I like to think I’m a pretty savvy solo female traveller. While I’ve yet to venture long-haul (jet lag and ADHD don’t mix well!), I’ve traveled across Europe eight times—six of those trips to Italy.

There’s so much to consider when booking accommodation as a solo traveller. Safety is the most obvious factor, but cost is another big one. Many hotels charge single supplements, making solo stays more expensive. If you opt for self-catering, you’re covering the entire cost of an apartment or house on your own.

It was a cold and wet Tuesday in March when I popped into The Byre to see what books Sarah had chosen for her shelves. I ran my eye over the selection of cookbooks and local interest section, and then onto the Fiction shelves.

And a slim, very inconspicuous book caught my eye.

The title read ‘The Diary of a Tuscan Bookshop’.

If someone asked me which region best represents the essence of Italy, my answer would undoubtedly be Tuscany. This enchanting region embodies everything you imagine when you think of Italy...

I’m the kind of girl who likes to live like a local. And that’s what I’ve done on every single trip since.

I’ve hired a car on every one of my Italian adventures except one, when I was staying in Milan for a week, and relied on my tiny size 3 feet and trains to get around.