Tuscany Walks & Chianti Wines

Customer Reviews

• JM

  Joni

  · May 11th, 2024
  Everything from our amazing tour leader Jordan to Hotel Le Renaie was perfect. Sad to leave the amazing scenery and people of Toscana. Would love to return one day.
  

  Exodus Adventure Travels commented on this review

  We would like to sincerely thank you for taking the time to post a review of your experience on our Tuscany Walks & Chianti Wines tour and we are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your adventure. We were especially happy to hear your feedback on your... Show more
  
  Trip date: May 2024
• M

  mireilleamyotte

  · October 27th, 2019
  The lodging was great and the guide, Liz was very competent both driving and guiding .
  Trip date: October 2019
• JA

  Jee

  · June 6th, 2019
  This was the best group tour I've taken with a great mix of activities and down time. Also simply fab and idyllic scenery and Liz was a great tour leader
  Trip date: May 2019
• EL

  Edward

  · October 1st, 2018
  Almost everything was very good or excellent. In particular: (1) Our guide Liz (superb - went way beyond our expectations), (2) The group & group dynamic, (3) two of the three main walks, (4) Sienna trip, (5) the evening meals, greatly enhanced by the group dynamic. For us, there were a few drawbacks: (1) early starts, (2) the days were too long with too much crammed in, (3) too much bus time! We enjoy our walks and are used to 16k plus hikes but with plenty of free time. We really enjoyed the experience but will probably look for something with more downtime (and less bus time) in future. Thanks to Liz and Exodus for everything .
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  Trip date: September 2018
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  Yvonne Negus

  · October 27th, 2011
  As on a previous Exodus holiday,the very disparate group 'bonded' well and quickly and we had a lot of fun . What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Walking through the beautiful, peaceful countryside to Greve on a bright sunny autumn day , with the vine  leaves just turning and the wonderful light   . Just as I imagined Tuscany to be .The 'local' market was something of a disapointment but watching the post -market clear- up (which revealed a very pretty square) was revelatory (you had to be there!). Apparently the wine- tasting in Greve was quite an experience (we stuck to a very long lunch......).San Gimignano was also truly lovely .Local guide gave us a good sense of its history and importance . Also had three great meals there.What did you think of your group leader?He had apparently not done this trip before . Our visits to Siena and Volterra would have been much enhanced by having a local/experienced guide. We had one in San Gimignano on our first day, as he was indisposed, and it really made a difference.  Any group really interested in the history/culture (as well as the wine/walking) might be advised to club together to engage a local guide in these circumstances .Do you have any advice for potential travellers?If travelling in mid- Oct be prepared for the mornings and evenings to be quite cold . The wind at (hill- top) Volterra was also cutting . I had taken a fleece but  I could have done with more long trousers. No problem with mosquitos or other insects, to my relief.  Is there anything else you would like to add?Fatorria Voltrona was really nice.Plenty of hot water, powerful shower and the heating came on at night .Big, very simple rooms,with tiled floors. We were lucky enough to be at the front with a fabulous view over the countryside. Food was variable  but plentiful-4 courses- and the wine supply was more than  generous . Staff were very helpful and pleasant .
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  Trip date: October 2011
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  Nicola Parker

  · October 29th, 2010
  This was our first Exodus trip and it didn't disappoint. We went in September so the number of tourists at key places would be less and it was a good decision! The group was varied so there was always someone different to talk to, the walking was not strenuous, the range of activities on offer was excellent and there was no pressure to do anything we didn't want to do - we even took a day off to laze by the pool at the lovely Agri-tourisme farmhouse Fattoria Voltrona, surrounded by nothing but rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards. Bliss!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Just being able to see for miles around when on the walks in beautiful Tuscan countryside. The wine tasting was pretty inspirational too!The ancient town of Colle Val D'Elsa was my favourite historical place to visit as it was peaceful and unspoiled (maybe also something to do with the beautiful crystal shops and the glass of Prosecco in the fabulous bar in the old town square!).We were also lucky enough to visit Greve when the wine tasting festival was taking place and have kept our special wine glasses as momentos for years to come!What did you think of your group leader?Liz was excellent, really knew her stuff. She dealt with the usual holiday ups and downs in the group with great humour and patience. She had maps and info books ready, and lots of stories to tell and advice to give! Even the bus breaking down at the end of the trip didn't phase her and she sorted it all out calmly despite Italian garages causing many problems for her. Luckily we were fine - we weren't far from the next wine-tasting venue!!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Try and do a bit of walking before you go or raise your fitness level a little, so that you can fully appreciate the beautiful surroundings as you walk without suffering too much! Early September is a great time to go as it's not too hot to walk (yet still lovely and warm) but don't leave it any later than mid-September as the thunder clouds started to roll into the hilly regions by the end of our stay.Is there anything else you would like to add?This holiday is perfect for those who want to see lovely scenery, enjoy a bit of walking with some hills, experience some key cities (Siena, Florence) and medieval towns (San Gimignano, Greve, Volterra, Colle Val D'Elsa) and really immerse themselves in the delicious wine and food that Tuscany has to offer!Thank you Liz and Exodus!
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  Trip date: October 2010
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  Brenda Smithwhite

  · July 10th, 2010
  I had a really good time on this trip back in May - all was good - leader, accommodation, food, company and most importantly the wine and walkingWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Crossing the "stream" in barefeet, getting drenched, unexpected wine tasting long lunch at MontefiorelleWhat did you think of your group leader?Excellent, looked after us really wellDo you have any advice for potential travellers?take earplugsIs there anything else you would like to add?a fab trip and the right mix of activities
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  Trip date: July 2010
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  Susan Ball

  · November 12th, 2009
  A good and undemanding mix of walking, wine, sight-seeing and shopping in a lovely location.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?One day gave us a ridge walk and picnic followed by a relaxed wine tasting in beautiful surroundings.  I loved it - even if we subsequently ruined our "serious walker" image by weaving our way home carrying clunking bags of the produce we'd been trying.  And the "wine petrol station" at another winery; probably my ideal job.  If you're curious - go on the trip!What did you think of your group leader?Loved him.  Rudi should be cloned and made available on the NHS so that every home has one.  He was knowledgeable, kind, friendly and gave us a varied programme.  He was always looking for ways to improve our experience - often going out of his way to do so - and he didn't show any irritation with our varied walking abilities or shopping and food demands.  Add his super-efficiency (must be the Swiss) and it's a great package.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Just relax.   Is there anything else you would like to add?I was disappointed with the agritourismo.  Perhaps I'd been spoilt with a previous Tuscan holiday, but I thought that there were flaws. There were hot water problems which were quickly solved.  They cater for quite large numbers and so there was one dinner sitting with one menu.  I didn't think that the food was good.  It takes a special kind of skill to make Italian food unappetising and sadly the chef had it.  And we ate in an unheated annex to the main dining area which didn't enhance the experience.  There was nowhere to chill out on a downtime day; no comfy chairs to relax in and read or chat, only hard benches inside and hard chairs outside.  It's probably fine in summer when the pool's open and you can laze around in the grounds, but on drizzly autumn mornings it's not so appealing.   
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  Trip date: November 2009
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  Gail P Madeley

  · May 22nd, 2009
  Wine, walking, wonderful weather! The beautiful scenary of Tuscany, the wealth of architecture in the towns and buildings we visited, the views from the top of the towers and the company of the other members of the group made this holiday one of the best I have had.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Too difficult to pick out one single episode - it was all inspirational.What did you think of your group leader?Liz was our group leader and she tailored the walks to suit all levels of walkers - no-one was left behind!  Liz also added a few other visits not included in the itinerary, which made the holiday more fulfilling.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Make sure you eat a good meal on the day you leave for the holiday, as you arrive too late to have a meal.  There are a few steep gradients to climb, but it's well worth it. Is there anything else you would like to add?The food and hospitality at Fattoria Voltrona was excellent and we even had a visit by a fox at dinner!  If I ever repeated a holiday (which I don't tend to, as there are so many more places I want to visit) this would be one and I wouldn't have changed a thing.
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  Trip date: May 2009
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  Denise Morgan

  · October 8th, 2013
  Another fantastic holiday by Exodus (Waymark). Our 7th trip. And not our last.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Walking through the Tuscan countryside.  Absolutely beautiful.What did you think of your group leader?Ale is just the most fantastic guide.  We had met him before on our trip to Spain two years ago and it was a delight to be on holiday with him again.  He makes his job look so easy but manages to combine being great company with a being a professional guide who is both informative and 'in control'.  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Yes.  Book tickets for the Uffizi BEFORE going on the holiday.  This didn't occur to us so we essentially missed the chance of visiting the Uffizi on our day trip to Florence.  Although we found the walking very easy and pleasurable - there were still one or two people who found the going tough.  In the grading of your walking, I think you need to be explicit about the type of walking on each holiday.Is there anything else you would like to add?We have now experienced 7 holidays (all Europe) with Exodus (Waymark previously) and every single holiday has been a fantastic and memorable holiday.  The holidays are great value for money and we meet like-minded people.The one downside - EVERY bathroom we have ever had on an Exodus holiday has had a 'floppy' shower head in the shower!  Ha!  As we are handed the key to our room on arrival, we always know that we're going to get the floppy shower head!!!!  But hey, if that's the only thing we can complain about then Exodus are doing a pretty great job.  We will continue to holiday with Exodus.  THANK YOU. 
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  Trip date: October 2013