If you get it right, traveling in Tuscany and Umbria is one of those rare experiences in life – like a perfect spring day or the power of first love – that cannot be overrated. Despite incessant praise, the bellezza (beauty) of this region continues to defy description, for Tuscany and Umbria, it seems really do have it all; extraordinary art and architecture; colorful festivals; a season-driven cuisine emulated the world over; and a never-ending landscape of olive groves, vineyards, and poplars. In few places do art and life intermingle so completely. –Reprinted from Lonely Planet Tuscany and Umbria, Italy

Pages: 444 pages

Dimensions: 7.7 x 4.9 x 0.9 inches

Weight: 11.2 ounces

Maps: The maps in the Lonely Planet books are the best I have found in any guidebooks. There are city maps, regional maps and a country map. You can actually use the street maps to find your way around a city.

Pictures: The Lonely Planet books have some photographs and sketches.

What I like about Lonely Planet Tuscany and Umbria, Italy:

If I could only buy one guidebook, this would be it. I think they provide the best information on how to get to places and what to do when you are there. They also tell you what you should see and do when you are there.
I love the slightly irreverent tone of these books.
The Table of Contents is great. They make it very easy to find whatever it is that you are looking for. They even have the tip boxes listed in the table of contents.
This book has something to say about most of the towns and cities in Tuscany including my favorite Lucca.
There is a good, though short language guide and Italian word glossary.
For each large city (and some smaller towns) there is information on where to find tourist offices (which are excellent places to pick up free maps), foreign consulates, medical services, what to do in an emergency, etc.
Each major city has information on how to get there if you are arriving by air, bus, train, car, etc.
Information on things to buy, entertainment, bars, gambling, where to see the opera, etc. is provided.
Side Boxes contain interesting facts about the region.
Information is provided to suit every budget – inexpensive hotels as well as luxury hotels. They give you their opinions on where you should splurge and spend a few extra dollars and what is not worth the extra money.
Information on how to get to the various sites is provided.
Walking tours of cities such as Florence are provided as well as itineraries for visiting Tuscany and Umbria.
Lonely Planet devotes a chapter to helping you plan outdoor activities.