Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
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Conservation volunteering in Iceland, independent reviews
 Reviewed 20 Aug 2008 by Hannah Howard |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Completing our path project, and having people walk on it and compliment us on it.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go for it, and don't worry about the meeting point or the food, which is plentiful and good quality with lots of biscuits. And prepare for any weather.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
It benefited tourists to the area, but they are mostly Icelandic, so yes. It made it easier for people to hike without affecting the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Brilliant.
| Reviewed 2 Sep 2006 by Kathleen Murphy | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Staying at Skaftafell for 2 weeks - most people would stay at the campsite for a few nights. We were able to see the park at times when other visitors had left. Mostly it felt like our private playground! Also - on our day off, project leaders took us to parts of the park that maybe not otherwise see. A real joy.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Work was hard - and when they say physically fit they mean it. However, we were encouraged to do what we could and I believe the group worked well to help improve access in the national park. Working, and living, in close proximity for some time means that people need to be able to get on with others and leave egos at home. All good on our group and really enjoyed meeting diverse group of folk. Take time out at beginning or end of holiday to travel a little to see sites beyond the park and Reykjavik - Iceland is a thrilling country and good to get to other parts as all so varied.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We got excellent feedback from the park manager about our work, and the project leaders were very clear about minimising impact of our work eg. where we walked when searching for stones or gravel, how we left sites etc. I believe it did benefit local people insofar as their national park is a better place after we left it.
4. Any other comments?
As to how I rate the holiday - maximum stars. Learnt a lot, enjoyed the work, met new people and felt we did something that mattered. The Iceland UST should be proud of how they are engaging volunteers - and it really was a 'win-win' type of holiday for all. Thanks for putting the opportunity on your website.
| Reviewed 12 Aug 2006 by Nicola Fenton | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The most memorable part was going to an open air concert in one of the national parks and also travelling overland for 2 days and staying in a mountain hut by a lake fed by 2 glaciers and watching the moon rise on one side and the sun set on the other.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The work is strenuous, but you can take it at your own pace. Working gloves definitely help against splinters.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, the work was in collaboration with local people (the environment agency of Iceland) and worked in harmony with the landscape.