Most Inspirational Moment
The walking , meeting new friends
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent , very informative , helpful and made sure we all were having a good time
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Beat all my expectations
This was my first walking holiday and was a little apprehensive ,surpassed my exceptions , the walking was just as explained , looking forward to the get one
Walking in Tuscany
This was a great trip! Brilliant food, fantastic guiding, beautiful walking, a lovely place to stay and fabulous mountains to explore. I didn’t realise this part of Tuscany was so mountainous and that really surprised me. The walks were gorgeous but be prepared for 600metres or more of ascent most days, sometimes more over varied, sometimes rough terrain. The wide open views at the top though are well worth the climb up!
Most Inspirational Moment
Walking across limestone pavement and reaching the summits of some incredibly beautiful mountains. There were lots of views to die for! Being fed a three course meal each night was a real treat and they looked after me brilliantly (I'm a coeliac)
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sara our group leader was simply amazing! She had a fantastic knowledge of the area and looked after us like we were her family. She always went the extra mile in every way. We all felt like we'd known her for ages. She did so much and seemed to have endless energy which was especially good when we'd run out of ours!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring comfortable stiff-soled walking boots. Walking poles are useful too, especially for the descents.
Walking in Tuscany
Great food, accommodation, people, stunning area, challenging, well led walks, difficult to think of any negatives for this trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
The view of the coast from the top of the 'Dead Man's Stomach'.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Well organised and knowledgeable.
Advice for Potential Travellers
August in Tuscany can be wetter than you'd imagine, so don't stint on the waterproofs. It's also well worth making the journey to Lucca on the free day: a beautiful city.
Walking in Tuscany
A great week of walking with a good multi-national group and a great guide. There was variety in seeing something of the region and enjoying different walks. Braccicorti, our home for the week, was just that and helped us to absorb a little of Tuscan living.
Most Inspirational Moment
Probably reaching the summit of Mount Prado was the one moment I'd choose, after all it was a challenge walking week. However, there were others: the view from Mount Tambura, the successful baby wild boar rescue and finding the unusual swallowtail butterflies. Also, an enjoyable day in Lucca,
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sara - amazing! She managed the group well and made everyone feel valued. She was an interesting and special person who could be quite inspirational to listen to. Sara led the walks well, giving some freedom to go on ahead and supported where necessary. She was also able to change the itinerary with the refuge being closed due to late snow and included a couple of evening activities.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you do one of the challenge weeks, make sure you have appropriate rain gear, walking poles and boots. We all did and needed them. We were not able to use credit cards anywhere, you do need to have Euros. Read the reviews, they are always helpful.
Walking in Tuscany
Beautiful location in an unspoilt valley amongst the mountains of the Alpi Apuane and Apennines with a wide variety of walks possible to suit anyone from keen ramblers to the more adventurous. Accommodation is in a lovely farm estate with excellent home cooking, using much of their own produce, accompanied by their own most enjoyable light Sangiovese wine.
Most Inspirational Moment
The panoramic view of the mountain ranges all around from the first summit we climbed. The final day spent climbing Tuscany's highest mountain.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sara was an absolute star organising, guiding and caring for us, enabling us to achieve our aims in safety, comfort and good spirits. She was also a fount of knowledge about the area and everything we might want to do.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you like walking through woodland up to mountain ridges and enjoy beautiful scenery do not hesitate to choose this trip.
Walking in Tuscany
The Garfagnana; a green valley of Tuscan rural heaven, sandwiched between two mountain ranges; the Appennines and the Alpi Apuani. Staying at a farmhouse providing us with hearty evening meals and wine, largely from their own produce, and walking in exhilarating mountains, followed by a dip in the refreshingly cold pool on our return. Wandering about Lucca, a mediaeval town still with its walls intact, on our day off. Last but not least, the good company, the craic.
Most Inspirational Moment
Turning a corner whilst walking the ridge of Monte Prado, we came upon a small snowfield, in June! The view from a lookout point down the valley was a little piece of Via Ferrata; not for the vertigo-challenged!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Lizz was a mine of information about the area, and was a help whenever necessary, without imposing too much on the group's own chemistry; she got the mix just right. The farm's two dogs, Elvis & Dora came along for some of the walks, and their company was very much enjoyed by everyone; you always knew when Elvis had left the building!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Moderate fitness required for the trip, as some of the walks were steep, but no scrambling required. If you use poles (I don't), then should you forget your own, there are spares available. We had one or two wet interludes during the week, but nothing a waterproof jacket couldn't deal with. We met a huge (nearly 30) party of Poles of varying ages & abilities on one trip, just as the weather was breaking, and were very grateful for our group being of a much more manageable size (around 10) on what could have been a tricky, slippery descent.
Excellent walking in Tuscany
An excellent trip which I thoroughly enjoyed with first class accommodation and superb cooking by Mamma.
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching the summit of Monte Sumbra which I had determined to do beforehand.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sara was absolutely wonderful. I cannot fault her. She looked after everybody and there were times when I was particularly grateful for her attitude and attention. I really cannot praise her highly enough.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take a pair of poles with you-some of the descents are particularly steep and rough.
Fantastic Trip
This is a great trip. The accommodation is truly a gem. Lovely rooms set in beautiful surroundings with great food all freshly cooked by Mamma. Great varied walking from high granite summits to low valleys and lakes.
Most Inspirational Moment
Getting to the top of the summits and doing a little bit of scrambling which I had never experienced before. The amazing views The beautiful forest walks Having your lunch "on top of the world" from your summit stops looking out and down for miles
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sara is most definitely the best Exodus guide I have had - and I have done 17 trips with them! She is caring, encouraging, patient, knowledgeable and really inspires confidence. Nothing was too much trouble for her and she constantly suggested and provided extra things for us way above the call of duty. In addition she has a great sense of humour and fun to be around but maybe more importantly you feel 100% safe in her hands
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you are considering this trip do it, it's great. Do take walking poles- they really are useful. If you are wondering what to do on the free day the popular option of Lucca is a great easy day off -it's a lovely little city and easy to get to and from
Walking in Tuscany
An excellent trip with breath-taking scenery in a quiet corner of Tuscany. Food simple, plentiful and very tasty.
Most Inspirational Moment
Snow shoeing for the first time on the ridge of a mountain was great fun. Exploring Castelnuovo the local town was brilliant - a scene from a Puccini opera at every turn. The exceptional group leader Sara Bull.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Sara Bull is simply outstanding as a group leader. I have done a number of Exodus trips now and although they have all been led effectively, Sara stands head and shoulders above the rest. She is calm, friendly, totally professional and inclusive. Walks were tailored to individual needs and those that just needed a bit of encouragement were supported. She entertained us with stories from her vast experience. I would love to walk with her again.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take clothes for every season. In April the weather was perfect for walking but I certainly needed the waterproofs as well as the sun hat. Wifi is virtually non-existent. In short, forget about home for the week!
WALKING IN TUSCANY
I had always wanted to visit the Garfagnana and it seemed the perfect trip for my first walking holiday and first group holiday (I was a little apprehensive, not having been on one – and going on my own as well). I was not disappointed; the group was friendly and supportive, the scenery was stunning, our tour guide could not have been more encouraging, and I enjoyed my exposure to Italian culture and to that of this less visited part of Tuscany in particular. I am planning my next Exodus trip, although this one will be tough to match!
Most Inspirational Moment
Coming down after a morning's climb in the driving rain on the first day - the sun came out and I admired the scenery. I felt good having provided to myself that I could manage the climb after all - even in adverse conditions! The impressive view on the climb to Monte SumbraSeeing wildlife in Orecchiella Natural ParkEnjoying a "day off" from the main walk and exploring Castelnuovo di Garfgagnana and walking around the area near Villetta and Braccicorti - especially the wine bar in Castelnuovo!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader, Sara Bull, offered the group - and certainly me - extraordinary support and encouragement. She never made me or anyone else feel awkward about our ability level or what we were able to manage each day, and dealt managing the day's walk with the different endurance and ability levels of the group with considerable skill. Her manner and support made all the difference to me during the trip - there were several times where i was worried about how I would manage, or was intimidated when dealing with my fear about heights or falling, and she gave me enough support to get through those times, but helped me realise i could manage those fears and trust my judgment, and learn for my experiences going forward. Sara also handled some quite stressful situations during the week incredibly well - this also made me more adventurous, as I was assured that I was being guided by someone with the experience and judgment to ensure I would be all right as i explored my own personal limits--I don't think i would have found out how much I could do without that confidence. She was also quite a lot of fun to talk to - great sense of humour and fantastic anecdotes about all her past experiences at Braccicorti and elsewhere! Sara's encouragement made the trip particularly special and is one of the reasons i have been encouraged to book another walking holiday this year. I would not hesitate to go on any holiday Sara was leading in future and hope I will get the opportunity.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The trip really is Moderate. You will definitely be out for 7-8 hours a day, minimum (unless your group is made up of entirely fast walkers) - with a lunch break and the odd break here and there - and there is a lot of climbing up and down involved with most of the walks. Go into this with your eyes open; some of the group were a little surprised by the length and difficulty of the walks (I think I expected them to be a little shorter myself, but that is dependent on a lot of factors).it is, however, the best way to see the Garfagnana that there is - and if you do need a day off, you can skip any of the walks if you choose and stay at Braccicorti or take a day trip to nearby towns, as i did. Bring walking sticks - I was a convert that week (Sara loaned me some spares) and think I would have avoided a calf injury if I had used them more. also ensure you bring waterproofs! we also were accompanied by two dogs who live at Braccicorti - Elvis and Dora. I think they added immeasurably to the experience (they accompanied us on most of our walks) but if you don't like dogs, realise they come as part of the package. that being said - they are not in any way aggressive or badly behaved and genuinely like people and are quite protective of "the group".