Walks of the Cinque Terre and Portofino

Most Inspirational Moment

The dinner at Assirto. While this was a recommended, not included dinner, it was a great suggestion. It was a very memorable experience with great food.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele was good guide and very knowledgeable of the area and culture. He did have a big challenging of leading a group with an extreme difference in abilities. We also had a group which was largely fractured in regards to going to dinners together. Given all those challenges, he still did a good job. I would be happy to do another tour with him again, and probably will.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware you will have to scramble and have steep declined. The trip may also much much more challenging than you expect due to the temperature and humidity in Italy. The trip will cost more than you expect as the trip notes are grossly out of date in regards to expenses. Everything cost roughly 40% more than expected, which I think caused some of the travelers in my group to not have a great experience.

Suggestions

I believe this trip should be rated level 4 if kept as it. I think it would be a better experience for all if this was increased to a real level 4+ by making it a bit more challenging and then create a level 2 version for those who are more interested in sightseeing. Every Exodus trip I take seems to have less and less meals included. I generally use this company as it is a complete package, but lately it seems less predictable on how much the trip will actually cost. This was previously an advantage which offset the higher price when compared to some competitors. I also miss the solo departure dates. My experiences are just not the same as they were in the past, so another big differentiator which I no longer see.

Most Inspirational Moment

Portofino; an easier walk and a lovely little town, although prone to crowding when cruise liners are in! Spending time with such a lovely group.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great fun, good organiser and communicator, and careful to support walkers of varying abilities / paces along the way.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If we went again we would try later in the year in the hope that it is less busy. The walks are rated moderate, but there are a couple of steep scrambles; most of our group were fit hikers - a few "training" walks would benefit travelers less used to long hilly walks.

Suggestions

Don't be put off by anything above, the leader, the coast line, the villages, and the whole experience, were really good.

Most Inspirational Moment

Next to the last day when we covered the last two Cinque Terre. We had a scramble up hill to get to the top to have the most amazing views. It was definitely challenging and I am pleased to say that all our group managed to complete it. Sense of achievement at the top was amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Miki was amazing, what else can I say, she gave us options every day and explained everything in great detail, she has amazing knowledge. Miki also said that this group was the only one ever when everybody completed the hard scramble.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure you are fit enough, make sure you have all correct clothing especially walking boots and poles, someone on our group went out to buy new trainers as didn’t have walking boots. Most of all enjoy yourself have fun, go and jump in the sea. It was very hot when we were there 29/30 degrees. On our rest day quite a number of us opted to spend on sun loungers on the beach, it was brilliant.

Suggestions

Maybe give people the option to upgrade to a better quality room when booking

Most Inspirational Moment

There is always a great sense of satisfaction and pride in completing a walk. It can seem a challenge, but the prizes both on the walk, and particularly and the inevitable spectacular conclusion is always worth the effort. Just soaking up the village life, a well earned 'cold beer', or a dip in the green/blue sea is always a treat and worthy reward. Shady spots under the canopy of trees and beautiful, magnificent churches provided rest bite from the heat and inspiration and awe in equal measure. We fell in love with the 'base camp' small town of Mongolia and the Hotel Piccolo. The Hotel, family run and personal, only a few steps away from the beach, making a early morning swim before breakfast a real treat.

Thoughts on Group Leader

In Michaela we were so blessed. She was the perfect guide and companion. Let's start with the basics, she was efficient, organised, knowledgable, informative, patient, hard working. So, in terms of meeting the job specification, absolutely first class. Now the real Michaela, lovely, friendly, witty, personable, enthusiastic, encouraging, fascinating. We had a lovely group of people on the trip, but the absolute star was Michaela. Fantastic spoken English, she took great delight in expanding our rudimentary Italian with daily lessons and tests at the end of the day. She loved our sense of humour and gentle teasing. She gave so much more than was expected and brought great joy. Please pass on my thanks and fond wishes to Micky.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Come with good walking shoes, plenty of water, your camera, your swimming costumes, and open mind and a good appetite.

Suggestions

Another great trip and experience provided by Exodus. Back to the brochure and onto the next one. But, where to next ?

Most Inspirational Moment

Lots of highlights - Portofino, walking along the terraces towards Riomaggiore, seeing the Giro D’Italia including Geraint Thomas whizz past on our ‘day off’! It’s lovely to return home feeling relaxed and very fit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michela is a superb leader, the best I have come across. She was fun, organised, knowledgeable and constantly looking after the group and each individual.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A certain level of fitness is required for ascending and descending hundreds of steps each day. The Cinque Terre National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and as a result is a popular place to visit. One of our walks was particularly busy with lots of stopping and starting on a narrow path in order to allow walkers coming the other way through. The scenery was spectacular but dealing with such crowds may not be everyone’s ‘cup of tea’.

Most Inspirational Moment

The view of Portofino as you come over the headland, walking across the terraces that stretch for miles across the mountains, with a village ahead of you and another behind...the sense of achievement when you reach each one!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michela is a fantastic guide; great company, kind and thoughtful, informative and she worked really hard to ensure we got the best from our trip, including being flexible to dodge potential / actual bad weather. She put our safety and enjoyment at the forefront; the paths were very steep and the stones very slippery so I agree, it's not suitable in bad weather. But we got to explore towns we wouldn't have seen, and all her recommendations - for our free time and the final rainy day - were spot on. Every day Michela gave us options; ways you could skip a section, shorten a walk or do something a little different if either an injury or just by choice, you wanted a change from the group walk. This made the whole trip very accessible to everyone.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do bring trekking poles and hiking boots, it's very uneven terrain. It was great to be based in one place - no packing & unpacking - but most of us brought more than we needed! A camelbak or bladder are very handy, to sip water constantly rather than use a bottle. Take note when there are beaches available that day - the water is stunning, so wear or take swimmers ...I was always keen to get my boots off and feet in the water, and would have swum if i'd had my cossie! Some days it's worth grabbing food in Moneglia where we stayed, so you have more time to chill out in the lunch stop...obv some people just wanted to head to a restaurant / bar, but it's nice to chill, head to the water etc as well...Ice cream is good everywhere but obv Michela knows the best spots! Tag days on before / after or both...Pisa has so much more to offer than the tower, and Lucca is stunning, very different and just 30 mins from Pisa by bus or train. Local transport is excellent and cheap, so you can see and do a lot in this region.

Most Inspirational Moment

Impossible to identify a single moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were blessed to have Miki as our guide. She was incredibly attentive throughout the week, and was always 2 or 3 steps ahead in anticipating our needs. Hugely knowledgeable about her home region, she also has a great sense of humour, and always seemed to be genuinely happy to be with us. She is a jewel, and turned a great experience into an unforgettable one.

Most Inspirational Moment

Completing the steepest walk up and down to Riomaggiore

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michela was an excellent leader, nothing was too much trouble for her and her organisational skills were exemplary. She was also very knowledgeable about the area we were in and happily fielded a multitude of questions. It's fair to say that she was responsible for making the holiday as enjoyable as it was.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try and get some hill walking in at home before you arrive in Italy.

Suggestions

I have previously walked the Amalfi Coast with Exodus and this trip was a definite step up in terms of being more physically demanding.

Most Inspirational Moment

Making great friends and sharing the amazing views and experiences.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mikaela was a superb leader and had a very friendly and accommodating manner. She had great sense of humour, was fun and made everything seem possible and enjoyable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking boots not shoes are advisable and walking poles as some sections are steep or slippery.

Suggestions

Ask to book a balcony room in the Piccolo Hotel as rooms are quite dark and the views of the beach are perfect.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the villages from the paths. They are just stunning. Wine tasting in Moneglia with Lucca who was so knowledgeable and inspirational. We also had a fantastic meal at the restaurant.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michela our group leader was lovely. So understated. Very efficient, knowledgeable about the area and managing the group in a gentle manner. A pleasure to walk with her.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Fitness does help with this walk as lots of ascents and descents. So get some training in before you go. However there are alternatives to some of the climbs. We had a room with a balcony over looking the sea. There is a supplement however it was worth it as these rooms are larger. The sandy beach at Moneglia is lovely and the swimming was excellent I am told.

Suggestions

If you love Italy and walking a super trip all round.