Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There are many on this trip! The day in Italy was a good contrast to the higher walks on the French side; wonderful wild flowers everywhere and delicious hot chocolate and ice cream.... The trip up to the Aiguille du Midi on the free day is really worth doing; it's impressive.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mark is great! A real, no-nonsense, mountain man with huge experience. Our group included those with different levels of experience, including a fell runner, but I felt he made us all feel comfortable, also ensuring we knew the programme for the day, so we could enjoy the holiday as part of a group.... I feel I learned a lot about the area too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes, read the trip notes carefully and then read them again! You do need to be fit and have some hill walking experience (and gear) to enjoy this trip properly. The trip is listed 'Moderate 3' but it is certainly more demanding, because of the ascents and descents, than other trips we have experienced at this level. However, we enjoyed it very much. The views and landscape are worth all the effort.

Most Inspirational Moment

It’s hard to distill all the best bits of the trip into one, but the combination of stunning scenery, personal challenge and top quality leadership and support makes the trip a jewel in the Exodus crown.

Thoughts on Group Leader

John Briggs was a top rate leader. Hugely knowledgable, impressively fit, patient and kind and an all round great guy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip is challenging in parts but that should not deter you from experiencing some of the best views in the Alps, and spending time with a great bunch of fellow travellers. It’s hugely enjoyable and well worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

- Hiking through the beautiful meadows covered with varieties of wild flowers surrounded by high mountains. - Having homemade cheese and potato pie and coffee in Lukomir village made by a local lady. - Arriving at Maglic summit and looking at the breathtaking scenery all around us. - Our guide (Kenan) showing us a personal family album and telling us about his family's contribution towards preserving the national park. - The assistant guide (Branko) explaining about various plants and flowers and mushrooms.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kenan was an excellent guide in spite of being so young. He was full of energy and passionate about his country as well as the nature. His family was in Sarajevo during the siege and he shared with us their experience during that time which provided me a deeper understanding of the history of this beautiful country. The day after the summit he showed us the old family album and how his family specially his grandfather contributed to the Sutjeska national park and the summit. Hearing all these and looking at those old photos was very touching. Branko, the assistant guide was as good as Kenan. They were both lively and energetic and were good friends and both were passionate about hiking/nature/history/etc. Even though Branko is a very adventurous person and does quite dangerous activities in his personal time, when it came to us, he was very caring and considerate and was always alert and aware of our safety. What I enjoyed most about Branko was his passion for nature and the desire to share his knowledge with us. Walking alongside him, you could see his eyes were looking around and then he would point out a unique flower or plant or mushroom and tell you all about it. :)

Advice for Potential Travellers

The summit day can be demanding so ensure you are fit enough before the trip. Also there are sections where you have to use both hands and feet ;) , so once again make sure you are aware of this before you sign up.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the summit of Monte Piana and exploring all the WW1 trenches and battlefields

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alex was an excellent leader. Friendly, knowledgeable and inspiring. The whole trip went like clockwork.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's worth getting a bit fit before you go so that you can enjoy the walks without too much struggle. There were some steep ascents and descents to tackle.

Most Inspirational Moment

Can't think of anything in particular

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent - very easy going manner with a wealth of historical knowledge

Most Inspirational Moment

The Cold War Museum was chilling and reminded us of how close we came to a nuclear war. We enjoyed the tour of Rundale Palace and the visit to the Sand Dunes of the Curonian Spit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We found him quite distant. He didn't encourage or welcome questions. He had his agenda and was sticking to it. He was not sensitive to the needs of some people in our group. He walked too quickly for some of us and at times he didn't wait for us to catch up. In Trakai Castle, he lost 1/4 of the group and never even apologized. to us. He said we were going to the great hall, and 5 of us were left behind. We missed a turn and went on up to the top level while he was still on the main level. I suggest that he should check to see if all have arrived before he starts talking.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hiking from Switzerland into Italy over the Grand Col Ferret was one of the most breathtaking views I've ever seen.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter M. was kind, knowledgeable, and a delight as a human being. He dealt with some difficult situations with humor and grace. His knowledge of the Alps and trekking was vast. He managed the snowy portion of the route with excellent guidance and advice. I feel my hiking is much improved over that type of terrain, which previously scared me.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We are very physically active and hike a lot in our home state of Colorado and still found the hikes challenging. The elevation gain and loss each day are significant. Also, these are long days on your feet, so bring dependable hiking boots. When Exodus recommends that you bring specific gear, I'd heed their advice as you'll need it. I'd also try to pack as light as possible.

Most Inspirational Moment

A beautiful long walk starting in one valley and walking over to another valley with views of multiple glaciers & peaks with an almost 360 degree view.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Einer was an excellent guide, full of information about the area & his country. He took a lot of care to make sure the group able to walk at their own pace while still accommodating the slower walkers. And he carried coffee for all of usto the top of each route every day !! What luxury!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are fit enough to walk all day, with usually more than half the walk of course being up hill.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the Path of the Gods. The walk offered beautiful high viewpoints from above the blue sea and coastal towns. I did not find the Path particularly difficult at our slow pace. However, with hindsight I would have avoided the 1500 steps down to Positano which come after the Path, and instead taken the local bus that avoids the steps and which was available as an option on our trip. After the spectacular high views from the Path, the downhill steps were a slog that took a toll on my calves ! Other highlights included the Herculaneum ruins that offered a fascinating history lesson (the town was destroyed by the Vesuvius eruption that also took out Pompei). The local guide here was excellent. Herculaneum is smaller but less-visited than Pompei. Also, the many beautiful, coastal viewpoints, for example from Villa Cimbrone in Ravello, and the top of the chair-lift on Capri. And another mention for the dinners at the Hotel Due Torri !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Eduardo, who was born in the area, was a knowledgeable, friendly and helpful guide for whom nothing was too much trouble. Plenty of inside knowledge of places to visit, and eat lunch. He even arranged local transport and an itinerary for our Capri visit, which was listed as self-guided in the trip notes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The coastal towns and Capri can get hot and crowded in summer. Pompei (an option for the 'free-day') can be crowded with cruise ship tourists. The Herculaneum ruins are quieter. Use walking poles on the Path of the Gods. Expect to eat too much. Try the local wines and beers. It is a busy trip, but that is a good thing !

Most Inspirational Moment

I would say that it had to be our walk on the Glacier as it was something I'd never done before, I didn't know what to expect. We were given crampons and ice picks and roped together in groups of about 12, an experienced guide at the front, and off we went up the Glacier after being told how to walk in crampons of course. The blue of the Glacier was stunning, and looking down into crevices was beautiful. This is an optional extra of the holiday but well worth doing. Quite pricey at nearly £60.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Asbjorn took us on our 1st walk up to Molden Peak. He was great, very informative and knowledgeable . The rest of the week our guide was Inar who was also fantastic. He kept us safe, he knew what we were capable of and he had lots of stories to tell us which kept us amused. He's only a young lad but certainly knew what he was doing, he was a delight.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Most people know that Norway is expensive, but it still comes as quite a shock. If you like a beer to cool you down after a day out walking, take plenty of money. Half litre of lager is about £7.50 and a bottle of wine about £30. Also it might be a good idea to take mosquito spray, we did encounter a few during the week.