Italy

For every clichÉ, every leaning tower, every Tuscan farmhouse hideaway and every Venetian gondolier, Italy has countless other delights, natural and artistic. This is a country full to the brim with art, music, charming towns, lakes, mountains and beaches. Not even the most jaded traveler will be able to resist the allure of the precipitous Cinque Terre villages, the palms and lemon groves of Lake Garda, Ravenna's glittering Byzantine mosaics, the breathtaking Amalfi Coast or a night at the opera at La Scala. Along with these magnificent sights and experiences, you can also enjoy some of the best tastes and smells in the world, from simple home-cooked pasta to gastronomic epiphanies in some of the finest restaurants you could ever hope to visit. Cadogan's revised and updated Italy is a highly regarded guide and companion for those seeking the secrets of la dolce vita. Inside you will find: in-depth practical travel advice; over 1,000 places to stay; over 1,250 restaurants, bars and cafes; color touring atlas and over 80 black-and-white maps; stunning photography; expert advice on food and drink, with regional specialties and Italian menu reader.Pauls, Michael is the author of 'Italy', published 2004 under ISBN 9781860111136 and ISBN 1860111130.