Milan plays a central role in the 2026 Games with the opening ceremony being held at the iconic San Siro Stadium, which is traditionally a football venue but will welcome the Olympic flame for the first time. The city will host many of the ice sports such as figure skating, ice hockey and speed skating.

Cortina d’Ampezzo, in the Dolomite mountains in the Veneto region, is the venue for the women’s alpine skiing, along with the bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton. The curling arena is also located here.

The Valtellina town of Bormio, in northern Lombardy, will host men’s alpine skiing and ski mountaineering, whilst nearby Livigno is the venue for freestyle skiing and snowboarding.

The Val di Fiemme which is located in the Trentino/Alto Adige region will host ski jumping, Nordic events and cross-country skiing. Anterselva, very close to the Austrian border, will host the biathlon which combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting.

The closing ceremony of the Games will take place in the ancient Arena in Verona, the UNESCO Roman amphitheatre which, in the summer, is home to the world-famous Opera festival.

The Winter Olympics will be held from 6-22 February, and the Paralympics will follow from 6-15 March. If you love mountains, then we still have a few spots available on our Northern Lombardy tour from 19 – 27 October 2026.

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The tour is scheduled to run again next October, from 19th – 27th, and we still have a few spaces available. Get in touch soon if you’d like to join us!

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The tour is scheduled to run again next September, from 3rd – 11th and we still have a few spaces available. Get in touch soon if you’d like to join us!

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The Pennine Way is one of the most famous long-distance hiking trails in the UK, and this year it celebrates its 60th anniversary. It stretches approximately 268 miles (431 km) from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. The route follows the rugged spine of the Pennines, often called the “Backbone of England,” and crosses some of the country’s most dramatic and remote landscapes, including the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, North Pennines, and the Cheviot Hills. Highlights include Hadrian’s Wall, the Bronte Moors and Malham Cove.

The idea for the Pennine Way was first proposed in the 1930s by Tom Stephenson, a journalist and campaigner for walkers’ rights. Inspired by the long-distance trails in the United States, particularly the Appalachian Trail, he dreamt of a route that would allow people to experience the wild beauty of the Pennines. The concept gained support and, after years of planning and negotiations with landowners, the Pennine Way was officially opened on 24 April 1965.

It was the first official National Trail in the UK, marking a significant achievement in the campaign for public access to the countryside. It also paved the way for the establishment of other National Trails across Britain, inspiring generations of walkers and conservationists.

We walked the Pennine Way in the summer of 2017, and hiking in these parts of Derbyshire and Yorkshire sowed a little seed of an idea for our first UK tour which is happening this July.

The Pennine Way is an iconic trail in the UK and a demanding one, due to unpredictable weather, rough terrain and long stretches without shelter. Today, it remains a symbol of adventure, endurance and the right to roam in the British countryside. If you are tempted by the idea of exploring this route, you can find out more here.

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The Bernina Express is a scenic train journey that runs between Chur or St. Moritz in Switzerland and Tirano in Italy. Built in the early 1900s and operated today by the Rhaetian Railway, it is renowned for offering one of the most breathtaking rail experiences in the world. The route passes through the Swiss Alps, revealing stunning landscapes such as glaciers, mountain peaks, lush valleys, and picturesque villages, and the railway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights along the way include the Landwasser Viaduct, the Bernina Pass, and the Brusio Spiral Viaduct. The journey takes about 2.5 hours between Tirano and St Moritz and is enjoyed in panoramic coaches that allow for unobstructed views of the landscape. It operates year-round, offering unique views in each season, from snow-covered winter peaks to vibrant summer pastures. It is possible to exit the Bernina Express at some of its alpine stops on the route and book to stay for a spectacular night or two in this panoramic scenery. Guests on our Northern Lombardy tour can extend their holiday by taking the Bernina Express across the border and exploring Switzerland.

The “Little Train” or “U Trinicellu” is a network linking three of Corsica‘s important coastal cities: Ajaccio on the west side, Calvi to the north-west and Bastia to the north-east. The first stage of the railway opened in 1888 and, as it expanded in the following decades, it crossed mountain valleys, scaled remote hilltops and connected historic interior towns like Corte. It is an unforgettable way to discover Corsica and has a choice of request stops so that adventurous passengers can be dropped off at remote inland spots for hiking, or discover hidden beaches far from the tourist hot spots. It’s incredible construction includes 32 tunnels and 52 bridges and viaducts, across a jaw-dropping array of mountains and gorges. It’s a very affordable way to explore the island with great value one-week passes available. Guests on our Island of Corsica tour can extend their holiday by connecting with the Little Train in Bastia to enjoy the experience and discover interesting and different parts of the island.

The Settle to Carlisle Railway is a historic and scenic railway line in northern England, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and engineering marvels. Stretching 73 miles between Settle in North Yorkshire and Carlisle in Cumbria, it traverses the rugged beauty of the Yorkshire Dales. Opened in 1876, the line is famed for its impressive Victorian engineering, including the Ribblehead Viaduct, which features 24 arches spanning a windswept moorland. Once threatened with closure in the 1980s, the line was saved by a passionate group of campaigners and now serves as both a vital transport link and a beloved tourist attraction. Its picturesque route offers passengers sweeping views of rolling hills, quaint villages, and dramatic peaks, making it a favourite for rail enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Guests on our Derbyshire Peaks and Yorkshire Dales tour can extend their holiday by taking the train from Settle where the tour ends up to Carlisle and beyond into Scotland or the Lake District.

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Which all goes some of the way to explaining why we just couldn’t resist introducing a new UK tour for 2025 that combines the Derbyshire Peaks with the glorious Yorkshire Dales. Our stay in the Peaks intersperses magnificent hikes with visits to Bakewell and Buxton, to Haddon Hall and to the fascinating village of Eyam. But we couldn’t fit everything into four days and if you are able to stay a bit longer, these are some of the places and attractions which we just couldn’t squeeze into our itinerary! They may be busier than some of the places on our itinerary but are definitely worth a visit.

Chatsworth House

Magnificent Chatsworth House is the Peak District’s top visitor attraction, and one of the UK’s most recognized stately homes. Home to the Cavendish family since the 16th century, and the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Devonshire, this extraordinary English country house looks out over 1,000 acres of parkland with formal gardens. Allow plenty of time – there are over 25 rooms to explore in the stately home, including the Painted Hall, State Rooms and Sculpture Gallery.

But for outdoor enthusiasts, the 105-acre garden which includes lakes, a rose garden, maze, kitchen garden and ‘Great Cascade’ is even more compelling. Beyond the garden, choose from several circular walks through Chatsworth Park. And if all that walking makes you hungry, treat yourself to a traditional pub lunch at the Devonshire Arms at Pilsley, in the heart of the Chatsworth Estate.

Hardwick Hall

Set on a much smaller scale, Hardwick Hall is a National Trust owned Elizabethan country house, built by ‘Bess of Hardwick’ in the late 1500’s. Amongst the Hall’s treasures are a unique collection of 16th and early 17th century needlework, furniture and original portraits. Outside, there’s an attractive garden with orchards and borders and beyond that, some wonderful walks in Grade I listed parkland peppered with ancient trees.

Ilam Park & Dovedale

If you’re looking for a traditional picture book English village, look no further than Ilam which comes complete with a church, river, pretty cottages and a lush green backdrop. And, of course, a tea room! Nestling on the fringes of the Peak District National Park, enjoy a traditional cream tea at the Manifold tea room, looking out over Ilam Park’s Italian Garden.

The Park is an excellent access point to the White Peak area, including the well-signposted and extremely popular Ilam Dovedale walk which takes you through some of the area’s loveliest landscapes. Sections of the walk can get busy, particularly around Dovedale’s iconic stepping stones.

Walking and cycling trails

If you want to cover more ground than is possible on foot, the Peak District’s cycle routes are a great option. Built on disused railway lines, the trails at Monsal, Tissington, High Peak and Thornhill are an excellent traffic-free way to explore the countryside. Bike hire is available at Parsley Hay cycle hire centre, convenient for the Monsal and Tissington trails. The trails are also open to walkers.

Villages in the Peak District

You can access two of the Peak District’s most charming villages directly from the Tissington Trail. Alongside the mandatory duck pond, pretty stone cottages, well and tea shop, Tissington is home to Jacobean Tissington Hall which has been the seat of the Fitzherbert family for over 400 years. The village in fact has six wells and is said to be responsible for the centuries old tradition of well dressing – the decoration of local wells with intricate floral designs. Tissington’s well dressing is in May, but the practice now takes place in over 80 towns and villages throughout the summer months.

Hartington is also close to the Tissington Trail. With stone cottages clustered around the village square, and a smattering of cafes and pubs, the village is certainly worth a detour, not least for its wonderful cheese shop. The village is also a popular walking hub, with plenty of footpaths to choose from.

Castleton and Peveril Castle

Surrounded on three sides by steep hills, including the famous Mam Tor, Castleton village in the Hope Valley has a dramatic setting, overlooked by the impressive Peveril castle. The village provides access to several superb walks, with the hike to Mam Tor probably the most popular. As well as wonderful sweeping views of the Hope Valley and Edale, Mam Tor has the remains of an Iron Age hillfort at its summit.

The other point of interest in Castleton are the four caverns – Blue John, Treak Cliff Cavern, Speedwell Cavern and the largest, Peak Cavern which has four miles of passages and the option of taking a boat trip to a large water-filled natural cavern, the so-called Bottomless Pit. Any of these places are a great add-on to our UK tour to the Derbyshire Peaks and Yorkshire Dales, our first tour in the UK.

More information on the region is available from Visit Peak District & Derbyshire.

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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!

Spectacular Alpine Scenery

Victoria’s High Country is home to some of Australia’s highest peaks, such as Mount Buller and Mount Hotham, offering dramatic alpine vistas. In winter these mountains transform into bustling ski resorts, while in the warmer months the region is ideal for hiking, cycling and soaking in the unbroken views of the peaks and valleys.  At Hedonistic Hiking we are usually hiking in this area in the month of February.  The temperatures are perfect for hiking at this time of year, the altitude keeps things cool, and the sunsets and sunrises are just beautiful.

Outdoor Adventure Haven

We love this area of course for its excellent hiking trails, but for nature lovers and adrenaline seekers, the High Country has much to offer.  A wide range of activities are available including cycling, mountain biking, paragliding, fishing, horseriding, rock climbing and abseiling, all against the backdrop of this stunning landscape.  We usually offer a hiking weekend in February or March in north east Victoria which combines fabulous days of hiking topped and tailed with wonderful food and wine, showcasing the very best of the region. Anyone joining our weekend could add a couple of days before or after to explore our fabulous part of Victoria.

Rich History

Many of the small towns in the High Country, like Beechworth and Yackandandah, are steeped in gold rush history. There are a number of well-preserved heritage buildings, museums, and historical tours that tell the stories of early settlers, bushrangers, and gold miners. Also worthy of a visit are Glenrowan for its association with the last stand of the notorious outlaw Ned Kelly, and Myrtleford which evolved into a community known for tobacco farming, attracting a large Italian population to the area.  Many of the traditional tobacco kilns can still be seen.  The Cattlemen’s Huts in the high mountains are iconic relics of the region’s pastoral history. These huts were originally built by cattlemen who used the High Country’s alpine plains for summer grazing, providing shelter during cattle drives against unpredictable mountain weather. Today, many have become popular destinations for hikers, and history enthusiasts alike.

Award-Winning Food and Wine

The region is famous for its gourmet food and wine scene. Our home base is in Bright in the heart of this region, and we have many favourite places to visit. The King Valley is Australia’s home of Prosecco, and the “Prosecco Road” trail follows a series of boutique, family-owned wineries producing this well-loved sparkling Italian wine. We love the cellar door at Dal Zotto Wines and the fine dining restaurant at Chrismont, both of which offer accommodation.  Rutherglen is another special wine-growing area, famous for its fortified wines and bold reds. All Saints is a lovely estate to visit with fabulous food and gardens, and Pfeiffer Wines has a beautiful bridge over the river.

We are also fans of the Milawa Gourmet Region, which is home to artisanal producers from cheese and mustard to wine and olives. Brown Brothers, one of Australia’s oldest and most respected wineries, is based here offering a range of immersive food and wine experiences.  The High Country is famous for producing high-quality ingredients such as berries, chestnuts, walnuts, apples, pumpkins and hops. Artisan cheese, honey and cured meats are also prominent. Many local farmers supply fresh vegetables and dairy products to the area’s markets and restaurants, and there are many regular farmers markets which allow visitors to buy direct from local producers.

Charming Small Towns

Victoria’s High Country is dotted with quaint and picturesque towns such as Bright, Beechworth, Mansfield, and Yackandandah. Each town offers something unique, from local markets and artisan shops to festivals and friendly, welcoming communities. Beechworth, in particular, is a beautifully preserved 19th-century town, steeped in history and boasting a fabulous local food scene. One of our favourite restaurants here is the award-winning Provenance, owned and run by chef Michael Ryan. Yackandandah is a quaint, heritage-listed town that offers a charming village atmosphere. With its well-preserved buildings and strong arts community, the town has become a hub for art and craft lovers.

These reasons make Victoria’s High Country a perfect destination for adventurers, gourmands and those seeking relaxation and escape in the gorgeous scenery.  To find out more, visit the region’s own website.

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