Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walk up Mt Piano with wind chill it was about -35!
What did you think of your group leader?
Karl was very professional and sociable with the group - watch out for the stories and jokes though.......:-)
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The trip notes do not specify details of the walks which i think would have been useful.
The pace is dictated by the group which was a little slow for me and I got quite cold at times waiting around so wrap up. The paths are well marked in most cases, so it was a shame there was not more opportunities to go at your own pace so that fitter members do not feel frustrated by the pace and slower members don't feel hurried.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Great introduction to snowshoeing - scenery lovely, but if you enjoy striding out and covering the miles like I do you may find the pace not to your liking.
Irene Paterson
SNOWSHOEING IN THE DOLOMITES
Written
We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday, but felt a couple of the walks were a bit short. We are quite fit and do a lot of hillwalking at home and found the 'B' grade walks easy. When we go snowshoeing again we will do a 'C' grade. The scenery was spectacular and the area is well worth visiting. Hotel Adler was an excellent place to stay.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching the top of Monte Piano - views were stunning but it was very cold - approx -20.
Sitting outside a pension in the middle of a walk with blankets wrapped around our legs, eating Kaiserchmarren and drinking hot chocolate with rum and looking at stunning scenery - excellent
What did you think of your group leader?
Karl was very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly but could tell some 'tall' stories!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Wear several layers of clothing - it can be extremely cold at the tops of hills.
There are no tea/coffee facilities in the hotel rooms - we took our own kettle and made up flasks for the walks
Use the swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna etc after the walks - helps with achy, tired muscles
The hotel was very good at catering for any special dietary needs and all the meals were excellent and the staff were helpful and friendly
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We would definitely go on another snowshoeing holiday but a 'C' grade, felt the 'B' grade was too easy for us.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Gluhwein!
What did you think of your group leader?
Karl, was a very entertaining, knowledgeable and trustworthy leader.
“Shall we stroll on?” he would say.
On our final day, walking to the summit of Monte Piano, ‘stroll’ became ‘trudge’. Like other days, the effort was worthwhile for the magnificent views.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Snowshoeing is not difficult, and the grade ‘moderate’ is an accurate description.
Worry not: if you’re an average hill-walker you can do this.
There were 5 – 6 hours of leisurely walking every day, and plenty of stops for stories recounted by Karl
The Hotel Adler is everything it says on the tin: a gem with all facilities as described with helpful and welcoming staff. Stuff yourself at breakfast, and you won’t finish the packed lunch provided, but you will be ready to enjoy a 4/5 course evening meal – all of which were worthy of presentation on TV cooking programmes.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Many thanks to Exodus, Karl, Christian (proprietor of Hotel Adler) and his staff … and all those new friends we made.
Wonderful holiday, great leader, good company, correct activity level for grade of trip, good balance of activity and relaxation, lovely hotel with good facilities and welcoming staff. Would wholeheartedly recommend.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Scenary was beautiful... great to be able to get out into unspoilt areas. Some truely magnificent views. Snowshoeing is also lots of fun! Also enjoyed the range of refreshments on offer in the mountain huts.
What did you think of your group leader?
Good guide, experienced and safe leader, also had a good sense of humour and allowed the group to bond quickly and for all to feel included. Gave us enough information to enjoy discovering the area without feeling information overloaded whilst on holiday! Made group safety a priority. Made sure we had a wonderful week.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you like being up in the mountains this trip is a truely memorable experience and highly recommended. Be prepared for extreme cold however so take appropriate clothing. Waterproof ski mittens over the top of gloves particularly helpful! The hotel is wonderful and has great heating so no worries about getting things dried out overnight. Make the most of the spa facilities- very relaxing afer a day on the hills!
This is my 2nd trip with Exodus and was simply fantastic (as was the first), I would thoroughly recommend it. It was extremely beautiful being in Villabassa at Christmas time, the Hotel Alder was wonderful, both management and staff very welcoming/helpful and friendly, gorgeous 5 course dinner each night. Aperitifs on our first evening & Christmas Eve in reception along with carols was gorgeous. The snowshoeing was such brilliant fun walking in a winter wonderland (thankfully the snow fell the Friday before going), each walk gave us beautiful scenery and "THE" most amazing views having the weather on our side most days, even though a couple of the walks involved “chuffin steep climbs” the views totally made up for it and coming back down is always the easiest whichever way we did it by walking/sledding or in my case sliding upside down head first when unable to stay on the sled but had soo much fun though, felt like being a child all over again J
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The climb on Christmas day was a great walk giving the best views in the world (well it certainly felt like I was on top of the world) truly stunning beautiful day enjoying the gorgeous Pandoro & Prosecco to toast Christmas day thanks to Olly our great leader!! Of course we had to eat/drink it all so he didn’t have to carry it down again. The whole experience was truly amazing also having a great group made the experience too I never stopped laughing.
On our day off some of us had a go at cross-country skiing thanks to Eric & Heather for allowing us to participate with them for the day, particularly to Heather for taking us on in the beginners group, my first time putting on any form of skis on and loved it!! Especially the hot chocolate in the cafe at the end of the day.
What did you think of your group leader?
Olly was fantastic very kind, lots of fun (although he needs some more cheesy Xmas tunes) and helpful to all of the group who weren’t quite as quick up the hills as the rest, he looked after us in every way he possibly could whether that was giving out tape for our poor blisters or lending me his jacket to keep me warm, he certainly has the best job in the world!!
Thank you Olly for making the video too (check it out) such great memories!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take the right kit with you along with you and plenty of layers even though walking up makes you extremely hot and having to strip off, you certainly need to put the layers back on again when stopping or reaching the top as it can be extremely cold.
Most of all go with the intention of having fun, even though you might find it hard some days there is always the sense of achievement in reaching the top and enjoying the views and remember you are getting fitter by the day and there is always the lovely spa in the hotel to look forward too at the end of the day so just enjoy it!!!!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I had the most amazing holiday, the Dolomites are awesome, met some lovely people/friends. I’m so glad that I never missed a day walking, you’re only there once (unless you book again) so make the most of it and be happy :-)
Katy Robbins
SNOWSHOEING IN THE DOLOMITES
Written
A perfect way to spend Christmas - in an amazing winter wonderland. The scenery was stunning and the walks were absolutely fantastic - planned and thought out carefully by our superb guide. Very little travelling required each day and our guide always played the best tunes in the mini-bus to keep us awake! The hotel was warm, cosy and very festive. Great to have a swim and a sauna after a day in the snow. A pre-dinner drink in the lounge by the roaring log fire was a great way to relax whilst our guide dutifully informed us about the plan for the next day. I can't think of a better way to spend a winter holiday.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The walk we did on Christmas day had the most outstanding views and our fabulous guide suprised us with a glass of sparkly and a slab of Italian cake at the top. A fantastic memory. Thank you.
The afternoon spent sledging - we laughed out loud for many days afterwards!
The Hotel Adler makes the best apple strudel in the world!
What did you think of your group leader?
Olly Townsend has to be the most committed guide in the world. He was pretty much on duty 24 - 7. He was extremely accommodating, highly professional, well organised and very patient. He had thought carefully about the week and planned the walks accordingly. He also happens to be a keen photographer and spent what free time he had (very little), editing film and photos that he had taken of us each day. We spent the last night watching the video he had made and enjoying the photos he had taken. An absolutely top bloke who goes well and truly beyond the call of duty. Oh and he hasn't got a bad sense of humour either! The next guide has a lot to live upto!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Yes - it should be on everyone's list of things to do before they die!
Enjoy the stunning scenery - you'll miss it when you return.
Have a reasonable level of fitness - some of the climbs are real lung busters! Hard work but a great sense of achievement when you reach the top.
If you have a decent appetite you'll enjoy the five course dinner each night.
Drink lots of water.
Smile and enjoy!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Book it now. I'm tempted!
Victor Middleton
SNOWSHOEING IN THE DOLOMITES
Written
Overall, maybe helped by good weather, an excellent holiday in a very good hotel with a compatible group that all seemed to get on well. Villabassa is ideally located for winter holidays
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Probably the views on the walks and the great experience of walking through woodland in deep, powdery snow. One has no sense of being in crowded places on these walks.
What did you think of your group leader?
Carl was first class. He organized the pace, provided all the information we needed and generally went the extra mile to be sure we all enjoyed the experience. The minibus provided the ideal way to get to and from walks.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
As long as you are a reasonably fit walker, relax and enjoy.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Hotel Adler was excellent. Food was delicious and the staff and ambience were always welcoming and positive. The bar and the spa facilities were especially appreciated at the end of each day's walking. The beer is delicious and not expensive.
from 21 reviews.
Login above to retrieve a previously saved list or 
Click on 'Add to wishlist' to pin trips here.
