Tuscany, Umbria & the Marches

Vacationers have traveled to Tuscany and Umbria for centuries, and visitor figures continue to rise. In this newly revised edition of a Cadogan classic, Italy experts Facaros and Pauls uncover Tuscany's lavish natural beauty and some of the most enchanting landscapes in Europe. The three regions' combination of sheer beauty, wealth, and dastardly doings fired some of the greatest art and literature in the West, by the likes of Dante, Leonardo, Botticelli, and a hundred more. The guide discovers Tuscany, delving into the dense concentration of art that spills out of Florence into Pisa, Lucca, and Arezzo; absorbing the energy of Siena's frenzied Palio; and taking in the sumptuous vineyards of Chianti. It explores the medieval hill towns of green Umbria--historic Perugia over the Tiber Valley, the newly restored monuments and architecture of Assisi, and the famous cathedral of Orvieto. Finally, the unspoiled landscape of the civilized Marches is covered. The region is fast gaining popularity as an alternative to Tuscany and Umbria; unlike other guides, Cadogan explores its bustling, sparkly seaside resort of Rimini. Cadogan not only brings this well-known and popular part of Italy to life, but also puts a new slant on the Leaning Tower and digs up some surprising secret gardens along the way.