Most Inspirational Moment
Ragusa and Noto antica circuit cycle
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared to see copious amounts of rubbish on the busy Sicilian Road sides.
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Cycling in Sicily
Would travel again
Spot on again from Exodus
Perfect combination of cycling, sightseeing and fun!
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching the top of Cavagrande del Cassibile, one of the deepest canyons in Europe in blistering heat - using only pedal power, to be rewarded by a wonderful picnic lunch prepared by Davide and the minibus driver, Giuseppe.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Davide was spot on for this trip. He gave us all confidence in our abilities to enable us to get the most out of the trip. His passion and love for Sicily was evident throughout, an amazing ambassador for his island. There can't be enough hours in the day for all the things Davide sorted out - restaurants, transfers, bike changes - nothing was too much trouble. And what a great sense of humour - he loved learning new English idioms and trying to use them on a daily basis.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for heat and hills - the rewards will far outweigh the effort! Be prepared to try new foods - the flavours are vibrant and bold. Be prepared to cycle in traffic - the group leader will ensure you are safe. Go for an e-bike if you are not confident - it would be a shame to miss out on this awesome trip.
Another great Italian Exodus trip!
Beautiful Baroque towns, great coastal views, delicious food and a brilliant guide
Most Inspirational Moment
Cycling into Syracuse - such impressive architecture! A super way to finish.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Davide was a brilliant guide. He was a fantastic Ambasador for Sicily, sharing his knowledge about the places we went to in an interesting way. His restaurant recommendations provided us with some delicious food. He bonded well with the group and had a great sense of humour. Thank you Davide!
Cycling in Sicily - October 2022
10 out of 10. Davide Di Mauro leads the cycling (from local tour guide company CicloFree) and works really hard to ensure the cycle tour is well organised and great fun. Giuseppe (van back up driver) provided solid back up support all day long with water and any other assistance always available if required. Accommodation all of a good standard. Cycling pitched at the right level without being overly strenuous. Davide ensures that all routes are safe and relatively low traffic routes. Davide puts lots of effort into selecting / suggesting places to eat. All of which were of outstanding quality but not necessarily expensive. I will remember the tour almost as much for culinary highlights as well as for cycling highlights. The cycling was excellent with the bikes being of high quality and very well maintained. Most of all however is the knowledge and enthusiasm that Davide has for Sicilian culture and nature. It was a huge pleasure to be part of a cycle tour led by Davide. Davide made sure the tour was fun from start to finish with his great sense of humour.
Most Inspirational Moment
Visiting the various old towns such as Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa, Monica, Noto and Syracuse. Cycling back down the road of hairpin bends to Noto from the Cavagrande National Reserve.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our tour Davide Di Mauro was excellent and made the whole trip enjoyable for all. Davide works really hard to ensure everything goes to plan but also is flexible when required to ensure everyone on the tour gets as much as possible from each days cycling. Davide has a fantastic knowledge of Sicilian culture and history which adds a great deal to the enjoyment of the tour. Davide also has an excellent relationship with all the accommodation providers and restaurants which ensures everything goes smoothly and the group get a warm welcome at all stops. On top of all, Davide has a great sense of humour and prides himself on collecting many everyday English language commonly used sayings - which he uses at different moments which is very funny.
Advice for Potential Travellers
No. All went as expected.
How much fun can you have!
Post covid the first trip with Exodus, a little bit of anxiety, a long time since a cycling holiday, however, already decided that based on past experience, I would not be disappointed. Aboslutely right, having spent endless hours worrying about getting fit again, Covid had not been kind to me, I realised that I was not unfit. So enjoyment was the usual making new friends, seeing a country that I had not visited before, tasting and enjoying the culinary delights, understanding the culture, seeing wonderful sights and all on two wheels. But most of all thanks to our guide and everyone else on the trip having a very good time, the latter being an understatement. Even a bit of rain could not put a dampner on the holiday.
Most Inspirational Moment
So many
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent, command of English good and his care and concern over safety and welfare, his understaning of idioms a delight.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't hesitate book.
Great leader and super enjoyable cycling
Davide was a first class leader – fun, adaptable, friendly, considerate, and managed the group really well; he deserves 5 stars personally. E-bikes were the best ever. Excellent hotels except the one in Syracusa which is not an acceptable standard (room and breakfast). Fascinating insight into Sicilian history, culture and ecology – Davide knew so much and made every trip interesting. Cycling was very good overall – a couple of really good and challenging rides including stunning scenery though cycling days 3 and 4 could have been longer and more interesting ideally. A very nice group which gelled well.
Most Inspirational Moment
Davide as group leader and the cycling day 5 ride which was challenging (hills and rain) but immensely rewarding with some great scenery and a fabulous downhill S-bend section towards the end with stunning views towards the coast
Thoughts on Group Leader
As above - faultless
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you are thinking about an e-bike but not sure then do it - some hills are challenging and the bikes are top class. Snacks not provided and have to be bought so you might want to take some as a contingency
Popping my Cycling Holiday Cherry
Well, with such glowing reviews underneath I almost feel a bit miffed that Davide treats everybody with such genuine accord – I thought we were special 😉
Joking aside, Davide and Guiseppe are genuinely brilliant at their jobs. They made our trip such a special experience, well managed, super organised, tough on the uphill but what a joy on the down, stupendous vistas, fun and safe. They made us all feel cared for and no request was too big or small. I enjoyed the encouragement of “Brava Clara” when I got to the top of a particularly tough hill. My favourite day was the toughest hill-wise but the break for lunch a picnic Davide and Guiseppe had prepared, full of local ingredients, made with Sicilian panache was worth the aching muscles (bum). Syracuse for me was the icing on the cake. A seaside town full of the most beautiful architecture making it very hard not to slide into its romantic vibe. I’ve just got back and am feeling a bit blue I don’t have to be up with the group for 8.45am to cycle off to some fabulous Sicilian town. Enjoy it people. You will love it.
Fabulous Sicily
This is our 6th Cycling holiday and one of the best so far. We were lucky to be part of a wonderful group made up of folks from the UK, Australia, NZ and Canada. We all had lots of laughs and good times.
Some of the hills were challenging but all the better for 6/15 being e-bikes, so don’t be afraid to book an e-bike.
Some beautiful towns and scenery as well as good hotels, delicious food and restaurants selected by our group leader Davide.
Most Inspirational Moment
Too many to mention but arriving in Noto was spectacular where we had a fabulous pizza.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Davide was an amazing young man who had a lot of passion for his country and wanted you to share it at every level. A really good group leader and well briefed on local history and culture. Must also mention Giuseppe the mechanic, driver and picnic man, whilst he couldn't speak English, he observed the group and made sure we were all looked after.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If in any doubt of your cycling abilities just book an e-bike. We loved them and they worked well with the group. The hotels were all good but remember to bring your swim shoes. Also if you like an early morning coffee, bring a travel kettle. Tea & coffee facilities are not provided in your room. Some roads coming into the towns can be quite busy, so make sure you are confident with riding in traffic.
What a ride
This was a fantastic introduction to Sicily and to planned cycling tours. We had a fantastic group of 15 riders from the UK, NZ, Canada and Ireland. We ate and rode together every day. The weather at this time of year is great for cycling.
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching the top of each and every long climb.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Davide is conscientious, witty and engaging. We enjoyed sharing novel examples of English sayings and learning more about Sicily from him.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Train for the uphills Cleat pedals are a big advantage Enjoy the moments
Great trip
A delightful trip from many perspectives.
Lovely scenery and interesting places to visit in the south of island.
Very good company of lovely people.
Amazing food.
Hot weather
What’s not to like??
Most Inspirational Moment
Not necessarily inspirational but some really enjoyable experiences. On bike - the challenging climb up to Cavagrande del Cassibile and the wonderful views from the top. Off bike - possibly arriving in Noto or the wander through Marzamemi - really was a picturesque fishing village, followed by Guiseppe’s picnic, relaxation and swim at the agriturisimo
Thoughts on Group Leader
Davida was a gentleman. Totally committed to ensuring we had a safe and enjoyable trip, kind and humorous. We liked his “stories” and his growing collection of English colloquialisms, that he tried to feed into daily conversation. He was well organised, ensuring an early start and finish so we had time to relax, swim or explore at the end of each ride. He knew, was proud of and described his country well. He wanted us to see the best of it ( and we almost did ). Took us to some lovely places to eat, to get the best pizza in Noto, antipasto in Syracuse and gelato and cannoli anywhere. A man with good taste! Giuseppe his assistant was a great supporter/driver/ bike mechanic and picnic provider. He has limited English but we managed to get by and the two made a good team.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be aware of how hot it can be in early June. Was 37degrees on day one. Didn’t fall below 30 all week. Davida sensibly had us out early each morning before it became unbearably hot. In some of the rural areas near the coast there were appalling amounts of rubbish dumped along the roadsides. We understood this was a result of political decisions about tax linked to recycling. This isn’t something Exodus are responsible for or able to change ( though I fear it could impact on tourism if it isn’t addressed). So very sad to destroy beautiful countryside.