Sicilian Volcanoes

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...

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

• 

  Robert Emery

  SICILIAN VOLCANOES

  

  Written May 2013

  I thoroughly enjoyed the holiday.  The highlights were definitely the three days walking on the volcanoes themselves, all of which were very different from one another.  Stromboli was the only day that I thought was demanding from a walking point of view, but that suited me perfectly for my first trip with Exodus.  I will definitely be booking more trips with Exodus in the future.   

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The highlight of the trip was the evening ascent on Stromboli which is the most constantly active of the three volcanoes. It is included as an optional walk and was definitely the most demanding day's walking but something I would recommend to everyone considering going on the trip as the experience was spectacular. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our group leader Turi was very good.  He made an extra effort to arrange additional excursions on the free day and the final Sunday when we had additional time in Catania due to a late flight back to the UK.  Overall he was very relaxed and although there was some hiccups over hotels and restaurants I thought his style suited the holiday as a whole. 

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Because the walking takes place on four different islands there is a fair amount of travelling in the holiday with short one or two night stops in most of the hotels.  This means you will be living out of your suitcase quite a bit so pack carefully and leave enough room that you can pack a light rucksack for a day's walking and still fit everything else in your suitcase for transport to the next location.

   
• 

  Robert Norman

  SICILIAN VOLCANOES

  

  Written May 2013

  A fun way to spend a week. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Undoubtedly, watching the lava eruptions at the top of Stromboli. I would happily have spent much more time up there than we were permitted.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our group leader (GL) did many things well but, I feel, fell short in some areas. It was his first trip of the year so maybe he was just out of practice at thinking for a group. He didn’t seem to realise that it is best to be VERY clear when giving out where-we-should-be-when-type instructions. Usually he was OK (and got better as the week went on) but, to begin with, I (and some others) struggled to get clear, precise information. Also, he should have kept a closer eye on where everyone in the group was and should not always have been at the front. And, on a couple of occasions, he tried to simply laugh off issues/complaints people raised. As a strategy, this is actually more irritating than effective.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  As others have stated in their reviews, you do need to pack for a wide variety of weather conditions and temperatures. The tops of the volcanoes (Vulcano, Stromboli, etc.) really can be VERY cold and windy so I’d advise wearing several layers. A thin, windproof jacket is worth taking and a pair of gloves and a warm hat really wouldn’t go amiss (you could probably get away with thin gloves most of the time). Gaitors are useful for some of the dustier downhill sections but you can get by without. Hiking boots (rather than shoes) are essential, I would say, both to reduce the amount of dust and other debris that gets in and for the ankle support (twist an ankle on day one and you won’t be seeing the tops of any more volcanoes).
  
  I’m not sure, at 65 euros (£55), the trip up Etna is really worth it. Despite (I’d say) the somewhat misleading impression you get from the Exodus trip notes, you don’t go anywhere near the summit (apparently, according to our Etna guide, no-one has been to the summit for the 20+ years since the last big eruption) and, instead, get to go as far as (what they euphemistically call) "the summit zone". It may seem a bit churlish to say "65 euros seems like a lot to walk down one of the most famous volcanoes in the world" but I honestly think it is. Maybe it is because I feel very short-changed by the guide we had on Etna. It felt very rushed and he suffered from, what I’ll call, "Guide Fatigue" (where a guide has obviously done the same route so many times s/he is just going through the motions – forgetting that, for his/her customers, this is the first (and probably only) time they will see the sight). On top of that, I really don’t want to do anything to encourage the idea that it is OK to charge people to walk on certain mountains. It sets a dangerous precedent. I realise that the argument will be "That’s to pay for the guide to keep you safe on what is, actually, a live volcano!" but even if that is the case, there were 13 people in my party so 845 euros seems excessive.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Well, it was bound to happen: if I kept doing trips with Exodus, eventually, I’d go on one that didn't reach the usual high standards. This was my sixth trip with Exodus and, to be honest, I’d have to say that my overall experience was somewhat disappointing. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy a lot of things about the trip or regret going but it wasn’t as successful and satisfying a trip as Exodus’s trips usually are and, I believe, this one could have been. The group didn’t gel very well at all and I think the attitude of our GL made things worse rather than better. In my experience, Exodus GL’s are usually very good at spotting conflict and clashes early and do their best to smooth things over but, as that didn’t happen on this trip, what started out as low level resentment festered into significant hostility towards the end. Also, I felt rushed a lot of the time during the treks. I appreciate that there is always going to be bone of contention between the people who want to walk fast and the people who want to take their time to take in the scenery, take a lot of photos (or take their time over composing their photos) but, ultimately, it is up to the GL to strike a balance between the extremes. I didn’t feel this happened on this trip (our GL siding far more with the people who wanted to walk faster and get the walks/treks over more quickly – often, only to spend and hour or more extra in a bar or, otherwise, hanging around). I’m sorry, but I can go to a bar anywhere, anytime but it is very unlikely I will hike on Etna ever again during my time on this planet!
  
  I feel the Trip Notes - both the text and some of the photos used - are somewhat misleading. I don’t know where that photo at the top of page 3 of the trip notes was taken but we certainly didn’t get any views that resembled it and we didn’t go anywhere that got us anything like that close to any lava. In the current Trip Notes it states "The highlight for many comes as we return to the mainland and trek on Mount Etna … with the option to climb to the summit.". This statement is blatantly untrue as, as I describe above, no-one gets to go anywhere near the summit of Mount Etna. You can go to (what is cunningly named) the "summit zone" at 2900 metres but you won’t be allowed to hike to anything like the actual summit (3300 metres). Later in the Trip Notes what you will actually get to see and do on Etna is much more accurately described but the above sentence, in the opening section of the Trip Notes, is misleading. This same paragraph of text makes reference to “areas of bubbling sea due to underwater fumaroles; rocks with a network of clefts from which boiling water gushes and hot springs.” Nope, didn’t see any of those.
  
  Reading back over the above before finally submitting this review to Exodus I am concerned that I sound like a whinger who’s looking to find fault and I am worried that it gives too negative an impression. As I say, overall, I enjoyed the trip and certainly don’t regret doing it. I just feel it could have been a lot better..

   
• 

  Helen Baker

  SICILIAN VOLCANOES

  

  Written April 2013

  What an experience!  I was amazed at how beautiful the islands were, the scenery was breathtaking, the people very friendly and the volcanic activity showing us just how impressive it can be.  The weather was very warm which was a shock coming from a cold UK but with breathtaking views at every corner who could not relax.  The food was plentiful and tasty, the bars in the right place to provide a chilled beer and a welcome and friendly atmosphere at the end of each trek.  What a wonderful week. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Stromboli volcano provided the most amazing sight with two craters erupting, lava flowing down the side of the volcano and watching the rocks plummeting into the sea.  Even though the dust was blowing in my direction, my jaw was dropped in awe at the sight before me.  Although I had a windproof jacket, I was a little cold whilst standing on the lower road but it took Turi, our tour leader, three goes in which to get me to go back to the hotel.  I couldn't tear myself away from watching the power of Mother Nature.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Turi shared his passion of his country, his joy of the outdoors with it’s amazing scenery.  He was enthusiastic, entertaining, fun and a joy to spend a week exploring a beautiful part of the world.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Don't hesitate, go for this amazing trip.  Keep an open mind as sometimes the volcanoes don't want you to climb them so throw down a dust cloud that halts your plans but there is always an amazing plan B around the corner.  The volcanoes are magnificent and even from a distance you can see their power and majesty.  Layers are the key so when you do get to climb Stromboli and Etna you will definitely need at least 2/3 layers under your windproof/waterproof jacket.  I took a buff and a mask with me as I am slightly asthmatic.  Both of these definitely helped dull the sulphur smell when we walked up Volcanoe and through it's sulphur clouds.  Worth doing as the view of the vents are very interesting.

   
• 

  Frances Newby

  SICILIAN VOLCANOES

  

  Written October 2012

  Our trip was a wonderful experience, but maybe a little more challenging than we expected. Our guide, Federica, was one of the highlights of the week. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The night hike on Stromboli was incredible and I will never forget it.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Federica was helpful, informative, and a terrific person.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be ready for any kind of weather, we had beach weather in Lipari and cold, wintry weather on Etna.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This was a great family trip and a wonderful shared experience.

   
• 

  Audrie Smith

  SICILIAN VOLCANOES

  

  Written October 2012

  great holiday! well organised, guide very friendly, knowledgable & helpful - and the volcanoes were fantastic! 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Definitely stromboli! watching a live volcano in action - amazing! Even better than I imagined!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  excellent - well organised, friendly, helpful and knowledgable.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Do this trip! Walking when it was very warm was a little difficult, so make sure you are reasonably fit, but do it!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  the Aeolian islands may well be the most beautiful place I've ever been! The locals were very friendly - and the dodogs real characters!

   
• 

  Angela Grant

  SICILIAN VOLCANOES

  

  Written September 2012

  A truly memorable trip. lots of knowledge gained, much laughter along the way, and makes you realise the sheer power and sometimes unpredictability of our planet. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The first WOW moment sighting for me, of craters and fumaroles on Vulcano;

   A "silent"  electric storm over Stromboli viewed at night from a restaurant in Cannetto, Lipari

  Running under the sulphur fumes in the wind on Vulcano to try to avoid the amazing choking sensations; with like-minded people, and collapsing with laughter!

   Managing the 2 hour descent of Stromboli in the dark in a line of dozens of people all decked out with helmets and head torches, with the moon and planet formations overhead, and the lights of a cruise liner far below in the bay.

  Etna - all of it from beginning to end, including the fun of the "scree ski-ing" and the grey mists, and varies vegetation at the different levels.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Turi was very organised in terms of itineraries, a great guide, (being a local)  was very knowlegeable and communicated this with great enthusiasm. He was at one with the group from very earky on.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Make the most of the optional  trips eg Stromboli at night, and Etna - all of our group did both and anyone missing these experiences would have regretted it!

  Obey the kit list in terms of warm weather wear, wind/ water proofs, and strong walking boots and gaiters - I only wore trainers on the first day, and then migrated to the boots as being much more suitable for the terrain - never took them off!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I have been on many ski holidays in the past and found this to be similar in terms of the hard physical work during the day ( not TOO challenging but you need to be fit!), the fantastic volcanic scenery we all shared, albeir grey not white(!) and the great camaradie and laughter within the group which has lasted beyond the actual week!!  Fantastic holiday and hundreds of happy memories and photos!

   
• 

  Margie Hammond

  SICILIAN VOLCANOES

  

  Written September 2012

  An easy introduction to all things volcanic made all the more enjoyable by the camaraderie of a fun group. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  • The atmospheric crater of Vulcano with its smell, smoke, fumerole heat and distant view of Stromboli. 
  • In Lapari wine tasting was a great way at the beginning to get to know each other and sample the excellent local vino.
  • Descending steeply from Stromboli in the softest volcanic sand you could imagine. It's pitch black, look up and the heavens are filled to bursting with stars. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Turi was open, friendly and professional, going the extra mile to arrange things for us even in free time.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Deffinitley take a bright head torch for the night climb of Stromboli. You will get bitten by mosquitos in your rooms and out! Debateable whether you need gaiters - long trousers and reasonabley high walking boots were sufficient to keep the ash out of mine and most others in the group I think.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I've only scored this 3 stars because there isn't anything that's not possible to do easliy on your own without a group. Most dissapointing was having to join public tours, with group numbers doubling in size to ascend Stromboli and Mt Etna. On both occasions there was little opportunity to truely take in your surroundings or photograph them because of time and extended group size restraints. In particular we waited an hour and a half before we could set off for our climb up to Stromboli (waitng for members of the public to join us). This meant we were the last group to leave and were nowhere near the top by sunset, seeing nothing of the magnificance of Strombili. Though the trip notes do say you need escorting by a trained guide, they are misleading in not revealing these are tours for the general public which anyone can book in advance.

   

1 | 2 | 3 | 4