Since the 1970s, I have travelled to Italy. Visually its feast sustains spirit, with music, soul-pleasing food and wine. History is etched in every edifice, romance felt from each vista. Every journey, a distinctive flavour, engulfs my senses. Paintings flow and release each new found aroma.

The charming walks along the Via Molina high above the sun-drenched Amalfi Coast, views of lemon groves to Mediterranean aqua seas. Fish

boats, gaily coloured, dot the waterscape. The miraged coastline dances in rhythm to the rugged zigzagged edges. Tiny beaches and towns grab the bits of level land and all surrender to the terrain. Centuries old footpaths link these towns up dizzying heights. The walking in Amalfi is heart-soaring!

Umbria, in spirited me with the essence of St. Francis. Our tiny stone cottage, part of the Bagnolli family farm, squatted firmly in the heart of a working yard. Their land, worked since St. Francis walked these hills, felt imbued in reverence with nature. Following Zia Lucia and her sheep flock into the hills past family vineyards ripe with wild- flowers, a church bell from a distant abbey keeps track of the hour.   Read Jill's Art Book today....  click here