Author: Bill Nesto
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 0520284429
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 356
Book Description
This book tells the story of the ancient land named Chianti and the modern wine appellation known as Chianti Classico. In 1716, TuscanyÕs penultimate Medici ruler, Cosimo III, anointed the region of Chianti, along with three smaller areas in the Florentine State, as the worldÕs first legal appellations of origin for wine. In the succeeding centuries, this milestone was all but forgotten. By the late nineteenth century, the name Chianti, rather than signifying this historic region and its celebrated wine, identified a simple Italian red table wine in a straw-covered flask. Ê In the twenty-first century, Chianti Classico emerged as one of ItalyÕs most dynamic and fashionable wine zones. Chianti Classico relates the fascinating evolution of Chianti as a wine region and reveals its geographic and cultural complexity. Bill Nesto, MW, and Frances Di Savino explore the townships of Chianti Classico and introduce readers to the modern-day winegrowers who are helping to transform the region. The secrets of Sangiovese, the principal vine variety of Chianti, are also revealed as the book unlocks the myths and mysteries of one of ItalyÕs most storied wine regions. The publication of Chianti Classico coincides with the three hundredth anniversary of the Medici decree delimiting the region of Chianti on September 24, 1716.
Chianti Classico
Author: Bill Nesto
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 0520284429
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 356
Book Description
This book tells the story of the ancient land named Chianti and the modern wine appellation known as Chianti Classico. In 1716, TuscanyÕs penultimate Medici ruler, Cosimo III, anointed the region of Chianti, along with three smaller areas in the Florentine State, as the worldÕs first legal appellations of origin for wine. In the succeeding centuries, this milestone was all but forgotten. By the late nineteenth century, the name Chianti, rather than signifying this historic region and its celebrated wine, identified a simple Italian red table wine in a straw-covered flask. Ê In the twenty-first century, Chianti Classico emerged as one of ItalyÕs most dynamic and fashionable wine zones. Chianti Classico relates the fascinating evolution of Chianti as a wine region and reveals its geographic and cultural complexity. Bill Nesto, MW, and Frances Di Savino explore the townships of Chianti Classico and introduce readers to the modern-day winegrowers who are helping to transform the region. The secrets of Sangiovese, the principal vine variety of Chianti, are also revealed as the book unlocks the myths and mysteries of one of ItalyÕs most storied wine regions. The publication of Chianti Classico coincides with the three hundredth anniversary of the Medici decree delimiting the region of Chianti on September 24, 1716.
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 0520284429
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 356
Book Description
This book tells the story of the ancient land named Chianti and the modern wine appellation known as Chianti Classico. In 1716, TuscanyÕs penultimate Medici ruler, Cosimo III, anointed the region of Chianti, along with three smaller areas in the Florentine State, as the worldÕs first legal appellations of origin for wine. In the succeeding centuries, this milestone was all but forgotten. By the late nineteenth century, the name Chianti, rather than signifying this historic region and its celebrated wine, identified a simple Italian red table wine in a straw-covered flask. Ê In the twenty-first century, Chianti Classico emerged as one of ItalyÕs most dynamic and fashionable wine zones. Chianti Classico relates the fascinating evolution of Chianti as a wine region and reveals its geographic and cultural complexity. Bill Nesto, MW, and Frances Di Savino explore the townships of Chianti Classico and introduce readers to the modern-day winegrowers who are helping to transform the region. The secrets of Sangiovese, the principal vine variety of Chianti, are also revealed as the book unlocks the myths and mysteries of one of ItalyÕs most storied wine regions. The publication of Chianti Classico coincides with the three hundredth anniversary of the Medici decree delimiting the region of Chianti on September 24, 1716.
The Hills of Chianti
Author: Piero Antinori
Publisher: Rizzoli Publications
ISBN: 0847844676
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 202
Book Description
The head of Italy’s "first family" of winemaking reflects on the Antinoris’ six-hundred-year legacy and a life of good food and drink in the hills of Tuscany. If you know wine, you know the name Antinori. Since 1385, this noble Florentine family has produced some of Italy’s finest wines. The Hills of Chianti tells the story of the Antinoris and the Tuscany they call home, through seven iconic bottles that define their legacy. From the Tignanello that ushered in the era of Super Tuscans to limited-edition vintages, these wines embody a way of life and will excite oenophile readers and lovers of Italy alike. In this family memoir Piero Antinori reveals the passion, tradition, and love of craft that have driven twenty-seven generations of vintners: from the first ancestor who signed up to the winemakers guild in the fourteenth century to Antinori’s own three daughters, poised to carry this most celebrated family of artisans into the future. But The Hills of Chianti is about much more than wine. At its heart the Antinori story is about "Tuscan-ness": a connection to the land, an appreciation for good food and drink, and the quintessentially Italian love of hospitality that make this one of the world’s most inspiring and memorable destinations.
Publisher: Rizzoli Publications
ISBN: 0847844676
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 202
Book Description
The head of Italy’s "first family" of winemaking reflects on the Antinoris’ six-hundred-year legacy and a life of good food and drink in the hills of Tuscany. If you know wine, you know the name Antinori. Since 1385, this noble Florentine family has produced some of Italy’s finest wines. The Hills of Chianti tells the story of the Antinoris and the Tuscany they call home, through seven iconic bottles that define their legacy. From the Tignanello that ushered in the era of Super Tuscans to limited-edition vintages, these wines embody a way of life and will excite oenophile readers and lovers of Italy alike. In this family memoir Piero Antinori reveals the passion, tradition, and love of craft that have driven twenty-seven generations of vintners: from the first ancestor who signed up to the winemakers guild in the fourteenth century to Antinori’s own three daughters, poised to carry this most celebrated family of artisans into the future. But The Hills of Chianti is about much more than wine. At its heart the Antinori story is about "Tuscan-ness": a connection to the land, an appreciation for good food and drink, and the quintessentially Italian love of hospitality that make this one of the world’s most inspiring and memorable destinations.
Murder in Chianti
Author: Camilla Trinchieri
Publisher: Soho Press
ISBN: 164129180X
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 314
Book Description
Set in the heart of Tuscan wine country, Camilla Trinchieri's new mystery introduces Nico Doyle, a former NYPD homicide detective who's just looking for space to grieve when he finds himself pulled into a local murder investigation. Mourning the loss of his wife, Rita, former NYPD homicide detective Nico Doyle moves to her hometown of Gravigna in the winesoaked region of Chianti. Half Italian and half Irish, Nico finds himself able to get by in the region with the help of Rita’s relatives, but he still feels alone and out of place. He isn’t sure if it’s peace he’s seeking, but it isn’t what he finds. Early one morning, he hears a gunshot and a dog's cries near his new home and walks out to discover a dead body in the woods, flashily dressed in gold tennis shoes. When the police arrive, Nico hastily adopts the fluffy white dog as his own and wants nothing more to do with the murder. But Salvatore Perillo, the local maresciallo, discovers Nico's professional background and enlists him to help with the case. It turns out more than one person in this idyllic corner of Italy knew the victim, and with a very small pool of suspects, including his own in-laws, Nico must dig up Gravigna’s every last painful secret to get to the truth.
Publisher: Soho Press
ISBN: 164129180X
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 314
Book Description
Set in the heart of Tuscan wine country, Camilla Trinchieri's new mystery introduces Nico Doyle, a former NYPD homicide detective who's just looking for space to grieve when he finds himself pulled into a local murder investigation. Mourning the loss of his wife, Rita, former NYPD homicide detective Nico Doyle moves to her hometown of Gravigna in the winesoaked region of Chianti. Half Italian and half Irish, Nico finds himself able to get by in the region with the help of Rita’s relatives, but he still feels alone and out of place. He isn’t sure if it’s peace he’s seeking, but it isn’t what he finds. Early one morning, he hears a gunshot and a dog's cries near his new home and walks out to discover a dead body in the woods, flashily dressed in gold tennis shoes. When the police arrive, Nico hastily adopts the fluffy white dog as his own and wants nothing more to do with the murder. But Salvatore Perillo, the local maresciallo, discovers Nico's professional background and enlists him to help with the case. It turns out more than one person in this idyllic corner of Italy knew the victim, and with a very small pool of suspects, including his own in-laws, Nico must dig up Gravigna’s every last painful secret to get to the truth.
Second Chances in Chianti
Author: T.A. Williams
Publisher: Canelo
ISBN: 1800320833
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 297
Book Description
Alice thought her future was set in stone, until her past came knocking... Alice Butler starred in a successful US sitcom until tensions in the cast and crew caused the show to be cancelled. Now, five years later and working towards her dream job in art history, she’s called back for a revival of the show. It can only end in disaster, surely? Flown to a villa in Chianti to meet with the rest of the cast, Alice must decide where her future lies – with her boyfriend, David, who laps up the Hollywood company, or with the mysterious Matt, who shies away from public attention? A beautiful romance for fans of Lucy Coleman and Trisha Ashley.
Publisher: Canelo
ISBN: 1800320833
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 297
Book Description
Alice thought her future was set in stone, until her past came knocking... Alice Butler starred in a successful US sitcom until tensions in the cast and crew caused the show to be cancelled. Now, five years later and working towards her dream job in art history, she’s called back for a revival of the show. It can only end in disaster, surely? Flown to a villa in Chianti to meet with the rest of the cast, Alice must decide where her future lies – with her boyfriend, David, who laps up the Hollywood company, or with the mysterious Matt, who shies away from public attention? A beautiful romance for fans of Lucy Coleman and Trisha Ashley.
Too Much Tuscan Sun
Author: Dario Castagno
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 0762751614
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 291
Book Description
Over the past several years, "the American in Tuscany" has become a literary subgenre. Launched by the phenomenal success of Frances Mayes's Under the Tuscan Sun, bookstores now burgeon with nimble, witty accounts of this clash in cultures-Americans trying to do American things in Italy and bumping against a brick wall of tradition.Too Much Tuscan Sun is Dario's, a Tuscan guide whose client base is predominantly American, account of some of his more remarkable customers, from the obsessive and the oblivious to the downright lunatic.
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 0762751614
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 291
Book Description
Over the past several years, "the American in Tuscany" has become a literary subgenre. Launched by the phenomenal success of Frances Mayes's Under the Tuscan Sun, bookstores now burgeon with nimble, witty accounts of this clash in cultures-Americans trying to do American things in Italy and bumping against a brick wall of tradition.Too Much Tuscan Sun is Dario's, a Tuscan guide whose client base is predominantly American, account of some of his more remarkable customers, from the obsessive and the oblivious to the downright lunatic.
Chianti Classico
Author: Bill Nesto
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 0520965531
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 356
Book Description
“An important new book on Chianti Classico: Winners of the André Simon 2013 award for their book The World of Sicilian Wine, Nesto and Di Savino have produced the investigative, scholarly and detailed book that Chianti Classico has long deserved. Nesto and Di Savino are brilliant historic investigators. . . . A must-read for anyone seriously interested in wine.”—Walter Speller, JancisRobinson.com This book tells the story of the ancient land named Chianti and the modern wine appellation known as Chianti Classico. In 1716, Tuscany’s penultimate Medici ruler, Cosimo III, anointed the region of Chianti, along with three smaller areas in the Florentine State, as the world’s first legal appellations of origin for wine. In the succeeding centuries, this milestone was all but forgotten. By the late nineteenth century, the name Chianti, rather than signifying this historic region and its celebrated wine, identified a simple Italian red table wine in a straw-covered flask. In the twenty-first century, Chianti Classico emerged as one of Italy’s most dynamic and fashionable wine zones. Chianti Classico relates the fascinating evolution of Chianti as a wine region and reveals its geographic and cultural complexity. Bill Nesto, MW, and Frances Di Savino explore the townships of Chianti Classico and introduce readers to the modern-day winegrowers who are helping to transform the region. The secrets of Sangiovese, the principal vine variety of Chianti, are also revealed as the book unlocks the myths and mysteries of one of Italy’s most storied wine regions. The publication of Chianti Classico coincides with the three hundredth anniversary of the Medici decree delimiting the region of Chianti on September 24, 1716. Winner of the following awards: 2016 André Simon Food & Drink Book Award: Drink Books Category 2017 International Organization of Vines and Wine: Jury Award, Monographs 2017 International World Cookbook Awards: Sustainable, For the Public Category 2017 Gourmand International World Cookbook Awards: Drink Special Awards Category
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 0520965531
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 356
Book Description
“An important new book on Chianti Classico: Winners of the André Simon 2013 award for their book The World of Sicilian Wine, Nesto and Di Savino have produced the investigative, scholarly and detailed book that Chianti Classico has long deserved. Nesto and Di Savino are brilliant historic investigators. . . . A must-read for anyone seriously interested in wine.”—Walter Speller, JancisRobinson.com This book tells the story of the ancient land named Chianti and the modern wine appellation known as Chianti Classico. In 1716, Tuscany’s penultimate Medici ruler, Cosimo III, anointed the region of Chianti, along with three smaller areas in the Florentine State, as the world’s first legal appellations of origin for wine. In the succeeding centuries, this milestone was all but forgotten. By the late nineteenth century, the name Chianti, rather than signifying this historic region and its celebrated wine, identified a simple Italian red table wine in a straw-covered flask. In the twenty-first century, Chianti Classico emerged as one of Italy’s most dynamic and fashionable wine zones. Chianti Classico relates the fascinating evolution of Chianti as a wine region and reveals its geographic and cultural complexity. Bill Nesto, MW, and Frances Di Savino explore the townships of Chianti Classico and introduce readers to the modern-day winegrowers who are helping to transform the region. The secrets of Sangiovese, the principal vine variety of Chianti, are also revealed as the book unlocks the myths and mysteries of one of Italy’s most storied wine regions. The publication of Chianti Classico coincides with the three hundredth anniversary of the Medici decree delimiting the region of Chianti on September 24, 1716. Winner of the following awards: 2016 André Simon Food & Drink Book Award: Drink Books Category 2017 International Organization of Vines and Wine: Jury Award, Monographs 2017 International World Cookbook Awards: Sustainable, For the Public Category 2017 Gourmand International World Cookbook Awards: Drink Special Awards Category
Chianti and the Wines of Tuscany
Author: Rosemary George
Publisher: Sotheby Parke Bernet Publications
ISBN: 9780856673795
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 240
Book Description
Ten years of research by this award winning Master of Wine yields the most comprehensive and delightful reference on this increasingly popular area. The key producers and their production methods for the famous Brunello de Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Carmingnano, Pomino and others are fully detailed. Illustrated in color with scenery and maps. A glossary and how to interpret Tuscan wine labels are helpful.
Publisher: Sotheby Parke Bernet Publications
ISBN: 9780856673795
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 240
Book Description
Ten years of research by this award winning Master of Wine yields the most comprehensive and delightful reference on this increasingly popular area. The key producers and their production methods for the famous Brunello de Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Carmingnano, Pomino and others are fully detailed. Illustrated in color with scenery and maps. A glossary and how to interpret Tuscan wine labels are helpful.
Becoming Chianti Classico
Author: Mike Madaio
Publisher: Life at Table
ISBN:
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 43
Book Description
Delve into the rich, aromatic history of one of Italy's most revered wine regions. Join author Mike Madaio in an exploration of the origins of Chianti Classico DOCG, tracing its journey from Etruscan Tuscany to international acclaim. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, explore the intricate tapestry of tradition, innovation, and rivalry that led to Chianti Classico's distinction from the broader Chianti DOCG. Highlighting the unique history and pivotal historical moments, the book delves into the critical 20th-century period when differing philosophies about quality and production methods culminated in the official separation in the 1990s. Deeply insightful but short enough to read in one or two sittings, this monograph offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of a wine that is more than just a drink—it's a legacy.
Publisher: Life at Table
ISBN:
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 43
Book Description
Delve into the rich, aromatic history of one of Italy's most revered wine regions. Join author Mike Madaio in an exploration of the origins of Chianti Classico DOCG, tracing its journey from Etruscan Tuscany to international acclaim. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, explore the intricate tapestry of tradition, innovation, and rivalry that led to Chianti Classico's distinction from the broader Chianti DOCG. Highlighting the unique history and pivotal historical moments, the book delves into the critical 20th-century period when differing philosophies about quality and production methods culminated in the official separation in the 1990s. Deeply insightful but short enough to read in one or two sittings, this monograph offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of a wine that is more than just a drink—it's a legacy.
Cetamura del Chianti
Author: Nancy Thomson de Grummond
Publisher: University of Texas Press
ISBN: 147731993X
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 176
Book Description
Expanding the study of Etruscan habitation sites to include not only traditional cities but also smaller Etruscan communities, Cetamura del Chianti examines a settlement that flourished during an exceptional time period, amid wars with the Romans in the fourth to first centuries BCE. Situated in an ideal hilltop location that was easy to defend and had access to fresh water, clay, and timber, the community never grew to the size of a city, and no known references to it survive in ancient writings; its ancient name isn’t even known. Because no cities were ever built on top of the site, excavation is unusually unimpeded. Intriguing features described in Cetamura del Chianti include an artisans’ zone with an adjoining sanctuary, which fostered the cult worship of Lur and Leinth, two relatively little known Etruscan deities, and undisturbed wells that reveal the cultural development and natural environment, including the vineyards and oak forests of Chianti, over a period of some six hundred years. Deeply enhancing our understanding of an intriguing economic, political, and cultural environment, this is a compelling portrait of a singular society.
Publisher: University of Texas Press
ISBN: 147731993X
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 176
Book Description
Expanding the study of Etruscan habitation sites to include not only traditional cities but also smaller Etruscan communities, Cetamura del Chianti examines a settlement that flourished during an exceptional time period, amid wars with the Romans in the fourth to first centuries BCE. Situated in an ideal hilltop location that was easy to defend and had access to fresh water, clay, and timber, the community never grew to the size of a city, and no known references to it survive in ancient writings; its ancient name isn’t even known. Because no cities were ever built on top of the site, excavation is unusually unimpeded. Intriguing features described in Cetamura del Chianti include an artisans’ zone with an adjoining sanctuary, which fostered the cult worship of Lur and Leinth, two relatively little known Etruscan deities, and undisturbed wells that reveal the cultural development and natural environment, including the vineyards and oak forests of Chianti, over a period of some six hundred years. Deeply enhancing our understanding of an intriguing economic, political, and cultural environment, this is a compelling portrait of a singular society.
Florence, Chianti, Siena & Surroundings
Author: Emma Jones
Publisher: Hunter Publishing, Inc
ISBN: 9781588437877
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 150
Book Description
Visitors have been drawn to Florence's architectural and artistic treasures for centuries - and for good reason. But, with an historical center of only half a square-mile, it can be hard to see the sights through the crowds. The throng on the Duomo steps, the lines for the Uffizi and the jostling for photos on Piazzale Michelangelo all require a good dose of patience, especially under the blistering summer heat. Fortunately, early evening offers a respite; the quieter streets and softer lighting at that time bring out the colors of the marble-clad cathedral topped by Filippo Brunelleschi's archetypal dome, the sheer immensity of the Palazzo Vecchio and the charm of the medieval Ponte Vecchio, with its shops latched shut for the night. But avoiding the lines when you enter the buildings and museums takes some preparation, especially if you arrive in the busiest and hottest summer months when the only option is to drag yourself out of bed at sunrise to beat the crowds to the 8:15 am openings. Not to be missed: * Piazza del Duomo: Famous address of the Duomo, Campanile and Battistero. * Galleria degli Uffizi: The most select picture gallery in the world and potent symbol of Medici power. * Palazzo Vecchio: Medieval town hall architecture at its most forceful. * Galleria dell'Accademia: Home to Michelangelo's David. * Via dei Tornabuoni: Even if you can't afford to buy, you'll enjoy the window-shopping on this luxury-laden street. * Piazza Repubblica: The 19th century makes its mark. * Museo Nazionale del Bargello: Florence's national sculpture museum. * Giardino di Boboli: Sculpture-packed gardens behind the museum-packed Palazzo Pitti. * The Oltrano: A warren of narrow streets filled with artisan workshops and some great restaurants. * Piazzale Michelangelo: The classic Florentine view. * The churches: Santa Maria Novella, San Lorenzo, Orsanmichele, Santa Croce, Santo Spirito and San Miniato al Monte are just some of the delights on offer. * The markets: Shopping the Florentine way. * Ponte Vecchio: Medieval bridge architecture at its most splendid. * Le Murate: Atmospheric ex-convent and ex-prison now the venue for Firenze Estate events. This guide focuses on Florence and the surrounding region, including San Gimignano, Chianti, Mugello, Upper Valdarno, Val d'Elsa, Fiesole, Pistoia, and Prato - all easily reached in day-trips. This history-rich region offers some of Italy's classic landscapes - pole-straight cypress trees lining dusty farm roads, rolling hills that stretch as far as the eye can see, fields of vibrant sunflowers, medieval villages perched on rocky spurs above crashing surf. Visit them all with this comprehensive guide that helps you explore the very best places. A largely untouched coastline and protected wild areas only add to the appeal of this top vacation destination. Regional chapters take you on an introductory tour, with stops at museums, historic sites and local attractions. Places to stay and eat; transportation to, from and around your destination; practical concerns; tourism contacts - it's all herel Detailed regional and town maps feature walking and driving tours. Then come the adventures - fishing, canoeing, hiking, rafting, llama trips and more. Never galloped along a beach on horseback, trekked up a mountain, explored ancient sites? Also includes extensive lists of recommended outfitters, with all contact details - e-mail, website, phone number and location. Adventure Guides are about living more intensely, waking up to your surroundings and truly experiencing all that you.
Publisher: Hunter Publishing, Inc
ISBN: 9781588437877
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 150
Book Description
Visitors have been drawn to Florence's architectural and artistic treasures for centuries - and for good reason. But, with an historical center of only half a square-mile, it can be hard to see the sights through the crowds. The throng on the Duomo steps, the lines for the Uffizi and the jostling for photos on Piazzale Michelangelo all require a good dose of patience, especially under the blistering summer heat. Fortunately, early evening offers a respite; the quieter streets and softer lighting at that time bring out the colors of the marble-clad cathedral topped by Filippo Brunelleschi's archetypal dome, the sheer immensity of the Palazzo Vecchio and the charm of the medieval Ponte Vecchio, with its shops latched shut for the night. But avoiding the lines when you enter the buildings and museums takes some preparation, especially if you arrive in the busiest and hottest summer months when the only option is to drag yourself out of bed at sunrise to beat the crowds to the 8:15 am openings. Not to be missed: * Piazza del Duomo: Famous address of the Duomo, Campanile and Battistero. * Galleria degli Uffizi: The most select picture gallery in the world and potent symbol of Medici power. * Palazzo Vecchio: Medieval town hall architecture at its most forceful. * Galleria dell'Accademia: Home to Michelangelo's David. * Via dei Tornabuoni: Even if you can't afford to buy, you'll enjoy the window-shopping on this luxury-laden street. * Piazza Repubblica: The 19th century makes its mark. * Museo Nazionale del Bargello: Florence's national sculpture museum. * Giardino di Boboli: Sculpture-packed gardens behind the museum-packed Palazzo Pitti. * The Oltrano: A warren of narrow streets filled with artisan workshops and some great restaurants. * Piazzale Michelangelo: The classic Florentine view. * The churches: Santa Maria Novella, San Lorenzo, Orsanmichele, Santa Croce, Santo Spirito and San Miniato al Monte are just some of the delights on offer. * The markets: Shopping the Florentine way. * Ponte Vecchio: Medieval bridge architecture at its most splendid. * Le Murate: Atmospheric ex-convent and ex-prison now the venue for Firenze Estate events. This guide focuses on Florence and the surrounding region, including San Gimignano, Chianti, Mugello, Upper Valdarno, Val d'Elsa, Fiesole, Pistoia, and Prato - all easily reached in day-trips. This history-rich region offers some of Italy's classic landscapes - pole-straight cypress trees lining dusty farm roads, rolling hills that stretch as far as the eye can see, fields of vibrant sunflowers, medieval villages perched on rocky spurs above crashing surf. Visit them all with this comprehensive guide that helps you explore the very best places. A largely untouched coastline and protected wild areas only add to the appeal of this top vacation destination. Regional chapters take you on an introductory tour, with stops at museums, historic sites and local attractions. Places to stay and eat; transportation to, from and around your destination; practical concerns; tourism contacts - it's all herel Detailed regional and town maps feature walking and driving tours. Then come the adventures - fishing, canoeing, hiking, rafting, llama trips and more. Never galloped along a beach on horseback, trekked up a mountain, explored ancient sites? Also includes extensive lists of recommended outfitters, with all contact details - e-mail, website, phone number and location. Adventure Guides are about living more intensely, waking up to your surroundings and truly experiencing all that you.