Most Inspirational Moment
So many
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent, command of English good and his care and concern over safety and welfare, his understaning of idioms a delight.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't hesitate book.
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
How much fun can you have!
Post covid the first trip with Exodus, a little bit of anxiety, a long time since a cycling holiday, however, already decided that based on past experience, I would not be disappointed. Aboslutely right, having spent endless hours worrying about getting fit again, Covid had not been kind to me, I realised that I was not unfit. So enjoyment was the usual making new friends, seeing a country that I had not visited before, tasting and enjoying the culinary delights, understanding the culture, seeing wonderful sights and all on two wheels. But most of all thanks to our guide and everyone else on the trip having a very good time, the latter being an understatement. Even a bit of rain could not put a dampner on the holiday.
Great leader and super enjoyable cycling
Davide was a first class leader – fun, adaptable, friendly, considerate, and managed the group really well; he deserves 5 stars personally. E-bikes were the best ever. Excellent hotels except the one in Syracusa which is not an acceptable standard (room and breakfast). Fascinating insight into Sicilian history, culture and ecology – Davide knew so much and made every trip interesting. Cycling was very good overall – a couple of really good and challenging rides including stunning scenery though cycling days 3 and 4 could have been longer and more interesting ideally. A very nice group which gelled well.
Most Inspirational Moment
Davide as group leader and the cycling day 5 ride which was challenging (hills and rain) but immensely rewarding with some great scenery and a fabulous downhill S-bend section towards the end with stunning views towards the coast
Thoughts on Group Leader
As above - faultless
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you are thinking about an e-bike but not sure then do it - some hills are challenging and the bikes are top class. Snacks not provided and have to be bought so you might want to take some as a contingency
Popping my Cycling Holiday Cherry
Well, with such glowing reviews underneath I almost feel a bit miffed that Davide treats everybody with such genuine accord – I thought we were special 😉
Joking aside, Davide and Guiseppe are genuinely brilliant at their jobs. They made our trip such a special experience, well managed, super organised, tough on the uphill but what a joy on the down, stupendous vistas, fun and safe. They made us all feel cared for and no request was too big or small. I enjoyed the encouragement of “Brava Clara” when I got to the top of a particularly tough hill. My favourite day was the toughest hill-wise but the break for lunch a picnic Davide and Guiseppe had prepared, full of local ingredients, made with Sicilian panache was worth the aching muscles (bum). Syracuse for me was the icing on the cake. A seaside town full of the most beautiful architecture making it very hard not to slide into its romantic vibe. I’ve just got back and am feeling a bit blue I don’t have to be up with the group for 8.45am to cycle off to some fabulous Sicilian town. Enjoy it people. You will love it.
Fabulous Sicily
This is our 6th Cycling holiday and one of the best so far. We were lucky to be part of a wonderful group made up of folks from the UK, Australia, NZ and Canada. We all had lots of laughs and good times.
Some of the hills were challenging but all the better for 6/15 being e-bikes, so don’t be afraid to book an e-bike.
Some beautiful towns and scenery as well as good hotels, delicious food and restaurants selected by our group leader Davide.
Most Inspirational Moment
Too many to mention but arriving in Noto was spectacular where we had a fabulous pizza.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Davide was an amazing young man who had a lot of passion for his country and wanted you to share it at every level. A really good group leader and well briefed on local history and culture. Must also mention Giuseppe the mechanic, driver and picnic man, whilst he couldn't speak English, he observed the group and made sure we were all looked after.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If in any doubt of your cycling abilities just book an e-bike. We loved them and they worked well with the group. The hotels were all good but remember to bring your swim shoes. Also if you like an early morning coffee, bring a travel kettle. Tea & coffee facilities are not provided in your room. Some roads coming into the towns can be quite busy, so make sure you are confident with riding in traffic.
What a ride
This was a fantastic introduction to Sicily and to planned cycling tours. We had a fantastic group of 15 riders from the UK, NZ, Canada and Ireland. We ate and rode together every day. The weather at this time of year is great for cycling.
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching the top of each and every long climb.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Davide is conscientious, witty and engaging. We enjoyed sharing novel examples of English sayings and learning more about Sicily from him.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Train for the uphills Cleat pedals are a big advantage Enjoy the moments
Great trip
A delightful trip from many perspectives.
Lovely scenery and interesting places to visit in the south of island.
Very good company of lovely people.
Amazing food.
Hot weather
What’s not to like??
Most Inspirational Moment
Not necessarily inspirational but some really enjoyable experiences. On bike - the challenging climb up to Cavagrande del Cassibile and the wonderful views from the top. Off bike - possibly arriving in Noto or the wander through Marzamemi - really was a picturesque fishing village, followed by Guiseppe’s picnic, relaxation and swim at the agriturisimo
Thoughts on Group Leader
Davida was a gentleman. Totally committed to ensuring we had a safe and enjoyable trip, kind and humorous. We liked his “stories” and his growing collection of English colloquialisms, that he tried to feed into daily conversation. He was well organised, ensuring an early start and finish so we had time to relax, swim or explore at the end of each ride. He knew, was proud of and described his country well. He wanted us to see the best of it ( and we almost did ). Took us to some lovely places to eat, to get the best pizza in Noto, antipasto in Syracuse and gelato and cannoli anywhere. A man with good taste! Giuseppe his assistant was a great supporter/driver/ bike mechanic and picnic provider. He has limited English but we managed to get by and the two made a good team.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be aware of how hot it can be in early June. Was 37degrees on day one. Didn’t fall below 30 all week. Davida sensibly had us out early each morning before it became unbearably hot. In some of the rural areas near the coast there were appalling amounts of rubbish dumped along the roadsides. We understood this was a result of political decisions about tax linked to recycling. This isn’t something Exodus are responsible for or able to change ( though I fear it could impact on tourism if it isn’t addressed). So very sad to destroy beautiful countryside.
Cycling in sicily
The leader was excellent.
The support person Giuseppe was also excellent.
The bikes were good.
The routes were very good and well planned.
The accomodation was ok and variable. The starting accomodation had a disco night going till 2.0 pm just below our room!
Meals provided ranged from poor to good.
Most Inspirational Moment
Cycling gently along narrow country roads through rural Sicily.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Davide Di Mauro Was an excellent leader. Also mention the support, Giuseppe, also excellent.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Definitely use E bikes if you are older or not an experienced cyclist.
Cycling in Sicily
An excellent cycling trip, for me in a less well known area of southern Sicily. The cycling was good, and the hills were more than manageable with my very dependable ebike. Our leader made sure that we also packed in as much sight seeing as possible, so we learned a lot of cultural background to the places we visited. All were very interesting, but ending up in Syracuse and having plenty of time for eating wonderful food, and sight seeing, was a surprising bonus.
I thoroughly enjoyed this trip and would recommend it to anybody!
Most Inspirational Moment
As above: visiting Syracuse, and seeing the Baroque town of Noto Two very beautiful places
Thoughts on Group Leader
He was just wonderful! Full of knowledge, helpful, guiding us safely through traffic, And up the hills. And down again!!! Lots of fun, always on the lookout to avoid any potential problems. He and the very patient van driver guided us safely on the road sections And they excelled at making us wonderful picnic lunches on 3 occasions!
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you want to see Sicily, then go for this trip! Depending on the season, it can be chilly . Be prepared to cycle some significant hills!
Cycling in Sicily
this was an amazing holiday I cannot rate Davide highly enough, he is knowledgable, kind and thoughtful and guided us so well. He is great fun.
Giuseppi the driver also made a great difference, he took care of us at every steo, another kind and helpful man.
The two men made an excellent team
It would have been good to have been told that there would only be sandwiches on the plane then a long drive and no food at the hotel. The hotel was great and did their best giving us some bread and olives.
If possibly would be much much better to travel earlier both going and coming back.
Most Inspirational Moment
being saved from falling off my bike because of the high winds by the leader. and coming down from the Cava Grande, 7 k of hairpin bends.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Totally amazing - see comments in summary
Advice for Potential Travellers
Yes get yourself some food to eat on the plane and ask Exodus to get earlier flights.
Great week cycling in Sicily, but very disappointing flights
A great week’s cycling in Sicily in October. Weather and scenery were great (sunny in high 20’s), the group was very entertaining and got on so well that all 16 of us ate together every night, and the tour guides were very helpful, friendly and informative.
The cycling route could have been extended, as there were a couple of very light days, but the only real problem was the group flights (see advice below).
Most Inspirational Moment
Not really any inspirational moments - Sicily was great and the group of 16 got on very well together.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Davide di Mauro was excellent throughout.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Book your own flights - Exodus group booking means you can't pre-book seats (or even be sure that you will sit next to your partner / friends), you can't check in online, and you get whatever Exodus can find cheapest. We ended up travelling from Heathrow to Milan to catch a connection to Sicily (and almost missed connection on return flight) when we could have flown direct with BA from Gatwick, and the four of us were scattered all over all four flights. Not an enjoyable way of starting or ending your holiday !