National Geographic Traveler: Florence and Tuscany, 3rd Edition

Italy expert Tim Jepson takes you on an unforgettable tour around one of the world's most alluring regions. From the Renaissance gem of Florence, to such charming Tuscan villages as Siena, Montepulciano, and Montalcino, to the pastel-hued villages of Cinque Terre, and beyond, you'll fall in love with this area's art, culture, cuisine, history, and beauty. Features include self-guided walks in the heart of Florence and Siena, as well as drives through the wine-famous Chianti countryside and through the glorious Casentino. Experiential sidebars make sure you get to know the intimate side of the place, including learning to make the locally loved pappardelle pasta, helping to cultivate olives for the famed olive oil, and speaking a bit of Italian yourself. A Travelwise section details practicalities, including where to find the most gracious inns, delicious cooking, and tucked-away wineries. † Aimed at active travelers who want authentic, enriching, cultural experiences and expert advice from a trustworthy source,†National Geographic Travelers†provide ways for people to experience a place rather than just visit, and give the true feel of each destination not easily found online.

TIM JEPSON has been a passionate and lifelong devotee of Italy. Since graduating from Oxford, he has spent long periods of time living and traveling in the country, including a year in a remote Umbrian village-where he learned fluent Italian-and five years as a writer and journalist in Rome. Over the years he has written some 15 books on the country, as well as numerous articles for the Daily Telegraph, Vogue, Condé Nast Traveller, and other publications. He wrote the following guides in the National Geographic Traveler series:?Florence & Tuscany, Naples & Southern Italy, Piedmont & Northwest Italy, and Sicily. Now based in London, Jepson continues to visit Italy regularly, and, as a keen hiker and outdoor enthusiast, he takes a particular interest in the country's mountain and wilderness areas. He also revels in Italy's more sedentary pleasures-the food, wine, art, and culture-and hopes one day to indulge them all from a small Venetian apartment of his own.