Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

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81 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Lisa Wilkinson

Reviewed September 2023

Hard Work

Hard ups, scary downs and hard off-road sections.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader (Giovanni) was very good, very welcoming and a source of a lot of local information. However, his estimations of how long to this point or that were a bit loose (aka totally unreliable). There was a driver (Simone) who guided the cycling some days, and he was also very good, lots of local knowledge and way more realistic about distances.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you don't like descending, don't forget that what goes up hairpin bends must come down hairpin bends. The grading of moderate is applied to the whole trip, but some of the days were way beyond moderate in terms of long ascents. The description of the surfaces as "10 percent easy gravel roads" is so far off the truth - steep in places and very bumpy with large chunks of rock is more like it. Nothing I would describe as an easy gravel road. If you are not sure about the climbing I'd suggest getting an e-bike. I had one and although they are VERY heavy it made going up a pleasure.

Suggestions

Fabulous views over the coast, the food was great and people very welcoming.

Marisa Messore

Reviewed September 2023

Amazing trip !!

Amazing trip, great mix of cycling and beach with swimming. The scenery and the routes were so beautiful. It was one of the best cycling trips I have done. And of course the Italian food was. excellent.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the rugged coastline of Sardinia and the beautiful coves and beaches.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Súper nice and fun to be with. They were very helpful and attentive.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was. Very hot do the trip later in September or October!

Suggestions

I would recommend they stay at Tharros the first day and allow time there to see ruins, eat, and swim. That is on of the highlights of the trip and we barely stayed half an hour. I was very disappointed . I would skip Torre Grande, that place was awful and the beach and water was dirty. No need to go there.

Robert Pratt

Reviewed May 2023

Super Trip

We had pretty bad weather but apart from a few minutes we managed to avoid the rain – until Cagliari. The trip was superb, mainly because of the leader Giovanni and driver Antonio, though our group (11 in total) could not have got on better – a superb bunch of folks. The cycling was spectacular on days 2,3 and 6 with mountain roads and spectacular views. We also managed to swim twice and enjoy lunch on 3 beach restaurants. Giovanni and Antonio really looked after us, having to revert to plan B or C due to the cold and dull weather. The highlight for me was Carloforte – beautiful place. The worst thing was the flight times from the UK, meaning we arrived late at our first hotel and on our return home. Overall – brilliant week, would highly recommend.

Most Inspirational Moment

Coast road on day 6 with beautiful beaches - oh and Carloforte

Thoughts on Group Leader

First class. Had a lot to contend with due to the strange weather. Was very good on safety for us all - could not have done more

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do it and enjoy the culture, food, wine and terrain. Super trip for wild swimmers and those appreciative of the Island’s history

Suggestions

This is our 4th Exodus cycling holiday and we’ve loved every one - more than any other, Sardinia was all about the people - but isn’t it always?

Colin Prince

Reviewed June 2019

Feedback

Excellent trip, great time of year to go. The trip was well put together and the cycling was safe and varied.
Would say I thought it was more a 3.5-4 than the 3 it was given.

Most Inspirational Moment

Some of the views were amazing and the wild flowers were a joy

Thoughts on Group Leader

Giovanni Pasella was one of the best leaders that I have had with Exodus, very knowledgable and did his best to make our trip interesting and relaxed. Marc also was very good and we always had a laugh

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare for hills

Suggestions

Thank you to everyone at Exodus and to Giovanni

David Netherwood

Reviewed June 2019

Great trip, but a couple of REALLY tough climbs

We had an excellent group of five, and Giovanni and Marc our guides were excellent.

The scenery, mountains, beaches, cliff tops, historic ruins are wonderful as are the wild flowers and flamingos. The hotels were all of a good quality and most had swimming pools.

The cycling is harder than the 3 rating suggests. I’ve done a number of cycling trips, but days 2 and 3 have serious climbs on them and two of the five of us had to take the van for the last part.

Foodwise, I’m a vegetarian and while there was always something to eat, it was more often grilled veg than would have been ideal. We mostly ate in fish restaurants. That said, there were a couple of standout meals that were superb.

The bikes are good quality, perhaps a little heavy, and provided with panniers – best to put them in the van on the climb days.

Most Inspirational Moment

Drinking cold beer in a cliff top bar, watching the sun go down after a hard days cycling.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, Giovanni and Marc took turns to cycle with the group. They worked together really well and I think we all felt well looked after. They clearly are knowledgeable and passionate about the area, its history and wildlife and were delighted to share this with us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you get offered the choice, the wine tasting is good fun - I bought a couple of bottles and it does travel!

Suggestions

May be a single rating isn't enough, I think this is a 4 on days 2 & 3, and 3 the rest of the time.

Kate Ferguson

Reviewed May 2019

Amazing trip

A really great trip, Sardinia is a very beautiful place and we had a fantastic week of cycling, eating, socialising and learning about this beautiful Island from our lovely guides

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of a very challenging climb, the sense of of achievement and Endorphine release, the camaraderie with others in the group reaching the top, followed by the spectacular descent with beautiful scenery in glorious sunshine - magic!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Simone was fantastic, such a nice man who gave the impression he was really enjoying being with us and telling us about his beautiful Island. He was organised, safety conscious, knowledgeable and great company. His sidekick / driver Marc was also lovely - smiley, friendly and nothing was too much trouble. Exodus seem to have a knack of finding fantastic guides who really know their stuff, are professional, organised and lovely people!

Advice for Potential Travellers

You need to be quite fit on this trip - 3 days of significant climbing so if you are not a regular cyclist you should consider an E-bike. I loved the challenges as cycle back home but some people found it quite hard work on the more challenging days

Suggestions

I was surprised what an interesting and beautiful place Sardinia is - really spectacular scenery and not just on the coast. We enjoyed all the meals and nice accommodation and we were lucky to have a great group - we all got on well (mix of Brits and Canadians). Lots of laughs and lovely food and wine and beer as well as cycling! Bikes all excellent, lovely weather, no punctures - weren't we lucky!! I would highly recommend.

Paul Jefferies

Reviewed October 2018

Cycling in Sardinia

A very enjoyable week of cycling in Sardinia’s south west coastal area with a lovely group. Some long climbs which were rewarded with equally long descents. The weather was sunny for the first couple of days, thereafter overcast and occasionally rainy, but this did not dampen the spirits of the group. The leaders – Michele and Simone were excellent, ensuring all the group had an enjoyable time. The hotels and agriturismos we stayed in along the route were all very good with excellent home cooked food.

Most Inspirational Moment

it has to be the long climbs on days three and four and the equally long thrilling descents! Cyclists consume a lot of calories and there was no shortage of delicious food from breakfast, snack stops, lunch and dinner. Not to mention the re-hydrating with local beer and wine at the end of a long day cycling!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele and Simone were excellent. They supported all of us on the daily rides making sure everybody had an enjoyable time and took it in turns to cycle and drive the support van. They provided snacks during the rides and ensured we arrived at lunch stops on time for pre-booked lunch. Nothing was a problem for them - from fixing the occasional puncture to ordering food for us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have your own pedals/cycling shoes and saddle then I strongly recommend you take them. I did not take mine and cycled in trainers, I managed ok, but it would have been a lot easier, especially on the hills if I had my own pedals and cycling shoes.

Suggestions

You need to have a reasonable level of fitness tailored to cycling and have some off-road experience as there is a small amount of non-technical off-road cycling.

Rex Yetton

Reviewed September 2018

A lovely Island

I went with four friends which made for good companionship and plenty of laughs, We made sure that we mixed with the group and made some good friends, and hopefully enhanced their enjoyment. We were lucky with the weather which threatened to have some storms but we seemed to have sunshine most of the time. I loved the morning coffee stops and the daily beach stops for a swim. Some of the rides were quite challenging and surprised the first timer in our group. The resulting downhill sections were fabulous. Most hotels had swimming pools which were very welcome at the end of the day.

Most Inspirational Moment

The long downhill rides after the steep climbs. The nice beaches and hotels with swimming pools. Having a beer with the group at the end of the ride. The final night as a group in Cagliari.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both the leaders. Simone and Giovani were excellent. Giovani was very knowledgeable about the island and its history, which he was keen to tell us about. He was quite strict but we soon warmed to him and brought out his softer side by using some banter.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The hills on day 2 and three are very challenging. I have done grade 3 climbs on previous Exodus trips and these were long and challenging. Knowing that the hills would be a challenge and no longer a spring chicken, I had an e bike. I have embraced e mountain biking at home on the South Downs and it is fabulous. Although the e bike I had wasn't an ideal design, it certainly helped and enhanced my enjoyment. My advice would be to have one if you have any doubt. Why suffer? the e bikers were able to chat on the hills and enjoy the scenery, whereas the normal bikers couldn't talk.

Suggestions

If you like coffee stops, nice beaches and swimming pools, this is the trip for you. Beware of the hills!

Glenda Cornwell

Reviewed September 2018

Review

Very well organised and enjoyable trip taking in some amazing scenery both coastal and inland.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the variety of the cycling, especially the off road bits. Learning about how Sardinia's past was related to the monuments we passed and the food and culture.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lovely, friendly, patient, friendly and jovial hosts who always tried to please everyone, all the time. Great fruit breaks!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some hills were quite long and steep. If you want to enjoy more, consider getting an electric bike! However, the van was available all the time allowing you to hop on and off throughout the day giving a great flexibility.

Suggestions

Watch out for the mosquitoes! Take repellent with you.

Liz Leonard

Reviewed September 2018

Brilliant - but really glad we had e-bikes

Great way to see the beautiful Sardinian West coast, including salt pans, flamingos, the dramatic coastline & turquoise seas.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Costa del Sud was truly spectacular; the annual San Salvatore festival in Cabras; the giant sand dunes of the Costa Verde and the islands of San Pietro & Sant’Antioco. All of it really!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Alessandro & Simone were superb: multi-tasking, great local knowledge, dealing with logistics, accommodation, restaurants, fixing bikes, making us a superb lunch. And they were brilliant when one of our group had a bad fall. They are both passionate about their country & it showed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My knees are knackered (little/no cartilage) and although I cycle at home, my knees would never have coped with this trip without an e-bike. There are some very challenging hills. Even the keen cyclists in our group felt that it would be better described as Moderate/Hard. With an e-bike it was still a challenge but a very satisfying one. Also it was incredibly hot - if the trip was offered mid-late September/early October, I think it could be even more enjoyable.

Suggestions

Our only criticism was that the days were often long, starting at 9am & arriving at our next hotel at around 5ish. Personally I think the days should have ended at 4pm so you had a bit more time to either explore or have a swim before dinner. It’s a pretty full on itinerary!

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