Thoughts on Group Leader
I would highly recommend Michela, she was an excellent guide.
Reviews
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Reviews
Walks of the Cinque Terre
This was my first trip not only with Exodus but on any walking group holiday. It could not have been better! The promise was to enjoy varied walks in stunning locations, and that was what was delivered. Key to the success of this holiday were the efforts of our guide Michela who worked tirelessly on all aspects of the of the trip and ensured the whole group had the very best of times.
Cinque Terre
Trip was great, sites and scenery was amazing. One of the best places in Italy to visit. Our guide Michela was brilliant, well organised efficient and loads of fun as well. Nothing was to much trouble for her.
Most Inspirational Moment
Couldn’t pick one moment they were all really great
Thoughts on Group Leader
Michela was very very good. The best group leader of any trip so far and I’ve done quite a few.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Learn some Italian (with Dave)
Suggestions
Had a great time. Highly recommended.
Fantastic walking
Feeling a bit trepidatious, as it was our first trip abroad since covid, we needn’t have worried. This was a fabulous week walking in the most beautiful Ligurian countryside. Michela put us at ease straight away, along with the rest of a very, friendly group. Moneglia was an excellent base, away from the very busy villages along the Cinque Terre, but offering an excellent train service to the start of our walks. It was great to come back and swim at the end of the day. It also had a choice of fabulous restaurants and focaccerias.
Most Inspirational Moment
All of the walks were so beautiful and different. My favourite walks were between the Cinque Terre villages, particularly looking down at Vernazza from the "Blue Path" and the stunning walk between Cornelia and Manarola, walking through the terraced vineyards and beautiful wild flowers. Each village had its own character, but my favourite was Corniglia, smaller and quieter than the others. The wine tasting was also an amazing experience. Luca was so passionate and knowledgeable and the restaurant was small and atmospheric. We went back the following night for an amazing meal.
Thoughts on Group Leader
We have travelled many times with Exodus and have to say Michela was an absolutely, brilliant guide. She was so well organised and everything ran so efficiently. We appreciated the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to achieve this. Her expert knowledge and love of the area was obvious. She was gentle and caring, constantly checking that all members of the group were okay. She gave us various options of boat or train at points in the walk, if we felt the walking was too much at any point. This was greatly appreciated by some members of the group. At the end of our week with her, she felt like a good friend.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Read the trip notes carefully, as they tell you exactly what the walks are like, then you will enjoy your trip and be rewarded by spectacular walks and scenery. Good footwear and poles help navigate the steep ascents and descents.
Suggestions
This is a fabulous holiday in a beautiful part of Italy, so great to be travelling abroad again. Also loved the gelato and sorbets, particularly pistachio!
Excellent trip
Excellent holiday. Michela was a very good guide, the best I’ve had from Exodus. I learned a lot of Italian! The walks are a suitable length and great scenery. On my free day I walked to Sestri Levante from the hotel in Moneglia, this 10 mile walk was much more remote than the group ones with amazing views. I would recommend the holiday.
Most Inspirational Moment
All walks were great
Thoughts on Group Leader
Michela Wicks was a fantastic leader. Organised, friendly, helpful and fun to be with. The whole trip was seamless.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don’t get the pork in the included dinner at the hotel, it was really bad! Walking to Sestri Levante on the day off was a really good walk in terms of views and paths.
Fantastic vacation!!
We had a great time hiking the Ligurian hills and the Cinque Terre towns. Michela was a great guide, she immediately became an integral part of our group with her gentle, yet thoughtful leadership. We had wonderful views, beautifully-maintained trails and a lot of laughs. Some of us raced ahead to explore all that nature had to offer while others meandered slowly taking pictures of everything. The trail options made our trip accessible to everyone in our group with all our varied walking and hiking abilities. We enjoyed exploring new towns everyday and trying our language skills with everyone we met.
Most Inspirational Moment
When the view of Portofino opened up before us on the hike from Santa Margherita.
Thoughts on Group Leader
She was a great leader. She had a gentle, yet commanding way of keeping us together and taking care of our issues on the trail. She was a great friend and mentor, explaining about the area, the people, the customs and the way of life.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring hiking boots, poles, a rain jacket, water bottles and make sure you are in good hiking shape before you leave.
Suggestions
We are planning to use Exodus for our next trip to the Amalfi Coast.
Fantastic... everything :)
An exhilarating week of walking in beautiful Liguria complemented by great food and drink.
Most Inspirational Moment
The amazing view looking down on Corniglia against a lively turquoise sea on the last day - absolutely stunning. The wine tasting was also fabulous - interesting wines in a very atmospheric restaurant.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Michela was brilliant: she was informative, really adaptable given the challenges of coronavirus and the occasionally stormy weather and made some great suggestions for where we could eat out in the evening.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Italy’s a great place to go despite coronavirus - it felt very safe and clean. Be prepared for lots of mask wearing.
Amber warning
This was a great trip, with spectacular scenery, delicious food and a comfortable hotel. Although the steps (up and down) involved should not be underestimated, the ‘amber warning’ refers to the rainstorm that coincided with our day off. Despite this, I would recommend this trip to anyone who enoys coastal scenery and even suggest this relatively late departure date to avoid some of the crowds in the popular Cinque Terre villages.
Most Inspirational Moment
The walk to Portofino was probably the best but this reflects that it was the sunniest day, so the photographs remind us what a wonderful day we had. However, the overall enjoyment owed a lot to a wonderful group of fellow walkers. It was certianly one of the most musical Exodus trips I have taken.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Michela was great. She warned us of the likelihood of bad weather on the Tuesday, moved the rest day so that it coincided. She provided all the information we needed to take the proposed trip to Genoa but then came to breakfast early on Tuesday morning to warn us that the weather forecast had deteriorated and that we should stay closer to Moneglia. We did indeed experience a dramatic storm and were very pleased that we were not high in the hills when it happened. The drowned walkers we saw about town made us glad for Michela's advice. She also managed to keep the group together very well, so that the speed of ascent and descent (tricky after the rain) suited us all. Very professional.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't be put off from going late in the season. Even in October we met lots of people on the footpaths of the Cinque Terre but I can see it would be musch busier in summer. The rain was warm! Take walking poles if you have them - particularly useful on slippery descents.
Suggestions
I really like these weeks when we are able to travel to/from our walks using the local trains.
Just a few more steps...
We joined the majority of our group mid-Sept with Michela in Pisa. An informal meet and greet and an idea as to what to expect was laid out each day.
As quoted by our fearless leader ‘A little bit of up and then we level off’
this was – pretty much the start of every glorious day.
Michela was a great guide – easy going, kept us on point and moving at a comfortable pace.
A couple of the days were more steep than others, it was super hot when we were there which didn’t help. On a cooler day, the up’s would have been a lot more tolerable.
The last day provided some amazing views.
Moneglia is a cute/quiet town with great options for dining – the host hotel was super comfortable and crazy clean!
Most Inspirational Moment
Each day really! if it wasn't just getting to the top of the hill , it was turning a corner and being in awe of some really great picture moments of the Cinque Terre.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Fantastic leader! It's not an easy task keeping every one happy and in order. Michela always made sure we had options. Options if someone wasn't well, or wasn't comfortable with the hike. Options for restaurants and suggestions on our free day. She also constantly checked in with everyone as we hiked and kept us updated as to how much longer or what to expect along the way. Thank you Michela!!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't underestimate the walks. Up is up and down is down.!! If the heat bothers you, try for a cooler season. Hiking boots are a must.
Suggestions
The only small point - the first hiking day. It was mainly in the forest with a few short glimpses of water /valleys. It's a great workout, (that was the inspirational part) and the hikes get better. So hang in there and carry forward.
A fabulous week
This was my first Exodus walking holiday and I will definetly be doing more. Our guide Michela was fantastic, making every day a day to remember. Her walks were sometimes challenging but always within everyone’s capabilities and we visited some amazing villages. The holiday did not stop there as Moneglia where we stayed was full of restaurants which made for wonderful evenings out.
Most Inspirational Moment
Every day was inspiring whether it was climbing up the hills, walking through the woods or down into the villages but our last walk across the terraces will be one of my favourite memories
Thoughts on Group Leader
You could not ask for a better leader. Michela looked after us day and night, making sure everyone was happy with what they were doing and offering alternatives if the main activity did not suit. Michela is very knowledgable and interesting, telling us all about the places we visited. She also looked after us in the evening suggesting and organising different restaurants for group meals. Nothing was too much trouble for Michela even down to making sure we all got home safely.
Advice for Potential Travellers
There are some steep climbs, but nothing impossible for so.eone of average fitness. Walking poles can be useful on some of the rougher descents.
Suggestions
A fantastic holiday. Go for it
Wonderful week
I have recently returned from this holiday and can honestly say it was one of the best Exodus walking trips I have done.
The area itself is unique and stunningly beautiful.
Every day was different and incredibly well organised by Michela , our leader who was excellent.
The week was busy but never felt too much and was a really comprehensive tour of the Ligurian coast.
The hotel was lovely with good rooms and a great breakfast buffet.
Most Inspirational Moment
This is very difficult to say as each of the walks had its own breathtaking moment - - whether it was a view as we walked into one of the towns or the silence of the forests. We also all took a boat trip on our free day and the views from the boat were amazing - sailing into Portovenere was stunning.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Michela as I have said was excellent. There was so much thought that went into everything she organised. If someone did not want to do all the walking or wanted a day off she was so helpful and detailed in regard to other options. She was incredibly knowledgeable and interesting - not only with exploring the area but with restaurant recommendations. The food was fabulous. Nothing was too much trouble and there was genuine concern that we should all have a wonderful holiday.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Some of the walks are challenging as they are steep at times with many steps .... definitely worth it for the views , and you don’t have to be super fit but a reasonable ability to walk up and down hills is definitely advisable.
Suggestions
If you like Italy and enjoy walking this holiday is a must.