Exodus at Holiday Wizard

They say: "Exodus doesn’t offer traditional ski or snowboard holidays. The company prides itself on offering alternative ways to enjoy the snow. It’s the same snow, just a different location."

We say: "Take to the white stuff on snowshoes, go cross country skiing in Sweden, drive a snowmobile in Finland or even drive a husky-drawn sledge to some hidden gems of mainland Europe and Scandinavia. Kids, adults and sporty types will all love these snow-filled winter hols."

• The cross country skiing programme has been expanded this year to include destinations such as Varena in Italy, Seefeld in Austria, Jotuheim in Norway and Akaslompolo in Finland
  
• Many activities are actually included in the trip price making for geat value for money
  
• Accommodation is handpicked for comfort, character and warmth

They say: "Exodus offers ‘real life’ adventure voyages to destinations around the world that neither you nor your children will forget – full of wonder, learning, sensory overload and exhilaration."

We say: "Ditch those dull package holidays and do something different instead! How does a big cat safari in Kenya, a Jungles and Beaches tour in Thailand or mountain biking in the Picos in Spain sound? Take the plunge and be a bit more adventurous this year, we reckon the whole family will love it."

• All tours have a recommended minimum age for children, some as young as two years old
  
• The price quoted is now the price you pay as there are no local supplements and many activities are included in the price
  
• Holidays and tours are organised year round, in keeping with the UK school holidays

They say: "You don’t need to be young or superfit to take part in our cycling tours. If you want to really push yourself, then we can provide the challenge, but most of our cycling holidays are exactly that – holidays. Why simply watch through a minibus window when you could be cycling through the very scene yourself?"

We say: "Exodus offers different cycling tour types, so you can choose a self-guided tour such as Finnish Island Hopping or any of the escorted tours. These include road biking tours such as the tour around Siena and Chianti – perfect for food and wine lovers. For those who like a bit of mountain biking there’s the cross-cuntry/enduro High Atlas Bike Raid in the famous mountains of Morocco."

• New for this year, all local payments have been scrapped
  
• The maximum group size on any cycle tour will be 18
  
• Aside from self-guided tours, there is at least one experienced cycling tour leader on every trip and most have a support vehicle as back up too

They say: "Our trips are designed to be accessible to all who are in good health and enjoy being outdoors, but fitness levels are important and you should consider carefully which trip from over 150 on offer around the world is right for you."

We say: "Exodus realises people want different things from their holiday, so this year they have introduced ‘Premium Adventures’, where walking and trekking is combined with accommodation offering a little extra style and comfort, in addition to their usual walking programme."

• Choose from centre-based, coastal, point to point or peak walking styles
  
• All trips are categorized into Leisurely, Moderate, Challenging, Tough or Tough +
  
• Choose adult group adventures, private departures or the special solo traveller departures

They say: "Our Discovery, Wildlife and Adventure brochure encompasses almost 250 different itineraries across 90 countries and seven continents. This year, after listening to our clients, we’ve removed all local payments."

We say: "A whole host of trip ideas to entice everyone from gap year and solo travellers to those just wanting to take some time out from the usual beach hols. With Exodus you could be watching the wildebeest migration in Tanzania, paragliding in Turkey or dogsledding in snowy Finland."

• Most Exodus trips run are adult group trips, with the average group size of 11 to 12
  
• Independent tours can be organised for two or more people
  
• Trips are graded into Leisurely, Moderate, Challenging and Tough so you know just how fit you need to be

Exodus voyages to these wilderness lands are not like your average cruise. They’ve chartered ice-rated research vessels so you will be getting up close and personal with the incredible beauty and wildlife in these glacial regions.

• Shore excursions and on-board presentations are included, with many other activities such as hiking, snowshoeing, camping and sea kayaking optional
  
• Well-equipped vessels include free access to sun decks, sauna, plunge pool and gym
  
• Look out for special charters featuring well-known experts in their field such as Chris Packham and Planet Earth film editor Andrew Chastney