Reviews

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

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68 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Lynn Roulstone

Reviewed October 2018

A leisurely week in beautiful Tuscany

This holiday is ideal if you are not sure if you want a walking or a sight-seeing holiday. There are three walks, all of which are well within the capabilities of a reasonably fit person. These walks take in the vineyards, olive groves and woods of this part of Italy and also go via small towns with plenty of opportunity for good lunches or shopping. There are also visits to Sienna, Florence and San Gimignano. In the first there is a guided walk included, the second also has the choice to do a guided walk and the third is a lovely small town for wandering or looking at the frescos in the Duomo. The three wine-tastings are all very good, and there is plenty of opportunity to do more either local to the farmhouse where the trip is based or on the visits to the small towns along the way. For food lovers the meals were all very good and vegetarians are well catered for.

Most Inspirational Moment

Looking at the frescos in the Duomo at San Gimignano. I was blown away by the clarity of the story-telling and the beauty of the painting. The guided tour of Sienna was excellent. There was so much packed into the three hours, included an excellent stop for coffee and cake. Castelina where the trip was based had some interesting Etruscan tombs that, despite having no artefacts remaining, are well worth a visit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz was the best driver I have come cross, ferrying us about with great efficiency. She knows the local area well so was able to fit in a quick visit to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa on the way to the airport, an unforeseen bonus. This local knowledge came in useful when suggesting things to do on our day off and during the walks, where she ensured that we were able to see lots of interesting things along the way. All together one of the best tour guides I have met.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walking is a little hilly, but someone with a reasonable level of fitness will not find it a problem. There are a lot of mosquitos about (and we were there late in the season) so come prepared with repellent etc. Castelina, where the trip is based, is a town well worth exploring, the Etruscan tombs are more interesting than you might think. The archaeological museum is small, but worth a visit, as the entrance fee includes being able to go to the top of the tower, where there are some excellent views. If you like ice-cream be sure to visit the gelateria in town, it is very good.

Suggestions

I thought the tour was a good balance of sight-seeing, walking and wine-tasting. We didn't go on the Florence trip as we know the city quite well, and really appreciated a day getting to know the local area better.

Philippa Kurys

Reviewed September 2018

1st time Exodus experience

This was our first holiday with Exodus. Usually we are independent travellers so we were both a bit nervous about a group ‘organised ‘ trip but we needn’t have worried. We had a great group of people; different backgrounds and nationalities which made for an interesting week of getting to know each other. Our fabulous guide Mark was absolutely brilliant, patient, helpful and very accommodating, keeping us out of too much sun, well watered and well informed about the various places we visited. Roberta, our host at the villa was absolutely lovely and looked after us wonderfully with the help of Margarita. We really had a great week and as well as being very impressed with our trip we’ve also been inspired by the experiences of Exodus from our fellow travelers; definitely food for thought for future trips.

Most Inspirational Moment

We loved Siena, such a beautiful city, full of history, culture and of course wine. We really enjoyed the walking tour with Alicia, she was so passionate about her home and the history of the districts. We had a great wine school experience and just thoroughly enjoyed our day there.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mark was just brilliant, we really can't praise him highly enough. He really looked after us all, making various arrangements for individuals, giving us lots of local history and information and taking the time to check information and relay info after we'd returned from the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take insect repellent as there were definitely more biting bugs than we'd anticipated. Have room in your case for wine and olive oil, managed to get 10 bottles home in total between 2 of us but there were so many lovely wines to try, you don't want to miss out.

Suggestions

Just that we were very impressed with the whole holiday and felt it was very good value for money. We also did the cookery school on our free day which was great fun and another opportunity to meet some new people and learn about Tuscan food.

Denise Stafford

Reviewed September 2018

Beautiful Tuscany

Wonderful week – three lovely walks through the Italian countryside and some delicious wine tasting! The wonderful Hill top towns we walked to and through were beautiful and, Siena and Florence were amazing. However, the latter was very busy, but that I suspect is due to the place.

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving at the airport in Pisa to a welcome and then meeting others in the group. I knew it would be a good week. Looking down on Florence from the car park enjoying good food, wine and company

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader Mark was well organised, knowledgeable and made everything interesting and great fun. his attention to detail was second to none and he knew where to find the best coffee, cakes, wine, ice cream everywhere we went!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walking is not flat so be prepared to walk up and down hills! Mosquitos and insects abound, so some insect repellant and bit cream is a must! A liking for red wine and good food certainly helps, as does enjoying breakfast outside looking over the beautiful Tuscan hills.

Suggestions

Great trip and would certainly recommend.

Beth Laker

Reviewed September 2018

Totally Tuscany ...

One week of great walks , great hospitality and great food .. superb leader in Mark and combined with the warmth of the late summer sun we couldn’t ask for a better way to spend a holiday than to walk the vineyards and taste the grape 🍇

Most Inspirational Moment

After a wonderful walk through working vineyards we spent an afternoon in the company of new friends in a small wine merchants shop , just us , eating Tuscan bread and cold meats drizzled with truffle oil and tasting truly glorious Turscan Chianti’s ... blissful

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mark was a really excellent guide - just as we have come to expect with Exodus . His attention to detail and his generous spirit of care with regard to differing walking paces made him a great guide - his knowledge of the area and his quiet manner working behind the scenes to make everything run like clockwork is a credit to the Company

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take insect repellent - the mosquitos are vicious and will find you !!!

Suggestions

A good mix of walking and culture - with trips to Siena and Florence this tour provides interest throughout ...

Barry Cox

Reviewed September 2018

Too much Chianti in Chianti . . hic!

This trip is a superb blend of walking, culture and fun. The villa is wonderful and in a great location a short walk from Castellina in Chianti; I especially liked the outdoors breakfast area but everything about it is so quintessentially Tuscan. The scenery is stunning and visits to Siena and Florence gave the balance of walking and culture with the bonus of the wine tastings which added the fun. The walks were well graded and much as I expected in terms of length, but there was also plenty of free time to enjoy the area. The Chianti flowed at dinner time and made for great evenings for the lovely group I was in even if some nights there was just a tad too much Chianti in Chianti!

Most Inspirational Moment

Without doubt the Uffizi gallery in Florence; the gallery itself, the location with views over the city, and the art was quite breath-taking. I had to pinch myself to believe that I was standing next to a Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Caravaggio or Michelangelo original. Florence itself is quite breath-taking too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Clearly Mark comes with much experience and he hugely enhanced the trip with his variety of much appreciated snacks on the walks, finding cheap and good coffee with clean toilets in Florence, and giving us free time in the afternoons whilst he collected the minibus to take us back to the villa. His advice on where to eat or drink was always spot on. The icing on the cake for me was Mark finding a way for me to spend the last afternoon in Pisa and visit the Leaning Tower, whilst he took my luggage to the airport. Full marks Mark!

Advice for Potential Travellers

My calf muscles did ache on a few days so get some exercise in before you go - Tuscany is hilly! Pre-book the Uffizi to avoid the queues - I did and it worked perfectly.

Suggestions

The villa has a great attitude to its guests consuming their own food and drink by the pool, and free tea and coffee is always available. The shower was a bit small for me but this is nit-picking in an otherwise perfect trip.

Alan Rawlings

Reviewed September 2018

Come prepared

The walks were more challenging than we anticipated from their description

Most Inspirational Moment

Finishing the walk to Radda which for us at the ages of 72 and 64 was particularly challenging

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mark Middleton was an excellent leader and host

Advice for Potential Travellers

For this trip make sure you get plenty of practice in particularly going uphill !!!

Suggestions

Although at times it was hard work the trip was on the whole very enjoyable The accommodation and staff were first rate The wine was plentiful and Tuscany was stunning

sally ashton

Reviewed June 2018

excellent trip

Wonderful combination of walks, wine , villages and cities, with a nice group of people.
Weather sunny but not too hot, allowing half day hilly walks in comfort and
the scenery was even better than anticipated, thanks to previous spring rain.
The planning was excellent, but there was enough time to do our thing .

Most Inspirational Moment

Siena. The local guide was charming and painted a lively picture of rivalry between the communities for the Palio. The Campo is stunning

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz was great- energetic, well organised, knowledgeable, thoughtful and fun

Advice for Potential Travellers

We paid extra for a guided tour of Florence. The city was very crowded , and following the guide in a group was not worth the effort, though she was very (too?) informative. There is not time to view all Florence has to offer in a day. I would advise strolling round to see the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, the Piazza della Signoria , then a leisurely lunch followed by a visit to the Boboli and Bardini gardens. Or perhaps a week's stay in winter!

Suggestions

My third Exodus trip. All have been great

Malcolm Conrad

Reviewed June 2018

A very enjoyable holiday!

A very enjoyable week away. Comfortable rustic accommodation with friendly staff set in the beautiful surrounding Chianti countryside. A relaxed balance of healthy moderate walking, interesting wine tasting and well planned city visits.

Most Inspirational Moment

The outstanding beauty of the Chianti region, in particular the magnificent views experienced on our glorious summer day's walk to San Gimignano. Also discovering a taste for the 'rooster label' Chianti wine.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz Proctor our group leader was excellent. With tireless energy she worked really hard to ensure that everyone enjoyed their holiday experience to the full.

Martin Butler

Reviewed June 2018

Beautiful Tuscany

We had an amazing time walking and sampling wines that we had never tried before but are now fans of. Our leader Liz Proctor was excellent, knowledgeable, tirelessly helpful and made our first walking holiday a pleasure. The villa Casalta was rustic and beautiful. The only problem that we had was the plumbing in room 22. The shower diverter was broken. we reported it and they said yes it is broken and did not fix it, also no hot water in the evening after a long day walking. This needs to be rectified. Meals were good apart from the first night where the main course was a sla b of cold pork with gravy!

Most Inspirational Moment

The country side and the walks.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz was amazing, looking after everyone checking people were ok on the walks bringing out treats along the way. She arranged for a cake and bottle of wine for my wife’s birthday which was a lovely thought.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walks are at a pace where most people would be comfortable with.

Sally Chandler

Reviewed June 2018

Good

Really enjoyed the trip as nothing was too much trouble for Liz our leader. The pace was leisurely throughout but thought the terrain warranted a grade of more 2-3 as very hilly at times, and sometimes hard for even for experienced walkers in our group. This should be included in the description/information of the trip details so other walkers are aware. The farmhouse was lovely and very rustic. Food was excellent and three courses for dinner! The only criticism is the showers – they were not hot and after a long day walking and travelling, you definately need a hot shower. Overall, I would definately recommend Exodus.