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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14502 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Jim Cross

Reviewed July 2017

Awesome "Super Grouppo!"

This was my first cycle tour with Exodus and my first cycle tour in Italy. It will not be the last with Exodus or in Italy. The experience was awesome! I flew across the pond from the states expecting a great trip with two friends. It wasn’t just a great trip it was awesome! We met the other members of our tour group and our fantastic guide Michele at the Mestre airport and traveled to Bolzano for our first overnight. We were fitted for bikes the next morning. Michele installed my seat and pedals from my bike at home. We were given a handlebar bag to keep and a pannier and lock to use during the tour. My bike was great and performed flawlessly for the week!
The Dolomites and the Adige river valley are very scenic to say the least. The cycling was primarily on cycle paths. We didn’t need to worry about traffic, we could just take in the beauty of Italy. The times we did cross or use roadways or roundabouts Michele was very careful to insure the group’s safety.
After a day on the bikes we bonded as a group. I came with two friends. I left at the end of the week with eleven other friends! The lodging was comfortable and the food was great! Michele even gave the option of a pre breakfast ride a couple of times to those that desired more saddle time. That’s me! Michele definitely has a passion for Italy, people, and showing others a great time! He has a wealth of knowledge about Italy, and the towns and villages we passed through. Michele introduced the group to his family at dinner in Vicenza! The group enjoyed getting to know them.
I strongly urge anyone with a spirit of adventure to take this tour. If you cycle at all you are set. If not grab a bike and cycle a bit or go to a spin class for a few weeks prior to your tour. It’s relaxed paced cycling with a couple of challenges thrown in for spice. Michele will insure you will be a survivor and what views you will see and memories you will make!

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moment for me was the groups "Last Supper" in Venice. The glorious week of riding, scenery, and group camaraderie was coming to a close. Two of the ladies in the tour group secretly purchased trinkets for each tour member that they deemed went with our individual personalities. Each tour member was presented their "gift" and told why that gift was chosen for them at our closing dinner. It was great fun and helped take the edge off the fact that our tour was over...at least until we can book the next one!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele is a six star group leader if there are six stars! Michele cares about everyone in the tour and insures that a great time is enjoyed by all. He is passionate about his job, Italy, and people. I always felt completely safe and secure on the cycle paths, streets, and roundabouts. Michele is a wealth of knowledge on Italy and the villages we passed through. I would love to tour with Michele again!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you think you can't do this, think again. The cycling is easy for the most part. There are a couple of challenges for spice but you might surprise yourself. Michele will not let you fail! If you cycle at all you are golden. If you aren't a cyclist go to a spin class or get a bike and ride a bit to acclimate your body to the bike. Then sign up, pedal down the Adige river valley, and enjoy the views!

Nat Black

Reviewed July 2017

Fantastic trek around Mont Blanc

This trip is a great way to see the Alps as you circumnavigate Mont Blanc. Along the way the peak appears and a disappears as the scenery changes. Going earlier on the season means the trail is less busy. It was a very peaceful two weeks in the mountains with lots of fresh air. The one thing I found quite shocking is how quickly the glaciers are disappearing!
The camping is also a great experience, the group comes together so there is a real communal feel, teamwork is key.

Most Inspirational Moment

Completing the whole circuit and finishing at Brevent. The views are super and that is your reward for walking up hill all day (1500m). Going up the Aiguille du Midi is also incredible, it is great to get so close to Mont Blanc. The gondola ride across the glacier is also very memorable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jenny was a great leader, she was very knowledgeable about the trail and knew where all the lovely hut stops were.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You need to enjoy walking up and down, you are not often walking on flat trails, so practice those ups and downs. The Aiguille du Midi is definitely worth doing. It is cheaper to go up from the Italian side, however if the weather is bad wait until you get to Chamonix.

Mark Craven

Reviewed July 2017

Tour du Mont Blanc Hotel Trek

This trek coupled with excellent weather and brilliant company, ranks as one of the most enjoyable adventure tours we have undertaken in the past 10 years. It was challenging at times, and the days were usually long, but that first ice cold beer never tasted better. Constantly changing scenery, beautiful flowers and butterflies makes for a photographer’s paradise. Our advice if you love walking in stunning scenery is to do the trip while you can, the sense of achievement for us was as satisfying as completing Kilimanjaro.

Most Inspirational Moment

The final days walking to the high point at Brevent was long, but the culmination of two weeks of arduous trekking, realising you’ve achieved your goal, standing at the top taking in the spectacular views, with a bunch of strangers who had now become your best buddies, makes for a fabulous experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

You just couldn’t get a more knowledgeable, understanding or thoughtful guide than Peter. He was relaxed yet in full control, helping and encouraging where needed, nothing phased him at all. His lunchtime picnics were a culinary highlight of the day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Apprehensive of the walking grade at altitude we did train quite a bit, probably not as much as we should have done due to leading normal busy lives, but if you’re a regular walker and are used to putting the hours in, you will be fine. It goes without saying to get your kit sorted out and bedded in beforehand, there isn’t much time once you’re underway, but bring Compeed in any case, as even the most comfortable boots and socks can play up after 10hrs plus day after day. Also pack light as there are plenty of opportunities to rinse out and dry trekking gear.

Graham Keetch

Reviewed July 2017

Spectacular !

A stunning location. A good hotel close to the centre with great food and service: the leaders Albert and Ingrid were excellent and had well researched all of the walks. A great week was had by all. Thank you

Most Inspirational Moment

Stunning location with spectacular mountain walks.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both were excellent and very professional

Advice for Potential Travellers

A beautiful part of the world

Katie Shilton

Reviewed July 2017

Amazing Amalfi Coast

An absolutely delightful trip with lots of stunning scenery, great days out, wonderful company and lovely food.

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been – and I have been to a lot of them.

There are no long drives on this trip at all which is great but even when you are on the bus the views are so spectacular the journey just flies by.

The Hotel Due Torri is a lovely family run hotel with fabulous meals. I particularly enjoyed the optional evening in which we did a bbq as the seafood was divine. They also have a great cocktail menu which most of us took advantage of.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the Path of the Gods walk as it is just stunning and wasn't as hard as I expected. I enjoyed it so much I would be tempted to go back and do the walking tour as it is a very nice area for walking. On the free day we did walk down to Priaino and Marina Dei Praia which was great as well. Capri is just stunning and I would also recommend going to Villa Cimbrone in Ravello as many of us felt this was a definite highlight.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Severio was a good tour leader. He was a really nice guy and everything ran really smoothly. The only thing I would say is that I would have liked a little more information on some of the places we visited.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go!

Lorraine Grant

Reviewed July 2017

Mongolia, Nadaam, Gobi. Great experience

Fantastic trip. Huge statues, more goats, sheep, horses and cows than you can imagine. A vastness that boggles the mind. The Gobi desert is to be experienced just to get an idea of the size of it. Living in ger camps is worthwhile too. You get to sample what nomadic life can be like. The local people were friendly and open to us visiting their ger homes, and we were offered goats cheese, fermented milk and simple vodka. It’s rude to decline the offer! It’s hard to pick one particular highlight but I think the Nadaam Festival comes out top.

Most Inspirational Moment

Witnessing the Nadaam Festival was a highlight. The two hour opening ceremony was terrific with displays depicting Mongolia's history. While we didn't understand the language, the display was clear. The men, women and children wore very ornate and colourful national dress and were happy for their photos to be taken. The newly elected President officially opened the festival. A goodly number of children released white doves at the start and balloons were realised at the end.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was a very pleasant man but perhaps due to us being in four vehicles, it was hard for information to be given regarding the country or the people. This would normally be expected when the group travels in one vehicle. That said, he tried to accommodate the wishes of group members, which did at times prove challenging. Not his fault though! Our tour leader arranged for two facilities to open when they ought to be closed which was very appreciated. One was a monetary and the other a museum.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather was much warmer than I had expected given I'd been checking weather updates prior to travel. A few days while we were in the Gobi were around 40 degrees and very windy indeed. Driving in the Gobi is very rough indeed as no tarred roads and dirt tracks the only routes. The ground is very hard and rough and car passengers get a lot of jostling around. A word of warning if you have back issues! Accommodation in the capital was fine but some of the ger camps didn't have hot water for showers and/or was restricted to certain times of the day, as was electric. This isn't a problem though as you expect such restrictions in rural areas. Meals were excellent throughout. Usually three course set lunch and dinner, with small portions. Mutton dishes were offered most often. The vegetarians were catered for too. Bottled water was provided at each meal and the guide gave water to each guest to use in their own water bottles. When driving long distances in the Gobi, toilet stops are infrequent due to simply not being a toilet to go to! You have to make do with a boulder or bush.

Becky M

Reviewed July 2017

Awesome Adventure!

This was a great holiday! I’ve been on 5 other Exodus holidays and this trip ranks at the top. I had so much fun! Great hikes, great food and great fellow hikers made this trip unforgettable!

Most Inspirational Moment

Do to the hot weather, Yves decided that we would like the planned day 7 hike on day 1. Oh boy....it was the day of lavender. Beautiful! It took my breath away with how gorgeous the fields were. I felt on top of the world as I have always wanted to be in this beautiful scenery!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Yves was awesome! He took care of us. He gave us great tips for hiking, encouraged hydration, and he is very knowledgeable on the region. He gave us a great packet on our first day with wonderful information such as maps, an itinerary and information on restaurants in Greoux Le Bains (our home base). He also graciously booked restaurants for us for our dinner meals. All the restaurants were delicious! Remember that dinner is not included on this trip, but also you are not required to eat at the restaurants as well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Great holiday! You should go! You will love the villages Folcalquier, Moustier and of course Greoux Le Bains. They are gorgeous! But of course you will love the Verdon Gorges as well! The hikes are very nice! I enjoyed all of them. For me, the hikes were not too difficult, but there are a few scrambling bits. Yves will help you! The distance hiked is pretty accurate on the trip notes.

Tim Douglas

Reviewed July 2017

Sicilian Volcanoes

A great week touring and trekking the main volcanoes on Vulcano,Stromboli and Etna.The week was really well organised from start to finish and all our family including our daughters of 18 and 21 enjoyed it tremendously.
Our group of fellow travellers were diverse and great fun and this made the trip even better.
We packed so much in to the week we did not have time to worry about tired legs.
Exodus have put together a great trip here.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Stromboli volcano erupt and glow against the beautiful evening sky then trek back to a restaurant and carry on watching it was amazing. Also seeing the crater of Vulcano and to the top of Etna was brilliant too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader and guide Nicoletta made sure our week was perfect.She attended to all the groups needs and there was nothing that was too much for her.She organised us so well and made all our travelling,transfers straight forward.She was clearly very knowledgable about the volcanoes and area and communicated this effectively to us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A great trip.I would really encourage anyone thinking of doing it to do it and get it booked.You will not regret it.The temperatures were high when we went in mid July but that is to be expected.

James Butcher

Reviewed July 2017

Incredible views, great food and superb leaders

An excellent trip that takes in all of the sites and hikes you would want to do in the Val de Fassa. The trip has two types of walking each day – level 3 and 5, the 5s are a good pace and you need to have a fair level of fitness to participate, they also become more technical which makes them very interesting compared to other holidays.

You visit the Sasso Lungo group, summit Piz Boe, undertake a ridge walk, hike around the Roda de Vael and the views and scenery is just beautiful from start to finish.

The trip has new base at the Hotel Enrosadira in Campitello – the food is absolutely fantastic, as I gather previous travellers had not found the food so good at the last hotel. The hotel staff are very friendly and welcoming. The location is perfect and Campitello has everything you could need.

Most Inspirational Moment

On the free day I undertook an optional, additional via ferrata trip over the Roda de Vael which was an excellent addition to the trip and incredible fun.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert and Ingrid were very competent, very friendly and very knowledgeable. On our departure, Albert led the level 5 group walks - which is what we did everyday. His hikes got progressively better, took in all the sites you would want to see and gradually built your confidence, going over increasingly more technical ground. He made the whole experience excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You must buy public transport ticket, which is 68 Euros, so be prepared for this.

Diana Maynard

Reviewed July 2017

Embrace the unknown!

Don’t let the fact that you almost certainly know nothing about Albania (and if you do, it’s probably wrong) put you off this trip. If you like cycling, embracing the unknown, don’t mind a few steep hills, and are prepared to take things as they come, then this is the holiday for you! So many positives about this holiday: fantastic fresh, local food and drink (and outstanding coffee), exploring new cultures, mountains, beaches, and above all a great adventure.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Llogara Pass was definitely challenging (especially in April, when it got very very cold - though apparently it can be just as challenging in mid-summer when it's very very hot) but making it all the way to the top without walking or getting in the bus (even if at the pace of an injured snail) and the support from everyone else was fantastic. We didn't hang around long enough to enjoy the view at the top as it was so cold, but I'm sure it was lovely (the views on the way up were awesome, in between the rain).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Literally could not fault Junid - he was super organised, friendly, sociable, and always happy to try to find a solution to any problem.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared! Around Easter, the temperature can vary between factor 50 suncream and 4 layers of clothing in the course of a single day (and at night it can get quite chilly, since some of the hotels had no heating). be prepared for things to not work and roll with it (e.g. power cuts, dodgy showers etc.) If that's not your cup of tea, then you may want to reconsider. The trip isn't hard for the grading, but there are a couple of challenging hills in there, so have a practise on a few first, or hit the gym. Packing a few energy gels will help also. Also, get enough money for your trip at the airport, as there are few opportunities to use a cash machine along the way. On the other hand, there's almost no opportunity to buy anything, so you won't spend much.

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