Like many others, around the time Elizabeth Gilbert turned 30, she went through an early-onslaught midlife crisis. Although she had everything an educated, ambitious American woman was supposed to want, including a husband, a home, and a successful career as a magazine writer, she was consumed with panic, grief, and confusion. This is an account of her yearlong worldwide pursuit of pleasure, spiritual devotion, guidance, and what she really wanted...

The Roman Forum, the Leaning Tower, the Piazza San Marco: these are the sights synonymous with Italy. But such landmarks only scratch the surface of this magical country's offerings. In See You in the Piazza, Frances Mayes introduces us to the Italy only the locals know, as she and her husband, Ed, eat and drink their way through thirteen regions--from Friuli to Sicily. Along the way, she seeks out the cultural and historic gems not found in traditional...

Italian Hours ends with the phrase, "the luxury of loving Italy," and everything in the book indicates that James enjoyed this luxury to the fullest. But he was by no means a blind lover. His opening essay on Venice, for instance, doesn't gloss over the sad conditions of life for the city's people: "Their habitations are decayed; their taxes heavy; their pockets light; their opportunities few."

William Dean Howells served as a diplomat in Venice, Italy, a result of which is this delightful travel narrative. In Italian Journeys, Italy comes alive—Howells details a grand adventure as he makes his way around the country by land and sea, and visits such fabled cities as Rome, Naples, and Genoa.

"Beloved guide to Italian culture and history Tim Parks traces Garibaldi's famous journey across the Apennines in search of the country's past and present. In the summer of 1849 Giuseppe Garibaldi, the legendary hero of guerrilla wars and future architect of a united Italy, was finally forced to concede defeat to the French in his defense of a revolutionary Roman republic. But determined to turn defeat into moral victory, he set out from Rome with...

The author, having spent several summers working to restore the villa she purchased in Tuscany, shares her ongoing love affair with her home and the country, and discusses her joyous experience of the spring season in Italy.

Complete aerial tour of Italy.

Ian Wright starts his journey in the stunning city of Florence before heading north to the town of Carrara. After some wine tasting in Chianti, he takes the train to the city of Siena, before ending his journey in Pisa, home to the famous leaning tower.

"This is the story of a country steeped in empire. Here is the seat of Caesar, the workshop of da Vinci, and the cathedral of the Pope. Here are the people challenged to commemorate their past while creating their future." -- Cover.

Explores the rich culture of rural Tuscany, taking the viewer face-to-face with traditional artisans still practicing their crafts as shoemakers, mosaic artists, ceramic painters, coppersmiths and many others.