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

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52 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviews

Disappointing

I feel a little guilty about the three stars when others have scored this five but my level of expectation was really quite high after reading the reviews. In particular I was looking forward to wonderful scenery but instead we encountered uninspiring vistas and roads strewn with litter.
The trip notes promised mainly traffic free roads, but that certainly was not case, in particular the last ride was mostly along busy ones and the final approach into Syracuse was definitely not for the faint hearted.
The towns we visited were interesting and pretty and were the highlights of most of the days. The cyclings was the easiest I’ve experienced on an Exodus holiday (this was the twelfth ) and with, the exception of the ride up to the Cassibile Canyon, some of the dullest.
I’m probably being too negative but I did feel short changed. We actually did enjoy ourselves – the hotels were good, the weather was hot and most days we were in the pool by mid afternoon; there was a lot more down time compared with other Exodus excursions. Also loved the Sicilian food and wine and our leader was exemplary.
In general terms I’m not sure the fifty fifty split of e-bikes and ordinary ones works; we were very spread out, the e-bikes and stronger or competitive riders way out ahead and the stragglers a long way back. Saddle Skedaddle stipulate the following on one of their trips “Please note, if opting for an e-bike, the pace of riding will be set by the hybrid riders”. Perhaps Exodus should have a similar policy?

Most Inspirational Moment

I thought the fifth ride was great - best scenery of the trip, a nice climb and super switchback descent. Loved Syracuse on the Saturday night, locals quietly enjoying themselves late into the night - as much ice cream as wine being consumed.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I was impressed by Michele’s professionalism and attention to detail. Trip ran like clockwork. Sebi was also an absolute brick - a super guy

Advice for Potential Travellers

I personally could not recommend this trip but each to their own and I think everyone else in our party loved it.

Review Centre
Reply from Exodus

Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful and detailed review, and for travelling with us again – especially as this was your twelfth Exodus trip.

We’re really sorry to hear that parts of this itinerary didn’t live up to the expectations you had based on the trip notes and previous experiences with us. In particular, your comments around the scenery, road conditions and level of traffic are disappointing to read, as these are key elements of the experience we aim to get right when designing and maintaining our cycling routes. Your feedback on the final ride into Syracuse is noted as well, and I appreciate how that would have felt at odds with what was expected.

It’s equally important for us to acknowledge the points you’ve raised around pacing and the mix of e-bikes and standard bikes. As you’ve highlighted, this can have an impact on group cohesion, and your suggestion around setting the pace based on non e-bike riders is a helpful one that we are already discussing internally.

On the other hand, we’re really pleased to hear that there were aspects you enjoyed, particularly the towns visited, the food and wine, and the time to relax. It’s also great to hear such positive feedback about Michele and Sebi – I’ll be sure to pass that on to them.

We genuinely value feedback like yours, as it helps us refine both our itineraries and how we describe these experiences to future customers. While I’m sorry this trip didn’t match the standards you’ve come to expect from Exodus, I do hope we’ll have the opportunity to deliver a better experience for you on a future adventure.

 

The Exodus Team

Great way to explore South East Sicily

Very enjoyable week, excellent mix of cycling through the countryside, learning about a new culture, strolling round old cities, meeting like minded adventurers from across the pond, good food and wine plus sea swimming opportunities. Mixture of standard and ebikes in the group.

Most Inspirational Moment

The cycle up and down Cavagrande del Cassible and visiting the beautiful city of Syracuse. As our flight was later on the last day we had the opportunity to visit the Greek theatre and archeological park there.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Davide is an excellent guide and a great ambassador for Exodus. Passionate about his country. He had some challenging clients to accommodate plus a few issues with batteries and punctures, all dealt with professionally.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You will encounter some traffic when approaching the towns and cities en route, but this is managed well. Read the trip notes so you can ensure you have the right type of bike for your ability.

Best holiday ever!

Just back from a fabulous trip cycling in Sicily lead by Davide . Davide went above and beyond to make sure that we all had the best possible experience cycling in Sicily, above all ensuring our safety, well being and enjoyment of this wonderful area. Davide was born, grew up and has studied in this gorgeous landscape. Davide can tell you the history, geography and culture of this land which he loves so passionately .

Most Inspirational Moment

Day 6, the hardest cycling day but the most amazing experience in terms of the natural beauty of the area and my personal sense of achievement

Thoughts on Group Leader

Davide was outstanding in creating a safe, trusting and harmonious group of cyclists from different nations, ages and abilities and enabled us all to have the most fantastic week exploring Italy by bike.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not miss going on this trip!

Scintillating Sicily

A fantastic week exploring the Baroque region of Sicily. Great group, absolutely top notch guide Davide who imparted his extensive knowledge of Sicily in an entertaining way. Very scenic route, good stops for swimming and sight seeing, lovely restaurants and bars. Davide was well supported by Sepi the driver/mechanic

Most Inspirational Moment

The gorge and descent on the Noto circular ride

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant, safe, good sense of humour and great local knowledge

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go

September cycling in Sicily tour

Have been on 5 Exodus trips and this was by far the best of the best. Sicily itself is utterly breathtaking, wonderful scenery, great group of people to cycle with and our guide Davide was the best tour guide I have had the good fortune to meet. He was really knowledgeable, funny, supportive to everyone who were at all different levels of cycling ability and treated us all as individuals. The routes he took us had some of the best views ever and every day was totally different. He picked out wonderful restaurant choices and stayed with us until the bitter end. On the penultimate day I was looking to the left coming down a steep hill instead of keeping my eye on the road and fell off my bike (I really am the clumsiest person alive). I injured my arm and Davide quickly came to the rescue and ensured that my safety was paramount. He went over and above, even offering to drive me to restaurants in the evening to ensure I didn’t miss out, he is one in a million and made our holiday really special (it was our 33rd wedding anniversary and my husband’s birthday). If Davide is still there next year we will return as we both fell in love with Sicily’s charm, architecture, coastline and of course the wonderful cuisine. If I could give this trip 10 stars, I would. Also a huge shout out to the lovely driver Sebi/Sepi not sure which, who kindly ferried me around in his van after my accident and really looked after me.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention but probably the beauty of Nota and Syracuse. Having the best fellow travellers out of all of our trips, everyone was kind, interesting and very supportive towards one another.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Davide as per above is the best tour leader I have met so far. He really went out of his way to ensure each and everyone had the best experience in Sicily. He absolutely gave his all during this trip, great sense of humour, so knowledgeable, so compassionate and how he managed some of us I will never know, Davide deserves a medal, he has the patience of a saint.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Look where you are going at all times, not like me! This Exodus trip was the best out of the 5 we have been on, cannot recommend it highly enough. Hopefully you too will have Davide as your tour leader.

A week in Sicily

Wonderful holiday with a great leader, Davide. Superb scenery with enough challenging cycling

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Noto and Syracuse again

Thoughts on Group Leader

Davide was wonderful. Full of knowledge of and love for Sicily. Managed the group very well

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it!

A fabulous week full of idiom

A brilliantly organised and executed tour – this was our first time doing a group cycling trip and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Our leader, Davide, had done over 70 trips on this route which meant that almost nothing was left to chance. The hotels were excellent, food stops were delicious and well timed and the support offered by Sebi was reliable and always delivered with a smile.
The cycling itself was fun and just the right length and difficulty for a mixed group. Gorgeous scenery and amazing smells of fig, pine, lemons and oranges as we cycled through the countryside. And there were plenty of swim stops when we were by the sea. Highly recommend this tour especially if it is led by Davide.

Most Inspirational Moment

The care and support shown to one of our group who unfortunately had a fall from her bike and had to go to hospital. The group rallied round and Davide and Sebi were brilliant.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Exceptional and caring and knew all the interesting places to visit often with a personal touch as he knew all the people that mattered.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring lots of your local idioms and the cultural exchange will be all the richer for it.

Cycling in Sicily

Superb Cycling Trip

Most Inspirational Moment

The entire ride as the highlight. My wife and i loved every minute.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Davide DiMauro is a fantastic group leader. He has has a wealth of knowledge and passion for Sicily which inspired us all. He is very attentive to the needs of all the various and frankly "challenging" riders. Exodus needs to clone Davide!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The Sicily trip is great in all respects.

Great way to see Sicily

The itinerary was very interesting. I learned a lot about Sicilian history and culture. The riding distance each day was perfect, considering the challenging hills and heat. Wonderful riding leader and driver. We were well taken care of!

Most Inspirational Moment

Accomplishing the climbs in the extreme heat and without an e-bike

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paolo was a great leader, kept everyone together well, and gave us excellent information about the countryside, history, and what to expect.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Lots of sunscreen!

Sicily on a bike - much better than expected!

We joined 14 other folks for a wonderful week of cycling in Sicily. Beautiful towns and countryside steeped in history. Our tour guide Davide Di Mauro was exceptional – he looked after us start to finish. He made the trip so much more interesting than just a cycling holiday. His love of Sicily continually shone through.

Most Inspirational Moment

Exploring such beautiful towns which I hardly knew. Palazzolo, Scicli, Noto, Modica, and the magnificent Siracusa.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Davide was excellent. His diligence, attention to detail, including bike safety, his knowledge and love of Sicily all made for a great holiday. If Davide is your guide - you will enjoy this cycling holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My one reason not to give 5 stars, was that the joining instructions provided by Exodus had an error, and we showed up at the wrong hotel. Once sorted, all went very well.