Portoferraio
Portoferraio is the capital city of the island of Elba, in the Tuscan archipelago. The third largest island in Italy, it has rich mineral deposits and has been mined for hundreds of years for its iron ore - hence the name Portoferraio - meaning Iron Port. We visit this attractive city...
Hiking in the Maritime Alps
2024 will see us returning to the border area between France and Italy, hiking in two stunning National Parks which are home to a unique cultural and natural heritage. On the French side is the Mercantour National Park and on the Italian side the Maritime Alps National Park....
The White Wine of Orvieto
Orvieto is one of Umbria's most striking towns. It's gothic cathedral is a must-see for visitors but the town is also famous for its white wines, which have been cultivated in the region since the time of the Etruscans.
Ten of the Best Smaller Museums in Italy
Jackie's latest guest article for Sixty & Me looks at ten of Hedonistic Hiking's favourite smaller museums and attractions in Italy, which are just a little off the beaten track. These hidden pint-sized gems don’t have the size and grandeur of the country’s big hitters,...
Colle di Val d'Elsa
Colle di Val d’Elsa is a town which sits right in the centre of the region of Tuscany, a little to the north west of Siena, which has a unique glass-making history. We stay here for the second half of our Tuscan...
A plea to pack light!
As you are starting to think about what you need to join our hiking trips in September and October, we hope you will take note of our plea to travel light!
Three of Italy's Best Wine Regions for Rosé
In high summer here in the northern hemisphere, more and more of us are buying and enjoying rosé wines. Although the Italians themselves have not always been enthusiastic drinkers of rosé, wine makers up and down the country are now producing vini rosati and we look at 3...
Best Hiking Accessories
Find out more about our top tips for hiking accessories to bring on our tours. Having the right headgear, socks, waterproof layers or poles will make a big difference to your overall comfort and enjoyment of the hike.
Aosta
Aosta is a mountain town with over 2,000 years of history. It is surrounded by magnificent alpine scenery, overlooked by some of Europe's highest peaks, and has an interesting cross-culture of French and Italian influences which come to light in the cuisine and in the local dialect....