How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Gary was an excellent tour leader. He managed the group with just the right amount of discreet organisation,used his excellent sense of humour, was able to chat with everyone and knew his walking routes in detail. What was a real surprise to me was that he has an excellent knowledge of wild flowers.  As this is one of my interests it was an absolute delight to be able to note and discuss the names of the abundant flora of the Amalfi coast with him. What a treat for me!   

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

I would say that your knees need to be in good order to tackle the several sets of 2000 steps leading from the high level walking down to either Amalfi or Positano at sea level. They are an integral part of the walks and therefore walking poles are a must if you do not have the knees of a younster!!

 

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Barry was brilliant. He was knowledgeable  about the area and we felt confident that he knew the walks and terrain around the area. Barry was always willing to help everyone in the group. He was on good terms with the family who run the agriturismo. Overall we were pleased to have barry as our guide.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Be prepared for many steps on the walks going both up but mainly down.

Do you have anything else to add?

This was our first Explore holiday. It is a good one to start with and we are already looking to find a follow up Explore holiday for possibly the summer or next year.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Very good and caring. This was a difficult assignment for him as some days were foggy & adjustments had to be made. Made helpful comments about the use of walking poles & footholds.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

In March bring warm clothing! I took a light pullover & a heavier one & most of the time outside I wore both, as well as my anorak.

Do you have anything else to add?

"I repeat what I said on the critique. Explore might consider putting a trip to Salerno on the itinerary, either an additional day or as an alternative to Pompeii/Vesuvious or Capri. Easily accessable from Amalfi by boat or bus the city has enough attractions to enable a 3 hours+ walk & it is much cheaper.

We did this on one cloudy day when visibility on the hills was awful."

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Gary is a great communicator, very aware of what could go wrong and always on top of it well in advance. Slightly delusional about what qualifies as an "undulation" but an easy person to spend time with and very knowledgable about hiking.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Pompeii is an interesting place but not really possible to get around all of it in the time available. Significant amounts were not open to the public and very few of the mosaics & statues could be seen. BUT, if possible, a visit to the National Archeaological Museum in Naples should be included in your trip as it has many of them brilliantly displayed.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Susie was brilliant. She was informative and had the right sense of humour for our diverse group!

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Take walking poles. It was something I never considered needing but have now have bought some for any future walking holidays.

Do you have anything else to add?

It was one of the best holidays I have been on and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys doing something different!!

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Joe was an exceptionally good leader, who went out of his way to look after everybody and ensure that we all had a good week.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Joe was an exceptionally good leader, who went out of his way to look after everybody and ensure that we all had a good week.
Be flexible and don't come expecting luxury or haute cuisine - if you like simple, rustic fare and beautiful scenery, this is for you.  Also be prepared for the heat if you travel in August - you need high factor suncream and tons of water.

Do you have anything else to add?

Would thoroughly recommend this trip

What was the highlight or most memorable moment of your tour?

The farmhouse accomodation and the family running it.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Gary was very good, helpful and considerate.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Although it is graded easy to moderate I found descending long flights of steps a challenge.

Do you have anything else to add?

Pompeii was disappointing, I felt it was very badly organised once inside. I would urge anyone visiting to buy a map before entering the ruins as maps are almost impossible to aquire inside.

Vesuvious was eaqually badly run and felt 'tacky' Unfortunately neither of these shortcomings were within the powers of Explore to correct.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Gary Daines was excellent. Nothing was too much trouble and he always had a smile and a happy outlook from start to finish.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

The walks are tough but worth it. There wasn't really enough time to explore the places we visited.

Do you have anything else to add?

Although rated 'easy to moderate' I didn't find any of the walks easy ! Also some of the trips on the local buses were a bit of a scrum to get on, tiring at the end of a walking day.

The Amalfi Coast is a beautiful, picturesque part of Italy however, our group was very unfortunate with the weather and it rained (hard) all but one of the days of the week-long trip. This did not stop us walking but did spoil some of the magnificent views. The agri tourismo was not really geared up for cold, wet weather; those of us staying in the terrace rooms and casa rooms were very cold and all of us stuggled to get our wet clothes dry. On the positive side the family that run the agri tourismo were very friendly and tried to help us in any way they could also, the freshly baked cake and red wine they provided were excellent. The highlight for me was meeting the local people whilst travelling on the buses, walking along the various trails and eating in the small, family-run restaurants. The walks were varied and generally on good paths be warned, there are a lot of steps to descend which can be hard on the knees!

An excellent trip led by 2 wonderful guides Georgie and Dan. As a first time Explorer and travelling on my own i was a bit nervous but can honestly say it was one of the best holidays i have been on. The agri tourismo Luna D'agerola was very comfortable and the food was excellent. Cake hot from the oven for breakfast and clementines picked fresh from the tree every morning... who could ask for more? There was a good diversity of walks - both inland and down to the coast and all were very manageable even though the steps down to Amalfi and Positano can take its toll on the knees! A great group of people on the tour made it all the more enjoyable with one of the highlights being the dinner on the final night and the sing song that followed! Highly recommended....the only problem now is where to next?? Thanks Explore for a wonderful holiday. (NAW - 15th Octoebr 2011)

Fantastic, varied itinerary with the highlight being the long walk through spectactular Ferriere National Park. An unexpected highlighted was our very comfortable farmstay, and our very hospitable family who cooked superb tradional Italian meals for the group. My husband's highlight was running up the steps from Amalfi back up to San Lazzarro village in 50 minutes and beating the rest of us on the bus! A brilliant trip recommended for the keen walker wishing to see not only the popular routes such as Pathway of the Gods, but the more remote Ferriere National Park. (NAW - 7th May 2011)