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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Once you return from your Exodus adventure holiday, you will be emailed a link to add your review. Any feedback collected is posted onto our website, totally unedited.
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195 Reviews
4.8 out of
5
Reviews
Anne Wenlock
Reviewed September 2019
Everything I could have hoped for.
This was my first holiday abroad for several years as well as my first booking with Exodus. My initial contact with the company was very positive and as soon as I booked my excitement began. The Agriturismo Braccicorti was idyllic and food was both plentiful and delicious (and washed down with Braccicorti wine). As for my fellow travellers, you couldn’t have chosen a more like-minded group. I can’t wait to start planning my next holiday.
Most Inspirational Moment
Climbing Mount Prado, the highest peak in Tuscany. The views were incredible.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Liz was a brilliant group leader. She was knowledgeable about the local area, an excellent Italian speaker and an experienced mountain leader. She went out of her way to ensure that everyone was happy during the climbs and considered everyone's abilities. Liz made train, taxi and restaurant bookings for us. She certainly seemed to go above and beyond!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Read the trip notes very carefully, consider how fit you are, wear technical clothes in summer, make sure your insurance is good enough for this activity - you will be asked to note down if you are covered for a helicopter evacuation. Get a good rucksack which is comfortable to wear for the whole day.
J C
Reviewed August 2019
Fantastic walking and first class accommodation
This was my fourth Exodus holiday, all were excellent but this was probably the best overall in terms of consistently excellent accommodation, food and walking routes. Our Agriturismo was beautiful, delicious food and wine all locally produced, plus a lovely large pool. Rooms were very comfortable. This is a mountainous area with unpredictable weather, so come prepared for some heavy downpours/thunderstorms mixed with hot sunshine, even in July. Our guide Tony was very professional and knowledgeable, and provided a good mix of encouragement and flexibility to enable everyone in the group to get the most out of their trip. Thoroughly enjoyed the free day in Lucca, hired bikes and rode around the ancient city walls. Don’t believe the trip notes which suggest Cinque Terra is do-able on the free day, it is too far away.
Most Inspirational Moment
Walking for 2 hours up a mountain in torrential rain , thunder and lightning, drenched to the skin despite all my rain gear, then coming out at the summit to blue skies, hot sunshine and jaw-dropping views across the peaks in every direction. Magical!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Tony was excellent - highly experienced, a great leader and a wonderful mixture of Yorkshire grit and Italian charm.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Prepare for varied weather - this part of Tuscany can get very wet even in July.
Jo Ware
Reviewed July 2019
A well balanced, challenging trip
It was with some trepidation that we embarked on this walk. Not having participated in an organised holiday for many years and being rather “senior” in age we were unsure whether we had picked the right grade. However, from the time of booking to our return, the trip went without a hitch. The Tuscan scenery is stunning, and we loved the accommodation at Agriturismo Braccicorti – comfortable, homely accommodation with home produced Italian food. The walking was varied and challenging in places however never beyond our capabilities. This was mainly due to Sarah our excellent guide who had a wealth of knowledge and experience and in a short while was able to assess the groups abilities – and encourage when necessary. What a sense of achievement when we reached the summits! A balanced itinerary of four days mountain walking, an interesting walk around the local villages with Luigi and a visit to Lucca ensured a holiday to remember and one to be recommended.
Most Inspirational Moment
Climbing to the summit of Monte Sumbra and Monte Prado
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent. Knowledgeable, encouraging and observant
Heather Franks
Reviewed June 2019
Brilliant week
We had a really brilliant week – Sara our guide was the best ever and went out of her way to make sure everyone enjoyed themselves and accommodated those who couldn’t quite manage to do every walk all the way. She also managed to organise fantastic weather – not wet and not too hot and a great group! The accommodation was in a fantastic location with a lovely outdoor pool. The family were friendly and produced scrumptious home cooked food from local produce.
Most Inspirational Moment
Watching a golden eagle majestically glide through the air - below us! I decided to simply watch rather than fumble for my camera to get what could have been a fantastic picture but miss the spectacle.
Thoughts on Group Leader
I have been on 20-30 group trips with Exodus and other companies over the past 11 years and Sara was one of, if not the, best group leaders I have had. She was always professional and approachable and did whatever she could to ensure our enjoyment.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I was a bit hesitant about booking this trip (activity level 3) as I am "getting on" and having to reduce the activity levels I do. However the walks were easier than I anticipated because of the amount of shaded woods we walked through and a lot of the gradients were more gradual than I expected. We didn't have to do a couple of the tougher end bits to the summit. Both times I (and others) opted out of the summit the group was retracing it's steps and we were able to sit and wait with beautiful views - no hardship!
Corrie Huntley
Reviewed June 2019
Excellent
Despite poor weather conditions we did fabulous walks, with the leader taking the weather conditions into consideration, so we therefore had the best experiences.
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching a viewing point where I saw the summit of the next mountain, and then achieving that summit without realising that was our destination.
I had actually said I didn't think I could get there to some of others whilst standing looking at it, and I'd just presumed that wasn't where we were going.... I found I was capable of more than I realised with the support I got from our leader Sara.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Fantastic.
Very caring and supportive to all the group members.
Aware of their individual needs and concerns.
Answering all the questions with her extensive local knowledge plus promoting the Exodus company wholeheartedly during conversations.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Just go with an open mind, relax and enjoy.
Do not hesitate to share your concerns and worries with your leader.
Ron Powell
Reviewed June 2019
Great holiday - despite some unkind weather
I decided not to downgrade the holiday because of two days of bad weather. Our guide could not have done more in the selection of walks, and they were still good – if soggy – while the scenery was all you’d expect when the clouds lifted.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were several, the views over Lucca from the tree-covered Guinigi Tower, and from the summit of Mount Sumbra, plus the view from our room when the clouds eventually lifted.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sara could not have done more to make the most of the weather with which she was presented on the first two days, and her arrangements in every other way were spot on, including her advice for the non-walking day. A great companion and guide.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for all weather, even in Italy in May.
Elaine Richards
Reviewed June 2019
Lovely holiday despite the weather!
The walking in this area is spectacular, through beech or chestnut forests up to amazing peaks. We did not have the best weather but the walking was still a joy. The accommodation is homely but with all the facilities that you require from a hotel with special touches such as being able to make you own hot drinks at any time. The food was locally sourced and well cooked. The pool is a welcome addition although unfortunately we weren’t able to make the most of it.
Most Inspirational Moment
The 360degree views form Monte Sumbra and visiting the hermitage of San Viano.
Thoughts on Group Leader
This is the second time that Sara has been our group leader. She is an inspirational leader, she brings a group together and manages to get the best out of everyone by giving them self belief. She knows her stuff and shares her love of the area that she is in.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you love walking in beautiful surroundings you will love this trip
Louise Caughey
Reviewed May 2019
Wonderful experience
I would highly recommend this trip. It was my first trip to Italy. I enjoyed the opportunity to intimately experience the culture, food and people in a region that is off the normal tourist path, but extremely beautiful and historic. The Baccicorte agriturismo is lovely and comfortable. The entire Giavenetti family, especially our host Angela, was extremely warm and welcoming and did everything possible to be accommodating. If I travel to Italy again, I will definitely plan to stay at an agriturismo. I appreciate their use of local foods, personal attention and also concern for the environment.
Most Inspirational Moment
I would say the most inspirational was the sense of accomplishment after reaching the summit of Monte Sumbra on Friday.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sara is a fascinating person whom we felt very confident with at all times. She's very professional at all times and also was considerate to everyone in the group.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be sure to bring adequate hiking boots and gear and be prepared for a variety of weather conditions. And bring a sense of adventure and willingness to get along with a variety of people!
Paul Mackay
Reviewed May 2019
Happy walkers
Wonderful week walking in the quite mountains of Garfagnana gave a real sense of getting back to nature. Sara, our guide, was excellent and helped make the trip truly memorable.
Most Inspirational Moment
Climbing mount sumbra with views to the coast and Corsica beyond.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sara is a star. Amazing guide and one of the most thoughtful persons I’ve ever met.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for the weather to be changeable. Area has it’s own micro climate.
Judy ONeill
Reviewed May 2019
Amazing adventure even though the weather was unusually cold with a mixture of rain, sleet, and snow
Excellent trip with Exodus. This was my second adventure with Exodus and this one was all that the reviews say. Sara was excellent ! She was very patient, even taught some of us new hiking skills.
She kept us all motivated throughout the days despite the weather. Sara was brilliant with her switching up the routes to accommodate the unusual weather keeping us all safe and comfortable as possible. It was fun , challenging, and I would like to do it again with sunny weather. The group was awesome and were fun as everyone kept each other motivated and laughing. The food was wonderful and plentiful. Sara does such a great job of handling all the details and making it a true holiday! I loved not having to plan “where and what to trek and what & where to eat”…a real treat not to be “in charge”. My daughter a mother of two young children and I her mother really appreciated the true challenging “holiday” from our many responsibilities back at home.
Most Inspirational Moment
Sara helped me as I was ready to give up the first day. But she dropped back with me and taught me how to go at my pace not the pace of the group. I was struggling with "breathing" when I was trying to rush to be with the pack when going straight up hill. We live on a flat island so not many opportunities to train for uphill climbs. I found the upward climbs a little tough but the downhill grades were a breeze. . With her patience and guidance I was able to do all the hikes and enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment. "Elvis" helped me not go down the wrong path so if in doubt follow the dog Elvis!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Has an amazing spirit and wonderful leadership skills. She is the best guide I've encountered to date. Hope to do more trips with Exodus in the future.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Pack the rain gear as you may need it! Also the gloves and hat were a blessing for this unexpected chilly and snowy weather.
