Walking in Sardinia

Most Inspirational Moment

The view from the top of Mt Tiscali is breathtaking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tony was friendly and accommodating.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Need a good sense of balance given the amount of walking over unstable terrain (dried up river beds and scree).

Most Inspirational Moment

The last day walk was spectacular. The coastal views, the blue of the sea! The beach on that walk is beautiful and the boat journey is lovely. The Stalactite caves visited are also mesmerising, unexpected and very impressive!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Leader Michele was very experienced, knew the area well and gave us guidance on the slightly more technical areas. He also helped us plan our free day with information on buses and nearby towns as well as optional extra walks. He was very happy, warm and engaging with the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walking distances are for the official path trails, you might do a town walk, a cafe or shop detour which can add a little more on so if checking if you are capable for the distances, allow for a little extra. Take swimming stuff, the beach on the last day is beautiful and there is also a nearby beach for your free day. The town is small and the supermarket is small, dont expect to be able to buy much take what you need! Take atleast 1 pole and good boots are needed.

Most Inspirational Moment

The final day hiking was particularly good and included a boat ride. It was a really pretty coastal hike, much of it is through forest. There was a good mix of terrain. The beach was beautiful and so interesting with the caves. We had time for a refreshing sea swim.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele is up there with the best guides I have met. He was engaging, informative and funny. He was helpful when it came to advice on our free time and at advising us on the planned days. He spent time getting to know us all and made sure we were all coping and comfortable. You can tell how much he loves his job.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The hotel and other restaurants we visited catered well for anyone with dietary requirements, and the food was always delicious. I recommend going to the Shepherds dinner which is an optional extra. It was one of the highlights. I think the moderate/level 3 rating for the trip is right. I hike and run a lot so had no difficulty but the hills will stretch some people not used to the terrain or heat. However the reward for any effort needed is the beautiful scenery.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tony did a wonderful job.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you like hiking and excellent Italian food, try Sardinia.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many inspiring moments to mention. However the walk to Tiscali was amazing. And the fresh seasonal fruit (lemon, cherries and loquots) grown by the hotel, which was offered for breakfast was brilliant. The hotel owners were open, honest and great listeners.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader (Tony Sardo) was attentive to all individuals needs, and changed the itinerary positively to suit weather conditions.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Good quality walking boots/shoes essential.

Most Inspirational Moment

Bouldering

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tony was brilliant. Great fun caring super knowledge of area and historical sites visited.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Lots of up hill rocky climbing so be prepared to be challenged!

Most Inspirational Moment

I stood at the top of the mountain after a long climb of around 2,000 feet and looked across the amazing landscape of valleys, gorges, rivers - green and vibrant. I never thought I would make it to the top - but I did and it was a deeply rewarding experience which will stay with me for a very long time. It has given me the confidence to book more trips - with Exodus of course!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele was an inspirational and motivation group leader. He made each and everyone of us feel welcome and included. He was keen to understand what we as individuals wanted from the trip and built the itinerary around that and the weather - which can be variable in Sardinia. He shared his extensive knowledge of the island and the culture so we got a real insight into the place and its people. He had clearly built a good relationship with local people over the years and was keen that we, as travellers, appreciated their environment. Most of all he gave me the confidence to tackle challenging walks and it was a rewarding experience. Go Michele!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Three pieces of advice: Ensure you are fit enough to undertake some challenging walks. The trip is rated 3 moderate but it felt more like a 4 at times particularly on some tricky screen and mountain paths. The coming down is as difficult as the ascent so you need to train in advance - as advised by the website. Take the proper equipment with you including walking poles - you might think you can manage without but they make a huge difference on difficult paths.Bring wet weather gear - the weather can change dramatically and suddenly. Finally go with the flow - this is an authentic experience in a family run hotel - just enjoy it and be grateful the island isn't full of Premier Inns and other chain hotels

Most Inspirational Moment

Witnessing the way the group leader was able to help members of the group to improve their confidence on walking on tricky terrain. Excellent wine tasting - the best I have experienced on an Exodus holiday (and there have been a few)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Knowledgeable about the area. Attentive to all members of the group - didn't seem to have particular favourites. Ensured that we were able to carry out our walking safely. Was able to re-organise the order of the planned activities to cater for inclement weather which would have made one of the walks impossible on the originally scheduled day. Enthusiastic about selling the virtues of walking and cycling holidays.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Well worth a go. This is an excellent holiday in a less well known location. There is a good variety to the walks and generally nice scenery.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved our walk in Canyon Gorropu. We visited the cave called Grotto Ispinigoli which was amazing, although I only viewed it from above. On the final day we took a boat from Cala Gonone to some caves and then climbed up on to the cliff top. This was a lovely walk with beautiful views down to the sea. One day we went to Orosei where we had lunch on the beach. There was nobody else about and it felt like paradise. Lots of inspiring moments.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We couldn't have had a better group leader. Michele was the best!! He was very knowledgeable about the country and shared this with us. He was fun and joined in with the group. I struggled a couple of times on the walks because I am not good with heights but he was encouraging and supportive, he helped me to overcome my fears, as did other members of the group. He made the trip enjoyable and interesting. BGLE!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely do this trip! Go to see Giovanni at the gelataria in Dorgali. His ice cream is the best! April is a great month to visit Sardinia.

Most Inspirational Moment

Clambering into the gorge over rocks and boulders. Great fun and makes you realise how small you truly are. There was also a fantastic cameraderie within the group and so much fun and laughter along the way. This makes a holiday great as much as the fantastic scenery.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele was brilliant. Always smiling, thoughtful and one of the best leaders I have encountered, always going the extra mile. Shared his time with everyone and became an integral part of the group with his good humour and laughter. By his hard work we could just relax, laugh and enjoy ourselves. Anyone who can talk a bunch of hikers into a spontaneous Sardinian folk dancing lesson whilst waiting for the bus to arrive must be good! Thank you for making it such a special week.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring walking poles as they are very helpful over the rough terrain and don't make the mistake of ordering 2 sandwiches for lunch because they are huge!!!