Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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.

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14440 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Catherine Whitehead

Reviewed May 2022

You're the Top

Excellent trip – had a really great time. The walking was varied and enjoyable with a mix of woods and mountain tops, rocks and even the odd patch of snow. I can’t praise our guide Sarah enough. We were able to spread out and enjoy the walking at a different pace if we wanted but to come together easily for stops and directions. The landscape is stunning with magnificent views. She went out of her way to make the holiday special and to include everyone.
Starting in the agristurismo made the holiday much more special. The sense that you are joining a family, the food is produced on site and cooked and prepare in a traditional style. The bedrooms are simple but functional and the site itself is a lovely place to stay with chickens wandering around and a golf course on site.
The day we spent with the local guide was also really enjoyable – walking at a lower level and learning all about the area through different environments.
We also had a lovely day in Lucca – we all decided to do the same day off, travelled together and although we split up to explore Lucca met up and travelled back and shared a meal out. The people on the trip are what make it and I couldn’t have had a nicer group. I enjoyed every minute of this holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

I always find it inspirational to exert myself to climb a mountain and then take the time to take in the vast landscape below and to put any outside worries into perspective. There were many opportunities to do this on this trip but I think the day we climbed Monte Ferato was my favourite because the view was so panoramic. I took a moment to absorb it before others came up the mountain. I also hired a bike and rode it through the streets of Lucca out of the walled area and found myself at a level crossing and by the time the train arrived a group of Italian women all shopping on bikes had gathered one by one and struck up conversations with each other and me. An impromptu social gathering in response to an unwelcome delay..

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sarah was extraordinary - going out of her way for everyone to make the holiday work. Providing those with sore knees tape to provide support and teaching us about the area, the farm, the family history and the providing little snacks. Her fitness and lifestyle is inspirational. When we climbed the highest mountain I left my fleece on the very top. It was one that they don't make anymore and was a favourite. The next day was Sarah's day off and she climbed back up the mountain and got it back for me which was really above and beyond and I was very grateful. On the last night we all performed a few verses of a song I wrote to say thank you to her - which was great fun but probably quite painful to listen to.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't be fooled into thinking that Tuscany in April will be warm. At the top of the mountain I needed all my layers and I really bought clothing for strolling through rolling hills not climbing. As a result I had too many t shirts and not enough warm layers. You do however need both that work together. I think a down jacket would have been helpful and don't forget waterproof trousers. I didn't wear walking boots just walking shoes and its not as craggy walking as Iceland where I felt I did need my boots for ankle stability. I was happy to rely on the food from the farm which is fine for the packed lunch but others took snacks with them.

David Bacon

Reviewed May 2022

Super holiday

My first holiday with Exodus and everything went very smoothly. The programme organised by Exodus was just right for this lovely part of Italy and our group leader was excellent. The hotel was good and all members of the group were good company.

Most Inspirational Moment

The way Severio, the group leader, provided interesting information on the places visited and the history and life of the region.

Thoughts on Group Leader

As noted above, Severio was excellent. Nothing was too much trouble for him and his organisation was faultless.

John Teal

Reviewed May 2022

Good walking but poor accommodation

This is a pleasant walking trip. Interesting Flora and fauna and as always a good guide provided by Exodus. The down side is a poor selection of Hotels and cost cutting by the company on transport.
This is the first Exodus trip I have been on where there is no company transit or bus. The group used public transport which led to delays and pressure to get certain buses and led to a rigid timetable. ( so after a long walk we had about 10 mins to buy and finish a drink because of the pressure to catch a certain bus)
The Hotel in Santana was tired . It provided a poor selection of food and because there were other big groups staying there service was slow and the food not that good. As the majority of guests were walkers I was surprised that the hotel had no wet room or any facilities to dry clothes and boots. On both walking days the weather was cold and wet and no heating was available in the bedrooms.
The Hotel in Funcal was small and cramped, although well located. We had 3 single beds crammed into our room and with the bags there was not much room to manoeuvre. Breakfast was poor with very little choice and the staff overworked. we ate out during our stay there

Most Inspirational Moment

The walking in the mountains and following Lavadas is definitely the highlight of the trip. Wonderful flowers and back drops

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was very good. Funny and passionate about his island he made a real effort to engage with the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip is not cheap and you will have to consider extra costs of eating out in restaurants that can be pricey. In Funcal try the whale watching/ Dolphin trip and go to the botanical Gardens.

Alison Stokes

Reviewed May 2022

So much in a week!

Wow what a trip. I initially booked this trip to see Petra but there is so much more of Jordan to see. Our guide Muayad went beyond expectations, from providing a picnic overlooking the “Grand Canyon” of Jordan, to where to get the best falafels in town. The night in the desert is something else.
It’s a busy trip, with lots of 7.30 am starts, but would I have missed anything we did for a lay-in – definitely not. Wonderful fellow travellers as well.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many but the desert is up there along with that first sight of The Treasury at Petra. Also looking over at the lights of Jerusalem and Jericho from the terrace of our Dead Sea hotel.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Muayad was fantastic - went the extra mile to show us Jordan and why he loves his country so much. So many little things like giving us Turkish delight, arranging a picnic with amazing foods such as eggplants stuffed with walnuts. Took us to local stalls to buy our lunch so, instead of spending several dinars on a wrap we were paying half a dinar in places. Thank you Muayad - and I still don’t want a camel my dear!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go and immerse yourself in what this lovely country has. There is a lot to cover and you may well be shattered at the end of the day but I wouldn’t have missed a thing!

June MacDonald

Reviewed May 2022

Describes the itinerary

An excellent way to discover Sicily and her past

Most Inspirational Moment

Valley of the temples

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent Knowledgable Organise Friendly A people person

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare for all weathers

Marjory McMenemy

Reviewed May 2022

Annapurna Sanctuary Trek - 23 April 22

Wonderful trip, enjoyable from start to finish. We enjoyed the company of our group and the professional attention of our guide, Phurba Sherpa, and his team.
The trek was graded well and although it was challenging at times it was also very enjoyable. Would recommend this trip to anyone reasonably fit. The pace of the walking is based on the group and no-one feels pressured to keep up.
Exodus has a very good reputation in Nepal for treating their staff well and contributing to the community favourably.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching Annapurna Base Camp was definitely a high moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Phurba Sherpa was the perfect leader. He took great care of every aspect of our trip and made us feel very safe and secure in his company. He also shared his knowledge on all things Nepal during our evening briefings and his sense of humour came across, which made things all the more enjoyable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just to prepare well in terms of fitness and kit.

Sharon Gebhard

Reviewed May 2022

A little tougher than moderate but spectacular!

A wonderful trip that shows you many of the Inca sights before you take those last few emotional steps towards the sun gate and see Machu Picchu sitting below you.

I’m so glad I took this option rather than the easy train day trip to MP as it was personally rewarding, challenging and incredibly memorable.

It was a little tougher than I expected but completely doable – I walked away having seen mountains like never before, been amazed at the strength and ease at which porters scale the mountains, dined on 3 course meals, slept above the clouds, felt like I could touch the stars enjoyed the company of wonderful fellow trekkers and met a passionate tour guide (Roul) who helped pull it all together.

Feels like a dream already just a week after the event, but I totally recommend it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roul was great. He was organised, kept us motivated and focussed and ensured we had a wonderful time!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go light on clothes and your daypack. Minimise everything but layers are so important especially on that 3rd night. Don’t carry too many snacks as you will be fed so well they are rarely needed - I have mine to the porters!

Sue Potter

Reviewed May 2022

James Bond locations, baroque towns and wonderful food

A lovely and unexplored part of Italy. Interesting hill top towns and coastal areas. A very relaxed trip with plenty of free time (maybe a little too much). Matera, Alberobello and Lecci were the highlights for me. All stunning. Food and wine excellent everywhere: plenty of local cuisine. Polignano, Ostuni and Otranto were lovely but easily seen in a couple of hours. Graded as 1 but there are lots of steep steps in Matera and Ostuni. There was an extra walk added from the masseria lunch to Ostuni (about 2 hours) which hadn’t been mentioned in the trip notes and meant those unable to walk had to pay for a transfer. Definitely need good shoes for this. We were unable to complete the listed coastal walk due to rain.
All hotels were great, central and/or in historic buildings. No long journeys.
Would recommend for a relaxing introduction to the region.

Most Inspirational Moment

Matera: seeing the kestrels swooping in the mornings, views all over the town, esp from the gorge walk. Staying in a trullo The visit to the olive farm. Lecce's wonderful cathedrals and rooftop terrace of hotel.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabrizio was very enthusiastic and helpful, with lots of suggestions for restaurants etc. He did a lovely welcome/orientation session. Always joined us for meals, was very good at dietary requirements etc. His instructions/timings etc were always very clear. He was always very sociable with the group and happy to chat. As previously mentioned some of his information was out of date eg opening times for cathedral, restaurants but this was probably due to post Covid changes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Good shoes. Waterproof and jacket for the April departures. Solo travellers should be aware that there are quite a few free afternoons.

Michael Carr

Reviewed May 2022

Highly Recommended

This was not our first walking holiday in Italy but it was the first time that we had been with Exodus and our first experience of staying in an agiturismo. This type of accommodation adds to the experience in that there is more interaction with the local community and greater exposure to their way of life. Although not as popular as some other regions of Italy Garfagnana is well worth a visit and deserves to be better known.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding. Our previous trips with Exodus have been with leaders who are native to the country. This has many advantages. Although she is english, Sara has led this trip for over 15 years and is pretty much accepted as a native by the locals. Furthermore, her professionalism and dedication to making the trip safe and enjoyable for the group was beyond question. Shortcomings in equipment were overcome using spare kit that she has accumulated over the years, minor injuries werer attended to, advice on how to use walking poles was dispensed, rail tickets were acquired on our behalf etc etc - both the expected and unexpected were more than adequately addressed. She even baked buns to welcome us back from our walk on her day off

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have the appropriate clothing and equipment for a day out in the mountains.

Jean Hackett

Reviewed May 2022

Well worth waiting for: the first post-Covid trip!

We first booked this trip to travel in April 2020, and had postponed it 3 times before we heard it would happen – and with fewer restrictions/requirements as the departure date approached, for which we were most grateful.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention, but street food in Palermo markets, lunch in Piazza Armerina, and all the incidentals associated with visits to local producers (meeting water buffalo herd, cookery lesson near Trapani). Visits to cultural sites were a good contrast: it was interesting to see how they had developed and changed since we visited over 15 years ago. The fact that, despite its being the first tour for over 2 years, it all seemed to run smoothly.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rosario was really enthusiastic about the history and culture of his home island, and ready to transmit this in his good English; he also has a good sense of humour, which may have been tested at times. He managed to deal with the varying requirements of the group, and was always ready with recommendations of ways to spend any spare time, or places to eat. Our driver, Maurizio, was excellent, both at negotiating some of the roads and dealing with slight changes to the route, in particular being led through Piazza Armerina by a police car, rather than having to wait for an hour while the Giro di Sicilia passed through.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't expect a restful holiday! Apart from at the beginning and end, with 2 nights each in Palermo and Catania, we stayed somewhere different every night; that provides a challenge for sensible packing. if you're going in early April as we did, you may need some warmer clothes to deal with the time in Ragusa, Noto and Mt. Etna: while the UK was having a heatwave, we were all scrabbling for extra layers to cope with the cold winds!

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