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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50 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Graham Swift

Reviewed September 2019

Fabulous Sicily

This is our 6th Cycling holiday and one of the best so far. We were lucky to be part of a wonderful group made up of folks from the UK, Australia, NZ and Canada. We all had lots of laughs and good times.
Some of the hills were challenging but all the better for 6/15 being e-bikes, so don’t be afraid to book an e-bike.
Some beautiful towns and scenery as well as good hotels, delicious food and restaurants selected by our group leader Davide.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention but arriving in Noto was spectacular where we had a fabulous pizza.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Davide was an amazing young man who had a lot of passion for his country and wanted you to share it at every level. A really good group leader and well briefed on local history and culture. Must also mention Giuseppe the mechanic, driver and picnic man, whilst he couldn't speak English, he observed the group and made sure we were all looked after.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If in any doubt of your cycling abilities just book an e-bike. We loved them and they worked well with the group. The hotels were all good but remember to bring your swim shoes. Also if you like an early morning coffee, bring a travel kettle. Tea & coffee facilities are not provided in your room. Some roads coming into the towns can be quite busy, so make sure you are confident with riding in traffic.

Sarah Kleinitz

Reviewed September 2019

What a ride

This was a fantastic introduction to Sicily and to planned cycling tours. We had a fantastic group of 15 riders from the UK, NZ, Canada and Ireland. We ate and rode together every day. The weather at this time of year is great for cycling.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of each and every long climb.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Davide is conscientious, witty and engaging. We enjoyed sharing novel examples of English sayings and learning more about Sicily from him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Train for the uphills Cleat pedals are a big advantage Enjoy the moments

Gail Hopper

Reviewed June 2019

Great trip

A delightful trip from many perspectives.
Lovely scenery and interesting places to visit in the south of island.
Very good company of lovely people.
Amazing food.
Hot weather
What’s not to like??

Most Inspirational Moment

Not necessarily inspirational but some really enjoyable experiences. On bike - the challenging climb up to Cavagrande del Cassibile and the wonderful views from the top. Off bike - possibly arriving in Noto or the wander through Marzamemi - really was a picturesque fishing village, followed by Guiseppe’s picnic, relaxation and swim at the agriturisimo

Thoughts on Group Leader

Davida was a gentleman. Totally committed to ensuring we had a safe and enjoyable trip, kind and humorous. We liked his “stories” and his growing collection of English colloquialisms, that he tried to feed into daily conversation. He was well organised, ensuring an early start and finish so we had time to relax, swim or explore at the end of each ride. He knew, was proud of and described his country well. He wanted us to see the best of it ( and we almost did ). Took us to some lovely places to eat, to get the best pizza in Noto, antipasto in Syracuse and gelato and cannoli anywhere. A man with good taste! Giuseppe his assistant was a great supporter/driver/ bike mechanic and picnic provider. He has limited English but we managed to get by and the two made a good team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware of how hot it can be in early June. Was 37degrees on day one. Didn’t fall below 30 all week. Davida sensibly had us out early each morning before it became unbearably hot. In some of the rural areas near the coast there were appalling amounts of rubbish dumped along the roadsides. We understood this was a result of political decisions about tax linked to recycling. This isn’t something Exodus are responsible for or able to change ( though I fear it could impact on tourism if it isn’t addressed). So very sad to destroy beautiful countryside.

Timothy Sullivan

Reviewed June 2019

Cycling in sicily

The leader was excellent.
The support person Giuseppe was also excellent.
The bikes were good.
The routes were very good and well planned.
The accomodation was ok and variable. The starting accomodation had a disco night going till 2.0 pm just below our room!
Meals provided ranged from poor to good.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling gently along narrow country roads through rural Sicily.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Davide Di Mauro Was an excellent leader. Also mention the support, Giuseppe, also excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely use E bikes if you are older or not an experienced cyclist.

Brigitte Schneeloch

Reviewed May 2019

Cycling in Sicily

An excellent cycling trip, for me in a less well known area of southern Sicily. The cycling was good, and the hills were more than manageable with my very dependable ebike. Our leader made sure that we also packed in as much sight seeing as possible, so we learned a lot of cultural background to the places we visited. All were very interesting, but ending up in Syracuse and having plenty of time for eating wonderful food, and sight seeing, was a surprising bonus.
I thoroughly enjoyed this trip and would recommend it to anybody!

Most Inspirational Moment

As above: visiting Syracuse, and seeing the Baroque town of Noto Two very beautiful places

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was just wonderful! Full of knowledge, helpful, guiding us safely through traffic, And up the hills. And down again!!! Lots of fun, always on the lookout to avoid any potential problems. He and the very patient van driver guided us safely on the road sections And they excelled at making us wonderful picnic lunches on 3 occasions!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you want to see Sicily, then go for this trip! Depending on the season, it can be chilly . Be prepared to cycle some significant hills!

Fenella Butler

Reviewed May 2019

Cycling in Sicily

this was an amazing holiday I cannot rate Davide highly enough, he is knowledgable, kind and thoughtful and guided us so well. He is great fun.
Giuseppi the driver also made a great difference, he took care of us at every steo, another kind and helpful man.
The two men made an excellent team
It would have been good to have been told that there would only be sandwiches on the plane then a long drive and no food at the hotel. The hotel was great and did their best giving us some bread and olives.
If possibly would be much much better to travel earlier both going and coming back.

Most Inspirational Moment

being saved from falling off my bike because of the high winds by the leader. and coming down from the Cava Grande, 7 k of hairpin bends.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Totally amazing - see comments in summary

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes get yourself some food to eat on the plane and ask Exodus to get earlier flights.

Simon Hopper

Reviewed November 2018

Great week cycling in Sicily, but very disappointing flights

A great week’s cycling in Sicily in October. Weather and scenery were great (sunny in high 20’s), the group was very entertaining and got on so well that all 16 of us ate together every night, and the tour guides were very helpful, friendly and informative.
The cycling route could have been extended, as there were a couple of very light days, but the only real problem was the group flights (see advice below).

Most Inspirational Moment

Not really any inspirational moments - Sicily was great and the group of 16 got on very well together.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Davide di Mauro was excellent throughout.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book your own flights - Exodus group booking means you can't pre-book seats (or even be sure that you will sit next to your partner / friends), you can't check in online, and you get whatever Exodus can find cheapest. We ended up travelling from Heathrow to Milan to catch a connection to Sicily (and almost missed connection on return flight) when we could have flown direct with BA from Gatwick, and the four of us were scattered all over all four flights. Not an enjoyable way of starting or ending your holiday !

Louise Keesing

Reviewed October 2018

Cycling in Sicily

A great ride through the outskirts of the region. Accomodation was very good and the farmhouse stay and food exclent. Loved the pasta cooking lesson.

Most Inspirational Moment

Pasta cooking and watching the olive picking

Thoughts on Group Leader

She was excellent, fun, with us all the way and rapidly found a great alternative when it was too windy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Sicily is much easier than the Amalfi coast and probably don't need an E bike if you can cycle 50km. Really enjoyed Sicily.

Helen O'Connor

Reviewed September 2018

The best of everything

This trip was so good for the soul: amazing guide (Iris), superman (Giuseppe), towns, laughs, food, beer, wine, sun, storms, swims and group – all in equal measures.

Most Inspirational Moment

Inspirational no, but as a fan of Montalbano, I was beside myself with giddiness when we got a quick look inside his 'police station and office' in Scicli. Lifetime firsts: I ate a prickly pear, cycled past fields of aubergines and pomegranates and found a fizzy water vending machine where you can fill your own bottle - why don't we have these at home?! I appreciated having 2 hotels where we stayed 2 nights each, particularly the agriturismo, with lovely pool and great staff. I loved all the places we visited, but Siracusa had a particular hold on me.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Iris was wonderful. She made us all feel very safe, was super organised and attentive and good fun. A gem. Her side-kick Giuseppe was brilliant too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A bit of training beforehand would be good to help you up those hills, particularly if you haven't been on your bike for a while! Although, with e-bikes an option now, it's maybe not required. One point on the e-bikes, some people found them heavy and clunky on the descents. Bring a raincoat for any short, but heavy downpours. Be prepared for a lot of eating.

Jane Holt

Reviewed September 2018

Thoroughly enjoyable

An excellent holiday all round. Beautiful scenery and architecture, great bikes, lovely company and a fantastic guide in Iris, supported brilliantly by the two Guiseppes!

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling into Noto for a fab lunch after a challenging morning!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Iris is knowledgeable, a great leader and good fun to be on holiday with.

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