Italy, 'the spring of western civilization,' is as fascinating today as it has always been, and both its modern and traditional aspects are the subject of this book. All that has made Italy famous, and host to countless numbers of visitors - its masterpieces of antiquity, its Renaissance art and architecture, its magnificent scenery of mountain, coast and plain, the food and wine, the vitality of the people - all this and more is captured in the informative text and color photographs.

This is not a guide book, not is it a directory for works of art, hotels, restaurants, places of interest or "things to see" for Italy. It is not an historical tract or a political lecture. So, what am I writing about? In simplest terms, I suppose one could call it a love letter; a statement of my love for this country. In real terms, Italy is more, much more than a country. Browning described this condition perfectly; Italy becomes a part of your heart, a state of mind, an emotional experience.

'A gorgeous, life-affirming story of getting a bit lost and helping the people we love become found. Warm, wistful, and wise, Three Nights In Italy is a book my heart will treasure' LAURA JANE WILLIAMS 'Olivia Beirne writes with such warmth and humour. She just GETS women, and covers both light and serious topics in such relatable, tender ways' LUCY VINE 'You can feel the warmth of the sun on every single page . . . brilliantly funny and filled with love' DAISY BUCHANAN 'Funny, poignant and full of heart, Three Nights In Italy simply swept me away' EMILY STONE THREE WOMEN. ONE SECRET. AN UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY. Zoe always knew this day would come. After all, no one can live for ever. She may not be ready, but Zoe knows the importance of goodbye - and how much it hurts when left unsaid - so it's time to return to her grandmother's home in Italy one last time. Even if that means deceiving her mum, Ange. Harriet doesn't know where she fits anymore. It's not in Cornwall with the new family her mum is building, and it's certainly not in the job she hates. The trip to Italy may not be the adventure Zoe and Harriet promised themselves, but Harriet is simply not being left behind. Ange was doing fine. Well, she was coping. Like she has been for the past fourteen years because her daughter needed her. But since her mother's death, nothing has felt fine. Even her relationship with Zoe is cracking at the seams. Then, the last person any of them expects to see suddenly turns up, and soon it seems the only way to move forward is to revisit the past . . . Explore the sun-drenched Italian countryside in this hilarious and heart-warming novel about unconditional love, second chances and the importance of not taking life for granted. 'I wish I could read it for the first time all over again. The relationships between all the characters were so wonderful . . . everyone needs an Aunt Fanny in their lives!' HOLLY McCULLOCH 'A beautiful, feel-good read with a charming cast of characters, idyllic locations and plenty of humour counterbalanced brilliantly with some thoughtful themes. I absolutely loved it' DONNA ASHCROFT 'I read the brilliant Three Nights In Italy in two days, unable to put it down. And I'm now going back to reread Olivia's previous books because I can't let go...' LUCY VINE 'Three Nights In Italy is tender, timely and deeply touching - you can feel the warmth of the sun on every single page . . . brilliantly funny and filled with love' DAISY BUCHANAN 'A beautiful story about changing your life and taking chances. It had me wanting to hop on a plane to Italy immediately! Highly recommend!' LORRAINE BROWN 'A charming feel-good book that you won't be able to put down. Olivia once again wins you over with her beautifully real and raw characters whose lives you can't help but get invested in! Loved it' EMILY HOUGHTON 'It was such a fun, pacy read full of colourful characters that will stay with me beyond the page. A story of second chances and taking risks filled with warmth and humour - I loved it' CAROLINE KHOURY 'Beirne consistently writes women and their complex, often messy, but tender relationships beautifully' PERNILLE HUGHES

"Many famous artworks of the Italian Renaissance were made to celebrate love, marriage, and family. They were the pinnacles of a tradition, dating from early in the era, of commemorating betrothals, marriages, and the birth of children by commissioning extraordinary objects - maiolica, glassware, jewels, textiles, paintings - that were often also exchanged as gifts. This volume is the first comprehensive survey of artworks arising from Renaissance rituals of love and marriage and makes a major contribution to our understanding of Renaissance art in its broader cultural context. The impressive range of works gathered in these pages extends from birth trays painted in the early fifteenth century to large canvases on mythological themes that Titian painted in the mid-1500s. Each work of art would have been recognized by contemporary viewers for its prescribed function within the private, domestic domain."--BOOK JACKET.

-a Love Abroad B&B romance- Welcome to the Cinque Terre, the jewel of the Italian Coast. In shades of warm gold, apricot, and peach, these remote stone villages face the Mediterranean. Their narrow cobbled streets are car-free. Instead they’re filled with soft sunlight and hope. Erica Barnett always dreamed of visiting Italy. But she never planned to arrive alone and devastated. Putting her life back together ranks as a distant second to the priority of fixing her heart. Ridley Claremont III, wealthy son of a Californian vintner and his trophy wife, discovers the shallowness of his life when his parents are killed in a car wreck. Seeking forgetfulness on a motorcycle driving the European backroads, he stumbles into the tiny cliffside town of Corniglia. Vibrant life greets him around every corner: food and flowers, gelato and friendship. And the wine, most especially the wine. A man who never faced himself and a woman who finally has, meet in the only place they can. Along the Via dell’Amore, the Path of Love, in Cinque Terre, Italy.

Martha Trent's 'Lucia Rudini: Somewhere in Italy' is a poignant coming-of-age novel set in Italy during the 1940s, intertwining themes of love, loss, and resilience. Written in a lyrical and evocative prose style, the book paints a vivid picture of the Italian countryside and the challenges faced by its inhabitants during World War II. Through the eyes of the titular character, Lucia Rudini, readers are immersed in a world of family secrets, forbidden romance, and the struggle for survival amidst the chaos of war. Trent's meticulous attention to detail and rich character development enhance the reader's emotional connection to the story, making it a compelling and immersive read. Martha Trent, a renowned historian specializing in Italian wartime history, brings her expertise to life in 'Lucia Rudini: Somewhere in Italy', drawing inspiration from real-life events and personal narratives. Her deep understanding of the time period and its impact on individuals shines through in the novel, lending authenticity and depth to the narrative. I highly recommend this book to readers interested in historical fiction, particularly those fascinated by Italy's wartime experience and the human stories that emerged from it.