Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

getting to top of monte prdaoi and looking down on the remnants of the winter snow.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were so impressed with the leader , the group wrote a song which we delivered with gusto on the last night! To the tune  "my old man,s a dustman"v1OHHHHHSara bull is magicShe has a magic sackShe carries sweeties with herAnd chocky bix to snackShe inspires us with storiesAnd keeps us on the goAnd when shes taking photosIts bums all in a rowv2OHHHHHHSara bull is magicShe simply is the bestShe galloped up the hillsideAnd sometimes let us restShe leads us thru the mountainsAnd picks the berries tooAnd Sara, we,d just like to sayThere,s no one quite  like you!  then big finish.......Sara Bull is magic

Advice for Potential Travellers

Even in summer bring a fleece

Most Inspirational Moment

The veiws from the mountains were spectacular and the scenery outstanding. Our guide chose routes that gave a varied perspective of tuscany which included mountain ridges, steep hill walks and forest tracks.  It was good to be based in one place and the hospitality at Braccicorti was fantastic with true italian home cooking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Sara, was professional, experienced and very considerate to the capabilities of all of the group members we all felt very safe in her capable hands.  Personnaly she help me achieve far more than I ever thought possible she was a true inspiration. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you want a true feeling for the countyside and people try Exodus.  Read the trip notes carefully as they do explain in detail what to expect and take the advice of the guide they will help you acheive your goals and it is worth it in the end.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sarah, so kind, so knowledgable, great fun. Fantastic . Thank you.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take this trip. Be clear whether you are going in a challenging or moderate walking week and do the one you want to do. Also be clear whether its a week primarily (but not exclusively) ffor single travellers.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the high ridges and reaching the peaks.  I didn't manage to do the highest peak but did the second highest!  Not bad as I am new to all this and certainly wasn't the fittest in the group or the youngest!  Such marvellous views in such an unspoilt area of Tuscany.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara's the best!  She is a very experienced guide whose enthusiasm for nature, etc., is so evident plus her knowledge of the surrounding area is superb.  She has a lovely personality, a very caring person, and one always felt confident of her decisions, etc., be it for the capabilities of the group plus all aspects of safety during our walks as she always had our wellbeing forefront in her mind.  She had some very entertaining stories of her guiding experiences which we really enjoyed listening to, which she usually told us whilst we were relaxing on the side, or top, of a mountain during lunch breaks, etc.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You do need to be fit as there's a lot of walking up some very steep hills and ridges.  It was much tougher than I had imagined, but not beyond most fit people.  I would recommend doing some hill walking before you go.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me; completing the walks was inspirational since technically I was not possibly as fit as I needed to be!  The advantage to taking the walks more slowly meant I had time to absorb the scenery and appreciate the smaller details that can get missed so easily when you are walking faster.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara herself is inspirational - she has so much knowledge of the region and yet she is truly absorbed too by the tiny details of nature - she is also a fantastic photographer!  I appreciated the fact that she motivated the slower people in the group to keep going, without ever putting pressure on us.   She is a true professional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My only advice would be that although the walk was classed as moderate; there were challenging aspects and a good level of fitness is desirable.

Most Inspirational Moment

On a scintillating sunshiney spring day climbing up through dappled beech forests and patches of virgin snow to the precipice and a vista of thickly wooded Tuscan hillsides - and on to the sea beyond. Truly heaven.

Thoughts on Group Leader

One word - inspirational.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Come on this trip and enjoy. It will exceed your expectations.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on top of Mt Prado, over a mile high, the highest point in Tuscany. The remains of the winter snow about us, views every which way and nothing but silence, no bird song, nothing, just silence.  Save the only birds to get that high are Eagles.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely fantastic, professional, faultless.  A truly amazing lady so enthusiatic about all she does and sees.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the trip notes carefully and follow them, they are there for very good reasons.  That way your enjoyment won't be spoiled. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The ridge walk to Monte Prado was excellent. Not only the highest peak in the area, but the residual snow from last winter forced us to a higher route over the ridge summits. A wonderful roller-coaster of fun with unhindered views in all directions.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara Bull is one of the finest leaders I've had the pleasure of dealing with. She was always willing to go that extra mile for everyone and managed to strike the right balance with the more experienced party members and the those on their first real walking tour.My free day was made far more enjoyable by her description and hand-drawn map of a simple valley walk from Braccicorti to Lago di Pentecosi and up to Villeta before returning.On the easier walks which were completed at a reasonable time of day, Sara volunteered to drive us into Castlenuovo for a celbratory cone of gelati.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure you have plenty of room in your cameras.In early spring, expect snow snow on the higher tracks, its handy to ensure your boots are waterproof.The Limone gelati in Castlenuovo is a real beauty! As is the Pistachio...and the Hazelnut...Hell, they are all good.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on the top of the peaks looking around at the most amazing views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara is just great, she was so knowledgeable and so pleasant to talk to and would do anything to help. I have done many trips and can say she has by far been the best

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this trip you will not be disappointed. One thing that I and others missed whilst having lunch on the mountains was a cup of tea or coffee. Take a small flask with you.

Most Inspirational Moment

First night laid out on the grass at Braccicorti overlooking the small rows of vines and life across the valley, watching the sun gently slipping behind the mountains bathing the whole valley in an ethereal haze and listening to nothing but the birds and the occassional shout of Italian.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sara Bull...fantastic, well organised, friendly, approachable and seemed to fulfill every concievable job role during the trip.  Genuinely knowledgeable and without doubt one of the fittest and most remarkable people I've met.  She won Exodus best tour leader in 2009...not hard at all to see why.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walking was really good, well paced through some beautiful environs with plenty of coffee/ice cream stops but if you prefer a little more thigh-burning enducing exercise, then consider the weeks of this trip which are C grade instead. You will spend more time higher up and the effort will reward you with some stunning vistas.