Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention ranging from seeing the actual template that inspired the UNESCO logo, a long, ceramic staircase, the magnificent mosaics of Monreale, the buzz of the Palermo markets, the fish market area in Catania, the little train that took us up to and around the old town of Modica, the backstreets of Syracuse and the impressive baroqueness of Noto. I could go on … but this review would then run into pages.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Titziano was an exemplary tour quide. His enthusiasm and love for Sicily is totally infectious. He worked extremely hard to ensure we all had an amazing time and we certainly did! As has been previously mentioned- he made anyone who had a birthday feel very special. I particularly appreciated so many of the little touches which demonstrated he was thinking how best to ensure we had a memorable trip. Suitcases that magically appeared in our rooms rather than our having to carry them up staircases and slopes. His carefully annotated maps for any place we visited and his useful WhatsApp messages that ensured we were fully informed of everything that was happening and any places we were visiting with useful suggestions of things to do and places to eat. If he’s your tour guide, you’ll have an amazing time. He’s a fantastic ambassador both for Exodus and Sicily.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are a lot of steps on this trip so come prepared. And also be prepared to put on a few pounds! The food is both delicious and plentiful. It’s actually pretty reasonable to eat out here. We were pleasantly surprised that almost all of the excursions or visits were included. We did the add on visit to the top (almost) of Etna. It’s comparatively expensive but we felt it was definitely worth it to be up reasonably close to the smoking crater.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking into the cathedral at Monreale and seeing the stunning mosaics was a standout moment. The Roman villa near Piazza Armerina is pretty special too. Selinunte: standing alone among wild flowers and grasses looking up at the honey-coloured stones of a Greek temple glowing against an intensely blue sky.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tiziano was brilliant! He is an experienced tour leader, yet his enthusiasm for Sicily, its food and culture is undimmed. He was great company and made sure everything worked well. He coped well with a couple of birthdays and one member of our group who became ill. He also included some additional stops at places of interest, which broke up longer journeys and added to the itinerary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is an excellent trip. Take comfortable, light walking shoes. May is a good time to visit; not too hot and the flowers are in bloom, although be prepared for some variable weather. Sicily’s towns are often built on hills and there are many steps to negotiate – if you have a problem with these this may not be the tour for you, although they are a good opportunity to work off some of the calories gained from the lovely Sicilian food! We had plenty of opportunity to try a wide range of dishes. Be aware that portions are large and two courses are usually sufficient (antipasti and primi, or primi and secondi). The archaeological museum in Siracusa is a long walk away, confusingly laid out and quite boring. Worth missing. Some of the smaller museums (e.g., on Mozia) were better.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tiziano is a young man but very knowledgeable about leading a group and making sure all is well. He has been a guide in Germany, France and other places and is fluent in English, German, French, Italian and of course Sicilian.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try the food in the markets. All delicious. And the gelato is the best ever.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many highlights but I suppose my favourite day was the visit to the temple of Selinunte in its natural setting. It feels very untouristy, especially in the aftermath of the Pandemic. I love Noto and the other baroque towns -- Ragusa and Modica, as well as the stunning landscapes of the Zingaro. I also loved the Roman mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tiziano was charming, helpful, and good-humoured. We had a lot of laughs along the way. He is passionate about his island (and especially Palermo). He tried his very best to make everyone happy and to point out different things that could be of interest to different people.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to say as it’s all so inspirational but probably the mosaics and the engineering achievements in construction of the temples and villas. The museums offered a staggering array of artefacts especially the one housing the Morgantina findings. Sadly a grass fire prevented us from seeing the site itself but do go on this optional visit if you can.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mileena was passionate and knowledgable about all aspects of the tour. A geologist by profession and a highly experienced tour organiser. A real gem of a guide which was all I had hoped for from Exodus and the reason I chose this tour over other companies offering cheaper options.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes. June was not the best choice for sightseeing as it was unbearably hot but good for the beach visits if you have time. Mileena advised that November could be good for both activities but the weather is so unpredictable so difficult to generalise. There are many steps to visit the baroque churches in tour but hop on hop off buses and land trains can get you to see most places if you have trouble with knees and feet. You need incredible stamina for this tour but no more than most Exodus trips. I found it easier than my previous excursion to the Greek islands last year rated grade 1 and this was grade 2.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too difficult to choose one moment or place as it means "downgrading" all the other equally great places on this trip. If I have to pick one great one...….. its too hard! I can list the bottom ones - Zingaro walk could easily have been left out - not a great walk; the Mt Etna walk was a stroll on a windy hillside and didn't give any feel for Etna, its there to pass the time while any of the group do the optional summit excursion. (My following tour was a week walking on the Volcano trip so its not that I don't like walking!) All the rest of the itinerary is equal first.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tiziano and the driver Allesandro were both great. Good company, very cheerful, very helpful. Tiziano was always available and preceded each free time with an orientation tour and suggestions ending at the coffee shop where we could find him with any questions (we also had his mobile number)

Advice for Potential Travellers

If like me you are a bit fed up of long bus journeys on similar tours then this tour is great for you, the 14 days allocated means there are no early starts or long bus tips, I think the longest was 3 hours the rest were really short allowing enough time for a short sit down before another wonder around. The expert guides were all excellent. There is a lot of easy walking but easy really depends on your view of walking I guess. I don't want to steal another travellers comments but his app after about 10 days told him he had walked 70km - sounds like non stop walking but it really didn't feel like it -don't be put off you can walk around a lot or not according to your preference - the coffee shops are great!

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to single one out.

Thoughts on Group Leader

She was fantastic.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a lot of walking and many steps, some steep.

Most Inspirational Moment

evening walks through Oritiga, Piazza Amerina, and Erice.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Milena was the most outstanding group leader I have ever had the pleasure to meet in my 20 years of travel, knowledgeable, good natured, caring on a personal level, without overreaching, making everyone happy and comfortable. on the long rides, giving commentary on scenery, history, any topic, but at the same time, letting people rest, sleep, and then introduce us to a new town. taking us out for dinner,as a group or letting people do their own things and helping them to find a suitable restaurant.

Advice for Potential Travellers

must be able to carry your laguage up or down stone steps to the hotel , or inside hotels. walking in towns up and down cobblestone lanes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Villa Romana in Casale - wonderful mosaics ; seeing(amazing views) and being on mount Etna

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent - very knowledgable and enthusiastic about archeology and Sicily in general. Good fun as well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a busy schedule.

Most Inspirational Moment

Selinunte - walking around the ancient streets of this ruined city gave a real perspective of how the city could have looked and functioned.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good. A challenging role, as it was the first time the tour had run!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with the flow! Plenty of free time for extended exploration. In Palermo, don't miss La Zisa, a Norman castle with ornate Moorish design. In Syracuse, the Catacombs of San Giovanni are the largest in Italy outside of Rome - recommend queue up for the after-lunch guided tour.