"An Italian Odyssey" hits Top 100 Best Selling Travel Book on Amazon.ca

VICTORIA, BC, CANADA, October 15, 2010 (Press-News.org) Canadian authors Julie Burk and Neville Tencer share their story in their new book "An Italian Odyssey: One Couple's Culinary and Cultural Pilgrimage" about their great adventure — walking 1,000 km on the Via Francigena, an ancient, elusive pilgrim trail through the heart of Italy.

In the book "An Italian Odyssey," 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. However, 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 flavours and juices ooze out, do they realize and discover the true meaning of their journey.   In the end, the Italian Odyssey is a classic bittersweet tale of the couple's experience of walking and eating through Italy — a unique culinary and walking pilgrimage. 

Some early praise

James Martin of "wanderingitaly.com" calls "An Italian Odyssey" a bittersweet journey...What you have here is the grubby truth about pilgrimage, the yin and yang of it, the supreme lows interspersed with moments of enlightenment. That's what makes the book compelling.

Buy yourself a copy of "An Italian Odyssey." It will introduce you to many places way off the beaten track that are all the more compelling because the locals remain pure to their own way of doing things.

Brandon Wilson, author of "Over the Top & Back Again: Hiking X the Alps" says "An Italian Odyssey" is uniquely personal exploit, told by both travelers in their own voices.

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.

Blisters and all, it is a banquet to be slowly savored and best accompanied by a glass of Chianti and pasta with pesto.


For more information about "An Italian Odyssey: One Couple's Culinary and Cultural Pilgrimage" please visit Verdera Media at http://www.verderamedia.com.

Verdera Media is a multimedia publishing company based in BC Canada. Its vision is to produce print on demand and electronic publications on culinary and cultural adventure travel.