Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

No one moment in particular, but being in such an interesting and pretty part of the world makes the whole week worthwhile.  The Walk of the Gods is great, as was the view from top on the first day's climb.  The family- run hotel and being in a town not overrun with tourists is a great bonus.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Unfortunately, the only part of the trip that was disappointing for our group was the leader.  He seemed a bit "over it" as far as being a group leader goes.  While I appreciate he was unwell with a cold, he gave little or no advice, showed little knowleldge or interest in answering questions and generally was a bit useless.  Having done this trip in 2005 with a different group leader (and having an expectation of Exodus providing us with a similarly enthusiastic leader), I was quite disappointed (and a little embarrassed as I had encouraged three others to come).

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely do the Amalfi Coast trip.  The downhill walking can be tough on your knees, so take walking sticks if you think this may be an issue.  On the walking days, think "moderate" for your rating; the "leisurely" part of the rating relates to the non-walking days. I also think a day-trip to Capri on your free day would be advisable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walk of the Gods

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knew his stuff about the region.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Taste the coffee.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me i loved the day in Pompeii which was so interesting, the guide was the best investment of the holiday and really bought it to life showing us all the key things and explaining things that you wouldn't even think to ask. Also the walk of the gods on the last day was wonderful with amazing views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christine was friendly, professional and passionate about her job and the area which really made the holiday. She made the whole holiday very easy and relaxing and was a lot of fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

All the walks were excellent and different from each other, but the afternoon ascent to the summit of Mount Vesuvius really stood out for me.  There were numerous steaming fumaroles illuminated by the setting sun just metres away from the remnants of a snow cornice on the crater rim and extensive views over the Bay of Naples in all directions – stunning!  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Barbara was friendly, well organised and informative and also allowed all group members to go at their own pace and make the most of any free time on the trip.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

On the free day, boat trips to Capri aren’t available during winter months so a good option is to visit the Roman ruins of Herculaneum and the clifftop village of Ravello and this was conveniently arranged with the hotel who ran private transfers to each of these sites.  The hotel staff are very welcoming and accommodating and did a particularly good job at catering for my meal preferences.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting Herculaneum and Pompeii realising how little civilisation has changed in the last 2000 years.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christine was a great group leader and was very considerate to all members of the group. She gave a thorough briefing every evening letting us know exactly what was to come the following day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The grading of the walking is appropriate and generally speaking there is alot more down than up, just beware there are an awful lot of steps on the day 3 walk into Amalfi and this does take it out of your knees somewhat. Plus be prepared for the bun fight to get on the local bus back from Amalfi, this for me was the low point of the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

I really enjoyed the trips to Pomeii and Herculanium and found these places very moving. I would definately recommend having a guide on these sites so that you can look and listen rather than having to jump aroung a guide book and map (which they had run out of). The weather was excellent for walking, needing a fleece only when starting out. Seeing the rugged coastline was spectacular.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christine was very efficient, knowledgable and helpful, just as we have come to expect of Exodus guides, thank you for making it such a wonderful time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The thousand(s) of steps down to Amalfi and Positano do take it out on your knees, so poles are very useful.

Most Inspirational Moment

Views to Capri and Positano on the Walk of the Gods

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic. Christine's knowledge of the area added tremendously to the enjoyment of the walking.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Limber up your knees!

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking into a deep steep gorge on our second day, surrounded by enormous cliffs and following this narrow path wondering where we were going next.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christine was a really good guide, a great sense of humour, who kept everyone together and who was always willing to help when needed. it was nice when we came across refreshment stops that she was greated by the owners very much as a local and all the members of the group were made to feel very .

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do get yourself ready, the walks are quite hard work but manageable and provided you have got reasonable walking shoes there should be no problems. A pole is useful but not essential and it is worth doing some practice walks which involve a bit of steep up hill.Above all don't worry about being the slowest, you probably will not be and even if you are people are happy to wait for you and still allow you time for a rest.

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably the visit to the Colloseum at Pompeii, but every day had its highlighlights - Herculaneum, Vesuvius, Positano and Ravello were all well worth seeing along with the superb views of the Amalfi coast on each of the walks.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christine was brilliant - knowledgeable and enthusiastic, much-loved by the hotel staff and other locals we bumped into on the walks - she added a lot to the whole experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It will probably be colder than you are expecting at the hotel in Bomerano so pack something warm. If you suffer from any knee problems be aware that there are many steps to walk down. The food and staff at the hotel are great and they cater for vegetarians - unlike British Airways! There are no kettles in the rooms. The water is safe and fine to drink. The local public buses are used on several days - don't turn up late, they are very busy. We took the optional trip on offer on our day off to Herculaneum and Ravello (35 Euros each and 10 Euros each for the guide, who is excellent) - well worth doing but be aware you spend quite a long time travelling on the minibus.  Enjoy!   

Most Inspirational Moment

I thoroughly enjoyed all the walks: there are some stupendous views (though of course  this rather depends on the weather).  I guess walking around the rim of the Vesuvius crater, on a fine day, with stunning views all around, was something of a highlight.  I also loved the gardens of Ravello, though the best time of year for them is probably spring time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert was competent, well-organised and knowledgeable.  Everything ran very smoothly under his direction.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If the flight is still with British Airways, try to fit your walking poles into your suitcase.  You can only take them as hand luggage if you take off the tips or cover them.  Otherwise they will go into the hold either strapped to your case or as a separate item, depending on who is doing the checking in.  In addition to your day pack, you can take a laptop or briefcase as a second piece of hand luggage.  You can check in online. The breakfast on board is foul - very disappointing for an expensive airline!