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’!

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!

Haven’t posted your review yet? Here’s how to do it…

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.

Alternatively you can navigate to the relevant trip page and add your review via the Reviews tab.

Select a trip specific review:

Select

89 Reviews

4.6 out of 5

Daniela Fonseca

Reviewed November 2024

Amazing walking holiday!

From start to finish, everything was perfectly organized, allowing us to fully enjoy every step of the journey. The tour strikes a perfect balance between enjoyable walks and breathtaking views of stunning destinations like Alberobello, Ostuni, Locorotondo, and Matera.

Most Inspirational Moment

Exploring the fairy-tale trulli in Alberobello was absolutely magical, with their unique charm and picturesque setting. Another highlight was visiting Masseria Morrone, where the delicious dinner stole the show. The authentic flavors and locally sourced ingredients made it a truly unforgettable culinary experience. Finally, wandering through the ancient sassi of Matera brought the region’s rich history to life. Each of these moments felt like a window into Italy’s incredible heritage and culture.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Iona was fantastic! She was incredibly knowledgeable, approachable, and always ensured everyone felt comfortable and included. Her passion for the region and its history added a unique depth to every stop along the way, making the experience truly unforgettable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

ATMs are easily accessible in Alberobello and Matera, but it's a good idea to carry some cash. The walking routes are generally easy, but I highly recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes for the best experience. Hiking poles are optional, though some people find them helpful on certain paths. A reusable water bottle is essential, as tap water is safe to drink in most places. And don't forget sunscreen!

Chris Nixon

Reviewed November 2024

Fascinating area of Italy

A week of varied walking. The Trulli houses are very interesting. And the cave dwellings in Matera are amazing. Some walks are more interesting than others. All at a moderate pace.

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlight of the tour has to be Matera. Unlike anywhere else I have ever been. And the guided tour by Nadia was excellent. She explained the history of the cave dwellers superbly.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ioana has excellent knowledge of the history and culture of the region. She had great awareness of the different requirements of the individuals in the group. Plus she gave us special treats and coffee at our mid morning breaks. Truly a special guide. Probably the best guide we have had with Exodus. And we have had some excellent guides over the years.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The hotels are fairly basic. Bring shampoo! And the wifi and mobile signal in the hotels can be very patchy.

Sue Livock

Reviewed May 2024

Walking in Puglia and Matera Private Departure

We had very good service from the Exodus sales team in planning the trip for our Nordic walking group. The itinerary was very well planned and gave us the chance to experience walking and cultural visits in this fascinating area of Italy. Overall the holiday exceeded my expectations.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our first view of the Sassi in Matera

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marion was an excellent leader who ensured all members of our group had the best time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Unless you have an early departure you will not have time to do the activities described on Day 1. Check what type of adapter is needed for Italy.

Jan Abbott

Reviewed May 2024

Only 3 walks throughout the week

The trip was well organised and each of the three places we stayed were fascinating

Most Inspirational Moment

Wandering the little alleys of Matera and enjoying the wonderful food of the region

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ioana was wonderful in all aspects

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walks are leisurely but interesting.

Fiona Kaplan

Reviewed May 2024

Fabulous first walking holiday!

This trip exceeded my expectations in both the excellent organisation and expert talks by Ioana and the wide range of activities around walking, sightseeing, free time and gastronomy! 💚

Most Inspirational Moment

First view of Matera town across the ravine

Thoughts on Group Leader

Perfect! Ioana has the ideal mix of careful attention to detail, awareness of different individual needs and preferences, ability to bring the history and culture of the region to life, lovely sense of humour and complete unflappability. 10/10.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring layers you can peel off as you walk if it is a hot day; bring a serious sunhat with brim and UV protection; something to cover shoulders; strong boots or trail shoes for support on any uneven ground; large water bottle.

Matthew Smith

Reviewed May 2024

A glorious week

A hugely enjoyable immersion in the countryside and towns of Puglia and Basilicata.The itinerary is well-designed, as the highlight for us was undoubtedly Matera, and I was pleasantly surprised at how little down time we had. The walking is undemanding, but the scenery is beautiful, and I can imagine in high summer the heat could become a problem. A great introduction to an area I knew very little about, other than enjoying the excellent wines it produces.

Most Inspirational Moment

Matera. Seeing it from across the ravine and then up close was breathtaking .

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ioana was outstanding. She was professional, deeply knowledgeable, and great company. She anticipated the needs of a disparate (but very agreeable) group of walkers and made an excellent trip into an unforgettable experience. Exodus seem to have a knack of engaging outstanding tour leaders for their Italian holidays - she is the third we have met, and all have been outstanding.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although the walks are not excessive, and the ascent/descent is moderate, it's well worth packing your walking boots. I found the combination of hard services and occasional rocky sections were surprisingly tough on the feet, and I was glad of the thicker soles on the days I wore my boots. Poles are definitely an optional extra, unless you are an habitual user.

Anne Brown

Reviewed May 2024

Walking in Puglia and Matera (April 2024)

A very interesting range of regions, from the picturesque trulli houses of Puglia to the peace and quiet of the Masseria Morrone and finally the amazing cave dwellings of the Sassi district of Matera. The walks ranged from paths through fields dotted with ancient olive trees to shady forests and finally to wide open vistas in the Basilicata region

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk along the Murgia plateau with horned cows complete with cowbells, Spring flowers everywhere and beautiful views across to the Sassi district of Matera.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tancredi was a very knowledgeable and helpful guide who always kept us informed of the programme for each day. The hike across the suspension bridge was not possible due to weather conditions, but Tancredi handled the change in programme very smoothly and also went out of his way to assist with suggestions for our free time, including an unscheduled visit to a beautiful rock church and a Benedictine Abbey on our last morning which was really special.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I used cash rather than credit card more than I had anticipated but this was not a major problem as ATMs were easily accessible.

Christina Cooper

Reviewed May 2024

It works

A well balanced choice of 3 exceptional places.
Day 2 was probably the best walk along the Itria Valley.
Not using the Matera suspension bridge limited the walk route. For interest we did cross it on our own.

Most Inspirational Moment

Waking up to look out over Matera from The Sassi Hotel. The view across to the sea from the beautifully adapted Masseria Morrone. Ancient Olive trees as living history.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowledgeable in his own field. More information would have been helpfully shared with clearer language.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack all the usual requirements for day walks at home.

Trevor Breedon

Reviewed March 2024

Wonderful week

We had a marvellous time walking in Puglia and Basilicata, an area completely unknown to us before now. Such beautiful towns and villages to explore in Alberobello, Ostuni, Lecce and the fascinating Matera and gentle day walks in surrounding countryside.

Most Inspirational Moment

Matera has to be a highlight. We stayed in a charming cave hotel in the heart of the old Sassi area, ideal for investigating the many enchanting alleyways and nearby ravines. It would have been easy to spend a whole week there.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tancredi proved to be an exceptional leader with a thorough knowledge of the area, having been acquainted with it for much of his life. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble for him. He was engaging, helpful and knowledgeable and got on with every member of our 12-strong group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walking is pleasant rather than spectacular for much of the time but thoroughly enjoyable. The weather for our trip in March was ideal. I can imagine it might become extremely hot in midsummer, when of course crowds will also descend on beautiful places such as Matera and Ostuni.

Trevor Acreman

Reviewed November 2023

Really enjoyed it but the walks the least good bit!

We visited lovely towns and stayed in nice hotels and ate good food! Having been to this area before it was as expected and lovely to see again. I’d never been on a walking holidays and last time in Puglia I toured by bike. Whilst some of the walks were lovely, past aged olive trees etc, others were pretty ordinary. The guide was great and passionate about his local area. The group was ok and as usual you just avoid the naysayers. Being a cycle tourist an evening walk is usually a nice change. It only struck me on the holiday that on a walking holiday you walk during the day and then in the evening………….go for a walk!! Certainly recommend Puglia but not sure about the walking?

1 2 3 … 9 Next