Reviews

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

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14440 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Amanda Hubbard

Reviewed October 2020

Walking the Amalfi Coast in the days of Covid

This Exodus holiday is one of the most popular and I have wanted to “do it” for years. It combines guided walking, swimming in the sea and pool, a week’s stay in a small and friendly hotel Due Torri above Amalfi, history and sightseeing, and great hospitality, food and wine. This September 2020, we seized the moment (“CARPE DIEM”) and my husband, his brother, and I booked the September 5 week. We realised we were taking a risk, but now we are so relieved we did, as it prepared us to cope with the uncertainties of living with Covid this UK winter. A perfect sunny week without crowds, a wonderful guide (Severio) and such a great, sociable group of 12. We were welcomed at the hotel and in the town of Bomerano – this was the first time they had all opened since March and our guide had been working at the Hotel. As soon as UK relaxes its quarantine rules, be sure to take this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, the warmth and hospitality of the Italians. And definitely Cocktail Hour at the Hotel Due Torri Bar - in particular those gins and tonics before dinner. For my husband completing the Path of the Gods. He is not the walker he used to be before an accident 40+ years ago, but he is proud he made it. And we are grateful to Severio and the group for tolerating his lack of speed! I should mention that this walk was definitely less exposed than Trip Notes had led some of the ladies in our group to expect.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Severio was just great with excellent organisational skills. He was sociable, knowledgable and forebearing with all the group. And best he was Italian with a good understanding of English. We were very lucky. And he even helped me to buy at the local supermarket a kilo of Parmigiano and a pot of Sicilian olives to take back to UK.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walks involve a lot (thousands) of stone and concrete steps - both up and downhill. So bear that in mind if your knees are bad. Bomerano, where the hotel is, is 650 metres above sea level. However there is always the opportunity to complete the walks by public transport and meet up at the bottom. Trip Notes do prepare you, so read them. I regretted missing a guided visit to Herculaneum on our free day, and chose Capri instead, enjoying a dish of spaghetti Vongole at an excellent restaurant recommended by our guide. Next time. We had great guides for Pompeii and Versuvius, part of the holiday.

Keisuke Murata

Reviewed October 2020

Truly enjoyable

It was one of the best hikes I have ever had in my entire life. I did not know that such wonderful mountains with dynamic views existed in Greece. VIllages in Zagori with stone houses, unchanged for centuries, are truly beautiful. All hotels we stayed, except for one night at a mountain refuge, were family owned. They are converted traditional stone houses and wonderful. Local Greek food were delicious.

Most Inspirational Moment

Natural landscapes. Astonishing views of mountains and gorges. Hikes were varied from one day to another, from relatively easy hikes to little bit challenging one to get to the mountain refuge. Aperitifs after a walk at stone-house hotels and cafes at a village plaza were wonderful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic. She, young,dynamic and charming, was the best group leader of Exodus hikes so far as far as I am concerned. Despite difficult conditions with COVID, she managed to make our trip truly enjoyable. With uncertain weather conditions, she flexibly adjusted schedule and itineraries so that we could enjoy every day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This hike in unknown parts of Greece should not be missed. I went there in September. I will come again in spring time.

Lesley Fysh

Reviewed October 2020

Fabulous trip

Just returned from this trip. While destinations are limited at this time, this is no second-rate option. The family-run hotel is lovely with plentiful food and good rooms. The mountains are spectacular and the walks varied in nature.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me there isn't a single answer to this. We had 2 days walking on snow, other days with clear blue skies and pristine meadows, harder days and easier days. The stars of the show are the mountains, and our walks gave us a variety of spectacular views of them and from them.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alina is lovely. Although relatively new to the region she has clearly worked hard to familiarise herself with the walks and the surroundings. She was fun to be with as well as someone who inspired confidence.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Other people have written similar, but I would stress that if you are not normally a pole-user (as I am not) borrow some anyway. In the snow they were invaluable. It's probably fair to grade this as a Moderate, although the snow made it trickier in places and thus a little harder.

Paula Richards

Reviewed October 2020

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.

Jerry Dawson

Reviewed September 2020

Fantastic trip - even more appreciated in these times of COVID restrictions!

I travelled solo on this trip departing on 12 Sept 2020, having booked it quite late as Italy was one of the few venues Brits could travel to without any COVID-related quarantine requirements either end. I was not disappointed. It is a perfect blend of walking (3 days – with fantastic views) and city tours (2 days with a guided tour of each available). Villa Casalta is a quality hotel with rooms with a view and a fabulous terrace overlooking the vineyards and skyline where all meals are eaten. The pool is also very relaxing.

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk to San Gimignano on the last day; the guided walking tours of Siena and Florence; and the session at the Tuscan Wine School in Siena. I also loved my pre-breakfast swims in the pool and the sense of peace at Villa Casalta.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Teresa did a great job and was very personable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is a kettle in the room - and teabags - but bring some instant coffee if you are a coffee drinker!

Chris Millward

Reviewed September 2020

Superb trip

You get out of something what you put in, and that is 100% the case for this holiday. The walking was challenging but so rewarding in terms of scenery and atmosphere. The weather was excellent bar one afternoon and the leaders (Paul and Louise) and the other people on the trip made the holiday outstanding. Plus, finally, the fact that you’re in Italy – what more could you ask for.

Most Inspirational Moment

The scenery, stretching for miles all around near the summit of one of the mountains. We stopped as a group for a minute or two, on a rocky 'plain' before the final steepish climb to the top with the sun warmly shining in blue skies and I thought (and said out loud), 'it doesn't get any better than this'.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul and Louise were outstanding - knowledgeable, helpful, great sense of humour and highly professional

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are two levels of walks so don't be worried about whether it will be too hard. You'll be fine.

Roger Jackson

Reviewed September 2020

Top trek - Do it !!

What a great opportunity to escape the C-19 situation in UK & experience the stupendous Dolomites.
The Exodus office staff were helpful and supportive in advising what trek was suitable within certain countries, within the time ‘window’ I had, given the different country restrictions.

Most Inspirational Moment

....... to stop, quietly absorb the stupendous views and truly appreciate just how amazing and awe inspiring the Dolomites are.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Karl was a true professional. He was so well informed and bought the landscape to life with his knowledge and stories of the history of the area as well of all the flora, fauna and geology. He had spent time before the group arrived to check everything out in specific relation to the impact of C-19 restrictions & conditions and the effect it would have on the group during our stay. Mindful of the varying ability levels of different group members he was motivational and inspirational, encouraging those where and when needed, yet always with safety first and foremost in his mind. Cheerful and engaging it was a pleasure to be in his company every day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Always take full advice from ‘What to take’ page.

Lloyd Coates

Reviewed September 2020

Amazing trip with Sublime scenery

Wow! Thank you for being consistently brilliant! This is my 4th Exodus trip, and it did not disappoint. From the start, the Hotel Adler was a great base with great food and facilities ( you can never really go wrong with Italian food, and the Austrian influence added nicely to the mix).
We had a brilliant guide with Karl, who is not only fun to be around, but very well informed about many things, in an area that is not just a beautiful mountain range, but a WW1 battlefield and part time filmset (think Cliffhanger).
I’ve been very fortunate to go to a number of mountain ranges around the world, including Alaska Range, Himalayas and the Andes – however the Dolomites hold their own and are right up there with the very best.
Despite all that has happenned around the world with Covid this year, it’s great to know that travel is still travel and that we can still visit these places. Do not change the formula – every day hiking got better and better!

Most Inspirational Moment

It's hard to narrow down- Tre Cime, Monte Piano, the view from the Strudelkopf. Great fun afterwards retiring to the hotel for post hike drinks, followed by dinner with a great like-minded bunch of hikers.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic all round good man!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you like hiking, just book it and let the scenery unravel.

Matthew Lodge

Reviewed July 2020

Beyond my expectations

This was a really happy accident. I had wanted to do the Inca Trail, but I booked my trip too late and Exodus put me on the Moonstone Trek instead, which was a ridiculously good piece of fortune.
As it turned out I was the only person on the trek – I felt ridiculously pampered. I had a guide, one chef, two porters and our four pack horses.
The first day we went to the Moonstone which gives the trek it’s name before heading on to the departure site for the trek itself. While climbing up the hills we passed another tourist group coming the other way, but they would be the last tourists I would see until the end of the trek.
The scenery as incredible – not the lush forests you might see on the Inca Trail, but an incredible trek through the high pampas. We walked through little settlements where the locals offered us wheat wine (although my guide said it would probably be best not to take them up on it as it can upset your stomach if you aren’t used to it).
I joined up with the rest of the group in Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu the night before we all headed up, and I decided to get up early the next morning to get a glorious view over the lost city from the sun gate. It was well worth the early start.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of the Accocasa Pass was brilliant and the views were absolutely incredible, while Machu Picchu is everything they say it is. However the best moment for me was camping in the hills above Ollantaytambo with a wonderful view of the nearby peaks and the river valley below the night before the Moonstone Trek ended. Something I'll never forget.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Aside from the trek and Machu Picchu our guide, Smithy, was brilliant. Always willing to help, supremely knowledgeable about the history of the area and gave us some incredible tips for eating out. Fabrizio, my guide on the Moonstone Trek, was fantastic - really knowledgeable and eager to give little insights into the rich history of the area. He was always willing to answer my annoying questions, and very good at keeping my chin up on some of the tougher sections of the trek.

Advice for Potential Travellers

While the altitude didn't cause me any sickness, I could definitely feel it while walking up the hills, especially on the second and third days of the trek. If you can spend an extra day acclimating to it in Cusco. Hiking poles will be your most valuable ally on the trek, especially on the steeper sections where you are panting out of breathe. Buy a cheap poncho in Cusco - you'll definitely need one if it rains, as there is no shelter while your out on the hike until you get into the tent for lunch and dinner. Plus, suncream and a wide brimmed hat are a must for Machu Picchu, as there is little to no shade, especially in the middle of the day.

Deborah P

Reviewed July 2020

Fantastic Trip

I am a little late in posting a review. We returned from this trip in early March, right when everything started to close down due to Covid-19. I can tell you that the memories of this trip have kept me going while sheltering in place. If you are thinking this might be the trip for you, please know that it is very fast paced with moving from place to place almost every night was quite challenging. The cycling itself was challenging based on one’s fitness level. My husband completed every kilometer, while I did about three-quarters of the cycling. A lot of it depends on the heat, but for a female in my early 50s, I found it very doable. We had the most fabulous guide and crew. I cannot say enough of about our guide Son – he was absolutely amazing – taking care of all the details while we enjoyed ourselves. There are plenty of water/snack stops with fresh fruit and amazing snacks (ginger/nuts/cookies). They take very good care of you.

Most Inspirational Moment

We loved the other people on this trip. We were two Americans and the rest of the group was from the UK. Great group of people who helped and encouraged each other each step of the way. I laughed until I cried on many occasions and have kept in contact with a number of individuals from the trip. And riding through towns hearing the kids say “hello” and the adults singing karaoke with large speakers is unforgettable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Son Nguyen was AWESOME. As Covid-19 was present, he was very diligent with cleanliness and offered us hand sanitizer at every opportunity. His motto was “Safety first” and he meant it. He was enthusiastic and was always making sure everyone was okay. He is a top notch guide and you would be very lucky to have him be your tour leader. The support crew was phenomenal - I can’t say enough about their professionalism and friendliness.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack light and prepare for moving almost every night to a different hotel. I think there were three times when we stayed more than one night. Also, don’t feel that you can’t do something. If you don’t want to cycle or you have leg cramps (like happened to me the second day), there is no shame in jumping on the bus. Oh, and get used to finding a place to cop a squat as bathrooms are not always present.

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