Most Inspirational Moment
Screaming downhills
Advice for Potential Travellers
They were great! Very knowledgeable.
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Sienna Chianti Cycling
I had an amazing time! Everything was fabulous!
Cycling Tuscany
I had such a fantastic holiday. Cycling through such picture perfect scenery with a happy bunch of like minded travellers was the perfect way to see the countryside. It was great having two guides and their support was invaluable.
Most Inspirational Moment
Getting to the top of those 'undulating' hills and seeing the Cyprus trees and all the wild poppies, hearing the birds and feeling very lucky.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Rdu and Liz were great.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take the opportunity to be away from the crowds and be able to be part of something special.
Tuscany: Cycle Siena and Chianti
This is a great trip: cycling through classic Tuscan landscapes, stopping in beautiful hilltop towns and villages and enjoying the great food and wine of the area with a friendly group and excellent leader and support.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many: the long gradual descent from Castellina in Chianti to Poggibonsi with the smell of pine and wood smoke and unfolding views of the beautiful town of San Gimignano through vineyards; looking out across the countryside in the morning with clouds nestling in the valleys; Siena and its beautiful architecture - a real gem of a city.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Radu, our leader was a really friendly, helpful and professional leader with a great sense of humour. He ensured the group's safety and enjoyment of the trip was uppermost and - together with Reece (who was providing the vehicle support) - made the trip really enjoyable. They kept the good quality bikes in excellent order and provided regular coffee, water and snack stops along the way. Radu was a really good cyclist, to boot, and catered for a wide variety of cycling abilities - so that everyone was included and was able to get the most out of the trip.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The usual stuff: cycling shorts, gloves, glasses and waterproofs (we had some cool and wet weather at the start of our September trip - although it steadily improved through the week (so take sun block as well). Always have water with you - even when you have vehicle support nearby. A mobile phone is recommended, too. If you prefer having stuff with you but not on your back consider taking a rack and pannier if your luggage will accommodate it - as these bikes weren't supplied with either (some trips do and it's worth finding out beforehand). Although this is a moderate trip, it is quite hilly - so it's worth going out and doing a few hills before before you go on the holiday.
Chianti/Sienna
This was my 5th Exodus cycling trip and my favorite to date. The scenery was quite picturesque, the hills challenging and the group was great fun. Radu and Reece were a superb team. The attention to detail was quite amazing if you have been on many prior trips. Riding safety began with inspection of the bikes which were first rate. We had quite a range of biking experience but Radu was accommodating to the entire group. Both Radu and Reece were fantastic mechanics too. I highly recommend this trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
Probably the finish in Florence and the view of the entire city. A great wow! moment. Riding into Sienna too and looking out at the hills. and of course... riding through the many vineyards in Chianti with the grapes ready to be harvested. The day off to really see Sienna was an added treat.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Radu is the man. Attention to detail, Safety, the comfort and security of all guests of varying time in the saddle was truly amazing. An excellent cyclist in the countryside and on gravel who is probably at his best getting the group into and out of cities in traffic. If this is a first trip for you this is the guide you want.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do some training on gravel if you are not a mountain bike person. Perhaps some hills too since ALL Italian villages and cities seem to be on top of hills. Bring some rain gear. we did not have much rain but if you keep your torso and feet dry it makes all the difference. and of course have an extra day or two to see Florence. Go see David. words fail.
Tuscany Cycle Siena and Florence
One week cycling the hills of Tuscany. One day off in Siena. We finished in Florence. It was like cycling through a postcard of Tuscany: Cypress trees, vineyards, wine tasting places, hilltop mediaeval villages. In 10 years of cylcing in Europe, this scenery and these roads were the most captivating. The food was delicious, loads of salads and veg for people like me who do not like meat but loads of meat if you like it. And the wine, you could get the finest wine that Italy had to offer in the smallest Pizzarias. The bikes: lightweight ridgebacks were really good.
Most Inspirational Moment
On the day off in Siena, at night, we visited the Zebra striped Cathedral and they projected film onto the walls. And Siena was so beautiful. Having a whole day midweek to wander round Siena, with the option of a self guided short ride if you wanted it, was inspired. The cycling, the routes, the choice of roads, was inspirational. I don't like gelato but I was told that San Gimingano where we spent a few hours, has the best gelato in the world
Thoughts on Group Leader
Radu Man was our group leader. For a Romanian guy he was such an Italian. An obsessive gelato eater and bike stacker and wearer of the best bike gear. He was really funny, organised, warm, energetic, knowledgeable, a great cyclist, a great banterer, and he and his support guide knew how to fix bikes. They checked the bikes even without us asking. He and Reece, who supported him, worked meticulously to behind the scenes and it meant we never got lost, and never lost a cyclist, and knew what we were doing.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you don't want to wear a small rucksack, bring a panier rack and panier. Tuscany is hilly, be prepared to cycle up the hills as well as down them. Leave some room in your suitcase shopping. Siena and Tuscany have some great shops. Book one or two nights in Florence at the end. There is so much to see there and we end the tour in a lovely hotel in Florence.
Wonderful trip
5 days of cycling through the beautiful Tuscan countryside with an opportunity to see Siena. Well organised and well supported with good bikes that were very adjustable to suit different needs.
Most Inspirational Moment
The morning descents from Castellina in Chianti trying to stay on the road at high speeds while the mist rose off the breathtaking scenery on either side. Truly exhilarating.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Both Radu and Reese were excellent in lead and support. Nothing too difficult for them and they kept the group informed as to the route and what to expect and allowed people to go at their own pace while keeping us together with regular stops for coffee and bananas! Any complaints or comments were dealt with quickly although to my knowledge there weren't any of any consequence. Very professional at all times and great company too.
Advice for Potential Travellers
There are hills in Tuscany and although not necessarily really steep, they can go on for a while. I was very glad that i had done some training in preparation. I would recommend being fairly fit and comfortable covering some distance on your bike.
One of the best cycling trips!
This is our 8th cycling trip with Exodus and one of the best. It has it all- great cycling on mainly quiet roads, but as others have said it would be best to do some hills before travelling so you can enjoy it. Wonderful scenery passing through lovely villages. Great food and wine – lets not forget the wine! I also enjoyed the coffee stops and gelato stops. Enough time was given to look around the places we passed through. Oh and great guides.
Most Inspirational Moment
Hard to single out one moment - but the view over Florence when we arrived was magical - seeing the Doumo dominate the city, the wonderful Tuscan scenery, Radu reminding me of the best gelato in town awaiting us at the top of the long climb back to Castellina! He was a great motivator.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Both Radu and Martin were excellent guides and great company. Radu was very knowledgable and gave lots of guidance and advice. Martin was great in support.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take insect repellent for day and night - a few of us got bitten quite a lot! I would say some of the days are more grade 3/4 .
Beautiful at every turn
An incredible week of superb food, hill top towns, challenging cycling, new friends of all abilities and a well structured itinerary!
Most Inspirational Moment
Every turn, every climb, every descent was a "wow this is beautiful" moment! The scenery was incredible
Thoughts on Group Leader
Liz and Paul worked so well together! Liz was incredibly well organized and her restaurant recommendations were 100% outstanding! They structured the riding around everyone's capabilities and frequent stops and clear instructions meant a well run trip.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Late May was still COLD and wet so take appropriate clothing even if the weather forecast before you leave says warm and dry! It is extremely hilly, know what 1000m of ascent means before you go. I did and I knew what I was riding but others didn't. The distances are not long but the hills are :-) I ride a carbon road bike so I was nervous about the bikes but they were absolutely perfect.
Florence to Lucca
Wonderfully challenging and great routing. Good hotels and super guides
Most Inspirational Moment
Great views good roads and ability to push a little harder than expected with good results
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent. Would go on any trio radu and Liz lead
Advice for Potential Travellers
Train for hills. Some steep and long
Tuscany May 2015
This is our second Exodus bike trip – we will definitely keep coming back. The Tuscany region is exactly like you would see in the photos, rolling (undulating) hills, vineyards, and wonderful historic cities. We appreciated the stops to see the towns and scenery and of course enjoy a well deserved gelato. The food and wine was more delicious than we could ever have imagined. Our guides Radu and Liz were able to give great tips on where to go and what to see. You can never totally plan on the weather cooperating – the rain and cold on the last day to Florence were a bit much but it certainly didn’t ruin what was a perfect trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
Riding through the gates of Siena. A city full of incredible history.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Radu and Liz were great. We enjoyed their humor, hints and tips and care they put into making it a great trip. Very good friendly competition on who could make the best picnic lunch. I'm sure the jury is still out.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Definitely make this on your "to do" list! It is well worth it.