The book is a non-fictional travel account of Lina Eckenstein through the Casentino valley in Italy in 1902. The Casentino is the name given to the upper valley of the Arno, where the river, rising in numerous streams on the slopes of the Falterona, flows southwards for about forty miles before it swings round in its course and runs north-westwards in the direction of Florence. The book captures the breathtaking scenery and sites in vivid description.