Corporate head Vikram Raizada’s latest discovery regarding mode of travel is the freedom of hiring a car and driving on his own and exploring new locations.

Vikram and his new bride Nisha tried this last year in Spain where they picked up their convertible in Seville and toured all of Andalusia. Recently, he took another ‘driving holiday’ recently where the couple selected Italy.

"We arrived into Rome, spent a few days exploringit (partly on a red Vespa!), gorging in some old trattorias (Italian-style eating establishments) and also modern restaurants. We also dined at the 100-year-old Pommidoro and ordered Tiramisu across the length of our drive to establish if there really was a standard Tiramisu,” says Vikram of his foodie quest.

By the Amalfi Coast
The couple hired a Lancia in Rome and drove some 1,400 km across the length of Italy. First they headed towards the Amalfi coast where they stayed for a week. And they spent lazy days in Positano, Amalfi, Sorrento and beyond to Revello and Ischia. "The Amalfi region is celebrated for its scintillating natural beauty and sophisticated romance. We chose to stay at Sorrento as we wanted to enjoy both the sea and mountain views, we had Mount Vesuvius on one side and Capri on the other from our balcony,” says an elated Vikram.

Toward Tuscany
Later on, Vikram and Nisha drove north to Tuscany where they had planned their next week of stay. "This was completely different to the Amalfi coast,” says Vikram adding, "We stayed on a large olive farm in Volterra. Our room was in a charming stone cottage from where we could see rolling hills of olive trees as far as our eyes could stretch. Our dinners were at the farmhouse chapel with three-course local meals which we finished off with local wines and grappas.

Muse of Milan
For their final drive to Milan, the couple opted to take the scenic route through Bologna and the Parma region, instead of the Autostrada. "Milan felt very industrial and busy, especially after the idyllic week in Tuscany. As always, the fashion on Via Montenapoleone did a lot to revive our holiday spirits,” adds Vikram.

Luckily, Vikram and Nisha’s three weeks in Italy were so magical that even a pick-pocket theft could not mar their honeymoon and they say that they will soon go back to continue their romance with Italy.

On a parting note, Vikram says, "Yes, for the record, there is no single-most mouth-watering Tiramisu here, it varies from trattoria to trattoria and from region to region!” Point noted, Vikram.