Italy, the birthplace of the Slow movement and the home of Slow Food, is the second destination in our new Slow series.

We have handpicked 46 exceptional places to stay – places where attention is lavished on some of the most important things in life: convivial meals, community, friends and family, a respect for the environment and a celebration of regional distinctiveness.

From the mountainous north, through cypress-dotted Tuscany and on down to the gutsy, colourful south, you’ll discover an unmatched passion for Slow Food and Slow Travel. You will meet farmers, literary people, wine-makers and craftsmen – all with rich stories to tell. Go Slow Italy celebrates fascinating people, fine architecture, history, landscape and real food.

The Author
A pioneer in the environmental world, Alastair Sawday has had a remarkably miscellaneous and varied career, which has taken him to the most far-flung corners of the globe: he headed up a VSO programme in Papua New Guinea, ran a disaster relief team for Oxfam in Turkey, and has run a small travel company, conducting walking tours throughout Europe.

It was this that inspired him to publish his first travel guide, French Bed & Breakfast, after discovering various ‘special’ Bed & Breakfast, and the extraordinary people that run them.

The book can be bought on Amazon.co.uk – Go Slow Italy (Special Places to Stay)