, high on the mountain on a day off

Thoughts on Group Leader

Heather was patient, fun, friendly. She kept us going with enthusiastic encouragement when we had doubts about our ability but also knew when we'd had enough. Also on the trip was Albert, who took the grade two skiers and was a font of knowledge regarding the local walks.Both leaders were good company in the evenings and fostered a good group atmosphere.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Quite a strenuous sport for beginners which will probably result in a few knocks and bruises. If you decide it's not for you or suffer an injury, there are plenty of beautiful, well marked walks in the area and other towns to visit so the week will not be wasted. It's very informal, so no need for dressy clothes (and the hotel dining room was very warm)

Reviewed January 2011

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

We had a wonderful holiday, with exciting skiing through beautiful scenery, in perfect sunny conditions.

Most Inspirational Moment

We skied along an undulating trail high up on a plateau, with the sun blazing in a deep blue sky. There were fields of giant ice crystals on the snow, 3inches in height, looking like intricate leaves or feathers, and as the sun caught them they shone all the colours of the rainbow. Magic! (And impossible to photograph well!)The trail down from this plateau was 6 1/2 km in length, and although not steep, we had to snowplough continuously. The group spaced out a lot, with the speedies in front and the more cautious behind. I was in the middle and found myself seemingly alone skiing through the most picturesque mountain scenery. I loved it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert was an excellent leader. He was very conscious of what the group wanted, and he devised the daily itineraries to suit every member of our group, each day building up our abilities and confidence. Those who did not want to ski too far had options to catch buses back at various points, and he was willing to extend the daily skiing until the light failed for us keenies. I felt I could trust his judgement of what to tackle or not, and he took us on exciting routes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Build up your stamina before you tackle cross country skiing, by doing lots of walking, running, cycling or swimming.You'll be needing lots of energy, so that's a good excuse to sample the delicious cakes of the region, and the hot chocolates with cream that are so thick that you have to use a spoon!

Reviewed January 2011

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

Level 1 cross country skiing week – good teaching and group progressed well. Varying terrain, some easy, other parts challenging. Always option to walk past a section if too challenging. Hotel good with plenty of well cooked food and five course dinner each evening.

Most Inspirational Moment

Skiing at 2000 metres in excellent conditions on a sunny day with not a cloud in the sky.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Catered well for all abilities. Most of the routes crossed bus routes at several points so there were several options per day for taking bus back to hotel if wanted and allowing others to ski further.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pre holiday fitness to a moderate standard makes the course easier to manage and more enjoyable.

Reviewed January 2011

ATLAS PANORAMA

This holiday fulfilled all our expectations. One of the things we were unsure of before we left was what the weather would be like in the mountains at the very end of December, but we were lucky. It was just perfect for walking – bright and sunny every day but not too hot. At night it did get very chilly and we needed our warm sleeping bags.

Most Inspirational Moment

The village in the mountains was in a beautiful location, and after the terrible traffic and fumes in Marrakech (outside the medina) the contrast was striking. There were no traffic sounds and just absolute peace, with a barking dog and the occasional sound of the call to prayer being all that disturbed it. The fact that the village has only had electricity for the last fouryears means that the traditional way of life (subsistence farming and little dependence on technology) still continues, but for how much longer, one wonders. The walks were spectacular and we were spurred on by the sight of Abdullah, our cook, overtaking us on his mule each day carrying our lunch, and what a lunch it was! He made tea and a couple of hot dishes served with salad and bread, followed by tangerines which we ate seated on cushions around a rug in a well chosen spot by a stream or lake.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mohammed, our group leader, was a young man in his twenties who looked after us beautifully. He would always sing exuberantly when we reached a high spot in the walk. We loved his berber cloaks which he lent out to anyone feeling a bit chilly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You really do need warm things and plenty of layers in winter - for the early mornings and the evenings. There is plenty of bottled water available, but the water in the village boiled for tea is fine and, although I do often get a stomach bug when in strange countries, none of us had any problems. We had an alcohol free week (even New Year's Eve!), because there is no alcohol in the village and none of us had thought to bring any from Marrakech, but surprisingly enough, we didn't miss it (too much).

Reviewed January 2011

KENYA & TANZANIA ADVENTURE

Excellent holiday. We saw the big 5 (and lots of them), got close enough to get good snaps. Really enjoyed the mix of walking safari, early game drives and beach.

Most Inspirational Moment

When camping out in the serengeti we spotted some eyes at night - with the help of a torch we established it was a grazing giraffe family, we watched them for quite a while, I felt privilaged to be in their world.Masai warriors played vortex with us at the Ngorongoro crater campsite. They are quite good at throwing!We had a change of campsite one night and got to visit the Second Chance Education Project, where children who have missed education get a chance to go back to school and get qualifications. The children were very excited to meet us and we were shown round the project and had a tour of the new facilities they are trying to build. A very grounding experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chris certainly knew his stuff when it came to animals. Frank knew his way round a kitchen- and have excellent food 'African style' Always knew that hygiene was a priority. Nebert was a genuinely lovely bloke - and gives a good campfire story.Overall a great team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Space is limited - less is more. If I did it again I would rinse out clothes instead of taking extras.The cold night was not that cold - no need for thermals etc, a fleece would have done for me. Take a sleeping bag liner - I did not get my full sleeping bag out most nights.Despite previous reviews saying the snorkel sets for hire on Zanzibar are rubbish I would not recommend taking your own - we took a half day boat trip and most the coral was dead. Was not worth taking my mask for, the hire ones looked fine.Room at the beach in Zanzibar came with beach towel. Do not underestimate the strength of the sun on the beach - sun shaders are not readily available.Lots of opportunities to buy toliet roll as you go along but would take one for the first few days.Do not worry about dehydration - water (and wee stops) is readily available. Also able to buy snacks.I could not read on the truck it was very bouncy - never had one before but an audio book would have been a good idea.Water bottle far better than camelbak for the truck.

Reviewed January 2011

MT TOUBKAL WINTER CLIMB

This trip is classed as ‘tough’ and that is certainly what it is if your haven’t trained, or are not naturally very fit! I would class this as an enjoyable experience rather than a holiday! The mountains, once you get into the snow, are beautiful and awe-inspiring. They are also very steep! The accommodation is very basic and cold, but as long as you have warm clothes it’s fine.

Most Inspirational Moment

Gingerly leading the roped group down on day three - what fun, but slow progress since I was determined not to slip down the very steep mountain side.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mohamed and Lahcen certainly knew the mountains well and kept us safe.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have warm clothes. Ski-ing gloves are useful since they keep you much warmer and Ski goggles are to be recommended, rather than using your sunglasses. When the wind blows the snow around (quite violently and almost continually) you can't see a thing with just glasses on. Books, games, cards etc are useful since there is little to do in the evenings except have lots of early nights and early means by 8pm! Bring good earplugs, you will need them! Wet wipes are essential. Make sure your camera is handy at all times since the views are fabulous.

Reviewed January 2011

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

A perfectly balanced week of life; do a lot of exercise, eat a lot of food. Do a lot more exercise, eat an even bigger amount of food. A truly virtuous circle.

Most Inspirational Moment

Despite skiing with commendable effort, i struggled with the subtleties of the snowplough and sensible cornering. Many bruises later my balance began to improve markedly, my skills less so. As i sailed out of control rounding a corner too fast, i prepared mentally to hit the deck once again. Imagine my surprise first not to fall over, second not to ski off the track completely, and third to negotiate my way back to the correct loipe in an almost controlled way. Not quite a baby taking its first steps but a definite sense of progress.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert found ways to deal calmy and patiently with a group of mixed ability and fitness. His basic apprach that you learn more my doing, trying, and taking your own risks, was very practical. I will remember fondly how on one occasion he said to me '' yeah, not bad '' while his eyes said '' i have no idea how you didn't fall over with that hamfisted approach. ''

Advice for Potential Travellers

Dobbiaco is an excellent site; many opportunities for different cross country trails either from the little town or from a short journey away. Personally i enjoyed the opportunity to make a journey from a to b in the different places we skied; more rewarding than just following circuits. The Hotel Tsurtschenthaler - though unpronounceable - is excellent. Literally endless supplies of food and friendly service. In the last 4 years my work has taken me to at least 30 different hotels in nearly as many countries. But the best shower in the world is in room 17 in Dobbiaco !

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