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Product Description
Product Description
An Italian Odyssey is a story about a midlife couple who embarks on a great adventure — walking 1,000 km on the Via Francigena, an ancient, elusive medieval pilgrim trail through the heart of Italy.
Historically, the Via Francigena was a broad network of trails originating in ancient Francia, an ever-changing backbone of Roman and medieval roads leading to Rome. Today, unlike the Camino de Santiago in Spain, only a few hundred people have walked the entire Via Francigena through Italy during the past decade. It is a barely discovered, obscure, and sometimes challenging trail to navigate.
The couple’s initial plan was to walk and eat their way through Italy using their own homemade guide and map books. But their adventure takes on a life of its own as they face unexpected challenges. With both themselves and each other, they struggle with the constant physical and emotional demands and outcomes of navigating an arduous route that is not well signed. But with dollops of Roman and medieval history, a dash of contemporary culture, plenty of sensual food and wine, and gracious Italian hospitality, they also share many romantic and magical moments.
Only after they endure sweat, tears, and frustration, when the strange concoction comes to a boil and the flavors and juices ooze out, do they realize and discover the true meaning of their journey. In the end, An Italian Odyssey is a classic bittersweet tale of the couple’s expectation of walking and eating through Italy—a unique culinary and walking pilgrimage.
An Italian Odyssey will appeal to readers who love all things Italian, its history, culture, and food, and those who like traveling and walking; or by the armchair traveler who enjoys reading about other people’s adventures. Readers will also appreciate the rewards and discoveries that come about from tackling real life challenges and struggles. It is a story that combines a great adventure of personal growth, individually and as a couple, with the backdrop of Italian history, contemporary culture, food, and wine.
This travel memoir is co-written by both authors, so the reader can appreciate the story from the male and female perspective.
Buon viaggio!
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Format:Paperback
Not too fond of crowds or guided tours? Ever want to just strike out on your own on some trail in foreign lands? Then this is the book for you. There are now a lot of personal accounts of the Camino de Santiago walk, but as soon as you look for accounts of those off the beaten path trails in Europe, you will find a very small number of accounts and a smaller yet number of authors. Italian Odyssey is a good addition to that select group.
After reading Italian Odyssey you might opt for the opulent tour package. Julie and Neville, after walking the Camino de Santiago, hear rumors about another pilgrimage trail network, the Via Francigena from France over the Alps to Rome. They did their research, picked a start point that was about 1000 km from Rome (in Switzerland) and started out.
You learn as the book progresses that there is no English language documentation for the trail, no guidebooks, maps, etc. Still, there is the internet, so they have done their own research and are well prepared, they think. Julie has some basic Italian and French.
They tell their story in a tandem fashion, an episode told by one, and then the other's account. This works surprisingly well. You soon realize that they sometimes share quite different views of an event.
Things frequently do not go well. To me as a reader, this is quite entertaining, though somewhat painful. I relive their moments, having had the same experiences myself. Travel is rarely stress-free and when walking difficult terrain, the route vague, or unmarked, and the weather inclement, spousal conflicts arise, trivial in retrospect, but for some reason important at the moment.
In spite of their difficulties, you get the feeling that they are having an exciting journey. We learn quite a bit about small town life in Italy. Throughout the book there is a food thread. I think food cravings are a component of all long distance hiking, but they have elevated it to an art. Foods of the area have been researched ahead of time, and as we follow them through Italy, we also learn about the local food specialties to be sought out.
My only criticism is that when they get to Rome, the book just stops, period. I wasn't ready yet. I wanted at least a wrapup, maybe an appendix on resources, and even an index.
If you are a long distance walker, this book is a little dangerous. You are going to have couple of thoughts about Italian Odyssey. One, this does not sound like fun. Two, I think I'll checkout Via Francigena. Maybe it should be on my to do list.
After reading Italian Odyssey you might opt for the opulent tour package. Julie and Neville, after walking the Camino de Santiago, hear rumors about another pilgrimage trail network, the Via Francigena from France over the Alps to Rome. They did their research, picked a start point that was about 1000 km from Rome (in Switzerland) and started out.
You learn as the book progresses that there is no English language documentation for the trail, no guidebooks, maps, etc. Still, there is the internet, so they have done their own research and are well prepared, they think. Julie has some basic Italian and French.
They tell their story in a tandem fashion, an episode told by one, and then the other's account. This works surprisingly well. You soon realize that they sometimes share quite different views of an event.
Things frequently do not go well. To me as a reader, this is quite entertaining, though somewhat painful. I relive their moments, having had the same experiences myself. Travel is rarely stress-free and when walking difficult terrain, the route vague, or unmarked, and the weather inclement, spousal conflicts arise, trivial in retrospect, but for some reason important at the moment.
In spite of their difficulties, you get the feeling that they are having an exciting journey. We learn quite a bit about small town life in Italy. Throughout the book there is a food thread. I think food cravings are a component of all long distance hiking, but they have elevated it to an art. Foods of the area have been researched ahead of time, and as we follow them through Italy, we also learn about the local food specialties to be sought out.
My only criticism is that when they get to Rome, the book just stops, period. I wasn't ready yet. I wanted at least a wrapup, maybe an appendix on resources, and even an index.
If you are a long distance walker, this book is a little dangerous. You are going to have couple of thoughts about Italian Odyssey. One, this does not sound like fun. Two, I think I'll checkout Via Francigena. Maybe it should be on my to do list.
Format:Paperback
When you read the book you have the feeling you are standing next to Julie and Neville listening to their arguments why things went wrong or which way to take. In the beginning you feel their insecurity, the Via Francigena were not the easiest route to follow when these pioneers walked it. You sometime wonder if they will call in the divorce lawyers, but that is in the beginning of the book, so you turn the pages in anticipation of the end of the drama or trouble. However you realise they get better at finding their way, the difficulties are fewer and like they, we start to enjoy our walk, you are there in the thick of it with them.
This is a book that forces you to not just stand at the side and observe them. They invite you to walk next to them and listen to their conversations. The book is not a romantic account of a walk, but more how two persons may perceive the same situation warts and all. In the book I looked forward to their next meal, because it was obvious that they would enjoy it together, so you sit down with them. Tomorrow is another day, so you turn the page in anticipation of another unforeseen adventure or culinary surprise.
This is a book that forces you to not just stand at the side and observe them. They invite you to walk next to them and listen to their conversations. The book is not a romantic account of a walk, but more how two persons may perceive the same situation warts and all. In the book I looked forward to their next meal, because it was obvious that they would enjoy it together, so you sit down with them. Tomorrow is another day, so you turn the page in anticipation of another unforeseen adventure or culinary surprise.
Format:Paperback
I especially enjoy travel books that make you feel like you're right there, seeing and experiencing a place for the first time beside the authors. If you do too, you should read An Italian Odyssey by Neville Tencer and Julie Burk.
The Italy this couple sets off to explore is not the same one seen neatly packaged in a typical guidebook, or displayed in a glossy travel magazine, or in some light romantic film comedy. No, this one is the real thing, up-close and very personal.
To begin with, the couple hikes the Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage path to Rome. You never know what awaits around each bend--hopefully, not an oncoming truck. Having walked this trail myself, I know it's illusive at times. However, you keep reminding yourself the abundance of good food and local wine will more than compensate. Each day the couple struggles to find a bed and warm meal while coping with erratic weather and other natural challenges. Then again, there's the physical and mental test of facing a demanding trail day after day (when your body just wants to stay in bed with the covers firmly pulled over your head).
For a long-distance walker or pilgrim, that's all part of the ongoing adventure. For a storyteller, it's grist for the mill, complete with the unfolding comedy and conflict.
An Italian Odyssey is uniquely personal exploit, told by both travelers in their own voices. Neville simmers an adventurer's ragout of history, geography and practical logistics, while Julie adds a heaping dollop of cuisine, curiosity and culture.
As usual, in our quest to discover the unknown, we learn just as much about ourselves. Since this is far from an easy journey, readers share the humor and wonder, as well as the doubts and raw emotions that erupt between couples where they depend on each other like never before.
For those who seek personal insight into Italy, Italians and the beauty of "slow travel," An Italian Odyssey allows you to walk a kilometer (or 1,000) in their boots. Blisters and all, it's a banquet to be slowly savored and best accompanied by a glass of Chianti and pasta with pesto. Ciao! ~ Brandon Wilson, author of Over the Top & Back Again: Hiking X the Alps
The Italy this couple sets off to explore is not the same one seen neatly packaged in a typical guidebook, or displayed in a glossy travel magazine, or in some light romantic film comedy. No, this one is the real thing, up-close and very personal.
To begin with, the couple hikes the Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage path to Rome. You never know what awaits around each bend--hopefully, not an oncoming truck. Having walked this trail myself, I know it's illusive at times. However, you keep reminding yourself the abundance of good food and local wine will more than compensate. Each day the couple struggles to find a bed and warm meal while coping with erratic weather and other natural challenges. Then again, there's the physical and mental test of facing a demanding trail day after day (when your body just wants to stay in bed with the covers firmly pulled over your head).
For a long-distance walker or pilgrim, that's all part of the ongoing adventure. For a storyteller, it's grist for the mill, complete with the unfolding comedy and conflict.
An Italian Odyssey is uniquely personal exploit, told by both travelers in their own voices. Neville simmers an adventurer's ragout of history, geography and practical logistics, while Julie adds a heaping dollop of cuisine, curiosity and culture.
As usual, in our quest to discover the unknown, we learn just as much about ourselves. Since this is far from an easy journey, readers share the humor and wonder, as well as the doubts and raw emotions that erupt between couples where they depend on each other like never before.
For those who seek personal insight into Italy, Italians and the beauty of "slow travel," An Italian Odyssey allows you to walk a kilometer (or 1,000) in their boots. Blisters and all, it's a banquet to be slowly savored and best accompanied by a glass of Chianti and pasta with pesto. Ciao! ~ Brandon Wilson, author of Over the Top & Back Again: Hiking X the Alps
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