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.

Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!

Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!

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88 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Peter Simons

Reviewed February 2024

Wonderful experience

Overall it was an outstanding experience. We got to challenge ourselves while in the hands of an extremely good guide, who kept us safe. The Dolomites are truly amazing.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trek to the top of Strudelkopf, yes that really is the name of the mountain. But the strudel came later. Other than the fact that Hotel Adler is such a fun place to stay, its most impressive feature is its authenticity.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jeffery may very well be the best leader I’ve ever known. He clearly cares a great deal about the people he guides. He knew how to read situations and the pulse of the group. He did so in a friendly way, and demonstrated endless patience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have plenty of clothing combinations. Various layers that can be interchanged with each other. We left out a rainproof layer and that was a mistake. Train for it, it is going to test you.

Suggestions

We will probably not do another trip, even though Exodus did a very good job. The reason being, we simply don’t like groups that much. Purely a personal preference.

Jo Luckhurst

Reviewed February 2024

Spectacular winter walking

We had a fantastic week snowshoeing in the Dolomites. The scenery was amazing and the walks varied each day. We were lucky to be accompanied by a lovely group of fellow snowshoers and Jeffery our guide was knowledgeable, friendly and very well organised. The hotel Adler is a treat to stay in with a huge choice of breakfast to set you up for the day and a substantial evening meal. Walking in snowshoes is not technically difficult but when you sink into deep snow it can get a little tiring although it is also very amusing! We were lucky to have some fresh snow at the start of our holiday and then blue skies for the rest of the week. The walks are at an altitude where I should imagine there’s usually snow but sometimes you need to wear micro spikes rather than snowshoes. The days are full and are all in different locations so you get to see lots of stunning views.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to choose as there were many, but very much enjoyed reaching the top of Strudelkopft and the stunning view.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jeffery was great. He was very concerned for the safety and wellbeing of all the group and was well organised. He was also good company with a good sense of humour. He was also able to tell us lots of interesting facts about the local area & its flora and fauna.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be reasonably fit for this holiday to get the most out of it. If you need to buy any additional clothing or equipment while you are there it is worth the 10 min bus ride to Dobbiacco as there’s quite a few shops there.

Suggestions

If you are thinking of trying this holiday, go for it!

John Murphy

Reviewed February 2024

Winter walking in Sudtirol / Alto Adige

This was our first winter trip with Exodus, and our first Premium Adventure. We had a great time. The weather was excellent, and snow conditions better than we had expected. There was relatively little snowshoeing because the snow was compacted and there had been freeze/thaw conditions before we arrived, but Jenny, the leader, had arranged micro-spikes for us to fit over our boots which were brilliant – the feeling of confidence they give even on sheet ice is remarkable. We were able to do all of the treks planned and even managed a more extensive walk on one of the days because we were managing so well on the terrain. The group worked very well – there were a range of abilities but all taken account of. We had to be organised in the morning for a prompt departure at 8.30 but we all managed. The hotel was simply superb -the meals were outstanding and the staff attentive and friendly.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views... eg of the Tre Cime from the Monte Piano plateau equal with, The private evening meal held in the wine cellar of the hotel only for our group.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jenny

Advice for Potential Travellers

Strongly recommend.

Kelly Watts

Reviewed January 2023

WOW!

What a fabulous trip! I’d never been on a group holiday before, or on a winter holiday, so I didn’t really know what to expect. I was very lucky that the group were great and that we all got on well. It was an amazing experience, with many memorable and fantastic moments. At one point I felt like I was on top of the world, the scenery was truly breathtaking. The hotel was great, very quirky and characterful with a nice spa. I booked a massage mid week which helped weary muscles!

Most Inspirational Moment

Feeling like an arctic explorer walking through the elements! The reward was beautiful views. We also went to we an outstanding hut on the second day which had homemade beef goulash soup (the tastiest soup I’ve ever had!) and apple strudel with vanilla cream. Don’t miss out!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide, Jenny, had a lovely approach. She was always there if you needed her and she was always very aware of how we all were, without being intrusive. She was a true professional with a fun side. We felt safe the whole time and trusted her completely.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Enjoy being part of a group. We pretty much stuck together and it made it more enjoyable. Take a couple of pairs of gloves, I only took one warm waterproof pair but wish I’d taken a glove liner or thinner pair too. Also take your own poles if you have them. Always listen to the guide’s advice! Going at your own pace is key, snowshoeing is hard work and your body has to adapt to it!

Suggestions

Book this trip, it’s outstanding. Exodus need to update the trip notes!

Joanna Marks

Reviewed January 2023

Great winter adventure.

Stunning, challenging hikes in the glorious Dolomites; staying in a lovely, quirky, family-run hotel with good food and wine.

Most Inspirational Moment

Ploughing through snowy weather to reach a mountain hut serving the best goulash I've ever tasted.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jenny was excellent. She was an attentive, caring guide who was very much a part of the group throughout.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you have your own walking poles, bring them. There are plenty to borrow, but they are not height adjustable.

Suggestions

Exodus, please update the trip notes to suggest that travellers bring their own walking poles if they have them.

steven elliot

Reviewed January 2023

An adventure

I think it was on the third day, high up in what seemed to be a white wilderness, that it occurred to me that I’d run out of superlatives – awesome, stunning, magnificent, all the usual stuff didn’t seem to do justice to the scenery. I settled on surreal. This is a trip that exceeds expectation though the guide did describe us as “the lucky group” partly because we had a big dump of snow on the second day despite the gloomster weather forecasts. I also found it tougher than I expected; snow shoeing is harder than it looks, and we started most of the walks at about the 2000m mark, so altitude played a part – we were asleep by 11, another new experience. The hotel was very comfortable though the food did not quite live up to the eulogies in other reviews – the pool was great for soothing tired limbs. Difficult to describe some of the interior decoration – eclectic, eccentric or possibly kitsch? The staff were certainly welcoming and attentive, and the rooms were warm and spacious.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing on the improbably named Strudlekopf – a moment when you felt you were in a proper adventure

Thoughts on Group Leader

Loved Jenny – she tolerated my chronic inattention and snowshoe dyspraxia with considerable grace.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t go if you are not a regular walker and used to the hills. Take loads of layers as it does get cold and the wind can be cruel – at one point I needed a thermal base, fleece, soft shell jacket and Gortex waterproof. Pay particular attention to your boots; we ended up buying new lightweightish 4 season boots in Dobbiaco at some expense.

Suggestions

You do spend a lot of time with the group – we were lucky in that we gelled.

Wendy Fairhurst

Reviewed January 2023

Winter wonderland

This is an amazing trip, enjoyable from start to finish. The itinerary was great, walks starting easier then gradually becoming more difficult, scenery was fabulous. I didn’t expect to get as high up in the mountains as we did but always felt safe. Jenny , our guide was a highly experienced leader and mountaineer and safety was her priority. It was more strenuous than expected but finding your own pace and not rushing was the key for me – something which Jenny encouraged. The hotel accomodation is comfortable and friendly and food is plentiful and good. We had a great group who really gelled and this was an added bonus

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention , glorious scenery which constantly took your breath away

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jenny was knowledgeable, calm, good fun snd accomodated all different levels in the group. We felt very safe and well led.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do this trip! Getting up in the mountains and slow away from all the ski paraphernalia was fantastic. As a life long skier, I didn’t miss it at all. Lightweight 4 season boots are a must . Feet can get v. Wet if they aren’t waterproof . Unusually there is a kettle in the room but provide your own tea/ coffee/ hot chocolate as anything provided in the room is charged for . There is a supermarket across the road from the hotel. A flask is very useful to take a hot drink . There are hit stops but sometimes they are at the end of the route.

Suggestions

It’s a marvellous trip

Diana Maynard

Reviewed January 2022

Stunning views and a great hotel

This trip had great progression from an easy first couple of days which was good for total beginners to get a feel for snowshoeing, building up to some longer but very rewarding days climbing some 2000+m peaks. Much to my delight, these last few days were much more like winter mountaineering but in snowshoes, rather than a tramp in the snow (as the first couple of days was). The hotel was also a great place to relax with wonderful sauna, pool and gym, and the most amazing food ever.

Most Inspirational Moment

Stunning views from the summits!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jenny was an exceptional leader - calm and methodical, with a great ability to "herd cats" and manage the quite disparate range of fitness and abilities in our group, as well as to come up with alternative plans as required. She imparted useful tips constantly, and broke the days up well with frequent short breaks. She was also super friendly and sociable, and worked extremely hard making sure everyone was OK and everything went to plan. Nothing was too much trouble for her to organise.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pocket Rocket will get you up any hill and will become your drug of choice! (Stock up in any local supermarket.). You will really benefit from good hill fitness on this trip. Take a ziplock bag to dinner (the amount of food is massive, but it's so good - I often took my leftovers for my packed lunch the next day.) You may prefer to take your own walking poles if you have them, especially if they fold down, so you can pack them away when not needed. Also, take good winter mountain boots if you have them rather than lightweight ones (I wished I'd taken my B2 boots).

Suggestions

I went cross country skiing on the free day and would highly recommend it. There's a crosscountry ski school at Villabassa station - just behind the hotel - and trails run directly from there. We had an hour's lesson and then spent the rest of the day on our own.

Julia cotton

Reviewed January 2022

Far Exceeded expectation

This was my first Exodus trip and I was delighted with the experience. The beautiful, cosy, alpine Hotel Adler was fabulous. The food was outstanding and plentiful, 5 course suppers, a great, varied selection for breakfast and a well considered wine list.
Each of the 5 walking days started with an 8.30 am pick up by minibus to various destinations. The walks were stunning. Apparently the moderate level it was graded was at times the very upper end of moderate. A big shout out to the very experienced, patient and caring Jenny, our guide. She went above and beyond to consider the different needs of our group of 9. Having never trekked before I was delighted with my achievement, which I certainly would not have managed without the invaluable tips and gentle encouragement from Jenny. I felt the standard of the hotel, the excellent food/service and the great itinerary of treks made this an amazing good value trip. Oh and very importantly for me , the comfy beds and a lovely deep bath with plenty of hot water really sold it to me after a tiring day

Karol Zemek

Reviewed March 2020

Walking in a winter wonderland

This trip is a great way to get to know a corner of the Dolomites in the winter. The walks take you through wonderful scenery, often with no other people around. Walking up peaks in the fresh snow is a great feeling, especially when you get to the top!

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jenny was not only a great leader, but also great company. Her love for the mountains shines through all the time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are at a decent level of fitness. Some experience of walking up and down mountains (not necessarily in the snow) is essential.

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