Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

I really enjoyed the walk to the Gorruppu Gorge and the walk up to Tiscali. Lovely shady paths through trees and great views. Also enjoyed the clambering over rocks. I really enjoyed the visit to the Grotta del Bue Marino. We went by boat on our free day and the cave is amazing! On the same day enjoyed a fish lunch and Vermentino (white) wine in the restaurant at Cala Gonone, overlooking the beautiful bay.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alexis was cool! A fun personality and very polite and helpful. Kept everyone well motivated and was always attentive to individual's needs and kept the group together. He helped organise other activities for the free day and was always around if needed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Sardinia is a lovely island. May was ideal for walking, not too hot and lovely weather. Bear in mind that the walking is on quite stony paths so have robust footwear with you and socks that wick.

Suggestions

I'd go back to Sardinia, it's very relaxed and it's just what I needed.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching Tiscali

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowledgeable and personable

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting a great and varied group of people. Its the people that can sometimes reset your life.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent leader however I consider that local leaders often add more to the holiday with their local knowledge of the area, culture and history.

Suggestions

We wre not happy with the late change of flight times considering we had to pay early to secure the flights.

Most Inspirational Moment

The high sides of the Gorropu Gorge were awesome. Grotta degli Ispinigoli was well worth the visit with its huge column and the Bue Marino Grotto too. The climb to Tiscali was tough in places but well worth the effort.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eric was excellent. Very helpful, patient and sociable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you like the med with scenery, peace and quiet, good food and wine , then this could be the place for you. I would love to go back and see more of Sardinia as this trip concentrates on a very small area of the island.

Most Inspirational Moment

Gorrupo Gorge lived up to the hype.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eric Woolley was very good and helpful. If he didn't know an answer he made sure he found out and advised us asap. Not a grumble but we thought his timing was sometimes awry for the walks. An hour became an "Eric hour" - usually about 65 or 70 mins. Not a problem as the group found this amusing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking poles could be more of a hindrance on the rocky slopes up to Tiscali. Many group members without poles found the going easier using both hands for leverage than those with poles.

Suggestions

Would have been nice if the hotel had a swimming pool.

Most Inspirational Moment

The scrambles up and along quite rocky paths to get to some stunning views on the walk to Tiscali.  The Gorrupu Gorge was amazing too.  Really enjoyed the hike along the coast on the last day - more great walking and fully justified the HUGE gelato I treated myself to at the end

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were a wide range of walking abilities in the group - Eric had a difficult job balancing the hares vs the tortoises, but managed to keep us together ... at least for the scenery and food stops though not always when walking on a clear path!

Advice for Potential Travellers

We were really lucky with the weather, it was never less than 25C.  I was fine with walking trainers (Reeboks).  It was too warm for boots but they'd give better ankle support if needed.  Likewise take poles if you find them helpful, but I personally find it easier to negotiate rocky scrambles on all fours (where poles would get in the way)Walking sandals (Tevas and co) would be OK for the first day walk (all on roads), but no more than that.Main thing is to be prepared for some extended stiff scrambles (up rocky / bouldery paths) - the first part of the Tiscali walk and then the climb up to Tiscali are the worst - but generally the walking is pretty much on the flat.  I thought the first 2 days were more "A" grade because they were on paths / roads without much scrambling (unless you went up Gorrupu Gorge).  The last 2 walks were more "B" grade because of the more difficult terrain, but much more interesting because they were point to point rather than out and back along the same track.I was worried I'd struggle with an A/B grade walk because I'd done almost no walking the previous 2 months due to the dire weather back home and was fine.

Suggestions

Take clothes with loose waist bands.  There's no shortage of food on this trip, and the staff at the hotel were great with the dietary requirements of the group (veggie, gluten free...)!  I don't think any of us lost weight.

Most Inspirational Moment

Swimming in the sea after a gruelling walk.A beautiful blue green sea,transparent water and gentle warm sea breezes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eric was very kind and tried hard to meet the individual needs of all the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The rock is hard ,sharp limestone .Even the experienced hikers found the walks demanding.Would suggest Exodus reconsider reclassification to Moderate.Make sure walking boots are tried and tested with some heavy duty plasters. The walks are mainly linear and flora and range of wild life limited.The hotel was excellent -providing wonderful food and a relaxed family atmosphere. If you are interested in the history of the island then read up before you go as the local guides can be difficult to understand and some have a limited knowledge of the archaeology . The locals are friendly and helpful.They will go out of their way to make sure you enjoy all aspects of Sardinian life.

Suggestions

The success of this trip depends on the dynamics of the group.If they are supportive ,inclusive and have a great sense of humour then you will have a great time.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think my favouite was the Gorropu Gorge, but also loved the Tiscali walk, visiting the Blue Marino Grotto on my free day and the mass of Spring flowers and in particular the spectacular orchids.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eric was a good leader, but he did not have a great Knowledge of Italian which I think would have been useful on occassions. He was shadowed by Christine, who will do some of the future trips and she speaks Italian fluently.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I did not have a problem with any of the walking and bit of scrambling on the Tiscali and Cala Luna walks, but some in the group were not so happy and there was a discussion at the end of the holiday whether it was slightly undergraded and whether some parts of the itinerary should be modified. To my mind it would miss out some of the best bits, so I think the holiday should stay the same and perhaps modify the grade slightly if felt necessary.

Suggestions

I have been on the Evia and Amalfi holidays which are the same grade, but slightly easier, as I like a sea and mountainous holiday in the Spring when it is green and floral, and Sardinia was my favourite.  As a Coeliac I would recommend this holiday to anyone requiring a gluten free diet as the Hotel S'Adde went out of their way to provide for the diet.

Most Inspirational Moment

The final walk along the coast to Cala Luna followed by an afternoon on the beach and boat trip back was the highlight for me

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rudy was an excellent group leader, very organized and helpful and great at keeping an eye on all members of the party

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring boots and shoes, the walking is quite varied and you don't need boots everyday

Suggestions

It's a great holiday - book it

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved the last 3 walks in particular, each offering a chance to experience different aspects of the area.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leader did a fantastic job making sure that all group members had a good time/had their needs considered.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Dorgali is only a small town so be prepared to make plans to either explore further afield or take books etc. entertain yourself on the rest day.