Reviews

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’!

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195 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Bill KUHL

Reviewed September 2024

A fabulous Trip

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.

Elliott Brown

Reviewed August 2024

TDT Walking in Tuscany (Level 5)

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!

Debbie Palmer

Reviewed April 2024

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.

Manish Vaid

Reviewed April 2024

Walking in Tuscany was an amazing experience

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.

Lucy Smith

Reviewed November 2023

Amazing trip, highly recommended

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!

Steve Owen

Reviewed October 2023

Tuscany September 2023

Having completed seven previous Exodus walking holidays, we had high hopes for our eighth. We were not disappointed as this trip was the best we have been on so far. The area we walked in was beautiful and quiet, full of views, forests, mountains and history. We stayed at Braccicorti, a characterful farmhouse where we were well looked after by the family. The food was local, fresh and really well cooked and presented and something of a highlight in itself. The walking is moderately hard, but very rewarding. Very quiet tracks and panoramic views from the mountains. As usual, the group were like minded individuals and on this trip everyone gelled and got on really well.

Most Inspirational Moment

Several great peaks stay in the memory but if we had to select one moment, it would be looking through the arch of the Monte Ferrato framing the countryside way below.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara (and her dog Elvis) was excellent. She made every effort to give everyone in the group the best possible holiday and was an experienced and highly competent leader. We have always had good leaders on Exodus trips, but Sara is one of the very best.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Not the easiest level 3 we have done but the rewards are well worth the efforts. Get as fit as you can to get the best out of the holiday, and don’t expect too much downtime at the end of the day. Paths are rocky in parts, so good boots are a benefit alongside all the usual walking gear.

Heather Dillon

Reviewed September 2023

Great trip

I had a great trip staying at Braccicorti and walking in the remote mountains.The accommodation is a family run hotel. The family are very friendly and the food wholesome and locally sourced. The trip was full on, we were busy most of the time. The walking was quite tough but very enjoyable, we reached lots of peaks and there were always options for the less able. Apart from our day off and one of the day’s of walking we were very much off the beaten track and did not meet too many other people. The whole group gelled well together over a common love of walking.

Most Inspirational Moment

I was very happy to have got to the top of the highest mountain in Tuscany - Monte Prado - at 2054 metres. The views from the top were amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara was amazing - she was beyond excellent. She couldn't do enough for us. She was very well organised and planned all our transport arrangements for our free day in Lucca. She was always on duty from breakfast to dinner (and no doubt beyond). She looked after us really well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are not a regular hiker, make sure you get fit before you come on the holiday and you will enjoy it much better. Age is no barrier, as long as you are fit. We had a couple in their late seventies on our trip who tackled the peaks no problem. Make sure you are well equipped with proper walking boots with ankle support and clothing for all weathers - sun hat, sunglasses, waterproof jacket and trousers, hat and gloves - the weather can change suddenly. If you are in need of a holiday to relax and read a book, this is not the holiday for you. We were busy the majority of the time. On the other hand, if you like to be busy and to be walking, you will enjoy the trip.

Denise Mills

Reviewed June 2023

Fantastic time walking in Tuscany

The walking in Tuscany trip far exceeded my expectations. The whole trip was meticulously planned and it was so easy to relax right from the start and simply enjoy myself. The accommodation at Agriturismo Braccicorti was clean and comfortable and the family who run it are just the loveliest people and made everyone feel so welcome. The food was simple, locally sourced and we were very well fed. The walking (Level 3) was absolutely fantastic – made all the better by our simply wonderful guide Sara, and the lovely group of people on the trip. I was a bit apprehensive about the weather as there had been storms the week before we went. However our guide Sara is an absolute expert on the region and was able to plan each days walk to take full advantage of where the weather was the most glorious on each day’s hike.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many it's challenging to choose just one. However, the last day undoubtedly stands out as the most spectacular and my personal favourite. The walk was challenging in a good way and the landscapes and vistas were nothing short of breath taking. It was a day that encapsulated the essence of the trip, leaving me with a sense of fulfilment, gratitude, and a longing to relive those remarkable experiences once again.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara is an extraordinary individual, she has such a genuine and sincere nature, which makes her one of the loveliest people I've had the privilege of encountering. Her deep-rooted passion for the local Garfagnana area and its people is truly inspiring. Sara's love for the region is infectious, and it's evident that she holds a profound appreciation for the culture, history, and natural beauty that envelops the area. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and it effortlessly ignites a sense of wonder and curiosity in anyone fortunate enough to embark on a journey with her. Her expertise ensures that each day of the trip is not only enjoyable but also enlightening, as she shares captivating stories, fascinating facts, and unique insights that enhance the overall experience, all topped up with a great sense of humour. Sara's attentiveness to the needs and well-being of each walker is unwavering, and she goes above and beyond to ensure that everyone feels supported and taken care of throughout the journey. Sara played a large part in making the trip a truly memorable experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack your wet weather gear even if you think the day will be fine, it can be changeable in the mountains. Don't underestimate the challenge of a level 3, make sure you've upped your fitness levels so you can relax and really enjoy the fantastic ascents and descents.

Lee Brooks

Reviewed May 2023

A Fabulous Week in Tuscany

A fantastic week in Tuscany, the family who ran the Agriturismo were delightful and could not be more friendly, considerate and helpful. The accommodation is fairly basic,but clean and comfortable (as expected). We were worried prior to the trip about the weather, but it turned out to be sunny most of the week! The itinery was just amazing, varied and with some quite incredible walks; especially the last day hiking up Monte Sumbra – unforgetable! The walking group was a great cross section of people, and many laughs were had over the week…..all I can say is it is a ‘must do’ trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention, as each day's hiking had something special. Taking aside it was a walking holiday, the people, as in the guide Sara, the Italian family and the people in the group were just wonderful, to meet so many nice people was just a privilege!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara is by far the best guide we have ever had, and my wife and I have completed several hiking Tours. Her personality, knowledge, experience, care, attention to detail, stories and sense of humour made the whole trip extra special. ....quite literally, an amazing lady! Sara even offers 'Reiki', which my wife undertook, although I am a sceptic, she came away from the session enlivened and inspired! Well done Sara, I hope our paths cross again some day?

Rob Pearson

Reviewed May 2023

Walking in Tuscany

Accommodation was very good. Trip notes were accurate. Weather was unexpectedly cold and wet much of the time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the high point of Tuscany, Monte Prado, on one of the good weather days.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. She was very knowledgeable about the area and juggled the itinerary to get the most of the good weather days. She also organised all the travel details for our day-off trip to Lucca, complete with tour suggestions when there.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It may not be as warm as you expect in May.

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