This is a story of two journeys, separated by almost a century, yet both focusing on Italian gardens. The book provides detailed practical information on where the gardens are and how to find them. There are also historical maps and plans included. In 1903, Edith Wharton was commissioned by "Century Magazine" to write a series of articles on Italian villas and gardens. She selected 70, and spent six months visiting them by train, carriage, bicycle and even by motor car. She took her own photographs, made copious notes, and her scholarly approach turned what might have been a series of frivolous articles into material for a book (1904) which has been in print ever since. Nearly 100 years later, Vivian Russell followed in her footsteps. Some gardens had been obliterated by two World Wars, others by tourism or simply by neglect. But many remained, unspoilt and virtually unknown, some from as far back as the Renaissance. But Russell, like Wharton, is interested in people as well as gardens. The book includes extracts by Wharton: there are encounters with gardeners, architects and designers. Edith Wharton is the author of "The House of Mirth", "Ethan Frome", "The Buccaneers" and "The Ag