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READING AND TRAVEL GUIDE

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Books for

Enrich your travels with reading! Here's a hand-picked list prepared for your journey in conjunction with the book experts at Longitude.

Essential Reading

Item EXITL517. Buy these 3 items as a set for $44 including shipping, 20% off the retail price.
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The Art of the Renaissance

The Art of the Renaissance

by Peter Murray

  • ART & ARCHITECTURE
  • 1992
  • PAPER
  • 286 PAGES

A classic, illustrated survey of the world of the Renaissance and its art. With chapters on Florence and its artists, the Netherlands, early illustrated books and many individual artists. (ITL14, $18.95)

Italian Neighbors

Italian Neighbors

by Tim Parks

  • BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR
  • 2003
  • PAPER
  • 272 PAGES

This sparkling memoir by the British novelist captures the travails and delights of life in the Italian countryside. Montecchio, which Parks so indelibly sketches in this favorite book, is outside Verona. (ITL16, $14.95)

Northern Italy Map

Northern Italy Map

by Touring Club Italiano

  • MAP

This beautifully shaded road map of Northern Italy (1:400,000) shows the region including Trieste, Venice, Bologna Milan and Turin. (ITL38, $14.95)

 
Cinque Terre Map

Cinque Terre Map


by Litographia Artistica Cartographica

  • MAP

A detailed shaded relief walking and road map of the Cinque Terre at a scale of 1:40,000. (ITL159, $12.95)

Italian Lakes Map

Italian Lakes Map


by Litographia Artistica Cartographica

  • MAP

A detailed map of the Italian lakes region, including Orta, Lugano, Como and Maggiore, at the excellent scale of 1:100,000, produced in Italy. (ITL431, $12.95)

Venice Map

Venice Map


by Borch Maps

  • 2008
  • MAP

A colorful, detailed city map of Venice, perfect for finding your way around the famously labyrinthine streets and canals. (ITL26, $8.95)

Cadogan Guide Lombardy & the Italian Lakes

Cadogan Guide Lombardy & the Italian Lakes


by Dana Facaros

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2008
  • PAPER
  • 345 PAGES

Cadogan brings travelers Lombardy and the Italian Lakes in all their glory, from the powerhouse of Milan to the idyllic beauty and tranquility of Lake Garda and the Renaissance cities of the Lombard Plain. (ITL44, $19.95)

Cadogan Italian Riviera & Piemonte

Cadogan Italian Riviera & Piemonte


by Michael Pauls | Dana Facaros

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2008
  • PAPER
  • 332 PAGES

An authoritative guide to Liguria, including Cinque Terre, Portofino, Genoa and lesser-known destinations. Strong on practical information, it's also a good overview of the history, culture and cuisine of the region. (ITL407, $19.95)

Eyewitness Guide Venice & the Veneto

Eyewitness Guide Venice & the Veneto


by Eyewitness Guides

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2012
  • PAPER
  • 312 PAGES
  • COMING IN FEBRUARY

Featuring color photography, dozens of excellent maps and a synopsis of the region's attractions. (ITL200, $20.00)

Fodor's Venice's 25 Best

Fodor's Venice's 25 Best


by Citypack

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2012
  • PAPER
  • 176 PAGES
  • COMING IN MARCH

This shirt-pocket guide includes an excellent map of the city center and essential information. (ITL106, $12.99)

Made in Italy, A Shopper's Guide

Made in Italy, A Shopper's Guide


by Laura Morelli

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2008
  • PAPER
  • 208 PAGES

The second edition of Morelli's expert survey of handcrafted Italian shops and products from Murano glass to ceramics, jewelry and leather. (ITL473, $24.95)

A Ligurian Kitchen, Recipes and Tales from the Italian Riviera

A Ligurian Kitchen, Recipes and Tales from the Italian Riviera


by Laura Giannatempo

  • FOOD
  • 2006
  • HARD COVER
  • 234 PAGES

A charming, personal cookbook with an abundance of authentic Ligurian recipes that can easily be replicated in an American kitchen. (ITL862, $29.95)

Biba's Italy

Biba's Italy


by Biba Caggiano

  • FOOD
  • 2006
  • HARD COVER
  • 320 PAGES

Caggiano focuses on regional, seasonal food in this omnibus cookbook (featuring 100 recipes), menu planner and travel guide to Rome, Florence, Bologna, Milan and Venice. Nicely produced, this handsome sepia-toned book includes recommended restaurants, cafes and markets in each city. (ITL777, $29.95)

Food Wine The Italian Riviera & Genoa

Food Wine The Italian Riviera & Genoa


by David Downie

  • FOOD
  • 2008
  • PAPER
  • 256 PAGES

A renowned food writer's highly selective guide to Liguria's authentic small eateries, culinary traditions, wine, wineries, food artisans and gourmet shops. (ITL956, $24.95)

The Food of Italy

The Food of Italy


by Waverly Root

  • FOOD
  • 1992
  • PAPER
  • 750 PAGES

Evocative of Italy and its diverse cuisine, this classic book, organized geographically, offers a cook's tour of the country. It's a well-informed and wonderful culinary guide. (ITL75, $22.00)

A Traveller's History of Venice

A Traveller's History of Venice


by Peter Menzel

  • HISTORY
  • 2005
  • PAPER
  • 304 PAGES

A lively, brief history of Venice. (ITL625, $14.95)

Italy, A Short History

Italy, A Short History


by Harry Hearder

  • HISTORY
  • 2001
  • PAPER
  • 294 PAGES

Elegantly written, generous and informative, this compact book takes in the sweep of Italian history from the Roman Republic through the Renaissance, World War II and up to the present. (ITL56, $29.00)

La Bella Figura, A Field Guide to the Italian Mind

La Bella Figura, A Field Guide to the Italian Mind


by Beppe Severgnini

  • CULTURAL PORTRAIT
  • 2007
  • PAPER
  • 288 PAGES

Italians themselves love this guide to the Italian character, which addresses the apparently never-ending passion for beauty, disorder and high emotion. Severgnini opens the book with a snapshot of the hubbub at Malpensa Airport, then moves on to Tuscany, Rome, Naples and Sardinia. (ITL718, $14.00)

The Italians

The Italians


by Luigi Barzini

  • CULTURAL PORTRAIT
  • 1996
  • PAPER
  • 352 PAGES

The definitive portrait of the Italian people, this is a classic, scholarly essay on the Italian character. Though first published in 1964, it's still worth reading for its insight, grace and wit. (ITL05, $16.00)

Art and Life in Renaissance Venice

Art and Life in Renaissance Venice


by Patricia Brown

  • ART & ARCHITECTURE
  • 2005
  • PAPER
  • 176 PAGES

This compact volume evokes the spirit of Renaissance Venice with authoritative essays and 120 full-color illustrations. (ITL57, $40.80)

Venice, The Grand Canal

Venice, The Grand Canal


by Daniele Resini

  • ART & ARCHITECTURE
  • 2005
  • HARD COVER

This ingenious book unfolds accordion-style to reveal a 42-foot panorama of the palaces, churches and museums fronting Venice's glorious Grand Canal. The photographer, Daniele Resini, took the photographs over a period of three years to create one perfectly continuous portrait of this architectural wonder. (ITL663, $50.00)

A Traveller in Italy

A Traveller in Italy


by H.V. Morton | Barbara Grizzuti Harrison

  • TRAVEL NARRATIVE
  • 2002
  • PAPER
  • 640 PAGES

The much-beloved, enduring account of Morton's ramblings in the temples, tombs and villas of Tuscany, Lombardy, Emilia and the Veneto. (ITL417, $25.00)

D.H. Lawrence and Italy

D.H. Lawrence and Italy


by D.H. Lawrence

  • TRAVEL NARRATIVE
  • 2008
  • PAPER
  • 495 PAGES

This omnibus Penguin Classics edition includes Lawrence's three travel tales, each very different in tone and all wonderful: Sea and Sardinia is a nostalgic look at traditional ways of life; Twilight in Italy, an evocation of Lawrence's memorable stay on Lake Garda; and Etruscan Places his musings on ancient sites, including the painted tombs of Tarquinia. (ITL62, $18.00)

Extra Virgin, A Young Woman Discovers the Italian Riviera

Extra Virgin, A Young Woman Discovers the Italian Riviera


by Annie Hawes

  • TRAVEL NARRATIVE
  • 2002
  • PAPER
  • 352 PAGES

A memoir of travels and life in Liguria, where the Hawe sisters ventured and stayed. In this refreshingly candid account, the English sisters end up buying a house and learning the local customs and eccentricities of their neighbors in Diano San Pietro. (ITL539, $14.99)

The World of Venice

The World of Venice


by Jan Morris

  • TRAVEL NARRATIVE
  • 1995
  • PAPER
  • 315 PAGES
  • FAVORITE

Morris displays her talent for research, anecdote and well-wrought prose in this spirited history of a beloved city. (ITL12, $18.95)

Back to Bologna

Back to Bologna


by Michael Dibdin

  • MYSTERY
  • 2006
  • PAPER
  • 240 PAGES

Dibdin shows a lighter touch in this installment in the marvelous Aurelio Zen mysteries. (ITL746, $13.95)

Dead Lagoon, An Aurelio Zen Mystery

Dead Lagoon, An Aurelio Zen Mystery


by Michael Dibdin

  • MYSTERY
  • 1995
  • PAPER
  • 297 PAGES

Dibdin -- a master of ambiguous settings, shady dealings and fast-paced prose -- returns to Venice in this sixth book in the thoroughly enjoyable Aurelio Zen series. (ITL577, $14.95)

Death at La Fenice

Death at La Fenice


by Donna Leon

  • MYSTERY
  • 2004
  • PAPER
  • 270 PAGES

The first of the tremendously good Guido Brunetti mysteries, all set in the author's beloved Venice, in which a famous conductor is found dead at the celebrated theater of the title. (ITL555, $13.99)

Italy in Mind

Italy in Mind


by Alice Powers

  • LITERATURE
  • 1997
  • PAPER
  • 349 PAGES

A terrific collection of some of the best literary writing on Italy, including pieces by Melville, Lawrence, Henry James, Mary McCarthy and many others. (ITL39, $17.95)

Medusa, An Aurelio Zen Mystery

Medusa, An Aurelio Zen Mystery


by Michael Dibdin

  • MYSTERY
  • 2005
  • PAPER
  • 272 PAGES

In this ninth book in the thoroughly enjoyable Aurelio Zen series, our worldly detective investigates a mysterious corpse in a long-abandoned military tunnel in the Dolomites. (ITL576, $13.95)

Birds of Europe

Birds of Europe


by Lars Svensson

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 2010
  • PAPER
  • 416 PAGES
  • FAVORITE

Featuring 3,500 glorious paintings by Killian Mullarney and Dan Zetterstrom, the second revised edition of this exquisite guide has been brought up to date with revised text and maps. (FG47, $29.95)

More Recommendations

Here are some other groups of books that might be of interest

Longitude provides recommended reading for travelers in partnership with the leading tour operators and travel programs for hundreds of destinations worldwide. We've got the classic, new and hard-to-find books and maps to help you get the most out of your adventures.