The Secrets of Saluzzo
At Hedonistic Hiking we like to get off the beaten tourists trails and explore hidden gems which are usually ignored by the majority of visitors. Saluzzo is just such a town and is the first stop on our Jewels of Piedmont tour.
Piedmont's prized truffle
If you have not travelled in Piedmont, in north west Italy, you might not be aware of one of its greatest culinary treasures: the prized white truffle of Alba.
Happy 10th Birthday to Us!
2017 marked the tenth anniversary of Hedonistic Hiking. Ten glorious years of hiking in some of the most beautiful parts of Italy, Slovenia, France, Austria and Australia and meeting countless wonderful people along the way. So how did we decide to celebrate?...
Enchanting Lake Orta
Right over on the Western edge of the Italian Lakes, where Lombardy meets Piedmont, lies the flawless and beautiful Lake Orta. Much smaller than its closest neighbour Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta is tranquil, restful and has a picture-perfect island in the centre, Isola San Giulio.
Ravenna's mosaic masterpieces
Anyone joining our new tour next year in Northern Tuscany and Ravenna will have the chance to visit this extraordinary city. Ravenna is a treasure trove of exquisite art and culture and has ancient origins and a glorious history.
Chianti Rufina
Chianti Rufina is one of the seven subzones that fall under Italy's famous Chianti DOCG. The wine-growing area is one of the smallest in Chianti, concentrated in the foothills of the Apennines to the east of Florence.
The Franja Partisan Hospital
One of the most memorable visits we make on our Slovenia and Friuli tour is to the clandestine Franja Partisan Hospital, buried deep within the Pasice gorge.
Cremona - City of Music
The small town of Cremona, which lies south east of Milan between Piacenza and Mantua, may not immediately ring any bells. However, it has a unique musical heritage being home to the world-famous master violin-makers of the 16th to 18th centuries.
Paestum - City of Temples
Anyone spending a few days in Southern Italy might like to take some time to visit the impressive Greek temples at Paestum. This remarkable archaeological area is a UNESCO World Heritage site and lies about a mile inland, on the Mediterranean side, south of Naples and the city of Salerno...
The Art of the Aperitivo
The people of Italy, along with many of their European neighbours, have long enjoyed a pre-dinner drink known as the "aperitivo". Typically these drinks are low in alcohol and more often than not have a dry and bitter or spicy flavour.