Classic Dolomites - Premium

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  Alison
  Written on July 17, 2017

  4.0 - Good

  This was an excellent holiday. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and assessed the ability of our group well. We had excellent weather and we felt we had achieved quite a few challenging walks by the end of the week. The hotel was good and we had an upgrade. The set menu food was disappointing with a lot of heavy carbohydrates eg cheese dumplings, ravioli, etc. The three or four of us with a vegetarian diet struggled but they did try. Our group was very sociable and we had a fun week. Alex, our guide, gave a few options for the free day. He also was very informative on walking skills especially on the rough terrain.

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  Anonymous
  Written on October 8, 2013

  4.0 - Good

  A stunning part of Europe with really varied walking.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Getting to the top of Monte Piano via the Pioneer's Path.  Walking on virgin snow...in September.  Enjoying the evening sunshine on a bench above Villabassa and just taking in the view.What did you think of your group leader?Karl was very friendly (even came out with us for dinner on the 'free' night) and very knowledgable about the local area and history. Perhaps a little authoritarian about long trousers and walking poles....And surprisingly (to me!) he's a Brit - being a Karl with a 'K' I had assumed he would be local/Austrian!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Don't be intimidated by the grade C trips.  While the walking did have its moments and everyone on the group has done some quite serious walking before, the group was pretty mixed in terms of age etc and no-one really struggled.Take walking poles: Karl was insistent that we used them on some days, so if you don't want to borrow mis-matched ones from the hotel, take your own.  And if Exodus book you onto an EasyJet flight, make sure they fit in your hold luggage: they won't let you check them in as a separate item or take them as hand luggage.And despite being in Italy, the majority language spoken is actually German, so dust off your GCSE.Is there anything else you would like to add?The hotel is really nice: take your swimmers to take advantage of the 'spa', and take your appetite to enjoy the huge evening meals.  As other travellers have said previously, if you can't sleep through church bells ask for a room at the back (they were very accommodating with our gruop's requests to change rooms, but I guess it depends how full they are).
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  Anonymous
  Written on October 7, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  This was our first Exodus trip. It turned out to be even better than we expected. The scenery and was fantastic, the hotel was superb and the group was wonderful company. We definitely want to go an more Exodus trips.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?There were many memorable moments. In the mountains, the emotions are torn between the uplifting  majesty of the scenery contrasting so poignantly with the evidence of brutal human conflict.What did you think of your group leader?Karl was excellent. He was informative, humorous and sensitive to the capabilities of the group members. We all thoroughly enjoyed his leadership and company.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?If you want a walking holiday amongst fantastic scenery based in a high quality hotel, you will enjoy this trip.Is there anything else you would like to add?Brilliant holiday - so memorable
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  Anonymous
  Written on September 23, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  Totally Awe inspiring. You get right into the heart of the mountains.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?We were lucky we had 2 days of snow - it really made the trip even more spectacular than it would have been anyway.What did you think of your group leader?Carl, was very Knowledgeable, and was on hand with lots of suggestions for the day off. He kept the group together well, so we ended up at the summits all as one group. Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Please take walking poles! we were not expecting snow and it stopped us from doing a grade C walk that was scheduled. The poles were essential for the second day of snow as well which was grade C, without them it would have been a little dangerous.All drinks, treatments in the spa, bike hire @ The Adler are all put on your room tab so you don't need to take huge amounts of cash.Be prepared for a lot of food - buffet style breakfast and 5 course dinners!!! absolutely delicious though.Is there anything else you would like to add?I would really recommend if you have the funds to arrange for an extra day in Venice at the end as there is no time allocated on this trip.
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  Anonymous
  Written on September 22, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  If it says not for those 'suffering vertigo' believe it. It means sheer drops, little protection and scree underfoot!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Getting up and then getting down! Being revived by excellent spa facilities ready to go for the next dayWhat did you think of your group leader?Very, very competentDo you have any advice for potential travellers?Please make sure you are comfortable with large drops, narrow ridges and lose scree underfoot. There are few options if you do a grade C week. But its exhilerating and worth the effort to get to the tops.
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  Anonymous
  Written on September 16, 2013

  4.0 - Good

  Beautiful place,  more Austrian/German than you expect of an Italian countryside.  Hotel was excellent, very friendly.  Would recommend both the hotel and countryside.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Trenches on top of Mount Piano. What it be like for the soldiers stationed there.What did you think of your group leader?Friendly, was an excellent leader, especially for a large group on difficult treks.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Expect good walks, good food and good company.  Compared with the rest of Italy not that expensive.Is there anything else you would like to add?It's the sort of holiday you need another holiday to recover.
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  Anonymous
  Written on September 1, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  Just back from a very enjoyable week in the Dolomites.   Using Villabassa as a base was clever not only because of its location but also for the comfortable and well run Hotel Adler.    I  have been on other exodus trips and I have to say that it keeps getting better and better.  A Big Thanks to Carl our excellent leader and to Christian and Helene Pircher and staff at the Adler -purveyors of  everything that is good about Sudtirol.   What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?For me it has to be reaching the top of Monte Piano after an enjoyable and entertaining climb up.  The splendour that greeted us was just incredible.   I felt that I had arrived into another world,  trodden on sacred ground and was  left in awe of the surroundings.   Carl explained things very well indeed and kept us safe and entertained along the way.  It was a poignant moment when we stopped at a point on the way up where lay the graves of some  fallen heros of the brutal action during the war.  There were red  sanctuary lamps beside each rough woodden cross,  showing that they had not been forgotten  where they had fallen  , in that inhospitable spot.  As we walked  through the trenches and visited  observation posts,  Carl very knowledgably  explained what had happened there.   He  brought us over to the little war museum on the mountain.  It left me with a sense of just  how savage and cruel the kind of fighting must have been for the soldiers of both sides.   What did you think of your group leader?Carl was an excellent leader.  Very approachable when you had a difficulty.  He is well qualified and it was plain to see that  he is a past master of mountaincraft.  As a result,  I felt very safe throughout the trip and had no worries.  He was also very entertaining and it was like  listening to David Attenborough as he spoke in quiet tones about some marmots that appeared in the vicinity.  For his  knowledge of the surroundings, its botany,  geography and the manner he presented it,  I would describe him as a scholar and a gentleman. The weather was not ideal the first two days but  we got sound advice with regard to our gear and equipment,  what to expect and what to do about it. Things came right after day two and Carl explained about how to cope with the heat and sun. Overall  he proved himself to be a man for all seasons.  I would go up any mountain with Carl.    Next time it will be a grade C and I am even dreaming about a via ferrata.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Yes, regarding pace.  Carl set an easy pace but some of the group appeared to lag behind splitting the group from time to time.  I could hear them complain on two occasions  that they felt that the  pace was too fast for them.  However I walked to the front and back of the group and made a point  of checking their pace against  the leader's and found it to be the same.  All they had to do was follow Carls instructions when he asked them several times to walk directly behind him in front especially when setting off after each break. If you do that then it is  you who will set the pace for the group.  The leader is trained not to  go any  faster than the people behind him are going.   Its also not a race to the top. I could hear him explain all of that that many times.   You need to take heed of the leaders instructions and also not dally about after everyone has started off  -unless of course you need a comfort stop. Is there anything else you would like to add?Being  an hotelier, Its always a good sign when you see the proprietors of an hotel taking a active interest in the welfare of their guests.  We got a great welcome on arrival and personal send off when we left.  They were evident throughout our stay.  We ate really well every night at the Adler. Food was delicious and  local.  We even had a Tirolean night and had superb entertainment laid on.  So thank you Christian and Helene for a wonderfull stay.  And thank you Rosmary, Enzo, Tobias, Luciano and Alexander and to all the many others in the hotel who made things so enjoyable.  Also Hire a bike from the hotel on your free day and cycle to Lego Dobiaco.  The scenery is picture postcard stuff and the dedicated bike trails are first class and well signposted.   By the way,  water temperature in  Lego Dobiacco is Brass Monkeys. The waitress at the restaurant there said that she worked in the place for 18 years and never saw anyone swimming in it.  She did that day.  Looks like I made History.  
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  Anonymous
  Written on August 16, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  A fab walking holiday, in a great hotel and with the added bonus of a lot of military history 'in them hills'!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Being on top of the highest peak of the week, betwixt all the WWI fortifications between the Italians/Brtits and Austro-Hungarian Empire, with the astonishing views and trying to envisage how such warfare was conducted in such winter conditions 7000 feet up in the mountains.What did you think of your group leader?Karl paced the five walks well, as, though quite fit, I just had the fitness to fully enjoy the last and major gradient walk of the week. His knowledge of the routes was esxllent and, as important for this trip, his research on the hills and in hsitorical research on how this part of the Dolomites was a significant battleground in WW1 was superb. He and his wife's company socially was a great bonus too.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Exodus information does not play up enough the extra interest value of the military history and how much can still be seen in the mountains. Nor does it explain that the South Tyrol is a bi-culotural, autonomous region of Italy and about two-thirds Germanic. So, it helps to shift between danker and graze and to expect as much if not more central European food as Mediterranean.Is there anything else you would like to add?Once again, a fantastic, mixed, sociable and interesting bunch of Exodus fellow-travellers - the best thing for me about an Exodus trip - and a well-organised week's holiday all round. While pricier than other similar, European week's walking holidays Exodus offers, the execllent hotel with its spa facilities, good rooms and very fine food makes it worthwhile. And do request firmly a room at the rear of the hotel if you like a window open and not used to church bells through the night!
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  Anonymous
  Written on July 30, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  A place to recommend!  Stunning scenery, a fantastic hotel with excellent food and facilities and the walking did not disappoint.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?It was such a feeling of exhilaration and achievement to reach the top of Mount Piano.  After a three hour walk and climb, the views were quite beautiful. In addition, we could see the floor of the valley below where we started our journey.The other trip of note was the climb to the 'Three Chimneys'.  With narrow and steep terrain and the occasional bridge, there was no shortage of excitement!  What did you think of your group leader?Our Group Leader, Karl, was knowledgeable, interesting and looked after us well.  We were also treated to several 'Shaggy Dog' stories which added some fun and humour to the walks.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?I would advise anyone to take clothes for any weather as we had an assortment and needed most of our layers of clothes.  However, on the whole we were pleased to see much blue sky and great views.Is there anything else you would like to add?We enjoyed the trip so much, we will definitely return.  The area has so much to offer in addition to the Exodus trip and the Hotel was fabulous!
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  Anonymous
  Written on July 16, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  This particular trek provided a good balance between adventure and historical relevance. The physical setting is fabulous and the village atmosphere of Villabassa delightful.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The climb up to Monte Piano and the Tres Cime although every day was a new experience.What did you think of your group leader?Karl was an affable fellow who managed to cater for everybodys needs and wants without fuss. He led us superbly through terrain where the snow had covered the paths and his knowledge of the trek and historical content was great. Do you have any advice for potential travellers?May sound obvious but ensure your boots are well worn in and your travel insurance covers you for altitudes greater than 2500 metres. Most insurance policies cut out at this altitude (if you read the small print) and on some days you may go close to 3000 metres especially if you are on the challenge trek. Also be prepared for all weather events as the situation can change rapidly.  Lastly, if you are a pole person - use them.Is there anything else you would like to add?The Hotel Adler experiece was excellent. The food was first class and they catered for my vegetarian needs very well. A drink in the bar at the end of the day with the group was also a nice way to finish the evening although watch your spending as the drinks bill over the period of a week can add up quickly! On the rest day we hired an electric bike which was great fun and a good way to get around the other villages.