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. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...
Wonderful scenery and walking combined with an excellent hotel and a first class group leader. Terrible handling of our transfer upon arrival though (see below).
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Getting through some rather poor and nasty weather (and missing lunch as a result) to find a refuge open mid afternoon serving hot meals and gluhwein. We felt like we had earned it!!
What did you think of your group leader?
Met Alejandro before in Tuscany so expected him to be excellent again. He was. Great group leader out on the walks and good company in the evenings too. Very knowledgable and ensured that everyone in the group was catered for.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The hotel Adler was a marvellous place to stay and the staff did their utmost to accomodate everyone's needs.
Great group of people to share the holiday with too.
The only sour point of the holiday was the diversion of the outgoing flight from Innsbruck to Salzberg which was unavoidable due to poor weather. However the shambolic arrangements to meet us and transfer us upon arrival were far from avoidable and should have been handled much, much better. The holiday is worth 5 stars - but the transfer debacle merits at least one star being lost.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walk up Mt Piano with wind chill it was about -35!
What did you think of your group leader?
Karl was very professional and sociable with the group - watch out for the stories and jokes though.......:-)
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The trip notes do not specify details of the walks which i think would have been useful.
The pace is dictated by the group which was a little slow for me and I got quite cold at times waiting around so wrap up. The paths are well marked in most cases, so it was a shame there was not more opportunities to go at your own pace so that fitter members do not feel frustrated by the pace and slower members don't feel hurried.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Great introduction to snowshoeing - scenery lovely, but if you enjoy striding out and covering the miles like I do you may find the pace not to your liking.
Irene Paterson
SNOWSHOEING IN THE DOLOMITES
Written
We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday, but felt a couple of the walks were a bit short. We are quite fit and do a lot of hillwalking at home and found the 'B' grade walks easy. When we go snowshoeing again we will do a 'C' grade. The scenery was spectacular and the area is well worth visiting. Hotel Adler was an excellent place to stay.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching the top of Monte Piano - views were stunning but it was very cold - approx -20.
Sitting outside a pension in the middle of a walk with blankets wrapped around our legs, eating Kaiserchmarren and drinking hot chocolate with rum and looking at stunning scenery - excellent
What did you think of your group leader?
Karl was very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly but could tell some 'tall' stories!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Wear several layers of clothing - it can be extremely cold at the tops of hills.
There are no tea/coffee facilities in the hotel rooms - we took our own kettle and made up flasks for the walks
Use the swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna etc after the walks - helps with achy, tired muscles
The hotel was very good at catering for any special dietary needs and all the meals were excellent and the staff were helpful and friendly
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We would definitely go on another snowshoeing holiday but a 'C' grade, felt the 'B' grade was too easy for us.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Gluhwein!
What did you think of your group leader?
Karl, was a very entertaining, knowledgeable and trustworthy leader.
“Shall we stroll on?” he would say.
On our final day, walking to the summit of Monte Piano, ‘stroll’ became ‘trudge’. Like other days, the effort was worthwhile for the magnificent views.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Snowshoeing is not difficult, and the grade ‘moderate’ is an accurate description.
Worry not: if you’re an average hill-walker you can do this.
There were 5 – 6 hours of leisurely walking every day, and plenty of stops for stories recounted by Karl
The Hotel Adler is everything it says on the tin: a gem with all facilities as described with helpful and welcoming staff. Stuff yourself at breakfast, and you won’t finish the packed lunch provided, but you will be ready to enjoy a 4/5 course evening meal – all of which were worthy of presentation on TV cooking programmes.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Many thanks to Exodus, Karl, Christian (proprietor of Hotel Adler) and his staff … and all those new friends we made.
Wonderful holiday, great leader, good company, correct activity level for grade of trip, good balance of activity and relaxation, lovely hotel with good facilities and welcoming staff. Would wholeheartedly recommend.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Scenary was beautiful... great to be able to get out into unspoilt areas. Some truely magnificent views. Snowshoeing is also lots of fun! Also enjoyed the range of refreshments on offer in the mountain huts.
What did you think of your group leader?
Good guide, experienced and safe leader, also had a good sense of humour and allowed the group to bond quickly and for all to feel included. Gave us enough information to enjoy discovering the area without feeling information overloaded whilst on holiday! Made group safety a priority. Made sure we had a wonderful week.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you like being up in the mountains this trip is a truely memorable experience and highly recommended. Be prepared for extreme cold however so take appropriate clothing. Waterproof ski mittens over the top of gloves particularly helpful! The hotel is wonderful and has great heating so no worries about getting things dried out overnight. Make the most of the spa facilities- very relaxing afer a day on the hills!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Great trip, couldn't reccommend more highly!
Gillian Young
SNOWSHOEING IN THE DOLOMITES
Written
An excellent holiday and good value. Great to have a swim / sauna after a day snowshoeing.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The 2 days Snowshoeing on Monte Piano and Lutterkopf/ Durrakopf - magnificent views and a variety of scenery to walk through.
What did you think of your group leader?
Outstanding. Sara really got to know and understand her clients
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Useful to be able to speak a little German if they were travelling separately from the group and had to make their own way from Innsbruck.
Even though Villabassa is in Italy, the food is heavily Germanic.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Some fastenings /clips of some snowshoes were broken or broke while members of the group were out. Some poles were bent. The snowshoes I had used in France were a much better quality with clip fastenings at the toes and stronger plastic. I suggest the snowshoes used by Exodus could have been better maintained. Also the vehicle which broke down in the low temperatures.
Due to new regulations Sara took the group out on only 4 days. Is it not possible to have a different driver for some of the time?
Please note these comments do not detract from a superb holiday.
This is my 2nd trip with Exodus and was simply fantastic (as was the first), I would thoroughly recommend it. It was extremely beautiful being in Villabassa at Christmas time, the Hotel Alder was wonderful, both management and staff very welcoming/helpful and friendly, gorgeous 5 course dinner each night. Aperitifs on our first evening & Christmas Eve in reception along with carols was gorgeous. The snowshoeing was such brilliant fun walking in a winter wonderland (thankfully the snow fell the Friday before going), each walk gave us beautiful scenery and "THE" most amazing views having the weather on our side most days, even though a couple of the walks involved “chuffin steep climbs” the views totally made up for it and coming back down is always the easiest whichever way we did it by walking/sledding or in my case sliding upside down head first when unable to stay on the sled but had soo much fun though, felt like being a child all over again J
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The climb on Christmas day was a great walk giving the best views in the world (well it certainly felt like I was on top of the world) truly stunning beautiful day enjoying the gorgeous Pandoro & Prosecco to toast Christmas day thanks to Olly our great leader!! Of course we had to eat/drink it all so he didn’t have to carry it down again. The whole experience was truly amazing also having a great group made the experience too I never stopped laughing.
On our day off some of us had a go at cross-country skiing thanks to Eric & Heather for allowing us to participate with them for the day, particularly to Heather for taking us on in the beginners group, my first time putting on any form of skis on and loved it!! Especially the hot chocolate in the cafe at the end of the day.
What did you think of your group leader?
Olly was fantastic very kind, lots of fun (although he needs some more cheesy Xmas tunes) and helpful to all of the group who weren’t quite as quick up the hills as the rest, he looked after us in every way he possibly could whether that was giving out tape for our poor blisters or lending me his jacket to keep me warm, he certainly has the best job in the world!!
Thank you Olly for making the video too (check it out) such great memories!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take the right kit with you along with you and plenty of layers even though walking up makes you extremely hot and having to strip off, you certainly need to put the layers back on again when stopping or reaching the top as it can be extremely cold.
Most of all go with the intention of having fun, even though you might find it hard some days there is always the sense of achievement in reaching the top and enjoying the views and remember you are getting fitter by the day and there is always the lovely spa in the hotel to look forward too at the end of the day so just enjoy it!!!!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I had the most amazing holiday, the Dolomites are awesome, met some lovely people/friends. I’m so glad that I never missed a day walking, you’re only there once (unless you book again) so make the most of it and be happy :-)
from 30 reviews.
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