Chianti: Walking & Wine: Italy Walking Holiday

Our Clients’ Reviews

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...

Average Review Rating: from 12 reviews.

brendan O'Neill

CHIANTI: WALKING & WINE

Written September 2012
great mix of a holiday, fantastic scenery, walking 95% off roads, great sight seeing too!!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
having breakfast as the mist cleared revealing the tuscan view - beautiful.
What did you think of your group leader?
took great care of us, very clear in her directions, made sure we had nothong to worry about, and went the extra mile.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
be prepared for it to be wamer than the UK, possibly humid too.
Leena Malde

CHIANTI: WALKING & WINE

Written June 2012
A very well put together trip.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The wealth of knowledge of our leader was apparent from day one and hearing of all of his experiences both in Italy and around the rest of the globe was fantastic.
The food was incredible - all of it - the meals at the Fattoria were delicious and varied, the ice cream was superb as you would expect, and the meals out were superb too.
What did you think of your group leader?
Very knoweldgeable and charismatic. He knew at least a little bit about everything, even the wild flowers, fauna and of course the luscious fruits. Ale always made sure we had the right footwear for the type of day we would be having and checked weather forecasts for us too.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go and enjoy! The food is superb and your guide may offer you the option for a picnic lunch on one of the days. Take it - it was great! We lounged under olive trees eating bread, meat, cheese, olives, sundried tomatoes and fruit. The walks are not hard at all, of course lots of up and down but Ale let us take things at whatever pace we wanted to so that didn't hinder things at all.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A lovely trip. My first centre-based trip so it was a joy to leave my toothbrush by the same sink for so many days! Beautiful landscapes, friendly people, amazing wine and plenty of it.
Leah Martin

CHIANTI: WALKING & WINE

Written May 2012
The trip had a really good balance of activities, with plently to do while still leaving you time to relax and chill out. Tuscany is so beautiful and Fattoria Voltrona was a great place to stay. I would definitely recommend this trip to my friends.
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What did you think of your group leader?
Karl and Ale were both excellent guides. They took really good care of the group and were fun people to hang out with.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The trip suits a wide variety of ages, both my mum and I had a great time.
Suzanne Martin

WALKING IN TUSCANY

Written May 2012
Wonderful guides, people, scenery, walks, wine and accommodations. Everything was excellent.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Standing on the balcony at Fattoria Voltrona looking at the incredible scenery.
I love Australia but this took my breathe away.
The villages that we passed through on our walks. Old and beautiful.
What did you think of your group leader?
Karl was fabulous. This was my first trip with a group leader and a group of people that I didn't know.
From the first meeting at the airport Karl made me feel very welcome.
Karl was always very happy, helpful and also interesting to listen to.
Karl appeared to take time to make sure everyone was included in all group activities and that no one was left out unless they wanted to be.
I would recommend this tour and Karl to anyone that was interested in this sort of trip.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Good walking shoe and be prepare for a lot of hills and steps.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Also would like to aknowledge the other group leader that was with our group. Ale. Also excellent.
Yvonne NEGUS

CHIANTI: WALKING & WINE

Written October 2011
As on a previous Exodus holiday,the very disparate group 'bonded' well and quickly and we had a lot of fun .
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walking through the beautiful, peaceful countryside to Greve on a bright sunny autumn day , with the vine leaves just turning and the wonderful light . Just as I imagined Tuscany to be .The 'local' market was something of a disapointment but watching the post -market clear- up (which revealed a very pretty square) was revelatory (you had to be there!). Apparently the wine- tasting in Greve was quite an experience (we stuck to a very long lunch......).
San Gimignano was also truly lovely .Local guide gave us a good sense of its history and importance . Also had three great meals there.
What did you think of your group leader?
He had apparently not done this trip before . Our visits to Siena and Volterra would have been much enhanced by having a local/experienced guide. We had one in San Gimignano on our first day, as he was indisposed, and it really made a difference. Any group really interested in the history/culture (as well as the wine/walking) might be advised to club together to engage a local guide in these circumstances .
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If travelling in mid- Oct be prepared for the mornings and evenings to be quite cold . The wind at (hill- top) Volterra was also cutting . I had taken a fleece but I could have done with more long trousers.
No problem with mosquitos or other insects, to my relief.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Fatorria Voltrona was really nice.Plenty of hot water, powerful shower and the heating came on at night .Big, very simple rooms,with tiled floors. We were lucky enough to be at the front with a fabulous view over the countryside. Food was variable but plentiful-4 courses- and the wine supply was more than generous . Staff were very helpful and pleasant .
Annabel Fearnley

CHIANTI: WALKING & WINE

Written April 2011
An absolutely gorgeous part of Italy, and great for the novice wine taster. The three walks were fairly easy and we had plenty of time to discover Siena, as well as Florence on our day off. Our guide, Merv, was extremely chilled and great company, and really accomodating (took me out for an extra walk one afternoon). He even took as back to Pisa a little early so we could swing by the leaning tower! Not much private time due to sharing a room, but I didn't mind!
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Nicki Parker

CHIANTI: WALKING & WINE - SEPT 2010

Written August 2010
This was our first Exodus trip and it didn't disappoint. We went in September so the number of tourists at key places would be less and it was a good decision! The group was varied so there was always someone different to talk to, the walking was not strenuous, the range of activities on offer was excellent and there was no pressure to do anything we didn't want to do - we even took a day off to laze by the pool at the lovely Agri-tourisme farmhouse Fattoria Voltrona, surrounded by nothing but rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards. Bliss!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Just being able to see for miles around when on the walks in beautiful Tuscan countryside. The wine tasting was pretty inspirational too!
The ancient town of Colle Val D'Elsa was my favourite historical place to visit as it was peaceful and unspoiled (maybe also something to do with the beautiful crystal shops and the glass of Prosecco in the fabulous bar in the old town square!).
We were also lucky enough to visit Greve when the wine tasting festival was taking place and have kept our special wine glasses as momentos for years to come!
What did you think of your group leader?
Liz was excellent, really knew her stuff. She dealt with the usual holiday ups and downs in the group with great humour and patience. She had maps and info books ready, and lots of stories to tell and advice to give! Even the bus breaking down at the end of the trip didn't phase her and she sorted it all out calmly despite Italian garages causing many problems for her. Luckily we were fine - we weren't far from the next wine-tasting venue!!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Try and do a bit of walking before you go or raise your fitness level a little, so that you can fully appreciate the beautiful surroundings as you walk without suffering too much!
Early September is a great time to go as it's not too hot to walk (yet still lovely and warm) but don't leave it any later than mid-September as the thunder clouds started to roll into the hilly regions by the end of our stay.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This holiday is perfect for those who want to see lovely scenery, enjoy a bit of walking with some hills, experience some key cities (Siena, Florence) and medieval towns (San Gimignano, Greve, Volterra, Colle Val D'Elsa) and really immerse themselves in the delicious wine and food that Tuscany has to offer!
Thank you Liz and Exodus!