Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Working together so that one of the older members of our group was able to make it all the way to the top of Monte Sumbra.Our specially drawn map for our 'day off' walk - navigating by the number of dogs at each house!Enjoying our last evening together barn dancing to the Eagles!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara looked after us from start to finish - taking care that we got the meals we wanted including going out and buying soya milk for us; making sure that we had the right equipment and those new to walking poles knew how to use them; keeping us topped up with biscuits, sweets and encouragement; letting us walk at our own pace but giving us clear instructions on routes and where to regroup; looking after the slower and less confident members of the group; giving us information about the area and the local way of life; making sure that our itinerary fitted best with the weather; ensuring that we were all sorted out for different activies and venues on our day off; making sure we got back safely from our evening out; selecting great walks within all our capabilities; making sure we had a good time.Thank you, Sara - you are a great leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

These walks are well within the capabilities of any one who is moderately fit. However, if you live more or less at sealevel, as we do you, may find the first walk up into the mountains takes your breathe away - physically as well as the stunning views!

Most Inspirational Moment

The views of the Tusan countryside were amazing on all of the walks but the 360 degree views from Monte Sumbra were particularly breath-taking. Also the autumnal colours walking through the beech forests were beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara was brilliant. She made time for everybody and ensured we all had a great time. She provided encouragement for us on the walks and made sure that everyone in the group was able make the ascents. Sara also has a passion for the area and this shone through and was really inspirational.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Have a think about what you would like to do on the free day before you arrive. Several of us went to Lucca and had a great day walking on the old walls, visiting the cathedrals and generally relaxing in the town.   

Most Inspirational Moment

Looking up at the descent I thought I could never do and feeling an immense sense of achievement.Gaining more and more confidence on each day, I can't believe how much I am now happy to tackle as a result of Sara's support and enouragement.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara is an wonderful experinced leader and with extensive knowedge of the local area.  Anyone who has walked with Sara will have been fortunate enough to experience her immense commitment to her job.  She never ever sits still..... Sara is always on the go, checking everyone is ok and generally ensuring you have a fantastic holiday.  Every detail is considered from ice cream stops, orgainising train tickets for the free day to detailed hand drawn maps of local walks.  She carefully assesses the capability of her group and tailors each trip to suit all involved.  I have never been looked after better.Sara is truly inspirational and Exodus are extremely lucky to have her!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book now, this is a great trip!Don't forget to get check the grade of the week you are doing before confirming your booking as there are both grade B and C weeks from this base.

Most Inspirational Moment

Italy means insistant relaxation for me and this holiday was no exception. You can't help but smile at the farm's dog's, Elvis, energy and we walked in places where we hardly saw anyone else.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara was great and always checking to make sure that everyone was okay, helping where necessary as I needed on several occasions. I decided to have a rest day and she gave me a good recommendation for a local walk - the hand drawn map complete with the location of friendly dogs was very accurate.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is more than a stroll in the park and I wished I'd been a little better prepared and fitter before I went! But as this is a centre based holiday you can take a rest day if you want. Make sure you stop off in Castelnuovo for the best ice cream.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of Monte Prado, the highest peak in Tuscany.

Thoughts on Group Leader

There will be one or two people in your life, who will have a huge impact on you, and Sara Bull had that impact on all of us.  She is a very experienced leader, and has a fountain of knowledge, which she shares with you of the local area from the history, to the villages and towns, flora and fauna etc. She kept us going with treats of biscuits and sweeties, and she led from the front and from the back, to ensure that those who were a bit slower reached the tops of the mountains along with the rest of us.  She is the kindest and most thoughtful person I have ever met, and if you come on this holiday you will have a very memorable time, and you will feel extremely privileged to have met her.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking poles are essential, as they are a great help both on the climbs up the montains, and on your way back down.  If you are thinking of coming, just book it, you will have a wonderful time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on the summit of Monte Prado, 2054 metres, on the last day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader, Sara Bull, was extremely professional, capable and considerate although it was a shame that she did not eat with the group for evening meals.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure a fitness level capable of walking 7 to 10 miles a day with some fairly steep inclines and descents!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit of Pania del Croce with the wonderful views from the ridge. Braccorti itself, do not think I would ever tire of the view from the pool. Lucca is also well worth a visit on the free day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz was a really great leader, calm, professional, friendly, helpful and encouraging.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking poles are essential.

Most Inspirational Moment

Bob and Alan we inspirational, both are just under double my age at somewhere around 60. Both were amongst the fittest people in our group. When I was told Bob had run 5 miles and swum 100 laps of the pool before breakfast before the upcoming 6 hours walk I thought they were pulling my leg, they weren’t.  I aspire to being as fit as they are when I am nearing retirement. As one of 4 mild vertigo sufferers, still being alive having walked across the ridge was pretty inspirational (challenging departures only). Having muttered a raft of expletives on first sight, with Liz’s and the group’s encouragement we all got to the other side, this was very gratifying. On the later walks looking back at the mountain one you had already been up was very cool.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz was awesome and dealt fantastically with everything that was thrown at her. She is almost certainly never going to have so many people keel over exhausted or injured on her again. 4 vertigo suffers, myself included, on an exposed ridge would test the patience of a saint. Although Liz clearly doesn't get why some bits are particularly terrifying, she never ran out of encouragement.Very good driver, which helps in the mountains 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some departures are moderate and some are challenging. Pick your departure carefully being realistic about your own level of fitness. If you can't walk at a brisk pace for 5 hours don't book a challenging departure! The exodus web site describes the grading system in massive detail http://www.exodus.co.uk/walkinggrades?Just like in any sport, get fit to play don't play to get fit. That said if you are fit, the challenging departure was awesome.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views from many of the walks were stunning.The visit to Lucca on the day off is to be recommended-it is a beautiful city.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz, the group leader was fantastic. She was helpful, interesting and seemed to have a genuine passion for her job and love of the Tuscan way of life.

Most Inspirational Moment

I am very proud to say I have climbed the highest peak in Tuscany and managed the ridge walk on Pania Della Croce which was a fantastic experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Liz was wonderful - really clear on setting our expectations, setting the scene for each exciting walk, encouraging to the group when we were tired, always knew where to get a beer when we came off the mountain and flexible to manage around the different requests of the group.  A real credit to this trip and to Exodus.   

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walking is quite strenuous but the views are definitely worth it and we had a wide age range on our trip, all of whom managed the walks at their own pace.  The trip notes are very accurate.