Tuscany Umbria & the Marches

Across Italy's shapely midriff, Tuscany, Umbria and the Marches together make up the springtime land of the Renaissance. This period lingers on, both in the art that fills the palazzi and churches, and in the gentle landscapes that have scarcely changed since Perugino and Ghirlandaio painted them. Old rivals Florence, Siena, Perugia, Orvieto and the other former city states have settled down and perfected themselves as art cities, to the extent that even the cake shops have frescoed ceilings. Whether you want to meander down the wine roads of Chianti, follow the footsteps of St Francis of Assisi, find a secret garden or steep your imagination in Medici decadence, Cadogan's classic, witty and thoroughly updated guide will show you the way. This guide contains: practical travel advice; over 600 hand-picked places to stay; more than 600 restaurants, bars & cafes; 53 maps & plans; color touring map section; stunning color photography; detailed itineraries for the discerning nature-lover, art enthusiast & wine-taster.Facaros, Dana is the author of 'Tuscany Umbria & the Marches', published 2003 under ISBN 9781860111006 and ISBN 1860111009.