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.
Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!
Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!
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The accommodation was fantastic: beautiful, friendly and peaceful. The food was amazing, and the walks were spectacular. It was a brilliant week. I can’t recommend it enough.
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching the Tambura Pass on the way to the summit. The mountain range sprawls out in front, leading to the port and coast. So beautiful.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Fantastic, knowledgeable and friendly. Having them drive the van was really helpful as it gave them the flexibility to adapt to the weather and the group's pace without rushing anyone. They made an effort to include all members of the group including the quieter members (me) which was greatly appreciated.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't do the Level 5 if you have a fear of heights as there are exposed sections high up and very narrow paths in places. Pack everything including waterproofs and gloves (even if it's meant to be warm the whole week).
Great week discovering mountains of Tuscany
Accommodation was great; going back in time, with comfort. Food outstanding.
A family atmosphere all around.
Great hikes, some more difficult, but it was all detailed in notes.
Loved the Medieval walled city of Lucca, on day off.
Most Inspirational Moment
The last day hike to Monte Prado
Views all the way up, and all around
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sara was outstanding; a machine of a guide! Including everyone, encouraging all hikers to do their best. Her pride and knowledge of the area is obvious. Very involved with all meals. Great sense of humour.
Would go back in a minute. A wonderfully kind human
A gem for Exodus
Advice for Potential Travellers
Remember to read notes with hike elevation; as stated, bring layers for summit.
Fell in love with the local “ Farro” grains, brought some back home
A great week hiking in a beautiful area of Tuscany
Just back from hiking in Northern Tuscany’s little known Garfagnana region. Varied walks and terrain with incredible views and a great sense of satisfaction. Really enjoyed the company of our group, the lovely views, pool and family welcome from our comfortable argriturismo and trying lots of traditional Italian food.
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching the final summit at the end of the week having hiked almost 140,000 steps! Tired legs but happy.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sara Bull is a very experienced trekker and leader who knows this region inside out. She gave each of us confidence in our own abilities, lots of tips on hiking and equipment and she brought us together as a group.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring decent footwear that you're comfortable hiking in. If you aren't a regular walker try to do some beforehand as the trails are steep in places. Poles are a good addition!
One of the best walking holidays with Exodus. Challenging at times however with Sara our wonderful guide who explained exactly the walk ,terrain etc. it enhanced our great experiences. Sara is an exceptional guide together with faithful friend Elvis.
Braccicorti is a lovely family farm where the food and friendly atmosphere is a delight.
We have had many trips with Exodus over the years and I can honestly say this ranks as one of the best. The location at Agriturismo Braccicort was superb, with wonderful grounds, sustainable farming, good food provided by the lovely Italian family and rooms with views. The area is truly a best kept secret as we saw very few other walkers and yet we were amongst wonderful mountains with amazing views stretching for miles. Great bird life and loads of fabulous wild flowers.
Most Inspirational Moment
Getting to the top of Monte Sumbra and Monte Prado and doing some rather challenging scrambling! Exciting!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Exodus have some excellent leaders - but Sara is really at the top of our chart. Expert guide, wonderful care of 2 in our party who unfortunately tripped up, superb tick remover (yes they are here in this part of Tuscany) provider of birthday gifts and skilled driver on challenging mountain roads - I could go on but you'll see from other reviews what an interesting and proficient leader she is.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do get yourself fit. This is a level 3 activity level but some of the walking (climbing really) is quite steep so be prepared with good ankle support and walking poles.
Our first guided tour with Exodus, and first ever, was great. The setting, food, group dynamic and leader were all more than I for!
Most Inspirational Moment
Probably reaching the mountain peak of our final hike after a fairly tough uphill. 360 degree mountain views were incredible.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Awesome! In addition to being an amazing group leader Sara has to be one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met. Mountain climber, paraglider, ultra runner just to name a of her activities. And a truly genuine person. Absolutely only good things to say!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Read the trip notes! Most people can do these hikes but they are not strolls in the park. Prepare yourself in advance and you should be fine.
Fantastic trip with a good variety of walks. The Garfagnana area truly is one of Italy’s best kept secrets – a lot of the time it felt like you had the whole place to yourself! The whole area is absolutely stunning.
Most Inspirational Moment
Being completely enveloped in the clouds and having them dissipate to reveal the amazing views over the Garfagnana region.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sara is an absolutely amazing guide - extremely knowledgeable about the area and the different walks and is very accommodating and sensitive to everyone in the group's needs. She's been leading this trip for a long time and definitely knows how to keep everyone in high spirits and motivated.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Book this trip! If you're on the level 5 departure make sure you take some earplugs for the rifugio!
We had been on an Exodus walking holiday before and Walking in Tuscany was one of the next holidays we wanted to experience. True to form, right from booking, it was second to none and what we had hoped for.
Wonderful scenery, excellent Tuscan rustic accommodation, very friendly staff and an amazing tour guide. The walking caters for all within ‘moderate’ abilities, allowing for challenging yourself if you choose with experienced support.
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching the limestone plateau of the Monte Sumbra in the Apuane National Park. Although this was not the summit the views were breath taking. To sit and enjoy the peace and tranquility of this space was a privilege!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sara was super human!! Extremely experienced and knowledgeable and an endless abundance of energy. Nothing was too much trouble. Sara catered for everyone's specific needs and ensured the itinerary got the best out of the weather so that the rain did not hinder our experience. Sara went above and beyond with organising taxis, trains, restaurants, individual needs and even laundry!
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you are looking for an authentic walking holiday and meeting like minded people I would thoroughly recommend. A relaxed, friendly and welcoming vibe.
The accommodation was in an agriturismo farm. It was a very nice place to be with all the beautiful scenery around to view on waking. Elvis the dog was a great accompaniment.
The walking or hiking was tough in some places but on completion you felt a great sense of achievement.The food at the farm was delicious. Breakfast and lunch were self service but all was provided to make a hearty meal. Dinner was there courses of home made items.
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching the summit of our climb on Thursday. It was very hard on the last third especially coming down but definitely achievable. The cave was also a great place to visit on you day off or if weather too bad to hike.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sarah was very inspirational and motivating.
She definitely got me out of my comfort zone.
Nothing was too much for her to organise including our washing.
It was inspiring to listen to her tales of adventures she has had in the past and characters she has had on her trips.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I would thoroughly recommend this trip for great scenery and amazing hikes. If a beginner like me then do get some basic hiking done before you go so the steeper trails are not too daunting. Sarah however makes everything achievable no matter how tough with her encouragement.
This was our first exodus trip and exceeded our expectations in every way. From the first contact I had with Exodus over the phone, I was impressed by how efficient and helpful the travel advisor Robyn was, she answered all of my queries and was accommodating when we needed to change our travel dates after paying the deposit. The subsequent contacts with Exodus were helpful and informative and the trip notes answered all questions we had when preparing for our trip. Sara Bull our guide was amazing, she is so enthusiastic about the area and managed to perfectly balance being supportive of everyone’s abilities and confidence levels, while still challenging the group. Our group gelled well and walks and meals together were enjoyable and fun. Sara never pressured any member of the group to walk faster than they were comfortable with, and paced the walks perfectly to keep energy levels up. The walking was hard at times, but was definitely worth it for some amazing views at the top. We loved having the company of Sara’s dog Elvis, and the dogs and cats around Braccicorti added to the family style feel of the accommodation. We feel so lucky to have had a fantastic guide, and such an enjoyable first trip with Exodus. Our only concern is that our future trip expectations are now very high!
Most Inspirational Moment
Being at the top of Monte Prado! The highest mountain I've ever climbed.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Fab, Sara is a very inspirational leader and has an infectious energy and zest, even if she does seem superhuman at times. I found Sara really warm and open about her life, family and experiences which made the trip more personal. She had a real confidence in leading the walks, which you are constantly aware of in the background, this enables you to fully relax into the pace and not have any worries about how fast you should be walking, distance travelled, getting lost, unpredictable conditions etc. I would have been intimidated to try mountain trails without a guide prior to this trip, but I now feel confident that I could follow the walking routes and am capable of the activity level.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Book this trip! There is a reason that it has been running for 20 years!
