The Lady in the Palazzo: At Home in Umbria
by Marlena de Blasi
from Algonquin Books
With the breathless anticipation that seduced her readers to fall in love with Venice and then Tuscany, Marlena de Blasi now takes us on a new journey as she moves with her husband, Fernando, to Orvieto, a large and ancient city in Italy's Umbria. Having neither an edge to a sea nor a face to a foreign land, it's a region less trampled by travelers and, in turn, less accepting of strangers. So de Blasi sets out to establish her niche in this new place and to win over her new neighbors by doing what she does best, cooking her way into their hearts. (Her recipes are included.)
Rich with history and a vivid sense of place, her memoir is by turns romantic and sensual, joyous and celebratory, as she searches for the right balance in this city on the hill, as well as the right home—which turns out to be the former ballroom of a dilapidated sixteenth-century palazzo.
De Blasi meets and makes friends with an array of colorful, memorable characters, including cooks and counts and shepherds and a lone violinist, and their stories, too, become a part of the tapestry of life that she weaves for herself in Orvieto. With a voice full of wonder, she brings to life these engagingly quirky people and the aloof, almost daunting society that exists in Umbria. Not since Peter Mayle's A Year in Provence has a writer so happily succeeded in capturing the essence of a singular place and in creating a feast for readers of all stripes.
Touching and humorous, Marlena de Blasi’s account of moving with her husband, Fernando, to Orvieto, the largest city in Italy’s Umbria, is a story that will appeal to anyone who delights in travel and shares the fantasy of beginning a new life in a very different place. By turns romantic and sensual, joyous and celebratory, it is a tale of the couple’s search for the right home—which turns out to be the former ballroom of a fifteenth-century palazzo—and for the right balance in their lives, in this case making friends of cooks, counts, shepherds, and a lone violinist. It is a tale, too, of an American woman finding her niche in a society bound by tradition and seemingly closed to outsiders. With a voice full of wonder, de Blasi brings to life these engagingly quirky people and the aloof, almost daunting society that exists in Umbria. Not since Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence has a writer so happily succeeded in capturing the essence of a singular place and creating a feast for readers of all stripes.
Frommer's Tuscany & Umbria's Best-Loved Driving Tours (Best Loved Driving Tours)
by British Automobile Association
from Frommers
Everything You Need to See the Best of Tuscany & Umbria by Car!
Let Frommer's Take You To:
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Medieval walled cities, majestic alpine slopes, and lively festivals
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The Etruscan treasures and hidden hot springs of The Maremma
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David, the Birth of Venus, the Duomo and other stunning masterpieces in art-rich Florence
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The vineyards of the Chianti region and the quaint Western Hill Towns
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Northern Umbria, home to ancient churches and basilicas, valleys of olive groves, and brilliant frescoes
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And much, much more!
Inside You'll Find:
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25 distinctive, easy-to-use itineraries—all fully illustrated with beautiful full-color photos
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Recommendations on the best hotels and restaurants along each route
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Exact directions, distances, and driving times for each route
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All the sights along the way—with highlights for history buffs, nature lovers, and families traveling with kids
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Scenic side trips, special moments, and recommended walks
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Detailed, accurate full-color route-planning maps—plus a helpful atlas section
The Unofficial Guide to Central Italy: Florence, Rome, Tuscany, and Umbria (Unofficial Guides)
by Melanie Mize Renzulli
from Wiley
From the publishers of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World
"A Tourist's Best Friend!"
—Chicago Sun-Times
"Indispensable"
—The New York Times
Five Great Features and Benefits offered ONLY by The Unofficial Guide:
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A complete planner to Florence, Rome, and the highlights of Tuscany, Umbria, Latium, and the Marches
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Honest advice that lets you feel safe and comfortable in the heart of Italy—whether you speak Italian or not
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Insider tips on finding the most charming hotels for the best price
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Hundreds of restaurants reviewed and ranked for quality and value
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A complete guide to the region's cultural and historic sights—with helpful hints for making the most of your time
Michelin Toscana, Umbria, San Marino, Marche, Lazio, Abruzzo (Michelin Maps)
by Michelin Travel Publications
from Michelin Travel Publications
An annually updated road map of Central Italy, covering the main and secondary road networks across the region. Scale: 1/400,000 - 1cm=4km Legend/Key in four languages (Italian, French, English, German)
Lonely Planet Tuscany & Umbria
by Nicola Williams
from Lonely Planet
Discover Tuscany & Umbria
Find heaven on earth in the buone frescoes of Giotto, Cimabue, Pinturicchio and Lorenzetti
Trade those Manolos and museums for barns and bunnies in our special rundown of rural residences
Break bread with celebrity restaurateur Fabio Picchi at members club Teatro del Sale
Trek, sail or ride around shimmering Lake Trasimeno and enjoy that dolce far niente
In This Guide:
Language, cookery, wine-tasting and jewellery courses - you name it, our authors have checked it out
Book in and bed down at the best-value accommodation in the region
Don't just take our word for it; see what travelers are saying at lonelyplanet.com
Fodor's Florence, Tuscany, Umbria, 8th Edition (Fodor's Gold Guides)
by Fodor's
from Fodor's
Hillsides blanketed with vineyards, silver-green olive groves, and enchanting medieval towns are the essence of Tuscany and Umbria. Throw in fantastic food, delicious wine, and the world's greatest Renaissance art, and you've got the makings of a trip to remember forever. Fodor’s Florence, Tuscany & Umbria brings the destination to life, with the abundant photos, in-depth features, and reader feedback that are the hallmark of a new generation of guides.
• Magazine-like "In Focus" features, laced with photos and graphics include topics such as Tuscany's “soul food,” the dos and don’ts of vineyard hopping, and a “Who's Who” of the geniuses behind Florence’s art treasures
• New chapter openings include annotated maps and "Planner Pages" with savvy advice on how travelers can make the most of their time and avoid common pitfalls
• Interviews with interesting locals let readers get to know the people in a way that no other guidebook does
• Additional maps—including a full-color pullout maps—give the lay of the land
• An 8-page color insert
Italian Country Hideaways: Vacationing in Tuscany's and Umbria's Most Unforgettable Private Villas, Castles and Estates
by Kelley Hurst
from Universe Publishing
Umbria (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE)
by DK Publishing
from DK Travel
The region is broken down into Northern and Southern sections, and features such famous towns as Assisi and Orvieto, as well as the region's many wonderful and unspoiled national parks, its culture and history, plus all the usual detailed and practical information needed to visit Umbria.
Karen Brown's Tuscany & Umbria, Revised Edition: Exceptional Places to Stay & Itineraries 2008 (Karen Brown's Tuscany & Umbria. Exceptional Places to Stay & Itineraries)
by Clare Brown
from Karen Brown's Guides
This wonderful guide focuses on Italy's most popular regions, Tuscany and Umbria, and serves as an invaluable companion in planning a vacation. Synonymous with romance and enchantment, this is an incredible part of the world with its architectural treasures, historical cities, medieval hill towns and tapestry of vineyards. This guide marries the personally selected hotels and bed & breakfasts from Karen's two distinctive guides to Italy-each affording its own unique appeal and ambiance.
Frommer's Florence, Tuscany & Umbria (Frommer's Complete)
by John Moretti
from Frommers
Meticulously researched by our expert author, Frommer’s Florence, Tuscany & Umbria is the only guide you need to discover the region’s artistic treasures, Renaissance architecture, rustic villages, vineyards, and fabulous shopping. This authoritative guide will reveal the best wines and hearty regional dining, tell you how to rent your own romantic villa, send you on scenic bike tours, and lead you away from the tourist crowds so you can discover the true flavor and leisurely pace of this sunny corner of Italy. We’ll show you the best of Florence and its treasure trove of art and architecture, then take you through the medieval alleyways of Siena, along the Chianti Road, and to lovely towns like San Gimignano, Lucca, Assisi, Perugia, and more.
Every one of our honest, in-depth hotel reviews is based on a recent personal inspection; every restaurant has been tried personally; and every sight, shop, and stroll was checked out in detail. You’ll get the latest trip-planning advice, valuable cultural insights, wonderful tips for venturing off the beaten path, and detailed, accurate maps. With Frommer’s in hand, it’s a snap to design the Italian adventure that’s right for you.
Meticulously researched by our expert author, Frommer's Tuscany & Umbria is the only guide you need to discover the region's artistic treasures, Renaissance architecture, rustic villages, vineyards, and fabulous shopping. This authoritative guide will reveal the best wines and hearty regional dining, tell you how to rent your own romantic villa, send you on scenic bike tours, and lead you away from the tourist crowds so you can discover the true flavor and leisurely pace of this sunny corner of Italy. We'll show you the best of Florence and its treasure trove of art and architecture, then take you through the medieval alleyways of Siena, along the Chianti Road, and to lovely towns like San Gimignano, Lucca, Assisi, Perugia, and more. Every one of our honest, in-depth hotel reviews is based on a recent personal inspection; every restaurant has been tried personally; and every sight, shop, and stroll was checked out in detail. You'll get the latest trip-planning advice, valuable cultural insights, wonderful tips for venturing off the beaten path, and detailed, accurate maps. With Frommer's in hand, it's a snap to design the Italian adventure that's right for you.
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