Tuscany and Umbria by Lonely Planet book review

Title:

Tuscany and Umbria - 5th edition
(Lonely Planet, 2008) ISBN 978-1741043136

Theme:

Lonely Planet's guidebook to Tuscany & Umbria begins with an introduction to the main tourist attractions: Michelangelo's David, the Duomo in Florence, Gucci fashions, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the two-wheeled Vespa, Chianti wine and the town where St. Francis of Assisi was born. Readers find tips on when to go, costs, Internet resources, accommodations, food and much more.

Sample Items:

The Northern Umbria section lists the top five places to drive to in Umbria: Castelluccio, La Scarzuola, Lake Trasimeno, Monte Castello di Vibio and the wine region. A sidebar describes romantic hotels in Umbria for honeymoons: Fattoria Il Poggio, Il Torrione, Relais Alla Corte del Sole, Relais Borgo Brufa and Villa Zuccari.

The guide suggests itineraries of various durations and styles. Classic routes include a 10-day round-trip from Florence, five days Monteriggioni to Perugia and four days in Umbria (Perugia to Orvieto). Tailored Trips feature World Heritage Sites (Florence to Assisi) and Fine Wine (Florence in Tuscany to Toriano in Umbria). The wine route follows the Strada dei Vini Chianti Rufina and includes Brunello wines in a fortress near Montalcino.

A sidebar describes Italian coffees like caffè corretto (espresso with grappa), caffè granita (sweet coffee with whipped cream) and macchiato (espresso with a bit of cold milk).

Notable Elements:

Tuscany is known for its Etruscan tombs. A sidebar describes the Tomb of the Infernal Chariot, excavated in 2003. A fabulous fresco surrounds the sarcophagus inside the intact 4th-century BC tomb. From the tomb, there are impressive panoramic views of the Val di Chiana, near Sarteano.

A sidebar organizes Florence highlights like the Uffizi with its great Renaissance art collection, the Duomo, baptistry and campanile, Michelangelo's David, side trips to Fiesole, an estate near San Miniato, to learn about truffles and Chianina cattle and to Il Chianti for a wine tasting tour.

The Food & Drink section lists nine top schools for wine and Italian cooking courses, with driving directions and websites. Some useful Italian translations include birra (beer), bacio (cherry) and Avete un menu (scritto) in inglese? (Do you have a menu in English?).

Tone / Style:

Each regional chapter of Lonely Planet's Tuscany & Umbria helps readers organize tours. For example, the Northwestern Tuscany chapter provides the population of Pisa (87,700), information on Internet access (Internet Planet with hours, locations and costs), sightseeing details (e.g., the Leaning Tower allows 40 visitors at a time on guided tours) and festivals (e.g., Luminaria in June).

Restaurants and hotels listings include phone numbers, website addresses and food specialties (e.g., Tuscan antipasto at Antica Trattoria il Campano). The guide suggests detours, such as the diversion from Carrara to Fivizzano to tour the Castello di Malaspina, a family castle.

Visuals:

Small color images illustrate the Italian Icons, Natural Wonders, La Cucina Caldesi, Contemporary Art, Frescoes and Agriturismi sections of Tuscany and Umbria.

Besides regional maps, detailed city maps identify where to find post and telephone offices, police stations, tourist offices, cathedrals, palaces and museums (Sights and Activities), hotels and auberges (Sleeping), restaurants (Eating), cafés (Drinking), Entertainment, Shopping and bus stations (Transport).

Authors:

Nicola Williams, Alex Leviton, Alison Bing, Leif Pettersen, Miles Roddis

More things to see and do in Italy:

Italy (Lonely Planet)

Rome City Guide (Lonely Planet)

Puglia and Basilicata (Lonely Planet)

Tasting Tuscany

Tuscany Spas near Pisa, Siena, Pistoia, Lucca and Italy's Tuscan Coast

White Truffles - Buried Gourmet Treasure in Piedmont Italy

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