Highlights of the Dolomites

Customer Reviews

• GW

  Georgina

  · July 6th, 2023
  The accommodation was excellent with superb...
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  Exodus Adventure Travels commented on this review

  Our local team will be thrilled to hear that you enjoyed their food and service! Thank you for taking the time to let us know you had a great adventure on Highlights of the Dolomites tour. We always appreciate hearing back from our travellers.... Show more
  Trip date: June 2023
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  Michael

  · September 19th, 2022
  No local guides, timing of transportation to and from the airport was unsatisfactory
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  Exodus Adventure Travels commented on this review

  We would like to thank Mike for his review, though we were sorry to read that he was disappointed that the tour leaders were not native to Northern Italy, and with transfer arrangements to and from the airport. While the leaders on his trip, Jenny and... Show more
  Trip date: September 2022
• CN

  Claude

  · September 19th, 2022
  Overall, an excellent location. Accommodations...
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  Trip date: September 2022
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  jorge

  · September 19th, 2022
  Feel coordination between tour raf Sat Exodus compared to other tour operators could do better
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  Exodus Adventure Travels commented on this review

  We were sorry to read that Jorge was disappointed with Exodus’ coordination with our local team. We find that communication issues with our teams are very rare on our trips, however, we would like to assure him that we have taken his feedback on board,... Show more
  Trip date: September 2022
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  Allen

  · July 11th, 2022
  The Exodus Travel tour guides were excellent....
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  Trip date: July 2022
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  Wasim

  · July 24th, 2019
  Was a great holiday walk. Guides, Safety...
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  Trip date: July 2019
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  Moira M Calderwood

  · October 1st, 2011
  Walking, accommodation (especially the food) and leaders all excellent - BUT Exodus really shouldn't run the trip as late as mid-September - the winter timetable had started a week earlier so some cable cars weren't running, and unexpected heavy snow led to others being shut down - because of this the leaders had to work very hard to find alternative walks and it is to their great credit that they managed to do so.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Walking in deep snow in September....!  The views (once it stopped raining and snowing) were amazing! What did you think of your group leader?Both were excellent - and they both willingly gave up their free day to take us on walksDo you have any advice for potential travellers?Great trip but don't go later than the first week in September as both cable cars and huts are shutting down - and I don't think it's fair of Exodus to run the trip then and put extra pressure on leadersIs there anything else you would like to add?The food in Arnica is fantastic!
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  Trip date: October 2011
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  Jane Byrne

  · August 14th, 2011
  A fantastic area, the scenery was breathtaking and the hotel was excellent. Using cable cars and gondolas to gain height means that most of the walking has tremendous views. Underfoot the wildflowers are beautiful and there are marmots and chamois to see. At the end of the day the spa area of the hotel was well used. Hotel food was excellent with several unusual dishes and a scrumptious gala evening which was a real treatWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?1 Seeing a chamois crossing the path not 20 ft away2 Getting to the top of one of the highest peaks at almost 10000 ft on the free day (mainly by amazing cable car)3 Managing to complete a section to the time specified on the signpost4 As ever on an Exodus tripp meeting like minded people and having a great time getting to know themWhat did you think of your group leader?Eric was a very good leader - lots of knowledge about the area including the rocks, flowers etc.  The routes were chosen to make the most of poor weather forecasts although it turned out the forecasts were unduly pessimistic. He has a good sense of humour and the knack of creating a happy atmosphere in the groupDo you have any advice for potential travellers?Make sure to take a swimsuit to take advantage of the hotel spa area.  On the free day a good choice is to take the cable cars to the top of Sass Podoi from where the view is incredible and the mountain hut does the usual excellent lunch.  I did find the altitude affected me, I had not been this high before and the walking made me more breathless than normal.  People more accustomed to heights did not experience this.Is there anything else you would like to add?I like the holidays with two grades of walk, I think this is especially good for couples where one is stronger than the other and also it enables you to book with confidence that the correct grade can be chosen in the resort.  I had previously done a C walk on a different holiday, on this trip I was only able to manage the B grade, I think this was mainly due to the altitude which did affect me.  Do not be put off however, this is a fantastic trip to an amazing place.
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  Trip date: August 2011
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  Sue McCowan

  · July 4th, 2011
  A fab trip - amazing scenery, great company, lovely food, hotel and spa and a very enthusiastic and capable guide (Eric)What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?It felt good to get to 'the top' on the days when we had steady climbing and was lovely to see people quietly looking out for each other especially on the steep 'marble roads' where loose stones meant a few of us slipped (elegantly)!What did you think of your group leader?Eric was very keen and organised and a lovely bloke. He offered options for those wanting half days or needing to avoid the steeper climbs and even organised a quiz in the bar.He was keeping an eye on all of us without it being obvious and gently played down how much more climbing there might be - the term 'relatively flat' wil never mean the same again!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Take 2 walking poles - I found them really helpful on steep ascents and descents and they stopped me slipping over a few times (although some people didn't use them at all)You may need more cash than suggested - we ate in restaurants which was better than picnics as we often needed a big bowl of pasta etcIf you want to be as fit as possible then do some steep ascents and descents pre trip!Don't forget your blister plasters!Is there anything else you would like to add?Ode To EricThere once was a man with the knackOf guiding from the front (or the back)He shouted as he strode'Only one more marble roadAnd after that it's relatively flat'!
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  Trip date: July 2011
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  Kate Lloyd

  · July 1st, 2011
  This trip was the perfect combination for me - great scenery, varied walks, excellent hotel, amazing food and a great group of people. Eric led the group B walks and he was the perfect leader.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Drawing the curtains back on the first morning, having arrived in rain and darkness the night before, and seeing the beautiful mountains!Seeing the incredible views after a slog up a steep slope!The wild flowers. They were so abundant and beautiful.Swimming and relaxing in the steam room before dinner - what luxury!What did you think of your group leader?Eric was relaxed but in control, which is no mean feat when you have a group of 17 or so. He briefed us about the next day's walk every evening. He had alternatives in case of bad weather.We had a storm after lunch one day and Eric changed the route so that we got down as fast as possible. Then the bus didn't arrive so he arranged a taxi for us all while we waited in a cafe. He was a great group leader and I'm sure he could handle anything.He knew lots about the area, plants, etc too. He was a lovely, knowledgable, good humoured guide.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Believe the trip notes when it says take a warm hat and gloves. It was late June and the weather on the last few days was variable. We got caught in a storm and it hailed. I was very glad of my hat, gloves and waterproof trousers!I had a hydration system and everyone envied it.Take a walking pole (or two). I'd never used one before and I was glad of it on the gravelly slopes, some of which are quite steep. Is there anything else you would like to add?An amazing trip! Fields full of flowers, beautiful mountains, glacial rivers, amazing views, friendly hotel staff who remembered my name after I told them once, delicious 5 course dinners, croissant-eating donkeys, lots of banter, the wonderful spa... I'd have stayed forever!  Soraga is quite small and relatively untouristy compared to other towns we saw. The hotel is away from the main road and I liked the location, next to a small church and older buildings. I found it interesting that the architecture is very Austrian/German and these influences were also reflected in the food. Pasta, knodel, goulash and plenty of ice cream!We used the bus and ski lifts every day except the first. It was great to be up in the mountains already and then walk even higher up.
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  Trip date: July 2011