This postwar trip across Europe in the late 1940s captures the wonder of a world slowly coming to terms with peace

In 1947, Europe was convalescing after the second world war and Diana Athill was slowly acclimatising to “the wonderful truth of overness”. Her sojourn in Florence was part of that readjustment. “Everything was enjoyable because I was abroad, I was travelling, as I had lost hope of doing,” she notes.

Written at the request of her mother, her diary begins with a laborious journey: from Victoria on the Golden Arrow train to Folkestone – with suitcase, hatbox and food parcel stowed on board – then a boat to Boulogne, and on again by rail to Paris for the connection to Florence on the Simplon-Orient Express. It took 40 hours, with a short break in Milan to take a bath.

Once in Florence, however, she rejoices in her good fortune, overwhelmed by the treasures in the Medici Chapel and the lush vistas of the Boboli Gardens. Even her pensione room has a glorious view. As she roams the city, Athill records vibrant impressions – the sky filled with a “sudden descent of finches”, frescoes that “glowed like ripe peaches” – each one informed by a sense of wonder that only an outsider can possess.

​As a testimonial to the pleasures of holidaying in an era before cheap flights and Tripadvisor, this slim volume is as well tooled as a Gucci tote.

• A Florence Diary by Diana Athill is published by Granta (£9.99). To order a copy for £8.49 go to bookshop.theguardian.com or call 0330 333 6846. Free UK p&p over £10, online orders only. Phone orders min p&p of £1.99.