Walking in Sardinia

Customer Reviews

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  Adrienne Willing

  · October 28th, 2011
  A chance to do some lovely walking and meet some like minded people. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Loved the last 3 walks in particular, each offering a chance to experience different aspects of the area.What did you think of your group leader?The leader did a fantastic job making sure that all group members had a good time/had their needs considered.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Dorgali is only a small town so be prepared to make plans to either explore further afield or take books etc. entertain yourself on the rest day.
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  Trip date: October 2011
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  Ian Kilpatrick

  · October 5th, 2011
  This was an excellent holiday with some interesting terrain and a few historic site as well as a couple of relaxed days without any long walks and time to ourselves.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The last walk for me was quite an achievement as it was 15 km long and had some really rough bouldery streambed type terrain. The final destination at Cala Longa with a lovely long relaxed swin and return by boat to Cala Gonone ended an excellent week.What did you think of your group leader?Ruedy was an truely excellent leader. Never trying to hurry those of us who were older and slower than most and allowing the 'gazelles' amongs us to proceed with out being held up. Also when one of our number had a cut knee he had all the skills to treat it and to accompany her for the rest of the distance which, as there was no road access to the path, says alot for his skills. His instructions were very clear and precise. Excellent!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?My advice to other potential travellers is to be sure to have good boots and not just treking shoes. The heat was a bit of a problem on day one  28°C and we walked 16km and up 600m on a tarmac road.Is there anything else you would like to add?I would have classified the whole trip as Moderate and not as Easdy/moderate. Longest walk about 16km and we did not do the last bit of the Tiscali climb so can't tell about the difficulty of that.
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  Trip date: October 2011
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  Anthony Oxley

  · May 26th, 2011
  The Sardinia trip certainly makes walking more interesting, due to quite a bit of clambering over large stones and boulders. I thought that this made it much more fun than the usual tramping whilst admiring a view - and there was also some archaeology, to do with the pre-Roman Nuragic people. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Sorry to those that didn't, but I particularly enjoyed the optional riding, which was over different terrain from the walking.  I did this on the last morning, when I was given a decent-sized horse, Barony, who was smoothe and responsive.  You don't need to book several hours, as indicated on the trip notes, and the E20 (I added a E5 tip, which was promptly offered back to me) I spent on one hour was well worth it - I should have done two.  I'd advise going early, to save the horses from the heat.What did you think of your group leader?Professional and enthusiastic, with the patience that's occasionally required.  and a smile I'll remember.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?You might like to pack ear-plugs, as there was noise on the Saturday night outside the hotel, and the walls let through some sound from adjacent rooms.Is there anything else you would like to add?The hotel is conveniently close to the centre of this small town.  Its breakfasts could be improved - perhaps by providing cerials and an occasional change of the daily bread rolls.  I found the locals to be particularly friendly and helpful.  An excellent holiday, which could have been longer.
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  Trip date: May 2011
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  Jane Sullivan

  · January 5th, 2011
  A really lovely holiday - a fabulous, friendly family hotel, great food, fantastic scenery and some very good walking. I would recommend this holiday to anyone who likes good coastal walks.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The trip to Tiscali was wonderful. It was quite a challenging ascent to the top but it was worth it. And the views on the way down were spectacular.What did you think of your group leader?Eric was great. He really looked after us and was very knowledgeable about the area. He was also good fun to spend time with. He has lots of anecdotes and stories to tell of an evening to keep you entertained!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Take some good walking boots and drink lots of water - otherwise, just enjoy it - it's a wonderful holiday.Is there anything else you would like to add?This is my fourth Exodus holiday. All four were superb and I only have positive things to say about them. I think Exodus is a great company and I'm looking forward to my next trip - thank you!
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  Trip date: January 2011
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  Peter Bozier

  · November 8th, 2010
  An interesting and varied trip. A fine mix of walking and excellent accommodation.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Not just one, but it had everything from beaches, coastal walks, hills, historical sights and quite remote places to visit.What did you think of your group leader?He was a fine leader. He showed interest in all of the guest and coped well with the varied walking capabilities of participants. He was very attentive and tried really hard to make the week a special experience for all.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Some guests found some walks a little more challenging than indicated in the brochure, but they were worth it. Be prepared to eat, (and drink), well!Is there anything else you would like to add?I had a great time and was pleasantly surprised with this destination. I would recommend to all who like islands and to experience a varied week staying at a pleasant hotel. Do try the Sardinian wine!!
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  Trip date: November 2010
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  Jeremy Blundell

  · November 4th, 2010
  Good walking, great leader, lovely group and a satisfactorily odd town and accomodationWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The walk, climb, scramble into the gorge.The combination of rock and Boulder and plants was great. Possibly matched by sand martins swooping from the depths of the caves.What did you think of your group leader?Excellent. His ability to judge how far each individual could go, and how the group could manage was really good, each day was well planned, his allowance of peoples varying preferences welcome, and all in all he made the holiday.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?This trip is not a doddle, some members underestimated their need for decent bootsIs there anything else you would like to add?The choice of base is mildly but pleasantly odd, Dorgali is not a typical Medirerranean town, no Central squre with cafes, and the hotel is equally low key. The patron had to be found and woken up to serve beer. But everyone was delightfully kind and helpful, and the care they took of our members with dietary (gluten free)needs was impressive. In some ways Caligone would have been a more obvious sea side base.
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  Trip date: November 2010
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  Jane Craddock

  · September 17th, 2013
  Sardinia has great beaches and mountains.Wonderful people and food.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Swimming in the sea after a gruelling walk.A beautiful blue green sea,transparent water and gentle warm sea breezes.What did you think of your group leader?Eric was very kind and tried hard to meet the individual needs of all the group.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The rock is hard ,sharp limestone .Even the experienced hikers found the walks demanding.Would suggest Exodus reconsider reclassification to Moderate.Make sure walking boots are tried and tested with some heavy duty plasters. The walks are mainly linear and flora and range of wild life limited.The hotel was excellent -providing wonderful food and a relaxed family atmosphere. If you are interested in the history of the island then read up before you go as the local guides can be difficult to understand and some have a limited knowledge of the archaeology . The locals are friendly and helpful.They will go out of their way to make sure you enjoy all aspects of Sardinian life.Is there anything else you would like to add?The success of this trip depends on the dynamics of the group.If they are supportive ,inclusive and have a great sense of humour then you will have a great time.
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  Trip date: September 2013
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  Karen Lane

  · June 9th, 2013
  A lovely Island. Great scenery,food and wine. The walks to the Gorge and to Tiscali were very interesting and well worth the effort. I enjoyed to day sightseeing, we ended up on a beautiful almost deserted beach. The hotel was very comfortable, with excellent food, the only downside was the lack of any outside gardens to relax in after the days activities, though there was a terrace.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The high sides of the Gorropu Gorge were awesome. Grotta degli Ispinigoli was well worth the visit with its huge column and the Bue Marino Grotto too. The climb to Tiscali was tough in places but well worth the effort.What did you think of your group leader?Eric was excellent. Very helpful, patient and sociable.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?If you like the med with scenery, peace and quiet, good food and wine , then this could be the place for you. I would love to go back and see more of Sardinia as this trip concentrates on a very small area of the island.
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  Trip date: June 2013
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  David Gudgion

  · October 3rd, 2012
  Group had a wide range of walking ability so may make sense to have 2 tour options graded accordingly. That way clients get an idea how hard the tour potientally could be. Also might be an idea to quote approximate mileage/kilometres the walks are likely to take for the average walker as well as the estimated time which is presently given.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Gorrupo Gorge lived up to the hype.What did you think of your group leader?Eric Woolley was very good and helpful. If he didn't know an answer he made sure he found out and advised us asap. Not a grumble but we thought his timing was sometimes awry for the walks. An hour became an "Eric hour" - usually about 65 or 70 mins. Not a problem as the group found this amusing.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Walking poles could be more of a hindrance on the rocky slopes up to Tiscali. Many group members without poles found the going easier using both hands for leverage than those with poles.Is there anything else you would like to add?Would have been nice if the hotel had a swimming pool.
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  Trip date: October 2012
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  Dianne Flath

  · October 3rd, 2012
  Great walking, stunning views, amazing blue sea ... and way too much food!!!What did you think of your group leader?We were a wide range of walking abilities in the group - Eric had a difficult job balancing the hares vs the tortoises, but managed to keep us together ... at least for the scenery and food stops though not always when walking on a clear path!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?We were really lucky with the weather, it was never less than 25C.  I was fine with walking trainers (Reeboks).  It was too warm for boots but they'd give better ankle support if needed.  Likewise take poles if you find them helpful, but I personally find it easier to negotiate rocky scrambles on all fours (where poles would get in the way)Walking sandals (Tevas and co) would be OK for the first day walk (all on roads), but no more than that.Main thing is to be prepared for some extended stiff scrambles (up rocky / bouldery paths) - the first part of the Tiscali walk and then the climb up to Tiscali are the worst - but generally the walking is pretty much on the flat.  I thought the first 2 days were more "A" grade because they were on paths / roads without much scrambling (unless you went up Gorrupu Gorge).  The last 2 walks were more "B" grade because of the more difficult terrain, but much more interesting because they were point to point rather than out and back along the same track.I was worried I'd struggle with an A/B grade walk because I'd done almost no walking the previous 2 months due to the dire weather back home and was fine.Is there anything else you would like to add?Take clothes with loose waist bands.  There's no shortage of food on this trip, and the staff at the hotel were great with the dietary requirements of the group (veggie, gluten free...)!  I don't think any of us lost weight.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The scrambles up and along quite rocky paths to get to some stunning views on the walk to Tiscali.  The Gorrupu Gorge was amazing too.  Really enjoyed the hike along the coast on the last day - more great walking and fully justified the HUGE gelato I treated myself to at the end
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  Trip date: October 2012