Reviews

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leaders were Eric and Albert.  They modified the walks to ensure we best utilised the weather - so we did the high level walks on the sunniest days rather than risking losing the views.  They both have a good sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is a choice of menu every night - read the Italian as well as the English as sometimes the translation is a bit strange.Take small Euro denominations for the hutsProsecco was a good price at the hotel in Moena

Suggestions

Walking in the Western Dolomites sounds a bit of a vague title!  For people looking at the Classic Dolomites trip or this Western trip it may not be easy to decide which to do.  There is contrast between the trips in both scenery and local culture even though they are both 'Dolomites'.  The scenery is stunning for both trips - if I had to decide, I preferred the walking and the scenery in the Western Dolomites trip (Val di Fassa).  In terms of local culture: the Classic Dolomites has an Austrian feel - the dominant language is German and the food is tends to be more Austrian - whereas the Western Dolomites is more typical Italian.  The hotel on the Western trip is a bit more basic than the Classic trip (which is sold as a premier trip and is of course more plush) - but the Moena hotel is still nice and comfy and the food is good (lots of it).  They had a Ladin night when we were there - Ladin being the local valley food.  Moena is a nice little place for a wander.On the Western dolomites trip they are running a B grade and a C grade every day so there is a flex if you were not sure which to do - and it could be handy if you were travelling with friends and some people wanted a slightly different pace.  Both the walking groups mix together in the evening and it's good to find out what the other group have been up to.Overall I'd really recommend the Western Dolomites trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The long walk on Thursday, the ridge at La Costela and looking at the views back across the valley floor that we had just traversed.Tramping through the fresh snow, in June, was an unexpected bonus. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both Eric and Albert were excellent group leaders.  They are very experienced guides, which showed in their knowledge of the area. They were always prepared to do that little bit extra if needed.  They were also responsive to the individual  needs of everyone in the group.

Suggestions

Hotel staff friendly and polite.  The hotel was clean, room adquate but with very small shower.Some aspects of the catering could be improved e.g. boiling water for tea and coffee at breakfast.Evening meals were not as hot as they should be, but the waiter should be commended for his efforts.Wifi seemed to involve different servers for different floors so access was more complicated than it needed  to be and signal strength/bandwidth seemed quited limited at times.However the fantastic walking made up for the short comings of the hotel 

Most Inspirational Moment

The scrambling sections were great fun and the views from the top of Piz Buie were second to none.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert and Eric were excellent leaders and a great laugh. At the end of a walk when Albert's group claimed to have been charged by a bull Eric quipped "How much?" I nearly choked on my beer.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware of the very late arrival and departure times. Have a bottle of water with you when you arrive at Venice, the shops aned cafes will likely be shut.

Suggestions

Do it and enjoy.

Most Inspirational Moment

On our free day Eric offered a Via Ferrata trip.  Although the wether forecast was not great we took the risk of walking up to the first hut before we decided if it was safe to continue.  A little wet and chillier than previous days, but no one was turned away by the less than desirable condiditons.  Along the Via Ferrata the sleet and then the snow arrived.  Despite the poor conditions we had a great day!  The company was cheerful, Eric gave us all confidence and we all returned exhilarated.  Every other day we had clear blue skies!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eric was a great leader.  He remained good humoured at all times and quickly got to know the abilities of the members of the group. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

The spa was a lovely treat at the end of each day.... dont forget to bring a bathing suit.

Most Inspirational Moment

The stunning scenery did it for me every day. The hotel food was great the staff at the hotel were very good the spa facilities were amazing!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was fine very knowledgable polite listened when appropriate

Advice for Potential Travellers

The flight times from Gatwivk to Venice were tenable to say the least it made for a poor end to an otherwise perfect holiday

Suggestions

I'll certainly be choosing exuadus again

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking along the scary ridge (cannot remember its name, but we had walked up from Alba that day)Meadow flowers in abundance.Sharing lunch with choughs.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert was superb. Encouraging without being condescending (I wish my legs were as long as his...) Knowledgable without being an anorak.A leader with a light touch (he allowed me to skip the rests and move ahead at my - very slow -  pace until the group caught up with me).Nothing but praise.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If the flight times are the same next year (and I hope they are not, see below) use the last day to go to Bolzano instead of Venice. You can 'do' most of Bolzano easily in a day, and the museum for Otzi, the Ice Man, is worth seeing.

Suggestions

As mentioned; the very late return to Gatwick added the expense of a hotel to the trip. It's no so bad going out late, but the late return with a long onward journey home was far from ideal.

Most Inspirational Moment

All the walks had moments that were inspirational, especially the constantly unfolding and paroramic views.Reaching the top of a long & steep climb that Eric had described as a 'short scramble'!Finding that the whole group gelled and that we were all very happy to spend virtually the whole of each day together!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eric led Group B and his familularity with the area, his preparation and willingness to adjust routings to suit the conditions and our pace were all first class. He kept us all in good humour without being 'in your face' at all.He clearly had the measure of us all and gradually increased the walking challenge each day as our pace and condition improved.Albert, who led Group C, was equally able & great fun. They made a good team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We walked with in Group B most days as, despite being fairly fit, we found the Group C just a little too strenuous to start with (is was a holiday after all!). Don't think that Group B is for softies - these walks are still demanding, just not as much as Group C!Bring your swimming things - the wellness is a wonderful way to unwind after a long walk.Don't expect to loose any weight - the food is just too good.Add a day or two in Venice at the start or end of your holiday.

Suggestions

As someone else has remarked, the title of this holiday is a little too modest when compared to the 'Classic Dolomites'. Don't be put off - it is utterly spectacular. You will not be disappointed.The timing of the outward flight/transfer was not great - we arrived at the hotel at 3am (and left for our first walk at 8:30am).This was our first Exodus - it will not be our last.

Most Inspirational Moment

On the last day climbing up the metal ropes from the morning break

Thoughts on Group Leader

Albert was inspirational & made you truly believe everything is possible, just take your time. Eric was like his partner & equally as helpful

Advice for Potential Travellers

A reasonable level of fitness is required for this trip but is rewarded many times over

Suggestions

Though this trip is called the western Dolomites, you could call it the ultimate Dolomites as Marmolada is never far from view. Even on on our day off some went to Sass Pordoi by cable car which simply has to be experienced.

Most Inspirational Moment

Coming up to a pass after an exhausting steep climb and seeing the most stupendous array of mountains all around (this actually happened more than once!)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both B and C group leaders (Jem and Albert) were magnificent. They had to cope with lots of unexpected problems - standing in at short notice for Eric who was injured, devising new walks that could be done safely after the heavy snowfall, coping with early closure of cable cars. They not only gave us a wonderful selection of walks despite everything, they both gave up their free day to take us out once the snow stopped. What can you say?

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware the weather can be changeable - make sure you have good waterproofs and adequate warm clothing (but shorts and t-shirts as well). Also, if you do the C grade, be prepared for some scrambling and some narrow ridges.

Suggestions

If you haven't been to the Dolomites yet, you must go, they are wonderful mountains. And the food at Hotel Arnica is worth going for by itself!

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in deep snow in September....!  The views (once it stopped raining and snowing) were amazing! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both were excellent - and they both willingly gave up their free day to take us on walks

Advice for Potential Travellers

Great trip but don't go later than the first week in September as both cable cars and huts are shutting down - and I don't think it's fair of Exodus to run the trip then and put extra pressure on leaders

Suggestions

The food in Arnica is fantastic!