I'd explored Ireland's wet emerald Isles
I'd travelled to Thailand's famed land of smiles
Then  I was invited to Italy
I flew over Florence and Tuscany

My family used to drive over there
Through the alps when I was a teenager
To admire Roman ruins in Roma,
Venice - gondolas, Verona - op'ra

My daily drink was Asti Spumante
Now the drink which even stay-at-homes know
The marketing dream, bubbly Prosecco
Everyone's heard of rich red Chianti

But the heart of Italy's ancient land
Hilltop castles, blow a kiss with both hands.
Tuscany touts the wicked Medici
Umbria paints Saint Francis of Assisi

To a tiny airport of Perugia
The Etruscan capital of Umbria
I loved the fruit honey from Umbria
Olives, salami, truffles on pasta!

Modern students stay there to study, learn
The musical language of Italy
In winter stroll past ruined Roman walls
In summer Europe's tallest waterfall

I tried local wines from Lungarotti
I sniffed the aroma and munched a biscotti
The head of a winery drove to Rome
He did a day's work then drove back home

Students take drugs, I prefer mountain air,
The fruit honey's so good that I don't want to share
The castle hotel has armour and stone steps, need a clear head
Medieval murals arch over my bed

The long river Tiber will still flow to Rome
After Ryan Air planes have flown tourists home.
My last look from my window is over red tiles
At green fingers of hills, white mist rises for miles

Back in London, what do I miss?
The giant gateway; the small chocolate kiss.