Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through Old Trinidad which felt a bit like something out of an old Clint Eastwood movie- very Mexican with so little traffic and fabulous buildings. The local musicians playing with such fire and passion and the people watching opportunities. The army of enormous black shelled crabs marching across the motorway was a wonderful sight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

OK

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't leave anything of value in your hotel room (unless it's locked away) as I had a decent pair of cycling sunglasses stolen.Although Cuban healthcare is free you may want to bring some everyday medicines with you as they are really expensive for local people to buy at pharmacies. Soap is a very welcome gift as it is also a bit of luxury.Try to speak to local people (if your Spanish) is good enough to get a greater understanding of the country and its culture. You may want to try the "Dirty Havana Trilogy" books by Pedro Jaun Gutierrez for a taste of gritty urban realism! I would definitely try to stay on in Old Havana for a few days at the end of the trip as it's absolutely full of beautiful old buildings such as the Barcadi HQ   

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking around the crater of Vesuvius, visiting Pompei and Herculaneum (optional), any number of beautiful towns/villages on the Amalfi Coast, the views around every corner, the fantastic landscape and the italian cafes...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Barbara was great, we couldn't have asked for a better guide to keep all of the group happy; enough breaks and stops and well-managed pace on the walks for all the different-level walkers (with plenty of local knowledge) and assistance on organising the 'free days' activities (Herculaneum and Ravello for the majority of the group, bus info etc for the others who wandered off in other directions). A very good guide indeed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking poles could be useful for a couple of the days - the walk to Amalfi and the Walk of the Gods to Positano have 'quite a few' steps down... there are a fair few steps up too on the walks.

Most Inspirational Moment

The sense of achievement on our last day, skiing in glorious sunshine through superb scenery.

Thoughts on Group Leader

David was knowledgeable about both cross country ski-ing and the local area.  As an instructor he knew when to encourage the members of the group and allow people to develop their skills at their own pace.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For those travelling alone your fellow travellers will contribute to the overall enjoyment and success of the holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking around the colourful streets of Havana; the magnificant architecture, music floating on the balmy breeze, the ambience, the history and of course the friendly, smiling Cubans.  Santa Clara; the history and of course, the Revolucion!  The battles fought in and around Santa Clara  were the turning point of the Revolucion the city belongs to Che Guevara - he is everywhere.  Unfortunatley we didn't spend enought time to walk the streets of the city and absorb the ambience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mariella (not sure of spelling) was an brilliant tour leader/guide.  Her historical knowledge was second to none and her passion for all things Cuban was wonderful and her sunny disposition made us feel relaxed when we arrived in Havana after a long day of travelling.  Our driver Eduardo was fabulous and very accommodating.  The tour ran smoothly; our hotels were very comfortable and well located (except the location of the hotel in Miramar, fabulous hotel but too far out of Havana). All our meals were very good - contrary to what all the guide books say -  the food was really tasty and varied.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Cuba, despite all the really positive things is a poor country.  Take lots of colouring pens for the children, cheap automatic umbrellas (£1 shop) for the elderly ladies to use as parasols and any spare summer clothes you don't need.  Trinidad is a fabulous preserved Spanish colonial city sandwiched between beautiful mountains and the Caribbean Sea.  It is also touristy and locals ask for pens and clothes mostly.   DO NOT GIVE TO THE LOCAL PEOPLE.   Give your donations to your tour leader who will distribute to the people who need it the most.

Most Inspirational Moment

watching the sunrise over the wadi rum

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hassan was superb, showing excellent knowledge of the sites and even providing great dramatic effect in petra, he made an effort with everyone in the group and even got on a bike for us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The tour trip advises that there was 10% off road but in fact the cycling is all along tarmac roads of which only a small portion was poor quality. I had taken my road bike with spare cross country tyres for off road but these were not needed. Also they were not expecting me to turn up with my bike at the airport but managed to cope - if any others had turned up with their own bike it would have been interesting so make sure they are aware.

Most Inspirational Moment

The close encounters with the tigers. 14 exceptinal sightings. Leopards, jungle cats wild dogs and jackals

Thoughts on Group Leader

Krishna Kumar was a fantastic leader. We cannot praise him highly enough

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are there for Holi cover your hair. Janet didn't and now has pink hair!Research the best time for tigers. March is good as the grass is short and the tigers need to come to the waterholes.Take tennis balls for the children, Better for them than sweets and more fun than pens.

Most Inspirational Moment

The area around the Picos de Europa National Park has some breathtaking views that I didn't expecting to find so close to home.  I was also pleasantly surprised at the lack of any tourist activity in the area- to the extent that we didn't see another walker for the first 4 days walking (although this was March and still the low season) 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Victor, the group leader was excellent. He tailored some of the trips based on his assessment of the groups ability on the first day. This meant that we saw some views that were additional to the standard itinery. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through the sun gate on the last day of the trek to suddenly see Machu Picchu in all its glory.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very helpful and friendly. Dealt with all pitfalls including being stranded at the train station at Machu picchu after a landslide. Still somehow managed to get us on the last train back to our hotel in Cusco!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trek is suitable for anyone with any degree of basic fitness. Don't forget to bring a headtorch for the evenings as it gets dark early and a spare battery for your camera. When it rains it pours so a waterproof cover for your backpack is must.

Most Inspirational Moment

The daily yoga, wonderful way to start the day for a walk.Seville on a sunny day, shopping and tapas was a nice change from the trek.Enjoyed the later treks when I decided to go at my own pace and admire the views as I went even if this meant being way behind and inconviencing others in the group. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Friendly and informative.  Sometimes remote and reserved.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't think it'll be warm in March in Spain - quite cold for the first 3 days!

Most Inspirational Moment

Harrisuvanto, on the Pieni Karhunkierros Trail - frozen river, suspension bridge setting it all off perfectly, under a foot of snow, all in white, freezing cold, but no-one around.  Complete solitude, gorgeous setting and a wonderful sense of peace.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Olli was good - he knew his stuff and did all he could to make sure the activities went as smoothly as possible.  Did not spend that much time getting to know us all, other than the usual "how did your day go" type stuff. However, always there when you needed him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Manage your expectations re Northern Lights.  When we went, all the activity was way too low down on the horizon to realy see anything, which was our only disappointment.  Clothes provided really are well provided for and plentiful.  All in good nick as well.  Take your own base layers, and if you have some special socks you like wearing in cold weather, take those as well.  However, you really can pack light.