British couple David and Rosanne Hughes have reached the fantastic milestone in 2024 of completing 10 tours with Hedonistic Hiking.  Annabel spoke to them about their experiences with us and what tours they might be eyeing up for the future.

Following on from this month's Blog about Pilgrim Paths, we have focused on three female writers who found, through walking, resolution to issues in their lives which seemed at the outset insurmountable. The inspirational on-foot journey's documented in their books took each of them from the edge of despair to a place of new-found strength and healing.

Jackie's latest guest article for US online magazine Sixty & Me looks at the benefits of a mountain holiday over a beach break. If you're searching for inspirational views, silence and tranquillity and lots of fresh air, then you too might be an orophile (mountain lover!)

The key message in terms of packing for anyone joining a Hedonistic Hiking tour is "less is more"!   Our 9-seater minivans do not have unlimited space and, for our style of tours, you do not need multiple changes of clothes.  Read on for some top tips on travelling light!

First-time guests are often worried that they will not be as fit as others in the group, so we recommend a little preparation to help to dispel those fears. As we now have a couple months to go until the start of our European season, it is time to get focussed and start your exercise regime!

We can all try harder to be conscious consumers, taking time to investigate the products we are purchasing, and keeping items for as long as possible. Choosing your hiking gear should be just the same and we can all help to maintain the health of the planet.
 

Following on from last month's interview with a Hedonistic Hiker with 20 tours under his belt, this month we talked to Cathy Samson who completed her first tour in September 2023.

Every town in Italy has a patron saint and each one has a day in the year dedicated to its celebration, known locally as the "Festa del Santo Patrono."  Festivities may also include live music, dancing, fireworks, historical costumes and food showcasing local specialities. All the generations take part and families come together for these special events.

May and June in Europe are two of the best months to see gardens in full bloom.  Many tours include visits to gardens, and others offer time to visit under your own steam.  Here are three of our favourites.

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, but they’re a great way to step straight into the local culture and history!

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!

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.

Is it helpful to walk with poles?  Is it better to use one or two, and which are the best ones to choose?  We are great fans of hiking poles and always advise hikers to walk with them. Here are some of our top tips for buying them and getting the most out of them.

If you're heading out to hike with us in 2023 year in Italy, and feel like brushing up on your Italian language skills, then watching TV can really help!  There are lots of techniques to help you - whether you're a beginner or have been learning the language for while.

At Hedonistic Hiking we are starting to think more and more about train travel within Europe. If you're making plans for travel in 2023, and you'll be visiting more than one country, then take a moment to think about letting trains take the strain of your journey.

With the Italians being such expert winegrowers, it is no surprise that they also produce many delicious Aperitifs and Digestifs, blending age-old, closely-guarded secret recipes of herbs, roots and spices which are loved the world over. We've picked five of our favourites and thought about some of the best places to enjoy them.

Anne Heuperman has been teaching Pilates to Jackie in Bright for many years and Jackie swears by the exercises for maintaining core strength and flexible movement. If you are looking for ways to work on your strength, balance and mobility before a walking holiday, then start right here!

This year, London's British Museum is staging an exhibition entitled Nero - The Man behind the Myth.  Was he a monster or has history misrepresented his 15 years as Emperor of Rome?

As Hedonistic Hikers we don't usually spend too much time in front of our screens but, finding ourselves once again locked down, we've started to escape by watching some of our favourite films!

Jackie's latest guest article for Sixty & Me looks at how travel can enrich your life through new experiences as well as new friendships.

The third installment of Hedonistic Hiking's Blog contributions to the US Sixty & Me online magazine offers six tips on enjoying walking holidays if you are over 60.

If you’re one of the many over-50’s recognising that a holiday spent lying on a beach and soaking up the sun no longer holds the appeal of 30 years ago, the chances are you’re considering more active pursuits.

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 gentle rambling.

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 of varying ability levels and offering many different experiences.

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.

Step out on a walking holiday in Europe and you can be sure of seeing sights and landscapes that remain out of the reach of many holidaymakers. In Italy, these veer from dramatic mountain backdrops and rural vineyard vistas to the magnificent seascapes that stretch along the coast.

The number of people taking a solo holiday each year continues to rise. While many of these are taking once-in-a-lifetime adventure tours, special interest trips such as solo walking holidays are fast becoming a popular option. The simple fact is that if your friends or partner don’t share the same interests, it makes sense to holiday with people who do! 

One of the questions that pops up repeatedly from our guests is when is the best time to go walking in Italy.  The answer is not straightforward ...

One of the questions that crops up time after time is which is the best region in Italy for walking. Not surprisingly, there’s no simple answer...