This book had its origins in a sketchbook compiled over a period of 12 months by an English architect who had won a scholarship to the British School in Rome. Throughout her year in Italy, Caroline Maudit made expeditions into the countryside, visiting the buildings of the High Renaissance; exploring the architecture of Rome and later travelling to Tuscany, Umbria and the Palladian world of the Veneto. All over Italy she managed to persuade people to let her see many places not normally open to the public.