Italy Travel

Italy has created many of the world’s most sublime works of art, literature, and architecture, spawned some of the greatest empires of the ancient and medieval world, and since World War II, has emerged as one of Europe’s wealthiest and more economically vibrant countries. It also designs and produces many of the world’s most exquisite fashions, has evolved one of the world’s finest cuisines and posses a medley of landscapes as beautiful and varied as any in Europe. Few cultures are as beguiling, and few countries are as rich and endlessly fascinating.- Reprinted from National Geographic Italy

Pages: 400

Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches

Weight: 1.4 pounds

Maps: Regional maps, limited number of street maps. Since the book is too heavy to carry with you there is not really a need for street maps

Pictures: Excellent pictures printed on glossy paper

The Via Veneto was made famous in Fellini’s film “La Dolce Vita”.  The Via Veneto came to symbolize the “sweet life” of Rome in the 1950’s and 60’s.  Today it is the long winding street known for its luxury hotels, cafès, restaurants, shops and in some key places wild traffic.

I love the Via Veneto.  Dr. Seuss wrote a book “And to Think I Saw it on Mulberry Street”.  That is the way I feel about the Via Veneto.  Sit in a café on the Via Veneto long enough and you will see enough to fill your travel journal.  Italian business men wander by in their designer suits with their jackets swung casually over their shoulders, elderly men and women stop by and order strange looking drinks (no ice please!), tourists zoom by rushing to the next Roman ruin on their “to do” list, vespas almost hit pedestrians, taxi drivers shout at other drivers and pedestrians and all up and down the street people are talking to each other as if they are about to burst with all they have to say.

Florence, Italy is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. It is known for it's art and architecture. At first glance the city appears dark and gothic but there are a number of green spaces and of course the Arno River. Touring churches, art museums, palazzi and visiting stores both expensive and not so expensive are favorite activities of vistors to Florence.

Pages: 210

Dimensions: 8 x 4.7 x 0.7 inches

Weight: 9.6 ounces

Maps: Detailed street maps of Florence and Siena

Pictures: Good pictures of most major sites