For a while we had dreamed of using Danielle's maternity leave to go and live in Italy and we finally got to make it a reality. We chose Reggio Emilia for a variety of reasons:

• It isn't on the usual tourist trail so hopefully the locals wouldn't be jaded of visitors;
• It is a famous food area with Parmigiana Reggiana, Prosciutto and Balsamic vinegar all coming from the surrounding area;
• It has a beautiful historic centre; and
• It is centrally located in northern Italy with good connections to Milan, Bologna, Verona etc.

(Right: The Hendersons at Lake Garda)