Travel has always been a part of my life. I was fortunate to be taken on European holidays during my childhood, which sparked my desire to explore the world further in adulthood.
I've travelled across Australia and lived in Italy, Greece, France, and Andorra. Spending time in these locations showed me how beautiful the natural world can be and opened my eyes to everything that travel can teach you. The experiences that I had and the people that I met during my time abroad were all unforgettable and have left me eager to discover more places.
Out of all the countries that I have lived, Italy is closest to my heart as my favourite memories have been formed here. Whether that be eating gelato in piazzas with my family as a child, or sailing off the coast of Calabria as an adult. I am grateful that I get to specialise in a country that I love, and I am excited to pass this love of Italy onto others who wish to visit.
![Audley Travel Specialist Isobel](https://media.audleytravel.com/-/media/images/home/specialists/europe/isobel-h/isobel_rome_portrait.jpg?q=79&w=80&h=111)
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Q&A with Isobel
![Pizza oven](https://cdn.audleytravel.com/350/249/79/7993417-pizza-oven.jpg)
What’s the best local dish you’ve tasted?
It’s hard to narrow down the best local dish that I’ve ever tasted as Italy is home to the greatest food in the world. I’ve been able to sample lots of it. If I had to say one then it has to be Napoli’s wallet pizza, which is simply pizza that is folded in half with the purpose for being eaten on the go. You won’t find better pizza in the world due to Napoli being pizza’s birthplace and that the ingredients used are of the highest quality. There’s no better feeling than going to a street food vendor and paying next to nothing for one of the best dishes that you will ever eat.
![San Gimignano skyline, Tuscany](https://cdn.audleytravel.com/350/250/79/1021347-san-gimignano-skyline-tuscany.jpg)
What’s your most vivid travel moment?
When I was little, I was on a family holiday in Tuscany where we accidently stumbled across the most beautiful wedding. It was time for our gelato stop and I chose mint choc chip as I always did. Once we had our gelato, we took it over to the Piazza del Duomo and sat on a bench overlooking the cathedral of San Gimignano. Moments later church bells started ringing and a wedding party appeared, closely followed by the bride and groom. I was mesmerised by the beauty of the newlyweds and the surrounding scenery. The image of confetti being thrown over them and the joy of that moment will never leave me.
![Bergamo Cathedral, Bergamo](https://cdn.audleytravel.com/350/249/79/7999812-bergamo-cathedral-bergamo.jpg)
Your best piece of travel advice?
In most places in Italy there’s a church on every corner which are all worth stepping inside and seeing. My top tip would be whenever you go sightseeing pack a light scarf in a small bag. This means that if you find yourself near a church and you want to step inside, then all you need to do is pop the scarf over your shoulders and you will be allowed to enter the church. Also, if it’s a hot day then you don’t have to worry about overheating in clothes that are too heavy for the temperature as a scarf is nice and airy.