Reviews

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

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78 Reviews

4.4 out of 5

Reviewed February 2011

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

MY wife and I have different levels of skill and this two grade holiday was perfect for us. I was able to get very good coaching on basic skills and increase my confidence as we went on treks each day while my wife was able to explore more demanding routes. We could compare experiences and bruises in the evening .

Most Inspirational Moment

Dobbiaco is a beautiful location. We had perfect weather, warm clear sky and wonderful views of the mountains. Cross country skiing, in my view, is not just about technique and speed but about exploring the countryside in winter. Each say was dfferent, frozen lakes, secluded valleys, open meadows and always the magestic dolomites to take your breath away, ( what was left of it anyway). My greatest thrill was skiing down a long open meadow and being in complete control of my skis, my speed and having time to look down the beautiful valley as it openned out below me. I knew then that I could ski cross country. The enjoyable aspect of Dobbiaco is that you are never far from a lodge or refuge that serves wonderful hot chocolate, apple struddle and a host of other things to keep you weight on the snow.

Thoughts on Group Leader

There were two leaders for each of the groups. My leader was David Davis. He was a very good coach. He made learning fun and encouraged each slight improvement. The group was diverse in age and in expectations of the holiday and he managed this extremely well. There were always options to have a shorter day and a bigger lunch. On a number of occassions he skied wth me a gave me very practical tips which actually worked. Both he and Albert the second leader ensured that we got the most out of our holiday as well as having fun in the evening.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Dobbiaco is a a great location for all grades of cross country skiing . I have expereince of these holidays in Aaustria, France and Sweden and for me this was the right place to learn and to become more confident and competant. There is a great vaiety of terrain around Dobbiaco as a many convenient stops for your creature comforts. The rail and bus services are excellent and so having a shorter day if you become tired is always an option. The hotel is warm and friendly but watch out fot the five courses at dinner.

Suggestions

A big thank you to Albert and David who made skiing challenging and fun and the holiday a great experience.

Reviewed February 2011

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

Good leaders who provided very enjoyable days skiing in wonderful scenery. The accomodation was of a good standard, the food and service good although the heating was a bit over the top initially. We were dealing with an unexpected family bereavement and the trip helped us cope.

Most Inspirational Moment

The last few kilometers, when I finally managed to skate for significant distances without falling over! In scenery terms, every day was outstanding.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Albert and David were excellent. Considerate of peoples' capabilities they took everyone on great outings. They were very knowledgeable of the locality and providied excellent information. They both contributed to a most enjoyable and sociable week.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Consider travelling by rail or take your own food for the flight.

Suggestions

I really enjoyed the region, not having been to the Dolomites before. Would be tempted to combine X-country and Downhill skiing another time.

Reviewed February 2011

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

A good balance of activity and relaxation, varied routes and views, friendly relaxed atmosphere and comfortable hotel.

Most Inspirational Moment

Just all of the wonderful views, oh and improving my skiing!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was calm and reassuring and made sure we had the best of the area and a good all round holiday experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

When on holiday with a group, be prepared to mix and be sociable. Everyone has something interesting to say.

Suggestions

Exodus holidays always depart from London airports. It would be helpful if transfers to and from resort could be more accommodating for those arriving and returning to airports in other parts of the country and Scotland. Little account seems to be taken of the fact that not everyone comes from the south.

Reviewed February 2011

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

Met some lovely people of all ages and enjoyed a very different type of holiday. Got a real sense of achievement from this terrific break!

Most Inspirational Moment

Thinking I couldn't control my ski's down the fast slopes and whooping for joy when I could. It gave me a real high and inspired me to learn new skils!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert was excellent - laid back, thought what he said and brought the best out of each of us. Watch out if you have any food left over at lunchtime as Albert has a big appetite and will wolf it down, especially if it's grilled cheese!

Advice for Potential Travellers

take lots of layers of fleeces as the mornings start very cold but you soon warm up. Be a team player and listen to the leader - its not about skiing the fastest or how many people you can overtake, its about applying new skiing techniques to make you a better cross-country skier. Come with a positive, yes I can attitude and you will have lots of fun and make lots of lovely people!

Suggestions

I thought the food was great but the late afternoon flight home was too late as many people had further connections and was a very long day. Also Innsbruck airport is packed and very badly organized, be prepared to queue and bring a book with you!

Reviewed January 2011

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

A clean and pleasant hotel in a picturesque town set within the stunning landscape of the Dolomites. Good transport links gave us easy access to various skiing areas and picturesque walks if you need a rest from the skis.Our party was made up of beginners and experienced skiers – we were in the beginners group.

Most Inspirational Moment

Skiing on virgin tracks through the woodland early one morning. For my wife it was walking through deep snow, high on the mountain on a day off

Thoughts on Group Leader

Heather was patient, fun, friendly. She kept us going with enthusiastic encouragement when we had doubts about our ability but also knew when we'd had enough. Also on the trip was Albert, who took the grade two skiers and was a font of knowledge regarding the local walks.Both leaders were good company in the evenings and fostered a good group atmosphere.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Quite a strenuous sport for beginners which will probably result in a few knocks and bruises. If you decide it's not for you or suffer an injury, there are plenty of beautiful, well marked walks in the area and other towns to visit so the week will not be wasted. It's very informal, so no need for dressy clothes (and the hotel dining room was very warm)

Suggestions

Dobbiaco is not a lively town for apres-ski but then most of us were too tired to stay up for long after dinner. Not much atmosphere in the hotel except that generated by the group.

Reviewed January 2011

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

We had a wonderful holiday, with exciting skiing through beautiful scenery, in perfect sunny conditions.

Most Inspirational Moment

We skied along an undulating trail high up on a plateau, with the sun blazing in a deep blue sky. There were fields of giant ice crystals on the snow, 3inches in height, looking like intricate leaves or feathers, and as the sun caught them they shone all the colours of the rainbow. Magic! (And impossible to photograph well!)The trail down from this plateau was 6 1/2 km in length, and although not steep, we had to snowplough continuously. The group spaced out a lot, with the speedies in front and the more cautious behind. I was in the middle and found myself seemingly alone skiing through the most picturesque mountain scenery. I loved it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert was an excellent leader. He was very conscious of what the group wanted, and he devised the daily itineraries to suit every member of our group, each day building up our abilities and confidence. Those who did not want to ski too far had options to catch buses back at various points, and he was willing to extend the daily skiing until the light failed for us keenies. I felt I could trust his judgement of what to tackle or not, and he took us on exciting routes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Build up your stamina before you tackle cross country skiing, by doing lots of walking, running, cycling or swimming.You'll be needing lots of energy, so that's a good excuse to sample the delicious cakes of the region, and the hot chocolates with cream that are so thick that you have to use a spoon!

Suggestions

Dobbiaco is the most scenic place we have skied in. The hotel was very comfortable and friendly, with a nice little pool, and excellent food. (Infact it was so good we have booked to stay there in the summer for walking and cyling)

Reviewed January 2011

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

Level 1 cross country skiing week – good teaching and group progressed well. Varying terrain, some easy, other parts challenging. Always option to walk past a section if too challenging. Hotel good with plenty of well cooked food and five course dinner each evening.

Most Inspirational Moment

Skiing at 2000 metres in excellent conditions on a sunny day with not a cloud in the sky.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Catered well for all abilities. Most of the routes crossed bus routes at several points so there were several options per day for taking bus back to hotel if wanted and allowing others to ski further.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pre holiday fitness to a moderate standard makes the course easier to manage and more enjoyable.

Suggestions

A great way to be introduced to cross country skiing.

Reviewed January 2011

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

A perfectly balanced week of life; do a lot of exercise, eat a lot of food. Do a lot more exercise, eat an even bigger amount of food. A truly virtuous circle.

Most Inspirational Moment

Despite skiing with commendable effort, i struggled with the subtleties of the snowplough and sensible cornering. Many bruises later my balance began to improve markedly, my skills less so. As i sailed out of control rounding a corner too fast, i prepared mentally to hit the deck once again. Imagine my surprise first not to fall over, second not to ski off the track completely, and third to negotiate my way back to the correct loipe in an almost controlled way. Not quite a baby taking its first steps but a definite sense of progress.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert found ways to deal calmy and patiently with a group of mixed ability and fitness. His basic apprach that you learn more my doing, trying, and taking your own risks, was very practical. I will remember fondly how on one occasion he said to me '' yeah, not bad '' while his eyes said '' i have no idea how you didn't fall over with that hamfisted approach. ''

Advice for Potential Travellers

Dobbiaco is an excellent site; many opportunities for different cross country trails either from the little town or from a short journey away. Personally i enjoyed the opportunity to make a journey from a to b in the different places we skied; more rewarding than just following circuits. The Hotel Tsurtschenthaler - though unpronounceable - is excellent. Literally endless supplies of food and friendly service. In the last 4 years my work has taken me to at least 30 different hotels in nearly as many countries. But the best shower in the world is in room 17 in Dobbiaco !

Suggestions

Dobbiaco is a little town. The bus station is a couple of hundred metres from the hotel. It's unmissable. Nonetheless i missed it one day and had to ski solo. For this i hold no one responsible but myself.

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