Another odyssey

A week on the Riviera of Ulysses, Lazio, Italy. Photo story

Highlights

• An unusual view of the “Odyssey”
• 7 local heroes
• 7 locations on the Riviera of Ulysses
• 120+ photos
• Winter not touristy season

Overview

“Another odyssey” is an unusual book based on Homer’s famous poem. Unlike many others, its authors do not explore the myth itself or retell it in simple language, but create its alternative or rather, a real version. The setting is the Riviera of Ulysses regional nature park in Lazio, Italy, where, as is commonly believed, the cunning traveler spent a year with the sorceress Circe.

The characters in these photo stories are not mythical, but real heroes of this legendary territory: a boatman, an archaeologist, a chef, an olive grower, a tourism organizer and two environmental guides. Through meeting them, you will learn how they live in these places today. To do this, you will have to turn off the beaten track along the coast and go out to sea, head inland and climb high mountains. In the winter off-season, the locals are in no hurry: they talk about themselves, answering the authors’ questions in detailed interviews, and show the peculiarities of their lives in a series of more than 120 photographs.

This book will appeal to all fans of Italy and Greece who love to explore the world through meeting people, not just landscapes.

There’s that inner drive in all of us, curiosity and the desire to visit a place not as a tourist but as a traveler.

— Manuela Capotosto and Massimo Amoroso, guides, Formia

Autors

Hiking Gemelli Lakes and Aviasco Pass, 2,289 m (Laghi Gemelli and Passo di Aviasco) in the Bergamo Alps in October 2021. Ivan Kuznetsov

Ivan Kuznetsov — outdoor journalist, editor and writer, and a co-founder of the Panoramica creative studio.

He began traveling from birth: when he was six months old, his parents moved from St. Petersburg to Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, where he grew up and lived until he was 22. From there, he took his first independent trip to the United States. Since 2011, he has been traveling the world slowly and continuously, visiting more than 25 countries in Europe, Asia and North America. He moved to Italy in 2020: he lives in the Bergamo Alps for most of the year and spends every winter on the Riviera of Ulysses with Irina. They explore it through journalism and solo mountain hikes.

In total, he has made more than 200 interviews with famous and local personalities on travel, outdoor activities, nature, creativity, communities, and other related topics for leading local and international media and blogs.

Irina Kudres — outdoor photographer, photojournalist, and visual storyteller, and a co-founder of the creative studio Panoramica.

Her travels, including to various European seas, began in early childhood. Together with her mother, she traveled once a year by car or train in Italy, Spain, Croatia, Greece, Bulgaria and other countries. Usually in the summer or early fall. Of all the places they visited, the Riviera of Ulysses was their favorite: it was the only place they returned to several times. They stayed at the same family hotel between Terracina and Sperlonga. After moving to Italy with Ivan in 2020, Irina remembered this place when they were looking for somewhere to spend the winters. In total, they spent more than a year here.

This is her first photo story book. Previously, she published a women’s wedding magazine at her own company and helped others with their publishing projects for 10 years of her professional career.

All options

Contents

Authors
Map
Overview
Introduction
1. Vincenzo Aprea, boatman, Ponza
2. Lorenzo Ceruleo, archeologist, San Felice Circeo
3. Michele Ruggieri, chef, Terracina
4. Cosmo di Russo, olive producer, Itri-Gaeta
5. Leone Armando La Rocca, organizer, Sperlonga
6. Manuela Capotosto and Massimo Amoroso, guides, Formia
Interview about “Odyssey”
Keywords
Sources
Acknowledgements
Catalog

Vincenzo Aprea, boatman, Ponzesi Boatmen’s Cooperative (Cooperativa Barcaioli Ponzesi), Ponza. Irina Kudres

I’m already a bit like a fish out of water here, but the sea helps me.

Lorenzo Ceruleo, archeologist, Marcello Zei Foundation (Fondazione Marcello Zei) Pro Loco San Felice Circeo tourism office, Circeo National Park (Parco Nazionale del Circeo), San Felice Circeo. Irina Kudres

I would describe my level of isolation as above average: 7.5 on a scale of 1 to 10.

Michele Ruggieri, chief, The Locanda Ruggieri Restaurant (Il Ristorante Locanda Ruggieri), Terracina. Irina Kudres

There’s always stress at work. However, without it I don’t know how I would manage to live.

Cosmo di Russo, olive grower, Cosmo Di Russo Farm (Azienda Agricola Cosmo Di Russo), Riviera of Ulysses Regional Nature Park (Parco Regionale Riviera di Ulisse), Itri-Gaeta. Irina Kudres

When I go to the olive grove, I get distracted from my other tasks. It’s almost relaxing.

Leone Armando La Rocca, organizer, Sperlonga Tourism (Sperlonga Turismo), Tropical restaurant (Ristorante Pizzeria Tropical), Sperlonga. Irina Kudres

I would like my town to remain as it is. Otherwise, it would become another place.

Manuela Capotosto and Massimo Amoroso, environmental guides, Trek Med association (Trekking Mediterraneo), Aurunci Regional Nature Park (Parco Naturale Regionale dei Monti Aurunci), Formia. Irina Kudres

The social aspect is very important thing about this job. It is another role we play.

All data

Title: Another odyssey. A week on the Riviera of Ulysses, Lazio Italy. Photo story
Autors: Ivan Kuznetsov, Irina Kudres
Publishing: Panoramica
Date of first publication: winter 2026
Language: English
Photographs: Irina Kudres
Ebook: Kindle and epub with 120+ color photos
Paperbook: hardcover (7 x 10 inches (17 x 25 cm)) and paperback (5.5 x 8.5 inches (139 x 215 cm)) with 120+ color photos
Print run: print-on-demand
Foreign rights: available for purchase for all languages, countries, and formats

This book will also be available in Italian and Russian.

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