Between trips to Florence I read guidebooks, dream and plan. I found one yesterday I hadn't seen before that I think is special and thought some people here might be interested. It is published by the Herald Tribune International, and called Florence For the Expert Traveller. Comes wrapped in cellophane, and that plus the title made me cautious, but I shelled out $24. and figured I'd talk them into taking it back if the book didn't measure up.
I think it's great! It covers all the usual sites and does a fairly good job of that. But then it divides Florence into 4 sectors, and in each proposes walks or destinations that take in things that I haven't seen or often heard of, with a few pictures, maps, hours of operation,and recommendations about food, crafts, etc. Many old favorites are mentioned, but also a number of places new to me that sound simple and accessible.
A few quibbles -- the maps are decorative and that makes them unclear, and the photos are too highly colored.
All in all a dandy book that makes me wish I were staying in Florence this year instead of just passing through for a couple of days.
Posts: 461 | Location: Philadelphia, PA | Registered: 11 November 2003
I really like the white guide books which here in Italy are published by Mondadori, before they were Pegeut Guides and I have seen them a bit everywhere. I think they are simple and they focus on major things but also on minor sites.
I travelled in Ireland relying on one of these guides and I saw great things escaping the tourists crowds.
quote:Originally posted by gedlin: Between trips to Florence I read guidebooks, dream and plan. I found one yesterday I hadn't seen before that I think is special and thought some people here might be interested. It is published by the Herald Tribune International, and called Florence For the Expert Traveller.
I also enjoy reading guidebooks, and am always on the lookout for new, quality books. It sounds as if you've found one! Thanks for sharing the details, gedlin; I'll look for it.
I mentioned this book before on another thread, but I can't say enough good things about "The City of Florence" by RWB Lewis. It's not a guidebook, but a delicious and unpretentious mixture of the history of Florence and the author's experiences of living there on various sabbaticals over a long period of years. His experience in Florence begins with his having been there in the military during WWII. Lewis just recently died -- he was a professor of American (I think) literature at Yale; I say this because I was itching to write him a fan letter. I think this book is on Pauline's list.
Gedlin, Marian...Florence Explored by Rupert Scott is another good one. It takes you on five or six walking tours through the city, with stops off at some of the major museums, such as the Bargello and Pitti Palatina. Because it weaves in so much history, these tours, even the ones of the museums, are still timely. The book is out of print and might be hard to find, but it's worth the hunt. It would be a great resource even for seasoned travelers to Florence, I think.
Posts: 204 | Location: Connecticut, USA | Registered: 02 March 2003
Marian, I'll second you on the Lewis book. It is my absolute favorite must read and re-read account of life in Florence. On my last Florence trip I spent a good bit of time searching out shops and things he mentioned,especially in Santa Croce, which I hadn't much explored before. -gedlin
Posts: 461 | Location: Philadelphia, PA | Registered: 11 November 2003
I am a big fan on the Companion Guide series, and I wasn't disappointed in Eve Boorstock's Companion Guide to Florence. Sort of oddly put together, and rather essayish in parts, but jam-packed with useful information, historical and artistic. And I have the new revision of Masson's CG to Rome in my hot little hands, and I am reading up in it for my September trip. Boy, is there a lot I missed last year! Yrs, Robert
Do you know the Thomas Cook book about driving itineraries in Tuscany? It is really nice. I have copy in my house for my guests. There are really nice itinearies.
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