Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding down the river valleys to Lake Garda

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele was charming, extremely friendly and extraordinarily patient and helpful. Great sense of humour and really worked hard to keep spirits up when the weather briefly turned grim. One of the best I've encountered. His recommendations for restaurants were invariably brilliant - the best food at very reasonable prices. In particular the Venice choice was outstanding and we'd never have found it without his help.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't bring a rucksack as the panniers are fine. Do bring a waterproof jacket! The trip is described as Moderate, but really is a lot easier than that. Mostly flat with few hills, which was fine for me but might disappoint more ambitious cyclists.

Most Inspirational Moment

Swimming in Lake Garda in 8 degree temperatures! Very cold but oh so worth it. Closely followed by the very exhilirating and steep descent into Garda riding on the pave. That's a first for me, loved it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele was excellent. He was very knowledgeable about the whole region, and happily shared his knowledge with us. He divided his time equally across everyone in the group, so no one felt left out. He was super friendly and caring, exactly what I would have expected in a tour guide. He also ensured everyone stayed safe throughout the trip, a very important factor in a trip like this one.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you come in spring be prepared for cold weather, even though we had no rain, it was usually cold in the mornings and there was a cold wind most days. If you're a regular road or mountain biker be prepared for an uncomfortable upright ride, or try to book an alternate bike. Definitely bring your own saddle and pedals, but use spd pedals, there's plenty of clipping in and out negotiating people and other bikes in the towns we pass through

Suggestions

I mostly really enjoyed this trip, apart from the ongoing discomfort on the bike. The hotels were all clean and comfortable. To be honest we were hardly in them, really just to sleep. We were out early most mornings, riding all or most of the day, and then walking or at dinner in the evenings in the next town.

Most Inspirational Moment

We lost two days of cycling due to rain but Michele quickly sorted a new itineray and in each town he found excellent restaurants and the best tourist sites to visit. In Padova the Scrovegni chapel painted by Giotto was a marvel to see.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele Quaresimin is the best guide I have ever come across and I have travelled the world and come across many guides! He is professional, friendly, caring, resourceful, gives 100 % every time - he brings back customers to the Exodus tours because he makes the trips come to life.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you like cycling and love Italy and Austria - do this trip.

Suggestions

A huge thank you and I'm sorry to hear that Michele is no longer doing the Puglia trip and another company is being used for bikes. I'm very surprised because Girolibero bikes are excellent. Also, congratulations to whoever chose the hotels on this trip - the 2 and 3* hotels were simple but clean and practical and very nice and well located.

Most Inspirational Moment

Swimming in lakes surrounded by the Dolomites. The architectural wonders of the region. And the wine in Verona!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele is a really good guide and a really great guy! He organised everything efficiently and is very knowledgeable – from the palaces of Palladio to the best gelati in the Veneto. He even arranged an extra ride to make up for a rained-off day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take decent waterproofs just in case: I stupidly got caught out a couple of times.

Suggestions

I think that maybe extra riding or a transfer would be better than a 5hr boat trip on Lake Garda. A couple of hours was enough for me.

Most Inspirational Moment

Venice, Verona, Vincenza, Lake Garda...all beyond beautiful!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele is a superb guide; enthusiastic, funny, determined that everyone will find love and adore his homeland as much as he does...fantastic!

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you're looking for challenging riding on slick bikes, then you should note the bikes are heavy, the gears not great though you barely need them most days....so if you're an aspiring Tour cyclist (all you middle-aged men in lycra!!) then this might not work for you. But if you're happy to put aside your competitive side and explore the amazing towns in the area; Trento, Verona, Lake Garda, Venice and of course stunning Vincenza then relax and you'll love it. Share a lock between two every day - don't bother carrying one each - they are super heavy and hardly ever needed. Stay on in Venice for a few days even if you're on a budget - get a cheap Airbnb in Mestre and a travelcard and it's super quick & easy to travel in each day - you'll have an amazing time.

Suggestions

The bikes take some getting used to...they are heavy & the saddles huge so bring your own, plus the ladies ones are Mary Poppins style sit-ups. You get given a panier bag, a guide book, a big heavy lock that weighs about 2kg - all in all, you're a tonne weight before you go anywhere!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Travelling through the Dolomites, swimming in Lake Garda, see Verona & Venice

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michelle is one of the best leaders I have had. He goes to huge effort to lead the trip and give us his extensive local knowledge of history, architecture etc and make sure the group is ok.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you like swimming take some swimming kit. There are a few mosquitoes around. Exodus supply a pannier and handlebar bag + water bottle

Suggestions

The cycling is very varied through the Dolomites, local towns and countryside. It is generally quite a populated area but the cycle routes are largely on quieter roads or old railway tracks etc. Apart from a biggish hill, it is one of the easier 'moderate' trips I have done.

Most Inspirational Moment

As first time visitors to Venice we much appreciated Michele's tour of the City. In a relatively few hours we gained a really good overview of the main sights. The Grand Canal by night was very special. Arriving high above Lake Garda and cycling down the steep hill to the lakeside was another special experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele was an exceptionally good tour leader for all the reasons already mentioned. He emphasised how important it was for each of us to really enjoy the holiday and he was enthusiastic and careful in making sure that we did. The group also gelled very well, no doubt helped by Michele's professional but friendly approach to leading us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Throw yourself into the good food, wine and gelato experience! We enjoyed some really good local dishes and wines recommended by Michele. Also, think about adding a few days in Venice onto the trip. We were travelling as a couple and arranged to stay on in a central hotel ( which we booked ourselves ). We enjoyed the change of pace as a relaxing finale to an active holiday. Other group members added time in Venice or trekking in the Dolomites at the beginning of the trip. We also took the train from Verona to Vicenza midweek, rather than cycle, because we wanted a whole day there to explore the amazing Palladian architecture. Remember this is your holiday! Michele was very happy to help us to arrange this small departure from the cycling itinerary. On a practical level, the bikes are equipped with bar bags, waterproof panniers and waterbottles ( there are lots of opportunities to top up ).The bike seats were comfy ( no one complained! ).

Suggestions

We would really recommend this trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

It is impossible to say. In terms of cycling Days 4,5 & 6 are the most enjoyable with varied terrain and the challenge of the longest climb. The visit to Venice at the end was amazing as was the opportunity to go to the opera in the Roman amphitheatre in Verona.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele was a fabulous leader with a great sense of humour and significant knowledge about the areas visited. He made the effort to fill every minute with optional extras such as an early morning Verona tour and organising tickets to the opera.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book it! Other than that a little training will make the cycling more comfortable along with plenty of padding. You will not need a daysack as mentioned in the trip notes as a handlebar bag and a pannier are provided.

Most Inspirational Moment

If I had to pick one it would be seeing St Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace for the first time when travelling by boat along the Grand Canal in Venice. But encountering a range of historical influences from Austrian-influenced Bolzano / Bozen to Palladian Vicenza to the Roman structures in Verona was also fascinating

Thoughts on Group Leader

I couldn't imagine a more energetic or enthusiastic trip leader - from offering the early-birds extra rides to take in sun-rise views before breakfast, to introducing us to his lovely family in his home-town Vicenza, to packing in a huge amount of highlights when taking us on a walking tour around Venice, Michele made sure that we enjoyed every minute of our trip. Michele was a really good-natured, uplifting guy for whom nothing was too much trouble - he made everything run so smoothly and did everything with a friendly smile. It was such a pleasure to spend a week with him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have the time spend an extra day before / after the trip in Verona and Venice – stunning cities in which there is plenty to see and do. Or catch an early flight to Verona on the Saturday, spend the day in Verona (leaving your luggage at the railway station) and then get a train (one and half hours with German rail (www.bahn.de) to Bolzano) before joining up with the group arriving from Venice in the evening. Then add an extra night in Venice onto the end of your trip.

Suggestions

Reasonably easy cycling giving you time to enjoy the scenery combined with a full and varied sight-seeing itinerary.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to pick just one. I loved all the spectacular views. Unfortunately we had a couple of days of cloudy weather at the start of the trip but the scenery was fantastic the entire trip. Take your time and take it all in.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele is a fantastic guide - friendly, helpful, enthusiastic and deals with any issues without fuss. We came across a couple of unexpected blockages on the trip and Michele was able to quickly find us safe alternative routes and get us back on track within no time. He is very passionate about Italy, in particular Vicenza - the most beautiful city in the world!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Unlike other Exodus cycling trips I've been on the bus doesn't follow the cyclists during the day. We were provided with a waterproof pannier, a water bottle and handlebar bag if wanted. Very useful for carrying everything you need while out on the bikes. We were also given a short guide book and map of the route. There were green arrows on stickers on lampposts throughout the trip ensuring that if you lost sight of the group because you stopped to take photos you were always sure you were still heading in the right direction. Sunglasses and clear glasses are useful for on the bike as even if it's not sunny they keep the dirt and bugs out your eyes. Venice is a wonderful place to get lost in. If you have the time stay a couple of extra days and explore the non-touristy areas.

Suggestions

Generally the cycling is quite easy with one long climb on the way in to Vicenza.