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.

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89 Reviews

4.6 out of 5

Janet Donbavand

Reviewed October 2023

Trulli houses and cave dwellings

This trip is a good mix of walking and sightseeing; it was great to be able to visit both the trulli houses and also the cave dwellings of Matera.

Most Inspirational Moment

On a walk meeting up with someone who was renovating some trulli houses, who invited us in to have a look at what he was doing. One member of the group was feeling unwell so he and his wife also kindly drove her to meet us at the next town.

Thoughts on Group Leader

His knowledge of flora and fauna was very good. There were various issues on the trip which he did his best to rectify.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If one of the reasons you want to come is to cross the suspension bridge, it was closed to groups on our trip

Frances Rushworth

Reviewed September 2023

Excellent trip

The Walking in Puglia and Matera guided tour gives an excellent introduction to the heel of Italy. This trip stayed at three hotels, all very good. Comfortable and clean rooms, great breakfast choices plus swimming pools at two of the three. The walking was varied from strolling through olive groves in Puglia to scrambling around the rocky gorge at Matera. The towns with trulli houses and the incredible rock city of Matera were memorable.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many highlights! The best day we walked down through olive groves of ancient characterful trees to the coast, where we swam in the Adriatic and had a delicious sea-food lunch.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gabriele was the best leader you could wish for: kind, knowledgeable and unfailingly enthusiastic, he went above and beyond to deal with unexpected problems and ensure we all had a wonderful time. The good comradeship of the group was in large part down to his efforts. Brilliant!

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was unexpectedly hot in late September at over 30 degrees. Bring water flasks/bladders - we were drinking 2 to 3 litres each on the longer walks (8 miles). In most places the tap water is safe, but not at the rural masseria hotel. Proper walking boots and poles were a huge help in the walking around the Matera gorge, and sturdy walking shoes or sandals with good grips are essential for the slippery limestone steps and paving of the city's steep streets.

Jo James

Reviewed July 2023

All about the sightseeing

This trip is about the sightseeing and exploring the towns in the region, Matera and the trulli were fascinating. The walks are as described in the notes and with the exception of the Matera ravine walk pleasant but nothing special. The paths are flat and easy to navigate, not one for serious hikers. The accommodation was good , the food was typically Italian, lots of pasta, pane pomodoro (tomato bread) and mozzarella. I suspect coeliacs may find it a challenge unless they like tomato and Mozarella salad!

Most Inspirational Moment

The ravine walk in Matera

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tancredi was excellent and took great care to see everyone could cope in the heat

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of cash, restaurants will not take multiple card payments.

M B

Reviewed July 2023

Great Trip

I really enjoyed this trip. The hikes were a great way to explore the landscape. Tancredi our group leader was very knowledgeable about the culture and history of the places we visited and also helped us make the most of our free time. I found all the places we visited unique and interesting. The week was packed with a lot to see and do but was planned well.

Most Inspirational Moment

Matera and learning about the Sassi districts.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tancredi was a great leader and made the week what it was. He was attentive throughout and made sure everyone was ok given the high temperatures in July.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In July be prepared for the heat and early starts for the hikes.

Debbie Wilkes

Reviewed July 2023

Appropriate

We thoroughly enjoyed the trip with its variety of locations and walks.

Most Inspirational Moment

Matera

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tancredi was one of the best Exodus leaders that we have met. He was knowledgeable, looked after everyone (especially in the extreme heat) and went out of his way to make sure that any request was assisted.

Donna S

Reviewed May 2023

This region is well worth a visit

A lovely area of Italy to visit, with good characterful hotels utilised for the trip, great food and great customer service experienced throughout. I was concerned, as it was my first walking holiday, that I may not be able to keep up with the group, but I was fine as the pace was good and we had breaks to rest and break up the walks, which weren’t too difficult and reasonably flat on most occasions.

Most Inspirational Moment

I enjoyed staying in and experiencing Alberobello with its trulli, unfortunately the weather wasn't great (wet), but a lovely interesting place to visit. Matera is another highlight of this trip with its cave dwellings, numerous places to visit and lovely walks.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Joana couldn't do enough for the group, she researched train times for the 'free day' for everyone, even though we were all going to different locations. She was well organised and did her utmost to help if we had any questions. The ruck sack she carried on the walks was huge, what with carrying bottles of wine and snacks for everyone. A knowledgeable and interesting person to have as our leader on this trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take warm clothes for the evenings and waterproofs just in case, boots may not be needed just good walking shoes. However if the weather is wet, the pavements become slippy so a good grip sole is needed. Unfortunately the weather was very changeable during the stay, so the waterproofs and warmer clothes were needed. Visit Polignano a Mare and Monopoli on your free day, both are pretty little seaside places and easily reachable on the train from Ostuni. Great gelato also, always tastes better by the sea.

Wendy Garman

Reviewed May 2023

Excellent Puglia and Matera holiday

Excellent holiday and guide . Despite the rain we had a wonderful time . Good itinerary especially Matera

Most Inspirational Moment

Matera , and learning about the “ shame of Italy “

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent . I was not able to do a couple of the walks due to knee pain , but Joanna was so helpful arranging alternatives and taxis A very caring leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Not really that’s easy walking . Take walking boots and sticks . Some difficult paths on the ridge of Matera

Jackey Phillips

Reviewed May 2023

More sightseeing that walking

Everyone had told me how wonderful Puglia was, so my expectations were high, but I have to admit I was a bit disappointed in the scenery. This trip is more about visiting the trulli houses in Alberobello and the ancient city of Matera, which were both fascinating and it was interesting to learn about the history of both. But the walks were not the most interesting, apart from the beautiful spring flowers and the second from last one, across the ravine from Matera. It was a shame the suspension bridge was out of action. Matera was wonderful. We had a 2 hour guided tour, but it was a shame it was done after we had been on a walk in the morning, followed by a lengthy lunch at the pasta laboratory – not to be recommended due to the surly manager! The trip was slightly marred by a few days of rain. The accommodation was all very good and we were lucky that the group all gelled well, with positive good humour. The food was very good

Most Inspirational Moment

Matera. Fascinating to wander the streets. You enter down steps from the larger, new city but once in the old city, the views are incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joana was an excellent guide. Very helpful and worked hard to ensure everyone was ok

Advice for Potential Travellers

On our free day we went to Polignano and Monopoli and were very pleased that we had. Both are by the sea and wonderful scenery and small, quiet streets to wander around. If you are expecting this trip to be one of excellent walks, this may not be the right one. It is an expensive trip, with the single supplement and I didn’t feel it was good value. The food is expensive, but generally very good. We only had short time on the beach after the walk from the farmhouse. Not really enough time for a swim and the sea was quite rough. Hardly worth taking a costume, although the farmhouse had a pool, so in summer, you could swim there.

Marcelle Truscott

Reviewed December 2022

Very poor guide

Very poor guide. Overall very underwhelming walks – guide very unenthusiastic. Food poor. Accommodation, especially first couple of nights, room smelled damp. Guide left us, in the dark, quite a way out of town. Last few nights, in Matera, room was a cave (what we expected) but it was dirty and bathroom was the size of a small cupboard (used a peg to keep shower head from sliding down). Last day guide left us (night before after a truly crap meal) to find our way to our airport transport bus. Small bus arrived at appointed time. Didn’t know anything about us or Exodus. All above raised with Exodus on our return. They denied everything but offered £50 pp as compensation. As if we’d ever travel with them again. At any cost. This is not a cheap holiday. Be warned.

Most Inspirational Moment

Don't do it again.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Unprofessional

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't do it.

Reply from Exodus

We would like to thank you for the review of your September 2022 trip, Marcelle, although we sincerely regret that your trip experience was not up to standard and that you were so disappointed with the performance of your tour leader. At Exodus, we take great pride in our leaders and recognise the value they add to our trips, which is why they undergo comprehensive training before leading our groups. Whilst we were confident in your leader’s ability to successfully deliver your trip, based on his qualifications, broad knowledge of this part of Italy and previous positive feedback from Exodus clients, we are genuinely sorry to learn that your experience was not so positive and we have, therefore, taken appropriate steps to improve the situation for future groups. The tour leader that led your group will not be participating in Exodus tours in 2023 and we have full confidence that issues such as this will not be encountered again. We are further sorry that one of the hotels you lodged at fell below your expectations, specifically that it was unclean, as this is not the type of feedback we often receive. The Hotel Sassi has hosted our groups for many years, during which time it has garnered generally positive reviews from our clients, which we trust shows why we were confident it would be suitable for you. Nevertheless, we do not wish to downplay your comments and we have, therefore, shared your views with the Sassi’s management team, as we find that they are always receptive to feedback when there is room for improvement. Overall, this is one of our best performing trips, with an average review rating of 4.7*, which we certainly find reassuring. That said, we remain apologetic that you did not receive the holiday you were expecting and that this has discouraged you from travelling with us again.

Katie Watt

Reviewed October 2022

Magic in Matera

A trip filled with country side walks, fresh produce and wine. The highlights have to be seeing the Trulli’s in Alberobello and watching the stars in Matera

Most Inspirational Moment

1. Matera - the first time you see the view it really is breath taking. The Hotel Sassi where we stay is incredible, I would definitely recommend post tour accom here 2. Trulli's in Alberobello - learning about the history of how they used to live in them. Something very unique 3. Optional day trip to Lecce - I would 100% recommend this, architectural surprises around every corner

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very friendly and informative

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walks are generally leisurely, but I would recommend taking trekking shoes or boots with good grip for the Matera Canyon walk.

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