About Us

We met and fell in love in, and with, Italy in the 1990s. Together we created Hedonistic Hiking back in 2007 and since then the company has gone from strength to strength. Our small group walking holidays are designed by us, researched by us and guided by us. Our hiking tours on both sides of the world combine our three great passions in life: outstanding walking, delicious food and fine wine. 

Born and raised in England, I studied languages from an early age and developed a passion for Latin cultures. I speak French, Spanish and fluent Italian. I have led tours in Europe since 1992, specialising in walking tours in Italy since 2000.

My first degree in Spanish took me to the mountains of Mexico and to the South American Andes, where I took part in a Raleigh International expedition to Chile. My enthusiasm for Italy developed alongside my love of its art, history, culture, food, wine and people. I have studied Italian art and culture with the Open University. As a Teacher of Modern Languages in the UK, I was a fully qualified expedition leader for the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Marketing Manager & UK office

I grew up and was educated in England but was lucky enough to spend a month every summer with my family in Tuscany, which sparked my passion for travel and in particular the Italian landscape, its food and its people.   Having graduated from University in French and Philosophy, I went on to work in Corporate Communications and Event Management in London.  After what might be described as an Epiphany moment in 2003 I left the big city behind to start working as a tour guide, which I’ve loved doing ever since not least because it has taken me to some of the most beautiful and interesting parts of both Italy and France.

My work with Hedonistic Hiking brings together all aspects of my previous experience and, happily, allows me to eat my way around my favourite country in Europe!  Anyone in the UK with questions about Hedonistic Hiking can reach me on 01858 565148.  

Hedonistic Hiking Tour Manager

I was born in Scotland but having studied French and Spanish I was keen to use my languages and work in Europe. A travel company I was working with sent me to Italy and there started a life-long love affair with this amazing country: the food, the people, the history and the landscape are all so special.

Meanwhile another love affair started in France with a young Swedish man! Eighteen years later we still live in the French Alps and we have two children. Winters are busy teaching skiing in Val d’Isère and then, in the summer, I look forward to escaping from the mountains for a little while to get my “fix” of Italy!  

Hedonistic Hiking Tour Manager

Jackie is my aunt and I think our first Italian adventure was when I was about 11 or 12!  Since then I have travelled many times with Jackie and Mick, both in Europe and Australia, and I participated in a number of tours before starting life as a fully-fledged Tour Manager for Hedonistic Hiking.

I’ve always been a keen humanities student, having studied history and geography at A Level and then going on to study geography at university. My interest has always been more to do with human geography rather than physical geography but both tie in quite neatly with my new involvement in the tourism industry. Since leaving university I have been working as a keyholder at BrewDog bar in Sheffield in the UK, where we sell high quality beers and pizzas.  I have always found the Italian people I’ve met incredibly friendly and I love the amazing contrasts in the Italian scenery and landscapes. And of course I have to mention the unbelievably delicious food – that goes without saying!

Hedonistic Hiking Tour Manager

I was born in a beautiful town along the river Brenta between Padua and Venice. During my studies in languages and tourism I lived in Canada and the UK, where I found my passion for travel, history, culture and people! It was only after my studies that I decided to move for four years to Melbourne, Australia. I had the opportunity to travel and work in this beautiful country. Those years are my best memories!  Now I live in Tuscany in an ancient house in the countryside with my family: my husband and my special three kids.

I met Jackie and Mick in 2019 during one of their tours while travelling in Tuscany. Since then we have started a very special friendship, surrounded by our passion for travel. Thanks to Hedonistic Hiking I can keep my dreams alive: travelling and meeting new people from around the world, with different cultures and different stories to tell!

Hedonistic Hiking Tour Manager

I was born and raised in Pavia, a picturesque Roman city in the heart of the northern plains of Italy, famous for its historic churches, Roman towers and mosquitoes in summer! My parents being from Calabria, I was lucky enough to spend my vacations down south with my Nonni. One of the things I treasure most about these times is the lunch table being covered with traditional homemade food. For the past ten years I have lived in Australia, in Melbourne mainly. I studied a Diploma in Outdoor Guiding, which changed my life forever. Since then I have guided groups of students and adults on hiking, sea kayaking and rock climbing expeditions across different landscapes in Victoria, Central Australia, and Tasmania.

I am excited to be back in Italy and have the opportunity to share my passion for the country’s beauty, culture, and food with Hedonistic Hiking guests.

Florence Tour Guide

Born in Sydney, I have a Bachelor’s degree with a double major in French and Art History from Sydney University. I first discovered Europe as a Rotary Youth exchange student in Belgium the year after high school and my passion for art, romance languages, European culture and history was born. During my degree I studied Art history and French language at the Sorbonne in Paris.

I arrived in Florence on a postgrauduate research grant in 2000 and I have never really left. I worked at the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice followed by the Venice Arts Biennale before returning to Florence permanently where I have been conducting tours of the city and its museums for seven years. I cater to all ages and I enjoy bringing the history alive weaving in stories and anecdotes in order to recreate the atmosphere of Renaissance Florence. I am a licensed tour guide for the city and Province of Florence and all its museums.     www.freyasflorence.com    Contact Freya

Rome Tour Guide

Born in England but raised in a lakeside village just north of Rome I was convinced I was English until I went to the UK to complete a BA in Philosophy and French. After graduating from Manchester University and taking a course in Garden Design, my love for Italy brought me back to the area near Rome where I became a botanical guide at the Gardens of Ninfa.

This seasonal role I combined with leading groups, firstly tours for students “racing” across Europe, but then more in depth walking tours through rural Tuscany, Umbria, Sicily, Liguria and Basilicata. After a number of years living out of a suitcase I chose to focus entirely on Rome, 9 years ago I took the public exams to be a local guide and have been showing people round the Eternal City ever since. I am still fascinated by Rome’s seemingly endless depth and influence and most of all I feel lucky that I have a chance to share this interest with others.   Rachel Potts Tours    Contact Rachel.

Turin Tour Guide

Fulvia is 100% “torinese” and has been working as a freelancer in incoming tourism for more than 12 years. She studied foreign languages (German, English and French) and in 2002 became a licensed tourist guide for Turin and then in 2011 for Cuneo and the Langhe district as well.

Both cities are located in the Piedmont region in northen Italy,  surrounded by the the beautiful landscape of the western Alps, and they are rich in history, culture, wine and food traditions. Fulvia is passionate about her region and wants to show the very best of it to visitors. She can design bespoke itineraries depending on individual requirements. You can contact Fulvia by email.

Pisa Tour Guide

Alessandra was born in Pisa and graduated from the University of Pisa in Foreign Languages, with a thesis on Methodology in Art Criticism. Since 1998 she has been working as a tour leader, and since 2002  has been a licensed tour guide for the City and Province of Pisa. Her tours offer an authentic appreciation of the artistic and cultural background of the area she knows so well, and she is delighted to tailor her tours to suit adults, groups, students or families.

You can contact Alessandra via her email: alessandraantonelli@yahoo.it

Orietta Siviero is a talented, charismatic and delightful chef based near Siena in Tuscany. She offers a private chef service to guests staying in self-catering villas and apartments in Tuscany, choose from a selection of inspiring menus which showcase the fabulous Tuscan cuisine. Menus can be matched to quality local wines if desired. Orietta is a qualified sommelier and also offers guided wine tastings.

For those interested in a hands-on experience Orietta can provide cookery classes either in-house or in a traditional country kitchen.  She has her own website.   Contact Orietta.

Cooking Piemonte

Cooking is my great passion since I was a child and through this project I’ve thought to share it with you, who love good food and wine.  I’ve travelled a lot and I’ve learnt something…flavours, traditions, emotions…I hope to make you live few hours in a cosy and enjoyable atmosphere, here in my own home in the heart of Piedmont. Our cooking classes cover starters, pastas, main courses and desserts: with my help and your work, in 3 hours you will learn how to prepare a menu with 4/5 delicious dishes. Enjoy your course!

Raffaella has her own website.

Cycling tours and fitness retreats in Laos, Bali, Australia Italy and Spain. SoulFit adventures incorporates holistic, wellness and fitness elements with a touch of pampering into adventures on the road less travelled and sometimes frequently travelled, while at the same time travelling responsibly and supporting local communities. 

Our trips are designed for people of all ages, abilities and fitness levels.  All you need is a sense of adventure!