Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

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Walks of the Cinque Terre and Portofino

55 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

S Patel

Reviewed September 2017

So beautiful.

Such a beautiful week of walking made special by a great group and a fantastic guide.

Most Inspirational Moment

The beautiful views along the coast line of Cinque Terre and Portofino made every step along the trail worthwhile.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Michela Wicks was fantastic. Although our main reason for going was to see the fantastic views, the trip was made even more perfect by Michela, who worked hard to make sure we got to each place in good time to make the most of our day. She made sure we understood what was expected on each day of walking and was clear about what we had to take on our walk. She made sure we stopped to drink water and because of this made sure we got back to our base town safely and in good health.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Follow the guides given by Exodus on making sure you choose the right level of walks for your fitness and make sure you listen to your guides expert knowledge to keep safe on some of the more energetic walks.

Ruth FLOWERS

Reviewed May 2017

Steps galore!

The villages of the Cinque Terre are remarkable, clinging to the cliff edge by magic.
Reaching them along the coastal paths involves walking busy routes with LOTS of
vertical steps. Achievable as long as the walk leader allows time for enough drink breaks
and the fact that it is very easy to get caught behind a slower group so time to re-group
is vital. The walk to Portofino was nice, quite a short day so a good break between visiting
the Cinque Terre. Without the excellent train service serving this region this trip wouldn’t
work. An interesting tour with varied nationalities and personalities

Most Inspirational Moment

The views of the Cinque from a boat

Thoughts on Group Leader

A hasty leader and a little rude at times but knew the area well enough

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be advised that the steps on the coastal path to the Cinque Terre villages are uneven and steep. Walking poles were essential for the descents. Take plenty of snacks and water

Valerie Smith

Reviewed October 2016

Cinque Terra

Fantastic views. Great guide

Most Inspirational Moment

The fact that I could manage all the walks

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellant

Carolyn Finch

Reviewed October 2016

Walks in the Cinque Terre and Portofino

Fantastic holiday in a beautiful part of Italy with excellent food and wine and an entertaining group of fellow walkers. I enjoyed all the walks but especially those through the forests where we didn’t meet another soul.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching a lightning storm whilst sheltering safely was exhilarating. I also loved visiting Lucca on the free day and cycling round the city wall on a hire bike.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I thought Paul did a good job, given that he arrived in the resort at the same time as we did. He recommended and reserved some excellent restaurants for us; the food and wine was a definite highlight of the holiday. He also came up with an alternative "wet weather" walk when bad weather shut the Cinque Terre and that walk (including the storm) was another of my highlights.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walks are very steep in parts so a good fitness level is required. I'd done a couple of level 2/3 trips before and found this level 3 trip to be noticeably more difficult than those. Mind you, I was a lot fitter by the end of the week and the views definitely make the effort worthwhile. I went on this trip towards the end of the season. I think this was a good move because it meant the Cinque Terre paths and towns were not as busy as they would be in the summer.

Joanna Jackson

Reviewed October 2016

Walks of the Cinque Terre

I had a good holiday because of the lovely people on the trip. The hotel was nice and clean. Restaurants that we went to were great with one exceptional-‘Asserto’. It could have been very different. The organisation was pretty shambolic and we sort of muddled through. Many of the paths were shut and open ones were packed with other walkers.

Most Inspirational Moment

A concert in the 13c church

Thoughts on Group Leader

Started badly but he grew on us. It seemed he had been catapulted into this trip.-didn't know the status of the paths or train times. Also he couldn't speak much Italian neither could Albert who was shadowing him and who also takes tours in Italy so obviously this was not a one off situation. I was amazed and appalled that tour leaders on Exodus holidays aren't fluent in the local language. Not their fault-you employed them but I would consider that a pre-requisite of a guide as well as knowledge of the walks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I probably would not recommend this tour to anyone and definitely will look at alternative operators for other European trips. I have been to Sri Lanka with Exodus and it was very good.

Debby Horsman

Reviewed October 2016

Walks of the Cinque Terra and Portofino

We have done many Exodus walking holidays, usually Grade 3. This had the usual country paths and ups and downs but included the chance to see and swim in the sea every day and to travel on local trains. The base town was not too touristy so we could get a sense of real Italian life. A single centre in a family-run hotel made for a relaxed and comfortable time

Most Inspirational Moment

The views from the cable car and as we descended into Positano were beautiful. Local people were friendly and some of the restaurant meals were superb (all were good). The wine tasting evening was outstanding.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suzy's long experience as a leader really showed. She was knowledgeable, considerate and she made every effort to ensure that each of us had a good time. Although she was not Italian, her command of the language ensured that everything ran smoothly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We had excellent weather after the first day but some paths were quite steep and somewhat insecure in places after recent heavy rain. Walking poles were very useful both for stability and to ease pressure on our knees on long ascents/descents.

Kurt Mills

Reviewed September 2016

Great Week

This was a great holiday. Well planned out. The walks were varied – and all with beautiful views. In the evenings, Suzy took us to some great restaurants. On the walk to Portofino we stopped off at a restaurant in the hills where the tomatoes for the caprese salad were plucked off the vine next to the restaurant – fantastic. The hotel was nice, and very close to the beach. The wine tasting, with somebody who was passionate about the wines of the region, was fascinating.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking down into Portofino.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Suzy was great. Was knowledgeable about the region. Everything was well organised and when changes needed to be made at the last minute she was able to figure out alternate arrangements quickly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walks varied in difficulty, with the first day definitely the hardest. There were some very steep extended descents - poles definitely came in handy on that first day, as well as when we descended from Montallegro to Chiavari. The walks in the Cinque Terre were great, although there was not a lot of time in the villages themselves. However, you can easily use the free day to spend more time in them, as well as in Portovenere - the boat trip out is recommended. Food is expensive - especially the restaurants we went to in the evenings, so be prepared... Also, just a note that the trip notes mention the Via Dell'Amore. Unfortunately, this has been closed since 2011 as a result of a landslide, and doesn't appear to be reopening anytime soon because of bickering over who will pay to repair it, so we did not get to do it. This was not a major loss since all the other walking was great, but something that Exodus might want to change in the trip notes.

Martin Rollason

Reviewed May 2016

Cinque Terre and Portofino

An excellent holiday. Good walking and great locations visited on the Ligurian coast. Ample time allowed to explore the various villages visited. Good food – especially at the “Gourmet Evenings”.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting Portofino. The views on the walk into the village were wonderful and the village itself lived up to its reputation.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good - he interacted well with the group and kept us informed of the plans for the following day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Budget for a couple of expensive meals - the gourmet evenings. Lunches at the villages are good value if you buy slices of pizza, focaccia etc from take away shops.

Lynn Roulstone

Reviewed September 2015

Fantastic holiday

A wonderful way to spend a week, walking the beautiful Ligurian coast, visiting the Cinque Terre villages and Portofino. The walks are well planned stopping at great places to eat lunch (Lots of good places in Moneglia to pick up a delicious slice of focaccia). Moneglia was a very pleasant town with a great atmosphere, ideal for strolling round on a warm evening. The hotel was very pleasant, and I liked the breakfasts, though fans of a Full English will be disappointed.

Most Inspirational Moment

Looking across to the village of Volastra while walking from Riomaggiore to Corneglia, the blueness of the sea, the wooded paths of the Portofino perninsula.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Emily was great, well organised, patient and funny. We'd never done this sort of holiday before and she completely put us at our ease.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walks were a bit tougher than I expected, I hadn't factored in the gradient or the heat. Certainly make sure to take a pair of good walking shoes, I very nearly didn't.

Phil Watson

Reviewed August 2015

Beautiful scenery and rewarding walks

A very pleasant week exploring the coastal walks. Emily, our guide, was very well prepared and flexed the week to suit recent feedback, weather and the needs of the group members. Due to the hot weather, several of the walks were strenuous in places, but always rewarded us with spectacular views.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking through the steep sided vineyards on the way to Corneglia on our last day, with the sea sparkling below, pinching the odd grape and blackberry along the path.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good humoured, well prepared and very tall :-)

Advice for Potential Travellers

Walking boots with ankle support and then flipflops as soon as you finish the walk!

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