Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Funnily enough, for me it was the view when we climbed to the top of the mountain above Dorgali, with clear views to the sea, and a long way inland too. Tiscali was a special site in its own way, but the first climb was the most rewarding.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eric Woolley is a seasoned veteran of the outdoors, and the group was very safe in his hands. The first day's walking, he pushed us a bit, in order to get the measure of us, all the better to time the rest of the week's walks, which were timed almost perfectly. One slight criticism; Eric's Italian seemed somewhat scanty, but this didn't affect the trip at all, since one of our group was of Italian extraction, and was thus able to translate when having more complex conversations, and the rest of the time, the group had enough Italian to get by. Most of the hotel staff spoke English.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to sample some excellent wines; the hotel "house red" was quite acceptable, and the local Cantonau Classico and Reserve were delicious. Not quite so sure about the local myrtle-based aperitif, "Mirto", though! Being a vegetarian on southern european trips can be difficult at times, and I found myself being offered fish at least twice - luckily, I'm flexible, but others might not be so.

Most Inspirational Moment

The cave at Spinigoli was stunning and in its own way inspiring bot The Gorropu Canyon for shear, overwhelming impact was stupendous

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eric Woolley was the best! He knew how to guide and be involved as a member of the group. I can best describe it as like being away with friends - Eric created this effect.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for it - there is nothing not to enjoy!

Most Inspirational Moment

I really enjoyed the walk to the Gorruppu Gorge and the walk up to Tiscali. Lovely shady paths through trees and great views. Also enjoyed the clambering over rocks. I really enjoyed the visit to the Grotta del Bue Marino. We went by boat on our free day and the cave is amazing! On the same day enjoyed a fish lunch and Vermentino (white) wine in the restaurant at Cala Gonone, overlooking the beautiful bay.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alexis was cool! A fun personality and very polite and helpful. Kept everyone well motivated and was always attentive to individual's needs and kept the group together. He helped organise other activities for the free day and was always around if needed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Sardinia is a lovely island. May was ideal for walking, not too hot and lovely weather. Bear in mind that the walking is on quite stony paths so have robust footwear with you and socks that wick.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching Tiscali

Thoughts on Group Leader

Knowledgeable and personable

Most Inspirational Moment

Meeting a great and varied group of people. Its the people that can sometimes reset your life.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent leader however I consider that local leaders often add more to the holiday with their local knowledge of the area, culture and history.

Most Inspirational Moment

The high sides of the Gorropu Gorge were awesome. Grotta degli Ispinigoli was well worth the visit with its huge column and the Bue Marino Grotto too. The climb to Tiscali was tough in places but well worth the effort.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eric was excellent. Very helpful, patient and sociable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you like the med with scenery, peace and quiet, good food and wine , then this could be the place for you. I would love to go back and see more of Sardinia as this trip concentrates on a very small area of the island.

Most Inspirational Moment

Gorrupo Gorge lived up to the hype.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eric Woolley was very good and helpful. If he didn't know an answer he made sure he found out and advised us asap. Not a grumble but we thought his timing was sometimes awry for the walks. An hour became an "Eric hour" - usually about 65 or 70 mins. Not a problem as the group found this amusing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking poles could be more of a hindrance on the rocky slopes up to Tiscali. Many group members without poles found the going easier using both hands for leverage than those with poles.

Most Inspirational Moment

The scrambles up and along quite rocky paths to get to some stunning views on the walk to Tiscali.  The Gorrupu Gorge was amazing too.  Really enjoyed the hike along the coast on the last day - more great walking and fully justified the HUGE gelato I treated myself to at the end

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were a wide range of walking abilities in the group - Eric had a difficult job balancing the hares vs the tortoises, but managed to keep us together ... at least for the scenery and food stops though not always when walking on a clear path!

Advice for Potential Travellers

We were really lucky with the weather, it was never less than 25C.  I was fine with walking trainers (Reeboks).  It was too warm for boots but they'd give better ankle support if needed.  Likewise take poles if you find them helpful, but I personally find it easier to negotiate rocky scrambles on all fours (where poles would get in the way)Walking sandals (Tevas and co) would be OK for the first day walk (all on roads), but no more than that.Main thing is to be prepared for some extended stiff scrambles (up rocky / bouldery paths) - the first part of the Tiscali walk and then the climb up to Tiscali are the worst - but generally the walking is pretty much on the flat.  I thought the first 2 days were more "A" grade because they were on paths / roads without much scrambling (unless you went up Gorrupu Gorge).  The last 2 walks were more "B" grade because of the more difficult terrain, but much more interesting because they were point to point rather than out and back along the same track.I was worried I'd struggle with an A/B grade walk because I'd done almost no walking the previous 2 months due to the dire weather back home and was fine.

Most Inspirational Moment

Swimming in the sea after a gruelling walk.A beautiful blue green sea,transparent water and gentle warm sea breezes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eric was very kind and tried hard to meet the individual needs of all the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The rock is hard ,sharp limestone .Even the experienced hikers found the walks demanding.Would suggest Exodus reconsider reclassification to Moderate.Make sure walking boots are tried and tested with some heavy duty plasters. The walks are mainly linear and flora and range of wild life limited.The hotel was excellent -providing wonderful food and a relaxed family atmosphere. If you are interested in the history of the island then read up before you go as the local guides can be difficult to understand and some have a limited knowledge of the archaeology . The locals are friendly and helpful.They will go out of their way to make sure you enjoy all aspects of Sardinian life.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think my favouite was the Gorropu Gorge, but also loved the Tiscali walk, visiting the Blue Marino Grotto on my free day and the mass of Spring flowers and in particular the spectacular orchids.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eric was a good leader, but he did not have a great Knowledge of Italian which I think would have been useful on occassions. He was shadowed by Christine, who will do some of the future trips and she speaks Italian fluently.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I did not have a problem with any of the walking and bit of scrambling on the Tiscali and Cala Luna walks, but some in the group were not so happy and there was a discussion at the end of the holiday whether it was slightly undergraded and whether some parts of the itinerary should be modified. To my mind it would miss out some of the best bits, so I think the holiday should stay the same and perhaps modify the grade slightly if felt necessary.