The Giro d'Italia is a multiple-stage bicycle race held each year in Italy. Along with the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, the Giro forms a key element of the cycling world's Grand Tours. It is usually held during late May and early June and we often come across the race on our walking tours...

At Hedonistic Hiking, the simple fact is that we’d rather be walking than doing almost anything else (although enjoying good food and wine comes a close second!).  So what is it about walking that inspires so many people?  We look at some of the benefits of hiking, trekking or just...

This year Barbara Bayliss will notch up an incredible 19 tours with Hedonistic Hiking.  As our most prolific hiker, she kindly agreed to be interviewed for our newsletter and here's what she had to say:

Anyone who has been on one of our gastronomic walking holidays in Italy will know that they are planned with military precision! In fact the timing of the tour itself is also a big consideration – we want you to experience each region at its finest and also enjoy the best seasonal food!...

If you’re toying with the idea of a walking holiday, whether in Italy or elsewhere in Europe, the important thing is to pick a tour that’s right for you. With mountains, lakes and a good scattering of national parks, there are plenty of hiking holidays in Italy to choose from, aimed at walkers...

Many of our guests, particularly those who travel from Australia or the US, ask us for advice on extending their holiday in Italy and we’re only too happy to share our experiences when it comes to our favourite towns and walks of Italy. Read on for some of our personal favourites.

Nothing quite illustrates the atmosphere of Christmas in Italy as effectively as the saying ‘Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con i vuoi’. In other words, ‘Christmas with the family, Easter with who you like’. But while family rules, food comes a close second: eating is what an Italian Christmas is all...

Podere Patrignone is an ‘agriturismo’ in the heart of Chianti Classico country – a mix of holiday rental villas and their organic olive oil. Is it owned by close friends of Hedonistic Hiking, Simon Zimbler and Verity Jones.

It turns out that we’re not the only ones who love our food and wine! Gastronomic tourism is increasingly big news as more and more people appreciate that delicious wine, eating well, and learning about regional culinary traditions are a valuable part of any holiday experience. So where should...

In many ways our tours are much more than walking holidays in Europe.  Alongside the excellent hiking we delve into the culinary traditions of the areas we are walking, but we also work hard to include cultural highlights too and all our hikes have moments of special interest...