READERS WRITE

Back in May, I took part in the annual Mille Miglia antique car race in Italy, which runs from Brescia in Lombardy, through Umbria and Tuscany to Rome and back. We travelled on local roads and absorbed the beauty of the countryside, which was a wonderful patchwork of green against swathes of red poppies. The delightful small towns were made up of narrow streets and enchanting stone-walled medieval centres. Everywhere we went, the crowds cheered and waved flags. The cars dated from 1927 to 1957, with models from Alfa Romeo (the winner this year) to Aston Martin, Austin-Healey, Mercedes, Jaguar and an MG. Even if you are not participating in the race, following its route will open up parts of Italy that remain off the beaten track.

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