When you flick through this book I hope you can feel part of the joy we experienced travelling through the regional back roads of Emilia Romagna, Toscany, Liguna in northern Italy.

The trip despite several days of rain was one of the most exciting journeys that Pat and I have yet undertaken. It was made extra special by the fact that we were sharing this experience travelling alone without friends and a guide on country roads away from the major tourist areas that Italy is so famous for.

It was a journey that has wetted our appetite for a return to this part of the world in the not to distant future to not only explore more of this magnificent region but expand the itinerary and the time and hopefully share the adventure with some of our friends.