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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82 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
Steven Elliot
Reviewed September 2024
Nearly excellent
I do feel a little mean just giving 4 stars but there were a few niggles. It’s a great trip and particularly satisfying in that there are no transfers until the end – you cycle from hotel to hotel for 6 days. Lovely scenery, though not quite as gorgeous as described in other reviews. Accommodation basic but clean – no luxury but you don’t spend much time in it. Sardinian food and wine is pretty awesome but mostly fish based.
Gripes. Bikes are old and heavy which make the second and third rides more onerous than they should be- 3400 feet ascent in 36 miles does not usually faze me but knees were complaining for a few days after. I experienced a degree of bike envy for the guide’s lightweight gravel bike. As noted elsewhere the flight times are awkward and we were pretty bored by the end of the last day awaiting our transfer to the airport- a late check out from our rooms on a hot sticky day would have been good. The trip notes were inaccurate which, sadly, is a common issue with Exodus trips. Biggest grouse was, however, that there was only ever one guide on the rides, which meant that the weakest member was either cycling alone or dependent on the good nature of other participants for company. To my mind a bit of a safety risk but I guess we might have been spoilt after our trip to Indonesia where there were always three guides.
I am sounding a bit negative. We had a great time but some minor alterations would improve the experience substantially.
Most Inspirational Moment
The ride along the Costa del Sud. Beautiful
Thoughts on Group Leader
For the most part good. The whole trip ran like clockwork. I’m sure he will become increasingly empathetic with time.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The Sardinian hills were a little arid in September and I wonder if they would be greener and prettier in spring. Consider asking for a late check out on last day.
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.
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!
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
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
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!
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
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.
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.
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.