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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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Reviews

Great way to discover southern italy

I recommend this tour of two regions of southern Italy – Basilicata and Puglia and our wonderful guide Guissepe. Relaxing walking off the beaten track together with great local food and wine. Guissepe took care of all the details including organising gluten free food. I was particularly impressed by his plant knowledge as well as history, particularly of ancient Matera. Good amicable and interesting group. Highlights included staying in the Masseria, home cooked feast of food from their garden, swimming at a beautiful sandy beach after a long hot walk followed by a memorable seafood lunch. And dinner at a farmhouse where they kept cows and made all their own cheeses.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sunset at Matera - really beautiful

Thoughts on Group Leader

Loved Guissepe. Never had my Coeliac's disease looked after so well. Very helpful. Good knowledge.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Maybe ask for different rooms. Webput up with a very damp and airless room at the sassi hotel - room 610 - and the third night I was really sick with a cough and had to sleep with my daughter who had a lovely room - 502. Should have asked to change!

Great walking in an area where there are few foreign visitors.

Puglia and Matera are areas that are not well known in Canada. We booked the trip based on the interesting walks amongst olive orchards and vineyards that were advertised. What we didn’t realize is all the history in the area. From the cave dwellings of the Sassi to the Trulli houses of Alberobello it is a different world. The hiking routes were quite quiet with few other walkers encountered. It was a nice break from some of the busier areas of Italy. The food and drink in the area is fantastic. Marinella took us to some amazing restaurants (and created fantastic picnics) that only a local would know. All in all it was a fantastic trip. My only regret was that it was only a week. We could have stayed longer.

Most Inspirational Moment

For me, the most inspirational moment was the first time you see the Sassi. You are walking through the new town of Matera and all of a sudden you look into this ravine which is filled with buildings stacked on top of each other in a seemingly haphazard way. You then find out that caves are behind these buildings and that people live in them. The flocks of swallows and kestrels flying at all times of the day made the scene all the more impressive.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marinella was amazing. She knows the region and the people well. She (and Exodus) was very concerned about all of the walkers welfare since the temperatures were very high during the trip.She knew all the best places in town to eat and put together some fantastic picnic lunches. Her knowledge of the history of the region was also excellent. She went above and beyond by touring us on the free day around Lecce.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Watch the temperature. Our trip was mid-June and the temperatures were in the mid 30's. Any hotter and the hiking may not have been enjoyable. Otherwise, come with a good appetite and enjoy the region.

Great walk in Puglia and Matera

We were a group of 7 ladies from Iceland and went on the hiking trip to Puglia and Matera from june 3 to june 10. It was an excellent trip with beautiful landscape and the fantastic towns of Matera, Alberobello and Locorotondo. Excellent guide Giuseppe told us all there is about the region and was really nice.

Most Inspirational Moment

Coming to Matera and visiting the Sassi was something we will never forget. Alberobello and Trulli was fantastic and seeing the caves and hearing the history of the region was great.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Giuseppe was really great and we give him our best recommendation!

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is no need for trekking boots better to have light shoes like good sport shoes.

sunshine, culture, scenery, food, wine - what more could you want?

I had been wanting to visit Puglia for some time and this trip did not disappoint. Very well balanced between culture, history, nature, exploration and of course, food and wine – it offered everything that I look for in both a trip to Italy and an Exodus trip. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and early May was an ideal time to visit.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Matera for the first time from my hotel terrace Drinking Primitivo wine and eating tarallini with Italian friends overlooking Matera at sunset Picnics in the countryside with fresh local produce - and learning how to make friselli from Giuseppe! Wildflowers, nature and sunlight as we wandered through the countryside Final meal at Terra Madre in Alberobello - extraordinary food and wine

Thoughts on Group Leader

Giuseppe was an exceptionally dedicated and passionate group leader and thinking back, his attention to detail in regards to both group and individual needs and what we did throughout the week made a good trip into an amazing one. I would go on another trip with Giuseppe without hesitation - in fact, would prioritise a trip with him as a group leader just on the basis I know it would be well organised and would offer activities and surprises that I would not get with another group leader. Giuseppe's local knowledge of the area and its history, and his ability to navigate its intricacies and occasional difficulties) also made a huge difference. and his restaurant recommendations were always spot on!

Advice for Potential Travellers

be prepared for the walks to feel longer than they really are due to the heat - the temperatures and lack of shade make a difference. Definitely bring appropriate footwear and a sunhat. Also be prepared for long walks in the country without infrastructure or towns regularly interspersed. Also be aware that meals are not included on this trip, on the whole, aside from breakfast. this wasn't an issue for me but a few people in my group were surprised as meals are often included on other Exodus holidays.

Walking in Pulia and Matera

This took us first to Matera- the most amazing town to visit!!! and then on to Alberobello. Beautiful scenery, wonderful flora and fauna, interesting historic towns and villages, wonderful local food and wine……
We were lucky in being with a friendly group AND we had an outstanding guide- Giuseppe!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

So many! The views over Matera. The passion and enthusiasm of our guide. The wild flowers. The lovely local produce

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding! Friendly, helpful, informative, thoughtful, passionate for his homeland

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although the walks are designated 'leisurely' one or two demand a reasonable fitness level. A stick/ s might be handyZXOMG

Walking in Puglia/Basilicata

First class planning and organisation

Most Inspirational Moment

Meal at farm house

Thoughts on Group Leader

A1

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be reasonably fit to walk 8 miles in heat.

Walking in Puglia & Matera, May 13 to 20 2017

This was an especially interesting and enjoyable trip, thanks to a well-balanced itinerary, accommodation and transport that was well above average, and superb management on the part of our Tour Leader, Giuseppe. It proved also to be an excellent time of year to visit, with the countryside at its most attractive (green & productive) and the climate relatively fresh.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most spectacular part of the trip involved learning about the history of the city of Matera, and appreciating its geological setting.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We have completed many trips with Exodus and other companies operating on similar lines. We have learned that the qualities of the Group Leader influence the success or failure of a trip to an enormous extent. Giuseppe proved to be one of the very best Leaders we have known. His concern to explain & illustrate the culture of his native province was quite exceptional, as were the lengths to which he was prepared to go to ensure that we experienced the full breadth of the local cuisine and wines - notably in the middle of the day when he regularly prepared a wonderful lunch for our party of 16 - complete with coffee, mint tea, or - most memorably - a polystyrene cup of Primitivo.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for climbing a lot of steps in Matera (as it's a very hilly city), and don't imagine that a 10km walk is too short for a good walker (the heat of the sun makes even a short walk quite taxing - even in mid-May).

Wonderful Holiday

Our 7th walking trip in the past 3 years with Headwater/Exodus and it was one of the best! We felt like we had the chance to experience the “Real Italy”. While Aberobello had some foreign tourists, the rest of the places we visited/stayed we were among locals. A real treat. The walks were relatively easy. The scenery was beautiful. Picnic lunches and dinners were wonderful. Hotel Stassi in Matera was close to everything, provided unique and comfortable lodging, and a wonderful breakfast. Hotel Ramapendula was about a 5-10 min walk to the main Trulli area, was comfortable but breakfast was mediocre at best.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip was full of highlights but one of our favorite experiences was being in Matera on the May Day holiday. After completing our walk for the day we spent the rest of the afternoon in town and loved watching the streets full of couples of all ages, families and friends, strolling the streets, eating gelato, watching bands parade by, and just enjoying life the way it should be!!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader , Giuseppe was excellent!!!! He was outgoing, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and wanted to ensure that this was one of our best trips ever. He had prepared handouts on restaurants in Matera and a list of options for things to do on our free day. His picnic lunches were wonderful. He interacted with the locals on many occasions giving us a chance to see the area through their eyes. We would jump at the opportunity to travel with him again

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go before this part of Italy becomes too popular

Walking in Puglia and Matera

The holiday was all that I hoped it would be. I’ve learnt so much about an area of Italy where I hadn’t been before. Good company with mix of ages, great accommodation, easy walking and fantastic guide.

Most Inspirational Moment

Matera was beautiful with hidden house and churches in caves. Great hotel. Alberobello - I hadn't realised there would be so many Trulli houses.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Amazing - from the start to the end of the trip,she informed us of all the local history. She provided help with restaurants and even arranged for two packed lunches whilst we were walking. Great local knowledge which was invaluable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely one for your short list!

Surprising and very enjoyable

Great guide in Marinella! Very beautiful scenery, great hikes over rolling hills and flat olive groves

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Matera for the first time, trying the local cuisine.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great leader!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wear good shoes - some of the hike trails are a bit stony.