Jackie's latest article for US online magazine 60 & Me looks at ten different ways to spend more time outside. Being in nature fuels our well-being and, in the natural world, we appreciate the simpler things in life. There are many activities we can all do to...
Four of the Best Italian Art Exhibitions in 2025
Rome From March 7 to July 6, 2025, Rome's Palazzo Barberini is hosting "Caravaggio 2025," a landmark exhibition celebrating Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. Timed with the 2025 Jubilee, this showcase features 24 of Caravaggio's masterpieces, including the recently...
Packing Tips for Hiking Trips
The key message for anyone joining a Hedonistic Hiking tour is "less is more"! If you have travelled with us before, you will be aware that we transport you in two 9-seater minivans with limited luggage space. We can happily accommodate medium-sized...
Three Remarkable Railways
Three of our different European tours finish in towns which connect to remarkable railway routes, and we encourage our guests to make the most of the opportunity to experience these fabulous journeys. The Bernina Express is a scenic train journey that runs between...
Italian Recipes from Cinzia
Cinzia Long, one of our longest-serving tour managers, is an accomplished cook who has now launched her own recipe Substack. Substack is a subscription-based platform that allows content creators to publish news, or in this case recipes, directly to their audience....
Getting Fit for Hiking
We work on our fitness all year round in preparation for our seasons of hiking and we cannot overstate to our guests how important it is to start getting fit well before the tours start. There are 3 things to think about: Strength-Cardio-Balance. Even for a Level 2 or...
An Italian Christmas
For anyone who grew up in the UK, Christmas lunch or dinner almost always involved roast turkey and all the traditional festive trimmings. It came as quite a surprise therefore to first discover that there is not really one Italian Christmas dish which is eaten all...
Tuscany’s Hidden Gems
Jackie’s latest guest article for US online magazine Sixty & Me looks at some of Tuscany's hidden gems. The region is world-famous for its major cities such as Florence, Pisa and Siena, but the smaller hilltop towns and villages have unique charms, centuries of...
2025 Jubilee Year in Rome
Starting this Christmas Eve, Rome will open its gates to millions of pilgrims for the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope. This special event, occurring usually only every 25 years, will mark a year of pilgrimage and reflection. It is expected to bring more visitors than ever...
Five reasons to discover Sardinia
Sardinia is known around Europe for its wonderful coastline and turquoise waters, but head inland and the island offers so much more than soaking up the sun on the nearest beach. Here are five of our favourite reasons to visit.
Autumn Hiking in Italy
Jackie's latest guest article for US online magazine Sixty & Me looks at reasons to visit Italy in its autumn season. First of all the colours of the changing trees are a big draw, along with the flavours of the seasonal ingredients which are being harvested and...
Best things to see and do in the Derbyshire Peak District
Derbyshire’s Peak District National Park was the UK’s very first national park, created in 1951, and now covers more than 555 square miles. Crisscrossed by miles of footpaths and cycle trails, and with moors, dales and spectacular views, it’s a wonderful...
Visit Victoria’s High Country
Victoria's High Country, located in the north east of the region, is a breathtaking destination with a mix of rugged landscapes, outdoor adventures, rich history and fantastic food & wine. Here are five reasons why you should be planning a visit soon!...
Exploring Italy without the crowds
Jackie's latest guest article for US online magazine Sixty & Me looks at how to enjoy travelling in Italy without the crowds. Cities like Venice are now charging day-trippers, and the popularity of sites in Florence and Rome can lead to long queues if you...
Matera
Matera is arguably the most remarkable town in Southern Italy. Its famous “sassi”, troglodyte cave dwellings, have been inhabited since the 8th century BC, and the caves were home to over half the town’s population right up until the 1950s. It is the final stop on our Southern Italy hike and is a true highlight of the tour.
Il Palio della Balestra
At the end of our Medieval Umbria tour we find ourselves in the stunning town of Gubbio. The tour is timed to coincide with the final Sunday in May which allows us to witness one of its most historic and spectacular events. The Palio della Balestra is a...
3 of Italy’s Best Iced Drinks
Here in Italy we are at the height of summer and the hot temperatures have us reaching for something cold! The technique of preserving and using snow or ice to create refreshing drinks in summer months was known to ancient civilizations, including the Greeks and...
Celebrating ten tours!
British couple David and Rosanne Hughes have reached the fantastic milestone this year of completing 10 tours with Hedonistic Hiking. Annabel spoke to them about their experiences with us and what tours they have their eyes on for the future. How did you first...
Italy’s Greatest Palios
Jackie's latest guest article for US online magazine Sixty & Me looks at some of Italy's most spectacular festivals. Dating back to medieval times, Italy’s Palios traditionally involved horses or other animals in a competitive racing challenge but, over the...
Ferrara – City of the Renaissance
Sitting to the northeast of Bologna in the Emilia Romagna region, Ferrara is often overlooked by visitors to northern Italy, despite being one of its most charming small cities. Awarded UNESCO World Cultural Heritage status for being a ‘superb example of a Renaissance...