Reviews

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

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44 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Reviewed November 2014

Cycle Tuscany and Chianti

A spectacular cycling trip with a ‘wow’ at every turn and summit. It blends fantastic scenery with exactly the right amount of culture which a cycling holiday in this region rightly deserves. The food and wine are likewise to the exquisite standard you would expect;so don’t go in the hope of loosing weight.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling in to all of the beautiful Tuscan towns in which we stayed were inspirational. However, our triumphal entry to our very own room with a view, Florence was extra special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alex and Simon were both extremely encouraging, professional and knowledgeable. Being relatively new to cycling I found their advice and guidance plus technical tips extremely useful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Buy yourself a little handle bar bag (available on line) they are big enough for everything you need with you throughout the day and for any extras the van is never too far away. If you want to treat yourself to a commemorative cycling jersey go to the little sports shop on the square in San Gimignano they're expensive in all the towns but slightly cheaper there and well worth investing in as a great memento of the trip.

Suggestions

Don't waste time thinking about this holiday just get booked. You won't regret it. I went in early October and had excellent cycling weather.

Reviewed October 2014

Beautiful HILLY Tuscany

So as a complete novice to cycling I discovered it is a wonderful way to see a country, but damned hard work in this hilly part of the world!
Great group of people to share the holiday experience with. Helpful supportive guides, but make sure you prepare for this trip with hill training.

Most Inspirational Moment

The end! Knowing I had finished, achieved and arrived at beautiful Florence

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alex was very knowledgeable about the region having guided this trip before. Together with Tug, I found them to be encouraging and supportive. I particularly liked the distraction techniques Tug used to help with the hill climbs

Advice for Potential Travellers

Train, train, train! I was totally unprepared in terms of how much cycling I had done pre trip. In particular I had not done enough hill training and there are lots of hill climbs. In Tuscany, all the villages and towns we visited sit atop a hill. This means you spend a short time cycling down and then most of the day cycling uphill. September was a great time of year to go as it was warm, but not too hot. I can only imagine how hard this trip would be in the heat of summer.

Suggestions

I had a great time, so much so we are looking at another cycle trip next year! The trip was well organised, the hire bikes were of good quality and the guides friendly, helpful and supportive. I particularly liked the fact that the days included plenty of fequent stops for drinks and food. It gave you enough time to look around, but more time in San Gimiagno would have been nice. Of note the trip notes underestimate the distances cycled, but as Alex always said, it's not the distance that matters but the climbs! You will find yourself feeling a great sense of achievement by the end of it all, and Tuscany is beautiful.

Alan Stanton

Reviewed September 2014

Cycling in Tuscany, Siena and Chianti

This was our first cycling holiday and we really enjoyed it. Wonderful views, great food and wine and good company. It was well-organised and well-led.

Most Inspirational Moment

The day we spent in San Grimignano when it was too wet to ride (although we enjoyed the cycling a lot).

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leaders, Radu and Natalie, were excellent. They were very knowledgeable, well-organised and good at solving problems.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Tuscany is quite hilly. It might be a good idea to try some hills in England first. If a hill is really formidable you can get a lift in the support vehicle so you don't need to worry about the hills too much. In September the weather in Tuscany can be wet. Taking good quality waterproofs is a good idea because although it may be possible to take a day off cycling because of bad weather there will be days when you have to cycle whatever the weather because you need to get to the next destination.

Suggestions

Overall, this was a fantastic holiday.

Susan Coupe

Reviewed August 2014

Susan, Christchurch

A wonderful tour of a beautiful region, using quiet roads and enjoying authentic Italian cuisine

Most Inspirational Moment

meeting the challenge of some meaty climbs and longer cycle rides. The changing scenary, the fun and banter between the other members of the group.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Radu was a very professional leader and a real motivator. He was informative and able to cater for the wide range of abilities within the group. Somehow he found the energy to be sociable in the evenings and his local knowledge meant he could locate good restaurants.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read carefully the experience and ability required for the cycling. This trip was rated moderate to challenging which is fair. Sometimes we cycled over 50 miles in some hilly sections. It is not appropriate for cyclists that have little understanding of gears and only cycle occasionally at a leisurely pace.

Suggestions

The hotels were rated 3 and 4 star. Although clean, they were closer to 2 star accommodation by UK standards.

Louise Ungless

Reviewed May 2014

Tuscany: Cycle Siena & Chianti

I really enjoyed this trip. Beautiful countryside, fantastic cycling, delicious food and wine and a great group of people. Good coffee and gelato stops in historic towns and plenty of picnic lunches. If you like to keep active but also love your food, then this trip is perfect.

Most Inspirational Moment

A 5km hill becoming fairly easy by the end of the week (goes to show how much your fitness level increases during the week.) Cycling into the cobbled medieval streets of Sienna and down into the main square. Cycling through the vineyards and quaint villages of Chianti. Having a very good reason to eat twice as much as usual, since we had to 'refuel' for the next day. Discovering that other members of the group are just as obsessed with food as I am. Realising that I can still make it up a hill after a complimentary shot of limoncello from a restaurant at lunch time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Radu and Alejandro were fantastic leaders and experienced cyclists. They worked brilliantly both together and independently. They also prepared some fantastic picnics for lunch stops and provided good snacks for refuelling. They knew the best places to eat in town (and where to get the best gelato.) Everything went smoothly and the group had a fantastic time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My first cycling holiday, so I'm glad I had a reasonable level of fitness for the 'undulating' countryside, 'spicy hills' and hilltop towns/villages (and there's an optional 7km non stop hill at the end of a long cycling day too). I wish I'd taken a gel seat cover as well as padded shorts (I didn't take my own saddle). I probably would've taken clip on shoes too.

Suggestions

The pici (fat spaghetti) is amazing! Prosecco is cheap too.

Reviewed September 2013

CYCLE THROUGH SIENA & CHIANTI

Amazing historic towns. Beautiful countryside varying from the endless rolling hills earlier in the ride to the greener, prettier hills of Chianti. Great company, delicious food and wonderful wine.

Most Inspirational Moment

It has to be the ride into Sienna and arriving in the main sqaure. It's also pretty amazing arriving in Piazza Michelangelo in Florence. The Piazza del Miracolos in Pisa takes some beating. or maybe it was the first taste of Vino Nobile de Montepulciano?

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leaders Mike and Rudy were both great, very experienced and committed to making sure that everything went smoothly and that everyone in the group had a great time. Nothing was a problem and they worked hard all the time to make things even better.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The distances are not long but it's quite up and down. You'll enjoy the trip more if you do some hill training before you go. There is an optional hill to ride up on the return from San Gimignano - the incline is gradual so you can certainly complete it and it's a great feeling when you reach the top and look down where you've come from!

Suggestions

There is a local pasta called pici, which is like a fat spaghetti. It's only available freshly made so this is the only place you can get it. It's really delicious with pecorino cheese and black pepper.

Reviewed August 2013

CYCLE THROUGH SIENA & CHIANTI

We really enjoyed this trip, and are so glad we chose it. What a pleasure to cycle through beautiful Tuscany on some great routes. Every hill seemed to have a village on it, and you get to stop in some of them!

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably riding into Siena in the evening light (we were late).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great. Thanks Radu and Juan: Enthusiastic, organised and caring.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Well, to get to those hilltop villages you have got to get up the hills - and there are a lot of them! And some are quite long. Also, it was very hot in August, so if you struggle With hills, think about taking the holiday at a different time. That said, everyone in our group managed them.

Suggestions

I want to do it again!

Reviewed August 2013

CYCLE THROUGH SIENA & CHIANTI

Not what was expected but thoroughly enjoyable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the end without needing medical attention.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mike was very patient considering the differing levels of bike experience and differing budgets of fellow travellers. Its a hard job balancing everyone's expectations and Mike did a fine job.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although the trip notes given before the trip are quite informative, I believe my fellow travellers would benefit from taking a small questionnaire before embarking on this “life changing” tour, just to make sure they fully comprehend the road ahead, shall we say. Have you ridden 100km or more on a real life bicycle ie not on a gaming machine? Have you ridden a gym bicycle at level 15 for more than 20 secs? Do you warm up with a 60minute spin class?Have you worn top to toe lycra? Do you own several lycra outfits in bright glowing colours? Do your lycra pants have an inbuilt nappy?Do you have a bicycle without a basket on the front? Do you own more than one bicycle to accommodate different terrains?Do you and your friends “slip-stream” on weekends? Have you ever worked out your relative velocity?Can you name the last 5 winners of the Tour De France? Do you know the chemical name for EPO?Can you judge a road gradient by 2% by looking at it from a distance of 100m or more? Can you describe more than 5 different road surfaces and conditions?Have you taken your bicycle on a plane with you? Does your bicycle live in the house with you and your family and not in the garage?Have you digested something that does not resemble a food item but contains 200 calories? Does having to chew your food irritate you?Do you know what chaffing cream is? Have you weed yourself on a bicycle and rode on? If you answer yes to the above questions you are going to LOVE LOVE LOVE this holiday!!!! This is a cycling holiday that just happens to be in Tuscany, not a tour a Tuscany that happens to be on a bicycle. If like me you don’t rides bikes, didn’t prepare, unsure of what “undulating” country-side actually means and on the chubby side, do the holiday anyway!!!! 7 days after the tour your muscles have recovered, you can sit comfortably in a chair and you have erased the memories of ingesting bugs and drinking sweat. You will be proud as punch of your achievements and only remember the gorgeous views and fabulous dinners with Tuscan wines! Just Do It!!!!!!

Suggestions

Ditch the meal in the first hotel in San Quirico.

Reviewed July 2012

TUSCANY: CYCLE SIENA & CHIANTI

We have learned a new meaning for the term "undulating", but to be fair, we knew in advance that Tuscany is hilly. If you wish to cycle every km of this trip, then a reasonable level of fitness will be required. That said, the effort is well worth while. The scenery is fantastic. The road surfaces are excellent. The gravel paths are great fun and the hill top villages and towns are stunning. We were blessed with the weather to match and a fantastic group of people to share it with.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling the final climb into Siena, after a 70km ride, to arrive at the famous Piazza, then to be guided through the Siena streets by Allessandro. A most memorable day. Wonderful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Already voted for the awards! Excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although this is described as "B" Moderate, there are some climbs (otherwise described as "undulations") but the idea is that you go at your own pace and enjoy every moment of every day and especially the wonderful scenery. There is absolutely no pressure to keep up with anyone else in the group. It is very much a "no pressure" trip, but if you are willing to push yourself, it is a great fitness challenge. ps padded cycling shorts are a must!

Suggestions

One of the best, if not "THE" best holiday, which we have ever had. We'll be back...soon.

Reviewed May 2012

TUSCANY: CYCLE SIENA & CHIANTI

I enjoyed myself so much that I must book another trip quickly! Everybody was great, really kind and supportive and our tour leader was amazing, Rudy worked 24/7 to make sure everyone’s needs were catered for and gave nothing less than his honest opinion! A very memorable trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were lots of moments especially in the first few days when i realised I would be fitter once the trip was over, how amazing the scenery was, the food was delicious and I especially enjoyed the preseco!!! The atmosphere between everyone made the trip even better! The entire trip was an inspirational moment!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rudy set such a high standard that i'm wondering if any other group leader will live up to it! I suppose I should book another trip to find out! Rudy took care of everyone and went beyond the usual call of duty to attend to everyone's particular needs! All of us apprieciated the effort he put it to making our trip the best ever!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just book and go with the flow! You won't regret it!

Suggestions

Cycling up and down hills, great company, great preseco!!! What more could a person want or need!!

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