In May 1999, four friends - two restaurateurs, a chef and a photographer - set out on a three-week holiday in southern Italy. Gail and Kevin Donovan, owners of Melbourne's popular Donovans, wanted to find visual and culinary inspiration for their constantly evolving bayside restaurant. Renowned photographer Simon Griffiths had been to Italy before and desperately wanted to go back. Donovans chef Robert Castellani looked forward to extending his knowledge of Italian food and of his Italian heritage.

This beautiful book is their account of the journey. Travelling from Rome south to Sicily, Gail kept a diary of their adventures while Simon took photographs wherever they went, Kevin recorded the wines they sampled and Robert made notes on the meals they ate. The result is a lavishly illustrated, inspirational journal full of travel information, personal stories, ideas for design and decor and, of course, food - simple, delicious recipes which capture the flavours and colours of southern Italy.