I'd pick a story each night relating to what I was doing during my stay in Tuscany and found it the perfect way to fall into a wishful sleep. I read about buying a villa, shopping in the open market, and walking from village to village. I've never used a travel book like this to compliment my trip but found it extremely enjoyable since I was staying at the same villa for a few weeks. If you are thinking about going to Tuscany, this story book can certainly help you get there. The stories are well written as well as being interesting and fun.

This book is the next best thing to being there--beautiful writing about a beautiful place. Anyone who loves good food, good wine, and good writing will not be disappointed by Travelers' Tales Tuscany. It's a wonderful collection of experiences and insights into the region--and a lot cheaper than the plane ticket! If you can't go to Tuscany this summer, at least buy yourself this book.

This book, like all of the Traveler's Tales books, is the product of thoughtful editing. Here are stories of real people in Italy. And each one seeks to show the beauty and complexity of the place. These are not just the stock images here. These are beautiful, sometimes intense stories about a place that, for so many, is out of reach. This book is a journey. Good, Bad, Ugly and perfect, flaws and all. Read it, enjoy and then, go.

50 short essays divided into 4 sections: the first 2 sections, "Essence of Italy" and "Some Things To Do" have the most appealing, simpatico, essays (though be warned that "The Nicholas Effect" in the last chapter is heartrending without trying to be). Several essays prompted me to buy the books they were excerpted from.

This is a delightful volume. Either take it on a trip to Italy to read as you go, or save it up til you come home, read it before planning a trip, or just let yourself go from your armchair or bed (or favourite reading spot).

There is a very brief attempt at some guidebook-style information at the end. i donlt think it is all that useful, and will be long out of date before the travellers' tales are. Still, it is brief enough not to detract. It includes some web addresses and , most usefully, some further reading and full bibliographic details of the excerpts presented.

There are many renowned writers included in this anthology, and of course some I had never encountered before. Some of the better known include Tim Parks ('An Italian Education'), Jonathan Keates ('Italian Journeys'), H.V. Morton ('A Traveller in Italy'), Frances mayes ('Under The Tuscan Sun').