Jackie was a great tour leader, friendly, helpful and approachable. She has an obvious love of the area and a great ability to explain the history and local culture; she was also a whiz at coming up with excellent alternatives when the weather was not being co-operative.  Her lunch-time story reading was an unexpected delight!
Ray and Cheryl Dinneen, Newcastle (Northern Italian Culinary Tour - April 2012)

  We loved the trip, had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed everyone's company plus the wining, dining (especially Annabel's lunches) and of course the hiking.   We will be in touch again soon!
Malcolm and Sandra Woolford, Sydney (Northern Italian Culinary Tour - April 2012)

Just wanted to let you know that both Ian and I thoroughly enjoyed the Prosecco Road Walk. 

Yet again (as in Italy) our expectations were far exceeded with the organization of the day, the people you work with (Dal Zotto’s), your culinary skills, attention to small details & the perfect sunny day you arranged were all exemplary.

Anne & Ian Smart, Queensland (Prosecco Road Walk - 17 March 2012)

I think I speak for most of our group when I say that a great time was had by all.  As you may have guessed, none of us is spectacularly fit so there was a bit of concern as to whether some of us would make it, but the walk was gentle enough to suit everybody.

The food was beautiful – our son Michael was particularly taken with the pig!

It all seemed to work seamlessly and the combination of you two and the Dal Zottos seems to be a winner. Many thanks for an enjoyable weekend. 

Maureen Kennedy (Prosecco Road Walk - March 2012)

We thoroughly enjoyed our three days with you in the High Country. We loved our stay at the Retreat and our ‘romantic’ dinner at The Green Shed. Our day of walking and the excellent picnic on the rocks was the highlight, but we also enjoyed the evening out at Ringer Reef with lovely wines and Mick’s perfect steak.  We will be looking at the 2012 brochure with interest!

Pam and Bob Hudgell - UK (Feast in February - Feb 2012)

Wayne, Anna, Michael and myself would like to thank you for a fabulous day on Saturday 21st January.  Great walk, fantastic food and company.  We were made to feel very much at home.  A wonderful weekend in a beautiful part of Victoria!!  We hope that we might be able to do another one of your weekends at some stage.

Judy Jordan (Prosecco Road Walk - Jan 2012)

Our bushwalk into the Mount Buffalo ranges was a refreshing experience and it certainly created an awareness of the beautiful bushwalking tracks that are available for seasoned walkers. However, most will not be lucky enough to enjoy the pleasure of your delightfully prepared lunch, especially Mick’s pork, and the lovely salads prepared from local produce. Amazing when you consider this is done in the midst of the Australian bush. Then our visit to the Ringer Reef Winery for our outdoor dinner was an excellent way of finishing off the weekend. In conclusion, I know we will come back for another venture with Hedonistic Hiking, maybe Slovenia?!

Arthur Koo & Karlene Tomlin  (Mount Buffalo and Ringer Reef Walk - Jan 2012)

Don and I had a FABULOUS TIME!   We would love to do another hike with you and Mick either here or overseas.   Cheers!

Lynne McKie (Mount Buffalo and Ringer Reef Walk - Jan 2012)

The itinerary covered a very interesting mix of terrain, landscape and structures and I felt that I had experienced a taste of what the area had to offer.  Being able to look at fauna handbook on the spot was good and added to my enjoyment.


Glynnis Lapham  (Alpine Walking Weekend - Dec 2011/Jan 2012)

Excellent walks, great durations and a great concept to allow people to shorten the day if someone is tired.  Mick is our man, professional and caring and he accomodates the walk to suit the team.   He is patient, knowledgeable and a great tour guide.  

Jackie is a great organiser, cook and presenter.

Overall 10/10 and that is why this is the second trip with Hedonistic Hiking we have done this year.   We love what you provide and believe it is excellent value and very enjoyable.
 

Rob & Alana Monaci (Great Ocean Walk - Nov 2011)

If walking is your bent, then organise a Hedonistic Hiking event, the food is great and the service innate, plenty to do with Mick, Jackie and the crew…….

Seriously though, this is the go if you love adventure and like to get away, book that Hedonistic Hiking trip today….

Thanks again for a great weekend!

Melissa Lazarus, Australia (Great Ocean Walk - Nov 2011)

 We found few stones were left unturned to make sure we never had to think about anything for the whole time we were with you, and every need was taken care of.    All I had to think about was the fun we were all having.   I know in any business there is room for improvement - but I think you have pretty much nailed this one!  Your passion for this country shines through ...

Robin Strang, Townsville, Australia (A Week in Tuscany - Oct 2011)

"The itinerary and walking was wonderful and the preparation of lunches phenomenal.  Compared to other walking vacations taken, this one had the most value for money and was managed flawlessly.


Mary Jane Roberts, Chicago (Parma, Tuscany and the Cinque Terre - Sept 2011)

"I have done a number of walking trips in Italy over the past few years and, without a doubt, Hedonistic Hiking was the best value for $ and just great fun to be part of.

Barbara Bayliss (Tuscany and Umbria - Sept 2011)

"Thank you for a great weekend full of wonderful experiences. Your planning, experience, care and attention to detail was wonderful. Obviously you are both in the right job!    I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and have come home rejuvenated and full of enthusiasm for walking and creating great meals.   You are both tremendous hosts, guides and cooks, as well as being very good company."


Jennifer Weale, (Gastronomic Adventure April 2011)

"Jackie is a wonderful guide, and her organisational skills, attention to detail, knowledge, professionalism and friendliness made it the best organised holiday we have ever been on.
 
The whole thing was great from start to finish, and it really was all inclusive. The food and wines were wonderful. Everything was made better by her extensive knowledge of the region and its history.
 
We can't recommend HH enough."

David and Aileen, Sydney (Parma, Tuscany and Cinque Terre - Sept 2008)

"It was for me a memorable week,  and your professionalism, enthusiasm, attention to detail, and organisational skills  are brilliant.
Cinnamon, was delightful, charming, and knowledgeable, the food and wine was great, and apart from that big hill which made us cry, the walks were  superb.
I look forward to walking with you again, and wish you and Mick  every success in the future."
Larry, London (Parma, Tuscany and Cinque Terre - Sept 2008)




Heather Adams, UK (Parma, Tuscany and Cinque Terre – September 2010)


"Detailed, careful planning and close attention to quality are a given on Hedonistic trips. Other companies no doubt provide a similar level of service. What separates Jackie and Mick from much of the competition is how they are able to react when the unexpected and totally unpredictable occurs. That they can still deliver the promised trip without any loss of content or quality is the mark of a great company and a tribute to the resources they can call on should the need arise.

This part of Tuscany may not be the most obvious place to visit, but that is all the more reason to go now before the crowds discover it. The walking is varied and beautiful, the food and people delightful and the towns of Sansepolcro and Gubbio totally unspoilt and steeped in history. If you go in September and happen to see the Palio della Balestri in Sansepolcro you will witness an event the likes of which you are unlikely to see anywhere else."
Chris Bell, Tuscany and Umbria September 2010


Tour Comments
Tour Leader - Jackie

"Jackie you are a star, obviously perfectly suited to the work you have chosen.  You make everyone comfortable, whatever the level.  You share interesting historical and literary “tidbits”.  You work very hard, long days, physically challenging, and never show any sign of strain.  Your smile communicates joy and enthusiasm all day long."

Tour Leader - Cinzia

"Another top-quality resource.   Such a range of expertise, so willingly and enthusiastically shared.   And a “people” person, and wonderfully well organized.   Again, a hard-working woman who doesn’t let it show."
Connie Cushman, New York. A Week in Tuscany - May 2009



Anne Smart, Brisbane. Week in Tuscany, September 2010


"A fantastic trip. All I have to do is convince some of my friends to join me on my next Hedonistic hiking trip."
Will McAfee. Wagga Wagga. Volterra and the Maremma, May 2010



"I enjoyed the mixture of walking and sightseeing – the balance between the two was about right for me. I was sorry not to have longer in San Gimignano, but it an excuse to go back. I was delighted with Massa Maritima which I had never heard of before, and it was good to have time to have a good exploration of the place.
Much of the overall enjoyment of the trip is Jackie’s friendliness, and she is a fount of local information. The holiday is very well researched, down to the readings at lunchtime."
Fiona Knox, Volterra and Maremma, May 2010




Moira and Rob Smith, Jewels of Piedmont October 2010

"We so enjoyed all the different special things we saw each day. In addition to the lovely walks. We were treated to the "insider's" experience, more so than the "visitor's" experience. Jackie you are a star, your smile communicates joy and enthusiasm all day long"

D.Charton. September 2009

“Jackie is a wonderful guide, and her organisational skills, attention to detail, knowledge, professionalism and friendliness made it the best organised holiday we have ever been on. We can't recommend Hedonistic Hiking highly enough."

D.B, Sydney. September 2008

“It was for me a memorable week, and your professionalism, enthusiasm, attention to detail and organisational skills are brilliant”

L.V. London. September 2008

"It was truly a celebration of Slow Food, the best I've ever tasted. The tour flowed beautifully which was a good indication of the effort and detail that had gone into its preparation".

A.B October 2008

"Mick and Jackie made us feel totally pampered and very special. This trip far surpassed our expectations which were quite high to start with. I would enthusiastically recommend Hedonistic Hiking to anyone who wants a first-rate active vaction."

T.S. Davis, CA