Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the Path of the Gods, truly beautiful

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group was very fortunate to have Veriano as our leader. His enthusiasm and knowledge was limitless. Always conscious of everyone's wellbeing and safety, and was especially encouraging when having to tackle the vast number of steps on the Amalfi Coast!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some of the walks were pretty strenuous over uneven ground, so reasonable fitness required

Suggestions

The food and hospitality at the Hotel 2 Torri was very good

Most Inspirational Moment

The walks to the top of the Vesuvio and Pompeii were awe inspiring, and both guides were excellent.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was all right, but from what we gathered from other groups, we seem to have got a more basic service. I didn't have the impression from his responses to my questions that he was terribly interested in sharing the local culture that much. Also, we were a mixed group (not a problem and we all got on very well), with a wide range of ages (from mid 20s to mid 60s) and a wide range of abilities. Some of us were slower than others during the walks. And the biggest issue was that our leader seemed to be happier to spend his time at the front with the fatest ones, leaving the slowest ones at the back, on their own. Which could have been dangerous in particular with the uneven terrain we were going through. As we were 2 walking groups I am a bit puzzled as to why a test walk wasn't done at the beginning, and groups rescheffuled according to abilities.

Advice for Potential Travellers

To come physically very well prepared. Attendees will be requested virtually straightaway to walk several hours, on uneven terrain, through 600 to 800 m elevations. These are not moderate walks for your average sedentary customer. And even for the reasonably prepared, 2 hours of going down uneven steps can leave your legs shaking and your calves sore for a few days!

Suggestions

Amalfi, and Ravello are quite touristic but the hotel is situated in a normal working village, ie not a chocolate box one as often seen on pictures, with a main street with a few shops and several cafes and restaurants, which seems at its most lively in the evening. But we were a bit out of of season. The hotel itself was fine, with a large dining room where guests have their meal, as a group, at large tables, at a fixed time in the evening. The food was adequate, sometimes good, but sadly largely uninspiring for me. Our room was on the 3rd floor, no lift though, with a large terrasse. It was part of a building built more recently, or renovated, and was spacious and clean. The hotel staff seemed pleasant and efficient. I was surprised by the level of tipping requested to the guides, the hotel staff, the bus drivers... The local transport system is very good (buses, ferries) , and on our free day, a few of us in the group managed to organise relatively easily to go and see Salerno, among other places, which gave us a better idea of the life in a local larger city. (And included a lovely cathedral with an impressive crypt)

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing Vesuvius

Thoughts on Group Leader

He clearly loves trekking and the mountains, but he wasn't the most caring leader. Our group was varied in age, from people in their 20s to others in their 60s, some had health conditions which requited slower pace of walking, but our leader was always at the front with the fastest and youngest, not knowing how the rest of the group are doing, are they coping, are they in pain. If I had his job, I'd like to know where everyone in my group is at all time. On the last day, the slower part of the group was not even given breaks. As soon as they caught up, they had to go again. Some of the activities were not scheduled with our best interest in mind, after climbing Vesuvius and walking around Pompei for hours we had 30 min for a rest in the hotel and had to go to a cheese tasting and then to a pizza making deminstration and then to dinner. Some people refused to go to all these activities. It was just too much for one day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Your experience will depend very much on the group leader you get. The hotel was nice, rooms were new and comfortable, but the food at breakfast and dinner was not the best. Not what you'd expect from an Italian holiday and for the money you pay.

Suggestions

Make sure all groups get the same experience and treatment from their group leader. The other walking group was very happy with their leader and kept telling us how they all felt very cared for, walks were at a pace which was suitable for everyone, no-one was struggling, there were lots of regular breaks. Exodus could split the groups better next time, after the first walk, when everyone's level can be assessed, and people are-distributed according to their ability.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the crater of Vesuvius and the 'Path of the Gods'!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Funny, friendly and organised!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Prepare in terms of fitness and/or consider if this type of walking holiday is what you are looking for.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the remaining caldera of Mt Vesuvius was indeed impressive and then walking on the pumice still adorning the Amalfi coast, many miles distant provided a new impression of the catastrophe that occurred in 79 AD. Also, I was struck by the presence of herbs growing wild all over the region in the hills.

Thoughts on Group Leader

As I stated above, our group leader was fantastic. He was clearly passionate about his roots there, which was infectious for all of us. His knowledge of everything local was unsurpassed. He kept our days light hearted and ensured the safety of all. He has a great sense of humor, yet maintained order in the group with excellent leadership skill. This is my second trip with Exodus, and thus far, I have experienced two phenomenal group leaders.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although this trip was designated moderate in difficulty, it is far less challenging than the hiking around Mont Blanc in France. Still, I would recommend that participants spend time walking and hiking on a regular basis prior to the trip. There are some rather challenging inclines.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vania De Paoli was Excellent. Thoroughly knowledgeable of the area, extremely enthusiastic and went out of her way to be sure everyone had a great time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Thoroughly recommend both the experience of this holiday and Exodus Travel.

Suggestions

This was first time with Exodus and definitely go with them again.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the crater rim of Vesuvius with a local expert was very interesting. Seeing the scale of Pompeii, again with a local expert guide. The Path of the Gods had great views. Eating a gelato in Amalfi in the sunshine mid-week was in marked contrast to after the first walk when the waves were crashing on the beach. Watching the hotel chef making various pizzas, and then eating as much as I could manage.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Severio obviously enjoys his job, and reordered the schedule to make the most of the varying weather. Living locally meant he knew the area very well. I would certainly recommend him as a guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There are indeed a lot of steps (mostly down), although generally in good condition. For someone who lives in a flat part of the UK, the first few days were hard going at times, We were very well fed every evening, and the local house wine was very good value. The boat trip from Amalfi to Capri on the free day was fun, and included a bit of sightseeing of the Capri coastline on arrival. Even in March the buses between Capri and Anacapri were busy, so getting around took a lot of time. The Path of the Gods ends in Positano and we were lucky that the return boat ride had just started. Any earlier and it would have been a return by bus.

Suggestions

As recommended, a walking pole was very useful at times.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the Mount Vesuvius crater in the sunshine ☀️

Thoughts on Group Leader

Severio

Advice for Potential Travellers

Itinerary can change depending in the weather so “go with the flow” as even the group leader can’t summon up the sunshine. Do the Mount Vesuvius crater …it really isn’t that scary and those in my group who didn’t do it were so disappointed when we fed back to them about how accessible it is. A good level of fitness is required as there are a lot of steps!!

Most Inspirational Moment

The day we visited Vesuvius/Vesuvio and Pompei. We walked up to the crater with a specialist and very knowledgeable guide and he then took us away from the (school trip) crowds around the crater of Vesuvio. The views in all directions were fantastic, Naples Bay, Sorrento peninsula, Apennine mountains etc. Looking down into the crater was impressive and awesome with the thought this volcano is going to blow again at some time. Afterwards we drove a short distance to Pompei. This was very interesting and ticked of a long held wish to visit this world famous historic site. For me, it was the best day of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent! Our group leader was Veriano. Veriano had good humour, knowledge, patience and flexibility. With any group on a trip like this , there will be a mix of physical ability. No one was left behind. We were in good hands.

Advice for Potential Travellers

My trip began in late February. This is still winter in southern Italy too. We were gambling with the weather, dodging rain, from start to finish. We were very lucky and never actually needed full rain gear on the trail and had plenty of blue sky while on the trails during the week. The sky did however tend to cloud over in the afternoon. I found weather forecasts available on the internet were not entirely reliable. I'll put this down to the fact we were on a hill top location right on the coast. Temeratures were generally cool 14-16C during the day. The fact this time of year is low season was very apparent in towns like Amalfi and Positano. The advantage being we had the trails almost entirely to ourselves. The roads in the immediate area are narrow and winding. I don't think I was the only one that started to feel a little travel sick in the back of the mini bus.