Umbria, often called the “green heart of Italy,” is a landlocked region whose wine identity is shaped by rolling hills, ancient towns and a strong tradition of farming. Though smaller and less internationally famous than its neighbour Tuscany, Umbria produces distinctive wines that combine authenticity with increasing quality.
Our great friend and Hedonistic Hiking tour manager Marta Bonaventura has been teaching on-line Italian classes for over four years. Her classes can be tailored to suit any level, from absolute beginner to those with more confidence. Marta makes the classes fun, relaxed and friendly. All you need is a computer and the enthusiasm to learn!
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...
Many Hedonistic Hikers will have met Cinzia, one of our fabulous tour managers, on their travels with us in Italy. When she is not working with us, Cinzia and her English husband James also run their own company, MacNay Travel & Wine, from their home in Piedmont. James is a qualified Italian Wine Ambassador with extensive knowledge of and passion for this subject.
We asked our great friend and former Hedonistic Hiking Tour Manager Marta to help us with a Christmas recipe which Hedonistic Hikers could try at home. She has shown us how to make this festive Tiramisù, and we think you’ll agree that it looks pretty impressive. We can also guarantee that it tastes delicious!
In Jackie’s most recent article for US online magazine Sixty & Me, she reflects on the benefits of slowing down from time to time. Slow Food of course famously started in Italy as a reaction to fast-food culture, but reconnecting with nature, building in gentle exercise routines, detoxing digitally or learning a new skill, can all restore balance in your life.
Regions where we hike in the summer months in northern Lombardy and the Dolomites are next year playing host to the Winter Olympics. These fabulous landscapes will be familiar to Hedonistic Hikers who have walked with us in these stunning areas. Milan and Verona will host the opening and closing ceremonies.
Tuscany, one of Italy’s most celebrated wine regions, is renowned for its beautiful rolling hills, sun-drenched vineyards and ancient winemaking traditions. The region’s wines are primarily produced from the native Sangiovese red grape, which gives rise to iconic reds such as Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
Last month we completed the first departure of our hiking holiday in Northern Lombardy. This itinerary took us from the fascinating city of Bergamo to the vineyards of Franciacorta. We explored Lake Iseo both on foot and on the water and finished in the high valleys of the Valtellina, close to the border with Switzerland.
So you’re looking for a new adventure and toying with the idea of embarking on your first walking holiday. It’s not as mad as it sounds. And it’s not just you – walking holidays are becoming increasingly popular as we seek out healthy holidays, more immersive experiences and embrace the benefits of a slower pace of travel.
Emilia-Romagna is perhaps not considered among Italy’s elite wine regions like Piedmont or Tuscany, but it’s former reputation for quantity over quality is improving all the time. Today it is viewed as increasingly exciting, especially by those who appreciate distinctive, food-friendly wines.
The EU is introducing a new Entry/Exit system from 12th October 2025 for non-EU nationals. This means you’ll get your fingerprints and photo taken when first entering or leaving the Schengen area, which will be stored in a digital file. The new checks are planned to enhance security and reduce illegal migration.
Wine growing in Liguria is a challenging endeavour shaped by the region’s steep, dramatic landscape and Mediterranean climate. Despite its small size and limited vineyard area, Liguria produces high-quality wines. Vines often grow on terraced slopes which offer no access for modern machinery, so they require manual labour, which is part of what makes Ligurian wine special and scarce.
Understated, scruffy in places and largely overlooked by tourists, Genoa remains slightly under the radar compared with many of Italy’s cities. But this only adds to its appeal. As part of the Milan-Turin-Genoa industrial triangle, it’s a living working city – but with the added charm of the sea and a fascinating maritime history.
Staying hydrated while hiking is essential for maintaining energy, regulating body temperature, and preventing heat-related illnesses. When you’re out on the trail, especially in warm or high-altitude environments, your body loses fluids more quickly through sweat and respiration.
The Aosta Valley is a mountainous region in the far north west of Italy bordering France and Switzerland. It is home to several native grape varieties, many of which are unique to the area. Due to the high-altitude vineyards and alpine climate, the wines from this region are distinct, made in small quantities and often unavailable outside of the valley.
This year hiking enthusiasts Martina McGinn and Pedro Geleris from Australia booked three back-to-back tours with Hedonistic Hiking. We were interested to discover their impressions of each of the three tours and to see if sharing their experiences could help to inform future guests to choose the best hike for them.
Our first hike in the UK has just come to an end and we’ve had a real blast! Exploring two of England’s best-loved National Parks with our group of pioneers has been exhilarating and fun. We cannot wait to return again next year, in September.
Piedmont is a highly prestigious wine region both at a national and international level. It is home to a number of key native grape varieties, many of which are not widely grown outside the region. Located in the foothills of the Alps, Piedmont’s vineyards enjoy optimal sunshine by day and cooler temperatures by night.
Anyone planning to be in Italy next year might be interested to take a look at the Verona Opera Festival programme. If you are joining our Austria and the Dolomites tour in July 2026, then you will be just in the right place for a truly unforgettable performance of Aida.