Walking in Tuscany

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the high point of Tuscany, Monte Prado, on one of the good weather days.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. She was very knowledgeable about the area and juggled the itinerary to get the most of the good weather days. She also organised all the travel details for our day-off trip to Lucca, complete with tour suggestions when there.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It may not be as warm as you expect in May.

Suggestions

The staff in Braccicorti were very friendly. But, the food was disappointing. My wife and I do not eat meat and some of our main meals seemed to be just the veg that the meat-eaters were getting with nothing else. We did get fish one night, but so did everyone else!

Most Inspirational Moment

Arriving at the top of the mountains with spectacular views. Walking through Tuscany villages and experiencing village life.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Elvis was a joy to walk with having knowledge of all the vast area. Leading us up and down safe routes making sure the group stayed together and watching out for creditars. His assistant Sara is a very hard working, personable lady with a vast amount of knowledge having had years of experience in organising adventure trips. Sara is attentive, gives useful advice where required and quickly assesses individuals in her group so you felt reassured at all times during the walks. Her enjoyment at showing us the area, adapting to any changes needed due to weather conditions and ensuring we have everything to make our visit comfortable made our trip such a great experience. I will be using Exodus again for my next adventure.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This was my first group trip through Exodus. The customer service received has been excellent. The Accommodation and Itinerary spot on. Some walks were challenging but as a mixed group of 12 with different levels of walking experience our guide Sara was able to ensure we all enjoyed the walks and achieved our goal.

Suggestions

I will certainly be booking another trip through Exodus and would have no hesitation in joining a group on my own if I had to. I found the group I was with very friendly and supportive.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many wonderful moments but I guess I enjoyed the achievement of getting to the peaks and seeing the far reaching views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sarah is the best one yet !!!! (And they have all been good). She appears casual and laid back but in reality she is extremely well organised and anticipated our every need before we even knew we had one !!! Everything was well prepared and explained in a good manner........plus she didn't just expect us to remember it all...........she pre-prepared information for us to use. Even on our day off she took it upon herself to make sure we had everything we needed.........even buying our train tickets in advance, giving us an excellent timetable and booking taxis and evening meals. Nothing was forgotten. But above all of these things Sarah is a woman who's heart and soul is in these mountains and activities and she dearly wants to share it all with us and make sure we enjoy every moment. She is extremely professional and very careful. Indeed a lovely lady..........our Wonder Woman !!!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take note of the Exodus grading for this trip. It is a Grade 3. Top end Grade 3 I would say, having done a few. As far as I know the grading system is not 1 - 10 as I believe a lot of people sometimes think (and sometimes get caught out). So, rather than 3 being below halfway on a 1 - 10 grading, I think, maybe, this trip should be thought of as a 3 between, say, 1 - 5. A good moderate trip. (Just my opinion). It's a great holiday to do. Go for it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent in all respects whether on the walks, at mealtimes, helping out on rest days and just generally being around. I've been on 7 Exodus trips, all with good leaders, but Sara stands out above them all. Her love of the place and the people is evident

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you're looking for a combination of good walking, good accommodation and food all delivered in a relaxed and unfussy (but totally professional) way whilst exploring some new and surprising parts of Italy then give this a go. Even in mid June as we experienced a heatwave we still had a short spell of wind and rain near the summit one day, so be prepared.

Most Inspirational Moment

I always find it inspirational to exert myself to climb a mountain and then take the time to take in the vast landscape below and to put any outside worries into perspective. There were many opportunities to do this on this trip but I think the day we climbed Monte Ferato was my favourite because the view was so panoramic. I took a moment to absorb it before others came up the mountain. I also hired a bike and rode it through the streets of Lucca out of the walled area and found myself at a level crossing and by the time the train arrived a group of Italian women all shopping on bikes had gathered one by one and struck up conversations with each other and me. An impromptu social gathering in response to an unwelcome delay..

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sarah was extraordinary - going out of her way for everyone to make the holiday work. Providing those with sore knees tape to provide support and teaching us about the area, the farm, the family history and the providing little snacks. Her fitness and lifestyle is inspirational. When we climbed the highest mountain I left my fleece on the very top. It was one that they don't make anymore and was a favourite. The next day was Sarah's day off and she climbed back up the mountain and got it back for me which was really above and beyond and I was very grateful. On the last night we all performed a few verses of a song I wrote to say thank you to her - which was great fun but probably quite painful to listen to.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't be fooled into thinking that Tuscany in April will be warm. At the top of the mountain I needed all my layers and I really bought clothing for strolling through rolling hills not climbing. As a result I had too many t shirts and not enough warm layers. You do however need both that work together. I think a down jacket would have been helpful and don't forget waterproof trousers. I didn't wear walking boots just walking shoes and its not as craggy walking as Iceland where I felt I did need my boots for ankle stability. I was happy to rely on the food from the farm which is fine for the packed lunch but others took snacks with them.

Suggestions

This trip went very smoothly and I didn't. have any issues.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding. Our previous trips with Exodus have been with leaders who are native to the country. This has many advantages. Although she is english, Sara has led this trip for over 15 years and is pretty much accepted as a native by the locals. Furthermore, her professionalism and dedication to making the trip safe and enjoyable for the group was beyond question. Shortcomings in equipment were overcome using spare kit that she has accumulated over the years, minor injuries werer attended to, advice on how to use walking poles was dispensed, rail tickets were acquired on our behalf etc etc - both the expected and unexpected were more than adequately addressed. She even baked buns to welcome us back from our walk on her day off

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have the appropriate clothing and equipment for a day out in the mountains.

Most Inspirational Moment

There are too many moments to choose from. The walk to the summit of Mount Sumbra was challenging and certainly tested my head for heights, but the view from the top was out of this world - we could see the snow-covered peaks of mountains in nearby Emilia-Romagna as well as the broad sweep of the Italian coastline. I also really enjoyed the free day in Lucca - it is a stunning city with a lovely walk around the city walls and some interesting attractions, including the Torre Guinigi which gives you excellent views across the whole city. And then, of course, there was the 'village walk' led by one of the members of the family that own the agriturismo we stayed at - it provided a fascinating insight into the culture of a region that is still relatively unexplored.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara was absolutely awesome and the best leader I have encountered in all of my trips. She had a genuine interest in each and every member of the group and nothing was too much trouble for her. She also had a real passion for the area and her close connection with the family that runs the agriturismo meant that she was (and is) a well-integrated part of the local community. I really could not have hoped for a better person to lead our trip - she was wonderful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for all weathers, particularly if travelling in April. The trip notes warned that snow was possible on the mountain slopes, but the snow cover we encountered was deep (apparently exceptionally so). It was easy to walk through and added to our overall experience, but I would definitely be prepared to take a thick waterproof coat, waterproof trousers and some decent hiking boots if travelling early in the season. Sara also loaned me some walking poles that were very useful when negotiating downhill sections covered in snow/rocky scree.

Suggestions

If the trip sounds appealing to you, don't hesitate to book. I have been on many Exodus trips and this was, for me, the stand-out one. I loved every aspect of this holiday and really wish that I could re-live the week again.

Most Inspirational Moment

This was a great area for some serious walking, summits, views and scenery. Even the vehicle transfers to and from the start of the walks were interesting. The demanding two day walk with an overnight stay at the comfortable refuge was a great experience along with the strenuous summit of Monte Cusana.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara was a very good and knowledgeable guide who had a great passion for the area.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather was very kind to us in early September and we walked mainly in t-shirts, but we did have one wet afternoon when it absolutely poured, so take decent waterproofs and proper boots. There are problems with ticks in this area so it is important to check yourself at the end of each walk. We found a few! For the challenging departure you need to be fit otherwise you will hold the group back. Take good boots, poles and ideally a hydration system (Camelbak) as you get through plenty of water, and refills are not always available on the route. Although the overnight refuge was more 'posher' than some, you still need to take earplugs, eye shades, towel and a red bulb head torch. The food is excellent and plentiful and there is hot water, showers and proper toilets! All in all, a good experience and the thought of a refuge should not put you off booking this trip.

Suggestions

This trip has to be the best challenging walking week we have been on with Exodus. Do it, you won't regret it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing to the top of Monte Prado in clear warm weather in late October. The autumn colours of the beech trees, which extend to the tree line, were just beautiful - and catching a glimpse of a golden eagle on the way down. Walking up through the dappled light of the beech woods, knowing there were wild boar, deer and even wolves (higher up) unseen, but there nonetheless.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara is probably the best guide I have had the pleasure of walking with. Her love and knowledge of the area shines through as well as her vast skill and experience at getting the very best - plus a bit more - out of us motley crew. If I knew she was leading another trip (assuming the endurance levels were within my reach!) I would not hesitate to choose it. She went above and beyond to make two birthday celebrations on the final day most memorable - especially her home made cakes!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take good boots, definitely walking poles - and learn how to use them properly. Layers and rain protection. Late October was lovely and warm on most of the days, but a hat and fleece at the summit was welcome, even in bright sunshine. Leave your busy life behind and be ready to immerse yourself in the amazing peace of the mountains.

Suggestions

Be prepared to be amazed and delighted.