Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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104 Reviews
4.5 out of
5
Reviews
Lynda Mellor
Reviewed October 2023
Picture Perfect
The Amalfi coastline is everything the tour books promise. The clear blue sea water, beautiful scenery with numerous villages clinging to the cliffs. There’s a photograph at every turn. Be prepared for it to be busy. I don’t think I have been anywhere with just so many tourists! I went in October and all the main attractions/sights were still over-run with visitors. Hotel due Torri is in a quieter village and easy to reach from Amalfi by bus. The hotel is clean and tidy. The staff helpful and polite. The pizza is great! The hotel was full – 3 or 4 Exodus groups so the dining room was noisy. The food was OK. For me just too much carbohydrate and not enough fresh vegetables and fruit. With hindsight, I should have excused myself from the evening meal and eaten in one of the many good restaurants in the village.
Most Inspirational Moment
Ravello is the highlight of this tour. First it is the quietest place on the programme. It is elegant and sophisticated; an absolute delight.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The group leader was a facilitator rather than a leader.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The Amalfi Coast should be on everyone's Bucket List. The pace of the holiday is leisurely however the places you visit (with the exception of Ravello) are manic. If you are looking forward to good Italian food and wine I'd suggest you eat out.
John Williams
Reviewed July 2023
Good Trip all round
First trip with Exodus Travel. All went pretty much as we expected anbd we had an overall enjoyable experience. Hotel due Torri – set up above Amalfi means you need to do a 40 minute trip down to Amalfi – to get to the various places visited by boat ( Minori – Positano – Capri ) Visits to Ravello, Pompeii, Herculaneum are all done by bus ( or minibus ). On our free day we grouped together and got a minibus to Sorrento – 8 people around 300 euros The Hotel was OK . All staff were pleasant and friendly Room, had Air con , a Safe, En Suite – and we had a nice Balcony. We would never normally opt for 3* but were pleasantly surprised overall. Breakfast was reasonable – selection of hot / cold / fruit yoghurt etc and a coffee machine Evening Meals – taken in a large room – split into one long table for each trip group. 3 or 4 groups most evenings No atmosphere in the dining room – all felt very impersonal but I guess it served its purpose. Long tables – 3 courses most evenings – albeit a bit repetitive ( lots of pasta ) The Pizza evening was an exception – with as much freshly made pizza as you could eat. Wine is around 3 euros per glass for house red – which we liked. Carafe around 6 Euros from memory. Pizza making and pasta making demos were enjoyed by most people. Drinks area outside by the pool – where the groups met each evening before dinner – Cocktails circa 7 euros each but were OK
Most Inspirational Moment
Capri was excellent - don't miss the Chairlift to Anacapri - amazing views from the top of the Island.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Overall Eduardo was a very knowledgeable Guide with a great - if dry - sense of humour. We both liked him and shared a lot of laughs with him. Not all in our group would agree - a few issues with people wanting to change plans left a bit of an atmosphere. One of our group left without telling him - part way around the Path of the Gods - which was not fair to Eduardo who has to account for all in the group - so we understood why he was unhappy.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This is as described a good way to see "The Highlights " of the Amalfi coast without excessive walking required. Plenty of time to walk around each of the places visited. We spoke to others who did the more strenuous walking trip - some found it too difficult and wished they had been on our trip - as they didnt get to see Capri and have as much free time to enjoy the places visited due to the extra walking involved.
Julie Taylor
Reviewed June 2023
Delights of Southern Italy
A great short but intense week in Southern Italy! The Amalfi coastline is great, beautiful scenery and hot weather. Nice Tour group! Good local Leader.
Most Inspirational Moment
The visits to Pompeii &Herculaneum.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Veriano was excellent - even though he did not sing any Italian arias!!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for a lot of people on “ Walk Of the Gods.”
Frances Rawson
Reviewed May 2023
Highlights tour is a light touch of all things Amalfi - not the adventure holiday I was hoping for
Unfortunately, I was unable to join the Walking the Amalfi Coast group as it was fully booked, so I chose Highlights of Amalfi Coast instead because it seemed similar and included the visit to Pompeii. In hindsight, for me and a few others who had chosen the tour for the same reason, it wasn’t the right choice. I was looking for a more physically demanding adventure holiday and the Highlights tour is not that. It’s a gentle pace tour with only a few slightly physical moments, with late starts, early finishes, transport everywhere by bus, leisurely wandering, and shopping time. POSITIVES: Wonderful views, excellent food, lovely fellow travelers on the tour, well-organized each day. The tour offers a light touch of all things Amalfi Coast so you get to see the highlights in a comfortable manner. NEGATIVES: 1. The hotel is located in the hills, so long hours were spent each day on the bus/coach, traveling at a snail’s pace on clogged, windy roads. 2. Only two hours spent in Pompeii – too short. The main reason I booked the tour was for Pompeii and Herculaneum and, to be escorted out of Pompeii after only two hours, having only seen a small segment while other tourists roamed freely, was deeply disappointing. Pompeii is a far larger site than Herculaneum and it requires a longer visit. 3. The Path of the Gods’ walk was highly anticipated and the vistas were stunning; however, we got turned around only part way along and it was too short. SUMMARY: A well-organized and leisurely tour with everything arranged and transport provided. However, for active, seasoned travelers seeking a physical adventure, this tour may not be satisfying enough.
Most Inspirational Moment
For me, the day trip to Herculaneum and Pompeii was the highlight, however, the time spent at Pompeii was not nearly long enough. The day trip to Ravello was also a highlight - it's a lovely trip and a pretty place to visit. I just wish that the weather had been warmer. Travel in September / October if you are looking for some italian summer sun.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Severio, our charming Sicilian group leader, was helpful and interested in making sure our group had a safe and enjoyable trip.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I recommend you pay the extra supplement to upgrade your room - do it when making your tour booking as it may be too late to change after you've arrived at the hotel. The south-facing rooms with balconies are sunny and light and they are the premium rooms. April is COLD on the Amalfi Coast so be sure to wear a warm jacket if you're traveling at this time. If there is sun there will likely be cold winds, so you won't be laying on the beach and sunning yourself on this trip. No need for walking boots, poles, or backpacks (other than a small daypack) - this tour is not that kind of adventure. You will be asked for extra money to pay for tips and lunches.
Berenice Manning
Reviewed May 2023
Great experience - highly recommended
We had a great time on this trip. A wonderful collection of fellow travelers. The guide (Severio) and host hotel team were all very welcoming, friendly and really made the experience wonderful. The selection of drivers navigating the coast road were amazing – such pro’s . Thank you to Eduardo for arranging transfers for our extended stay.- really excellent service.
Most Inspirational Moment
We enjoyed the chair lift to the top of Capri and the beautiful gardens of Ravello. Most inspirational is a tough one to say - from Pompeii/Herculeum to the beauty and majestic views of the Amalfi coastline and the fun/enjoyment of relaxing and talking with fellow travelers each with their own stories.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Saverio was friendly, fun and very welcoming. He did everything he could to accommodate the needs of a diverse group of travelers. I would highly recommend him as a guide.
Advice for Potential Travellers
As the trip notes advised there is a good amount of walking and stairs. Although all activity was indeed moderate you certainly need a high level of mobility to explore and enjoy the Amalfi Coast towns.
Gabrielle Parker
Reviewed April 2023
Introduction to highlights succinct; leisure abundant
The key words in the tour description, “highlights” and “leisurely”, are to be taken seriously: the introduction to various highlights is pretty succinct and the leisure time extensive. It is obvious, reading previous reviews (some going back a few years) that criticisms or disappointments have not been acted upon. There is still too much time spent travelling to “highlights”; the walk is not circular, too short, and the “rewarding” barbecue in a place of outstanding beauty still turns out to be a sad picnic eaten inside an uninspiring dining room. Only the trips to Capri and Herculaneum/Pompeii warrant a full day (in the event neither was actually that long). The actual activities do not follow the full description in the programme and fall rather short of it.
Most Inspirational Moment
No "inspirational moment" in the true sense of the words. The visits to Herculaneum and Pompeii were the most interesting, although both were more limited than needed to be Sorrento trip on "free day" was most pleasant. Capri is splendid and the trip was well organised, though restricted to two venues, other places of interest being deemed likely to be too crowded.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Focused on safety. Friendly. Organised. Limiting and limited - whether anxious to protect his charges, or for some other reason??
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do your own homework about the "highlights": not much to expect from guide. Be prepared for a lot of leisure in a place offering very few amenities and little escape (places of interest are far and expensive to get to) The family-run hotel is nice and comfortable enough, but doesn't offer much.
Judy Ransley
Reviewed April 2023
Slightly disappointing trip - ?
Highs and lows to this trip for me. Lovely family-run hotel serving great food but just be aware of its location which means considerable time every day travelling to/from itinerary points. Pompeii and Herculaneum were the definite highlights for me and this was backed-up by a trip to the archaeological museum in Napoli on the free day which some of us accessed by public transport. NB – Napoli is not an easy city to navigate and we relied heavily on Google maps especially to find the bus stop for the return journey. Although visiting in April the coastal towns were already very busy and apart from shops/cafes and churches etc there is not an awful lot to see. Enjoyed the boat trip over to Capri and a trip up on the chairlift for the amazing views (little health and safety in evidence!). Also enjoyed the short walk on The Path Of The Gods. I didn’t choose the walking trip due to underlying knee problems but we still had to negotiate hundreds of steps during the week and this could be a problem for some.
Most Inspirational Moment
Pompeii, Herculaneum and Napoli museum. The latter really made the sites "come alive" and I was amazed at just how many artifacts were recovered.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Fine and "mellowed" as the week went by. Sometimes didn't appear to be very positive when asked about alternative things to do. Spent a lot of time pointing out 5* hotels and celebrity houses etc which is of no interest to me.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Just be aware of amount of steps to be negotiated and time spent travelling each day. Amalfi and Napoli are accessible by public transport from just outside the hotel. Great restaurant near the hotel for days when dinner is not included - turn right outside hotel, walk a few metres to the road junction and turn back left up the main road. Restaurant a few minutes walk on left. Lovely food at good prices.
Kathy McManus
Reviewed January 2023
A true Italian experience!
This trip was an outstanding experience as well as a great value. For me it was the perfect combination of engaging conversation and camaraderie, fascinating destinations, and relaxation. We did and saw a lot, but had time to explore on our own as well as just relax. The variety of the itinerary was also a plus – visiting charming towns and historic sites, enjoying nature, and experiencing “la dolce vita”. The family-run hotel Due Torri was perfect for this kind of trip. Clean, comfortable, and most of all friendly. They made us welcome as though we were in their home, and shared laughs and kindness. We met their little dog and also “nonna” (grandma) who had an apartment there. The food was absolutely excellent, completely five-star. The leisurely four-course dinners were too large for most of us, but varied and always most delicious. We felt bad not cleaning every plate – bring an appetite! We particularly enjoyed being in the kitchen for two nights, helping make pizza and watching the chef prepare our dinner. The hospitality was outstanding. Breakfast was ample, and there’s a nice bar for casual drinks as well before or after dinner. Excellent house wine for only 3 Euro/glass!
Most Inspirational Moment
My late husband was into geology and was crazy about volcanos. I made a pilgrimage to Mt. Vesuvius in his memory, and was able to leave a tiny bit of him there. And as he would have done, brought a few small rocks back home to tie us together. It was a completely clear day with visibility for miles and an incredible view over Naples. The other inspiring moment was hiking the Path of the Gods. Indescribably beautiful scenery and solitude. I had a cold and so conquering some of the stairs coming back up were tough, but I was grateful to be there and have done it.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Eduardo Palermo absolutely made the trip, and we adored him. He had lived in the area for many years, and was passionate and proud to share his community with us. He was highly knowledgeable of history and local matters, and brought every location to life for us. He was accommodating to special requests, and infinitely patient and gracious with a “challenging” guest among our group – far more so than I would have been! Eduardo was always around or accessible when we needed something, and seemed totally committed to our having a good time every day. Everywhere we went people seemed to know Eduardo, and his local connections were very helpful. He arranged for us to hire an outstanding guide he knew for the day in Herculaneum and Pompeii, at a reasonable price. We had many laughs together and learned so much from him. Do not lose Eduardo!
Advice for Potential Travellers
(1) Bring a water bottle for the day trips – I put hot tea in mine since it was January. (2) Bring a big appetite! But you’ll walk it all off during the day – didn’t gain any weight! (3) Bring good walking shoes and extra sturdy ones for the Path of the Gods. (4) Being in the small town of Bomerano is lovely and gives you a sense of “real life” in the Amalfi Coast, not just the glittery famous tourist towns nearby. Yet you’ll visit and have time to explore those places before retreating to your “family” experience at Due Torri. (5) For a contrast, consider a day or two before or after the tour on your own in bustling Naples. The archaeological museum there is a must-visit if you’re into history.
Chris Christine Routh
Reviewed October 2022
Spectacular
Overall, one of the best Exodus holidays we have been on. The good weather (in October), of course, helped, as it might not have been so pleasurable had it rained all the time! A good itinerary, covering all the key areas we wanted to visit, and a superb, friendly, family run hotel with a great atmosphere.
Most Inspirational Moment
Visiting Herculaneum and Pompeii, which was the main reason for our choice of holiday.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Eduardo was excellent. Nothing was too much trouble. Always there when you needed him. Conscientious, helpful, friendly and with a twinkle in his eye! Cannot praise him highly enough! Thank you, Eduardo!
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you are interested in the archaeological sites, do follow up on the free day with a visit to the Archaeological Museum in Naples, because that is where the wealth of artifacts is on show, which you cannot see from what are essentially "highlight" guided tours of Herculaneum and Pompeii. In the two hours or so allotted to these sites, you get a valuable insight into their workings and history, but there is so much more that you cannot see (eg the 24kg hoard of silver ware, now in the museum). Secondly, we found that Exodus's suggested daily outgoings for lunches etc are somewhat underestimated. Unless you are happy with a simple sandwich and a beer, you are better to budget for around 30-40 euro/head on a main course and a glass of wine (or beer) plus the inevitable tip, in a restaurant. Costs have risen generally in 2022 but Amalfi, Positano and Capri are "high end "resorts, so prices are naturally inflated!
Hazel McMillan
Reviewed September 2022
Review of highlights of the Amalfi Coast
Thoroughly enjoyed this trip. The hotel was comfortable and the food very good. Hotel staff very friendly Saw everything we wanted to see.
Most Inspirational Moment
Difficult to choose one thing. Scenery was beautiful
Thoughts on Group Leader
Eduardo was an excellent guide. Very knowledgeable about the area as he lives there. Everything was well organised. Trips wer changed to suit weather conditions as appropriate. On our free day he organised a trip to Vesuvius and wine tasting. Eduardo had a good sense of humour and is very friendly.
