Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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71 Reviews

4.5 out of 5

Reviewed November 2013

TREASURES OF SICILY

An island with so much to offer the visitor, a sunny climate, natural beauty, ancient relics and tasty food! Our enjoyment was enhanced by an obliging tour leader.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were treats in store every day and even when the weather interfered with plans the alternatives were also enjoyable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Salvo worked hard to share his love of his country in a way that appealed to us all.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Add a couple of days to the end of your trip to visit Piaza Almerina, the fantastic roman mosaics are inspirational, we are so glad that we went, I cannot think why such a splendid place is not on the tour, but as we went on our own it meant we could spend longer there which was a bonus.

Reviewed November 2013

TREASURES OF SICILY

Extremely informative. A great way to see a truely beautiful island. In addition we had a great group leader and a wonderful driver who ensured we saw as much as possible in such a short time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Where do I start? There where so many

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Fabio knew the island inside out. The passion he had for his country shone through. He was keen to show the group addition places that was not on the official tour. The eating places that Fabio took us to were always superb.We also had a wonderful driver Maritsio, who himself was knowledgable and always keen to help

Advice for Potential Travellers

When the guide says to carry waterproofs do so. The weather in the month of October is extremely changable.

Reviewed November 2013

TREASURES OF SICILY

A fascinating island and worth a second trip I think. History, togography, food and wine all so varied and enjoyable.

Most Inspirational Moment

The amazing classical ruins of course and the mosaics in the Byzantine churches. Blue skies over Taormina: what views! Grey skies lowering appropriately over the black lava of Etna. Short lived scirocco and cloud burst lent flavour and experiences with the oh so friendly locals: lashing down restaurant tables in Cefalu and having to take a leisurely lunch in a market bar in Palermo were the bonuses. Must admit that the Etna wine-tasting was a total revelation with antipasti overflowing and excellent local wines.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabio was fab! Great local knowledge, especially of restaurants. he seemd to know the best and most varied menus for all parts of the island. Don't miss his steer to the Genovesi cakes in Erice.Fabio took us to two great places not on the itinerary, without skimping on anything else. I recommend Modica for the chocolate factory and shop [with samples to taste and buy] and lunch at a restaurant on the shore of the salt pans. Our driver,Maurizio, made up the great Sicilan team. He was kindness itself, steered the minbus round corners that seemed impossible and helped with local knowledge as well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When it says take stout shoes for the Etna climb-- it means it: don't skimp. Good walking shoes are useful to the cliff-top walk at the Zingaro nature reserve too. Mosquitoes bit us in the daytime at Segesta! Take precautions.

Reviewed October 2013

TREASURES OF SICILY

A comprehensive introduction to Sicily. I was left hungry for more.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were several highlights. The visit to Mount Etna was very interesting and the cheese and wine tasting later that day was most enjoyable! The Zingaro NP was lovely to walk in with some interesting museums in the park. The scenery was lovely and it was good to get some exercise and enjoy the countryside. The food and wine in Sicily is great and the people were very warm and friendly. Noto is beautiful and so is Erice.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Salvo was an excellent leader , full of knowledge and enthusiasm for his Island and especially the Etna area. He was patient and organised. An added bonus was that he is very sociable in the evenings .I learnt a lot about Sicily and Sicilains from him and also learnt a bit more of the Italian language. The driver , Luca was also very good , very friendly and sociable. The local guides were also very good.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip is very much a sightseeing trip. It covers a lot of the Island and therefore there isn't a lot of time spent soaking up the scenery and culture in any one place. It is listed as leisurely /moderate but compared with other trips I've been on this one was just leisurely . The walks on Etna and in the Zingaro Np are only very short. There are some steep bits , but mainly in the towns and villages due to them being built in hillsides or the tops of hills. Don't settle for a sandwich at lunchtime,instead find some local delicacies in the local pasticcerias. Great local food and quite cheap.

Reviewed October 2013

TREASURES OF SICILY

An eclectic mix of Spanish, Norman, Arab, Greek and Roman culture make up this sunshine island. Italy at its best!

Most Inspirational Moment

Exploring Mount Etna and having it brought to life (not literally!) by our naturalist guide.Tasting the delicious food and wine that Sicily has to offer and trying some new things.Wandering the streets of the delightful villages of Noto and Ragusa and discovering at my own pace.Finding out about Siracusa, Ortygia, Palermo and Agrigento through our enthusiastic and friendly local guides.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Salvo was very friendly, helpful and informative about his home of Sicily. Everything ran really smoothly and when there was an unexpected change of plan he coped admirably. He was always willing to answer our endless questions with patience and attentiveness.I am most grateful to Salvo for taking the trouble to introduce us to some fabulous restaurants, which we surely would not have discovered otherwise (although I did put on about half a stone!).

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take your Italian phrasebook with you - they love you try the language.

Reviewed October 2013

TREASURES OF SICILY

A good all round trip that took in most of the big ‘must see’ sites. The food was an unexpected bonus as I had no idea just how fresh and unique it could be. The guides were attentive problems solvers when needed and very knowledgeable.

Most Inspirational Moment

It was Monreale which left me overwhelmed. Also, coming in a close second the theatre at Taomina, not so much for its looks so much as the alignment with Etna as a backdrop. Having studied 5th century Athens/States I knew how much that would have influenced the plays. Monreale was something else. I only wish I had got to see the outside cloisters, but the gold mosaics, the marble floors and designs were outstanding. The whole trip managed to encompass so much I had read only about or learned about in one country. My imagination just soared. As a child I adored the Greek myths and legends, as an adult I studied Greece and Rome, here were examples of everything, what a place!

Thoughts on Group Leader

I thought he was great. A man passionate about his country, food, its problems and his Etna. Now, I was not keen about Etna, but he coaxed me up in foul weather and actually made it very interesting. He was also very kind about my lagging behind with a filthy cold and swollen ankles which lasted a few days. The driver was great too. Both were keen to promote Sicily and I was keen to absorb the information.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you dont like fish your diet is more restricted. There are some small cars to take you up to some sites if the heat or swollen ankles get you, which costs a few euros, same goes for Monreale steps. I took a taxi up and walked down. Its not easy getting tea. The beds were great for me, on the firm side. The hotels were fine, some were basic but clean. The only down side of Sicily are the stray dogs all over the place. They look well fed but thirsty and found on roads, sites etc. I did get bitten a few times by insects (late Sept) and our guide told us that Zingaro was bad in August. Wear a hat, take water, the tap water was fine. The heat was terrific. The mini bus just about coped with the heat. Bit of a hard ride but I didnt get backache as with my local buses. Be prepared for early starts 8 or 8.30am and they are an hour ahead too. This makes sense to help avoid some of the crowds (Monreale was packed by 10am) and the mid day heat. Take many paracetamols as they are 3 euros a small box!

Reviewed September 2013

TREASURES OF SICILY

A really good mix of culture/history, landscape and adventure.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Mount Etna day was my favourite. Trekking across the vast mountain in a selection of key spots that were picked for their natural beauty and interest.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dawn til disk accompaniment helped our enjoyment because Fabio also booked a table each evening, with the group's agreement, and chose different sorts of restaurant each time. Helped to have a translator with us! He was seemingly very laid back and relaxed, although he never missed a trick and was very dilligent of our safety. Very informative without going into too much detail.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Temperature-wise, September is the perfect month to visit.

Reviewed June 2013

TREASURES OF SICILY

A very busy schedule with little time for relaxation but a great deal was seen. Mini bus was not very comfortable for long journeys and any anyone over 6ft would have only been able to sit on the back seat by the pasageway – only realy suitable for small people.

Most Inspirational Moment

Taormina and Erice were wonderful hilltop settlements with plenty to see and wander around. Castelmola with its superb views of Etna was fabulous - sitting drinking almond wine overlooking Etna - fabulous. Taormina's Greek Theatre has a superb site looking along the coast as well at inland to Etna - excellent place. The salt flats near Marsala were fascinating with the piles of salt and windmills - very picturesque! Baroque architecture in Noto marvellous and the site of Ragusa amazing. Mosaics in Monreale unbelievable and Cefalu incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Salvo - excellent leader once one understood his accent to realise what he was saying. Plenty of photocopied info given each evening in the briefing for the next day. Very informative and knowledgable. Excellent guide. Arranged suitable restaurants for evening meals or lunch when needed and told us abot delis or supermarkets to have a packed lunches made to order.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Quite a strenuous trip with little time for relaxation - must be really interested in Greek and Roman ruins as we saw so many different sites of similar ruined buildings - some just piles of rubble. Spring is a good time to travel and these old sites were full of wild flowers - which added to the interest of some places - especially Selinunte. Sicilian hotels have no tea/coffee making facilites in the rooms and only plastic tumblers but it was easy to ask for cups as we had taken a travel kettle but there was little time to make use of it!

Reviewed May 2013

TREASURES OF SICILY

The visual impressions and photographic opportunituies were, for me, the highlights of the trip. The local guides were without doubt very knowledgeable but there was too much to take in. I would have preferred a balance of guide information and the opportunity to view the visual specatcles in our own time. It was very much an action packed holidy.

Most Inspirational Moment

This would have to be the superb visual impact of the town of Modica below us and on the hillside as we approached it in the minibus on the main road over the ravine. Sadly for me there was no opportunity to take a photograph but the image is firmly implanted in my mindseye. Otherwise the stunning scenery and architecture.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent in all respects. He was very sociable, had a warm sense of humour and he did everything to make our holiday informative and thoroughly enjoyable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a must for anyone wanting to take in most of what Sicily has to offer, which is substantial, but be aware we were "on the go" for most of the time to complete a substantial itinerary.

Reviewed May 2013

TREASURES OF SICILY

A good introduction to a fascinating Island.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the cathedral at Monreale.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Salvos is a lovely man. A font of knowledge on volcanology, flora and foods on Sicily. If he could not immediately answer a question he was able to research and let us know later.He took us to markets, deli's and restaurants where we could enjoy a variety of Sicilian foods and wines.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I was pleased that I took walking boots for Etna and the Zingaro reserve for although the climbs are easy the terrain is hard on the foot and thinner soles would be very uncomfortable.This trip visits well appointed hotels so a hairdryer is not necessary but you could make room in your case for some prettier clothes for the evenings.

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