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.

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44 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Gail Hopper

Reviewed October 2022

Great trip, great scenery, lovely gelato

We just returned from this trip and would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys the Italian way of life, cycling in great countryside and beautiful scenery, doesn’t mind regular climbs.
We had great company from a lovely group of fellow cyclists and stayed in reasonable hotels en route. We like trips that are door to door with no transfers. This route was particularly good as each hotel was a 2 night stay with a couple of circular rides on day 2 – just good not to have to pack and move on every day.

Most Inspirational Moment

Wouldn’t describe it as inspirational as such but highlights were: - marvellous scenery on every ride - cycling into Siena and Florence then enjoying the best of each city - off the bikes - gelato at the end of most rides - we earned them! - amazing weather for early October

Thoughts on Group Leader

- good - Cesare was pleasant friendly and helpful. Made a couple of mistakes when a couple of the group were lost off - should have waited or left one of the group to wait and direct them. Wasn’t a mistake he made again. Chose good places for us to eat together each day. Had only done a couple of Exodus trips previously so didn’t. Follow the Exodus way in relation to issues such as kitty for tips etc but maybe good to be different

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely need to be prepared for the hills - it was a genuine moderate to challenging route, with regular climbs, some lengthy and more challenging in the afternoons when hot. Do some training on hills in advance. Take snacks for a sugar boost when needed.

Suggestions

Our group were lovely people, but having a mix of e-bikes and manual bikes seems to affect the dynamics of the group. I do wonder if trips are better offered as e-bike or manual bike trips. Those of us riding under our own steam obviously took longer on the climbs, keeping the those with added power waiting. Just feels different as it seems to break the group into two parts.

Jonathan Dusheiko

Reviewed June 2022

Cycling past the cypress trees

Very enjoyable trip, a great part of the world to go cycling.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing view of Florence at the end.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Martino organised everything very well and tried his best to help someone whose luggage did not arrive at all. Excellent knowledge of gelato stops!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Handlebar bags are provided so plenty of space to store items on the road. Quite a few climbs (all the villages and towns are on hills) so bring some energy bars.

Suggestions

Check out L'Eroica website.

Sally Davies

Reviewed October 2019

Highly recommended

From the arrival on day one until the final departure this trip was so well run I felt totally taken care of from the cycling including the detailed briefings and advice, to the organisation of accommodation and the group meals. What a great bunch of fellow cyclists and the two guides, Jon and David, did an excellent job looking after us (and our bikes!). The cycling was challenging but no-one was made to feel inadequate if they finished later than others (that was often me!!) – everyone helped and encouraged each other and the guides kept an eye on everyone to ensure we were all safe at all times. There was plenty of time to stop and take breaks and refreshments which helped with managing some of the longer trip days. The rest day in Siena was fabulous – what a great place to spend a day! I cannot speak highly enough of this trip – it’s my first group cycling adventure but I am sure it will not be my last although I am now worried about finding something that will live up to the high standard set by this trip!! If you are thinking about doing this trip and are up for doing a few hills in return for some great views and great food, I would highly recommend you give this a go!!

Most Inspirational Moment

We all managed to complete a 9k hill climb with the help and encouragement of the leaders - it was a slog but rewarded by the best gelato at the top! I also learned a bit more about how to use my gears and pace myself up a hill and can't wait to put my newfound experience into practice in future. However, there were many inspirational moments I could think off but mainly what a great bunch of people were on the trip - we were a diverse bunch in terms of age and background but everyone just got on really well and that helped to make the holiday into an unforgettable experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both leaders, Jon and David, were fantastic. They shared the work both cycling with us and providing van back up, looked after the bikes, provided on-the-road guidance and advice, organised the meals and ensured everyone felt included in all the activities - they even organised a small celebration as one group member was celebrating a birthday during the week. They both had great local knowledge so could explain much about the areas we were travelling through and points of interest. They both worked extremely hard for long days with little time to themselves but remained enthusiastic and engaged the whole time even though they do this week in, week out it never showed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are thinking about this sort of trip, particularly if you are planning to go "solo", I would highly recommend it. Make sure you are fit for the holiday and you will get out of it what you put in.

Suggestions

I would recommend this holiday to anyone; my experience of the whole Exodus process and holiday is excellent and if other trips are to the same standard I would have no hesitation in going with them again.

kitty odell

Reviewed August 2019

Fantastic cycling in stunning Tuscany

A well organised wonderful cycling tour with a perfect balance of cappuccino/gelato and lunch breaks, often in charming ancient hill towns where there was always time for a bit of exploring too. I’ve fallen in love with Tuscany and Chianti, the scenery is simply stunning, the route was fantastic with a great mix of some challenging hills, fabulous descents…. and even some flat bits too amidst the rolling hills! Nice small group and decent hotels too!

Most Inspirational Moment

Every moment that I was on the bike!

Thoughts on Group Leader

David and "Vandy" were both great!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be fit!

Suggestions

The breakfast at the Classic Hotel in Florence was truly dismal. Heyho, everything else was great...but you did ask!

Andrew Clark

Reviewed August 2019

Great cycling in exquisite surroundings

Terrific trip. Just the right combination of decent cycling with culture, food and relaxation. A great opportunity to combine seeing Siena and Florence with some moderate exertion.

Most Inspirational Moment

Completing the long climb up to Castellina was very satisfying. A close second was the view of Florence on first arrival in the city.

Thoughts on Group Leader

David was good - very knowledgeable, well organised, pleasant and approachable. He ran the trip very well and was always helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You need a reasonable level of fitness to do this and some experience of cycling. But it's not all about cycling - there's free time to enjoy Siena, which was a highlight, and the guides take you to some decent restaurants too.

Stephen Protheroe

Reviewed July 2019

Scenic cycling tour

We very much enjoyed the trip. The countryside was beautiful and cycling was challenging enough but was still fun and rewarding. The food was excellent and the tour guide’s choice of restaurants was very good.

Most Inspirational Moment

Beautiful vineyard covered landscapes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guides Jon and David split the responsibilities for leading the cycling and we found them both to be extremely good - very easy to get on with and knowledgable about the area we were travelling through and made sure everything ran smoothly. We have only praise for them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware of how hot it can become in summer. We travelled early June and it was a warm as we would want it to be for an activity holiday.

Suggestions

My only criticism was the farmhouse in Castellina in Chianti could benefit from some updating in the rooms/bathrooms.

Keith Woodvine

Reviewed June 2019

Cycling and Chianti

A well organised cycling holiday with excellent accommodation, encouraged to gel as a group in both cycling and eating experiences and enjoy the wonderful scenery en-route.

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably surviving the 25% incline up to the wine tasting experience! Otherwise experiencing the IL CAMPO and walking around the Fort and Garibaldi memorial in Sienna.

Thoughts on Group Leader

An excellent leader with good local knowledge and mixing with the whole group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip is rated as "Moderate" cycling ability but some of the "undulations" require a good level of fitness, but for encouragement there is usually a gelato reward at the end.

Suggestions

This is a "no worries" exploring experiences, where you are well looked after from arriving and departing Pisa airport. I particularly enjoyed the arrangement for having 2 night stays through the holiday and not having to pack and depart after breakfast everyday.

Alison Fraser

Reviewed May 2019

Falling in love with Tuscany...

This was my 4th Exodus cycling holiday and they deliver consistently good holidays. Tuscany is absolutely stunning and, combined with fantastic food, wine and gelato, makes a great holiday destination for cyclists. The accommodation on this trip is very good and it is made more relaxing by staying 2 nights in the 3 first hotels with the final night then in Florence.

Most Inspirational Moment

I wouldn't necessarily talk about inspiration but I did enjoy a glass of chianti classico most lunchtimes and that was certainly a treat!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group was very mixed ability and the group leader, Jon, kept everyone safe. However, on previous Exodus trips the leader has given more local knowledge. I didn't get the impression that Jon had a lot of local knowledge, other than cycling knowledge which he has in abundance. He did talk a lot but I felt that this was often at the expense of getting on the road or spending time on route.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's stunning - go but do some hill training in advance!

Jennifer Ford

Reviewed October 2018

Amazing adventure!

This was my first cycling tour and tour with Exodus. I had an amazing experience! The trip was well planned and I feel like it had the prefect balance of cycling, exploring towns on foot and good food. The level of difficulty was more than I thought. I trained in advance, which served me well, but I recommend others do the same, especially if this is your first bike tour.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of each hill is so rewarding. You definitely earn the views!

Kelly Young

Reviewed October 2018

Awesome trip!

Fantastic trip, with Fantastic people!
This was my first Exodus cycle trip, and for a Level 3, not only myself, but many others in the group found it a very challenging trip. The roads in this part of Italy, is either “up” or “down”…so with the weather being over 30C each day, each day was a bit challenging. I would definitely rate this trip higher than “Moderate”, but having said that I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful scenery, Tuscan hills, the food & wine, and all that Tuscany offers!
Can’t wait to do my next Exodus Cycle tour!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Our group was so much fun! We all shared similar ages and cycle abilities, some more than others, but getting together each evening for dinner was a highlight! Love to cycle with this group again!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both David & Rebecca (Becks) were awesome leaders! They kept the team together, and always booked some awesome local restaurant for all of us to dine together. They always prepared us for the next 10-15kms, so breaking up the day with stops and lunch breaks along the way, made it for great cycle days.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This cycle trip is not for the "light hearted"! You are climbing many long hills, and cycling down many windy roads. I would say recommend doing long steep hill rides before you venture to Tuscany! Having said that, it is so beautiful and rewarding...so definitely go, but make sure you get those hill cycles in before you go on this trip!

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