Packing for Italy should feel exciting, not overwhelming. And yet, if you are anything like me on my early solo trips, you will stand over your suitcase with far too many dresses, not enough practical layers and absolutely no idea whether you need that extra pair of sandals. (Spoiler, you do not…)

There’s something magical about reading a book set in Italy, especially when you’re already in love with the cobbled lanes, wild hillsides, and quiet little towns that make this country feel like home.

Some books don’t just tell a story… they evoke a whole landscape….

When I set off on my three-week solo road trip from Pisa to Abruzzo, I thought I was just heading out for another Italian adventure. A loop through hilltop towns, winding roads, and a few quiet B&B stays along the way. But like most things in Italy, what unfolded went far deeper than I’d planned.

Italy has been my muse, my escape, and my home away from home. My lifelong passion for this enchanting country began in the early 1990s when I was a young professional dancer with the English National Ballet. Here’s a glimpse into my unforgettable journey through Italy—a love affair filled with dance, adventure, healing, and timeless beauty.