This indispensable guide, by the author of the acclaimed National Geographic Traveler: Italy, takes you to the best sites in Florence and Tuscany, from the venerable Duomo to golden Chianti vineyards. Filled with useful information and travel tips, it features cut-away illustrations of some of the region's best architecture, an array of detailed maps (including street-by-street city maps) and sumptuous photographs. Broken into chapters by city neighborhoods and regional areas (including Florence, Oltrarno, Siena, and northern and southern Tuscany), it also features an extensive introduction to Italian history and culture. Special in-depth sidebars discuss Machiavelli, the art of the fresco, Tuscan wine, and more; while guided tours include a drive through Chianti's romantic countryside and a walk in San Gimignano. Travelwise details practicalities, including where to find the most gracious inns, delicious cooking, and tucked-away wineries.
