Join Carole Bumpus and her husband in Book Three of the Savoring the Olde Ways series as they take you on their first culinary trek through Italy, including regions of Lombardy, Tuscany, Compania, Apulia, and Lazio. Embrace unforgettable characters such as lovely guides Lisa and Margarita, who introduce you to the “true Italian experience.” Sup on traditional foods (cucina povera) including local tortelli, pappardelle al cinghiale (wild boar), bistecca all Fiorentina, pasta alla vongole (clams), or saltimbocca alla Romana. Sip regional wines, along with memorable digestivos like limoncello and grappa. Find yourself dancing at harvest festivals, climbing through Etruscan tombs, traipsing among Roman ruins, or bathing in ancient Roman termés (hot springs). Climb to the heights in elegant Capri on the gorgeous Amalfi Coast, or to the top of the “holiest of holies” at St. Peter’s Basilica. Soak up ancient and cultural history in Milan, Firenze (Florence), Amalfi, Pompeii, Lecce, and Rome. Bask in the sun and opalescent waters along the rugged coasts of the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic Seas. And, best of all, capture a rare glimpse into the secrets of the Mediterranean psyche while sharing a good meal with new friends. It is truly the trip of a lifetime.

Review:

This is Book Three of the ‘Savoring the Olde Ways’ Series, and I believe this is a standalone book as I have not read the two other books. The book is a memoir of the writer; whose husband brought her to Italy after her retirement in 1998.

 I have to say that this book covers more of her journey and experiences along her trip. If you are purely looking for a book that talks about food in particular, this book may not fascinate you. However, if you are open to learning about new cultures and experiences of the world through someone else’s lenses, then you would thoroughly enjoy this book. As I believe the author has a penchant for weaving great stories.

Carole Bumpus’s writing skills are impeccable and that made me enjoy her “trip” down memory lane with her through Italy, especially now when we cannot travel amidst the pandemic. At the end of the book, you will find all the recipes related to the food talked about in every chapter.