Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

We loved the walk along the coast ending with a swim in the crystal clear water of a delightful bay. The numbers and variety of temples and auditoriums was impressive and the over-the-top baroque churches are a must-see.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabio was a super guide - informative, proud of his Sicilian heritage and passionate about the history and landscape of his homeland. In the daytime he guided us through the villages and towns and in the evening he steered us through the delights of Sicilian cuisine. Our driver, Lucas, deserves a mention, too, for his skilful driving of our coach, sometimes to places a coach was not meant to go.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a full-on schedule and you might benefit from preparation if you have a list of things you want to see at each of the sites as time can seem short. However, there is some spare time for self-guided visits. The scheduled walks are not too demanding but there are other opportunities to stretch your legs (or just laze on a beach). Boots or sturdy walking shoes were useful; poles, too, on the Etna walk.

Most Inspirational Moment

The coastline is stunning and rugged and there were surprisingly few other tourists encountered on the walks. This was not the case at Pompeii but the site was stunning regardless with many well preserved frescos and mosaics. Walking up and round the rim of Vesuvius was challenging but well worthwhile. I loved having views of the coast for much of the time whilst walking but my favourite walk was probably the Valle de Feria which had streams, waterfalls and woods.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Christina was very bubbly and friendly, a very experienced tour leader with a wealth of knowledge about the local areas and a fund of stories. The trip was well organised and her relationships with other staff were very good. She was helpful in advising about options for the rest day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walking can be challenging in the heat. Do take poles as there are some steep downs and some ups too with the ground not always firm underneath. If you choose to go to Capri take the earliest possible ferry out and back as it is very busy once you get there and you may queue for transport (this may be more a problem in August) and have little time to see anything. I spent more time in Ana Capri which was pretty and much quieter and less touristy than Capri town. The group flight arrives very late on the Saturday evening which seemed a waste of a day. I arranged my own flights and spent some time in Naples which I would recommend as a gritty city with a lot of culture.

Most Inspirational Moment

I particularly enjoyed the visit to the archaeological site on Santorini and my own private follow up to see the artefacts in the museum in Fira, the main town.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dynamic ,knowledgable and charismatic.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although I had checked what the temperature might be in the islands in early September, before I booked the holiday, it was much hotter than I was expecting. Many of the islanders told me that although it was unusually hot, and that late October would probably be a better time for a walking holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

The day we spent in San Grimignano when it was too wet to ride (although we enjoyed the cycling a lot).

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leaders, Radu and Natalie, were excellent. They were very knowledgeable, well-organised and good at solving problems.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Tuscany is quite hilly. It might be a good idea to try some hills in England first. If a hill is really formidable you can get a lift in the support vehicle so you don't need to worry about the hills too much. In September the weather in Tuscany can be wet. Taking good quality waterproofs is a good idea because although it may be possible to take a day off cycling because of bad weather there will be days when you have to cycle whatever the weather because you need to get to the next destination.

Most Inspirational Moment

being on the new cone forming in the centre of Santorini

Thoughts on Group Leader

good command of multiple languages, had hard job on Santorini because of hotel site. Generally very affable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Plenty of high factor SPF30 minimum sun protection.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walk of the gods..and Heracleion on our free day

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very pleasant personality, alert for the whole group, helpful without being intrusive. She had a good contact with the local population and found nice addresses and places for the group.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a lot but I think getting up early and watching the balloons take off from the valley really had the wow factor. And the balloon trip was brilliant.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fahti very informative and helpful, took on board a few suggestions made by members of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind and expect to see lots of interesting things..

Most Inspirational Moment

A cheetah looking out over the Serengeti plains crying out for his missing mate - how could anyone still have a dry eye!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jacob was very good and knowledgable. Everything ran smoothly and you always felt he was in control and had everything in hand. We had an accident with the truck in the Serengeti. An overloaded land rover came around a corner at very high speed and in avoiding us turned over into a dry river bed. The driver of our truck was amazing to avoid us being hit or tipping over as we were just coming off a narrow bridge that also had a big hole in the road. The driver and leader then showed brilliant skill in helping get the land rover pulled back onto the road. They were calm through out and really made you feel safe in their hands. The incident could have been really bad and it was only their skill that kept us safe. The land rover was a government vehicle and has accepted responsibility for the incident. No one from our group was hurt.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have sufficient use changed into local currency before arriving at the beach resort where there are no cash machines and the exchange rate offered is poor.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing what the inside of Versuvius looked like! Then visiting Pompei and Herculanium to see the destruction it wrought. Naples. I did not expect to like it and i did.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eduardo was hard working so everything went seemlessly. Was nice he was italian and knew the area.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take walking poles for tge walks and a warm layer for the evenings as it chills down because it is high up.

Most Inspirational Moment

The final day when we walked along Le Garnd balcon Sud and saw the Mont Blanc range slowly reveal itself as the clouds drifted upwards and away.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Johnie Briggs was an inspirational leader who was a major contributor to the success of the Tour. He kept us in sight like a patient sheep dog allowing the free spirits amongst us to surge ahead but being there with the more plodding members of the party as they stomped up the hills using the Alpine amble he had taught us and which we found so useful. Lots of small steps and use of the gluteal muscles to pull the legs back at each extended stride. he was full of information about flora and fauna and history of the area.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You can travel with just one small to medium sized ruck sac taking merely waterproofs and a light alpine fleece washing things and hat gloves and maybe a change of clothes. Many of our party washed out quick drying clothes overnight .