Can a couple successfully recreate the idyllic life they once envisioned in the Italian countryside decades after their initial encounter? Eric Newby, a renowned travel writer, documents his return to the Italian hills with his wife, Wanda, two decades after their wartime experiences. The narrative serves as a reflective examination of cultural adaptation, the passage of time, and the enduring allure of the Italian landscape as seen through the lens of a seasoned observer.

The work is regarded as a companion piece to Newby's earlier wartime memoirs, offering a lighter, more observational tone that appeals to readers interested in travel literature and cultural history. Its focus on the domestic realities of expatriate life provides a grounded, accessible perspective on the Italian experience during the mid-twentieth century.