Italy History Travel

'Not a superficial skim, but something altogether more satisfying.' - Susan Kurosawa, The Australian. Part memoir, part meditation on Italian history and culture, this account of the odyssey of two retired Aussies in the land of la dolce vita is sure to delight anyone with even the remotest interest in Italy and the Italians. Structured as a series of essays, chapters cover such diverse subjects as the Italian obsession with food, Napoleon's encounter with the islanders of Elba, opera and Shakespeare, the art of the Renaissance, why Italian piazzas work so well, and lots more. In 2017, the ...

Italy is more than a destination — it’s a conversation between centuries. A place where time doesn’t pass, it accumulates. Original Masterpiece: The History of Italy Through Its Cities, Its Stories, Its Soul is a sweeping, immersive journey through the living past of Italy — told not through cold dates or dry facts, but through the heartbeat of its cities, the voices of its people, and the beauty etched into its stones. This is a history book for those who want to feel the past. Each chapter travels through a different Italian city and era, inviting readers to walk the narrow alleys...

A concise, star-studded retelling of Italy's past, from Caesar and Augustus to da Vinci and Michelangelo, tracing the story of a country with prodigious global influence—from a foremost author of historic Italy.

It is not an easy job to draw the border between the history of Italy and the history of Rome. In so many places, the two political and geographical entities collide. They wouldn’t be possible without each other, but they each have their own story. Rome’s history is only a small fragment of Italy’s history. Although it is just a city, Rome was the birthplace of the republic, a great empire, and notable philosophers, poets, and artists.

Unlock the Magic of Sicily’s timeless traditions, vibrant festivals, and hidden treasures. This isn’t just a Sicily travel guide; it’s a better way to travel. Completely updated for 2026-2027, this guide ensures you have the latest festival dates, itineraries, and travel tips at your fingertips. Instead of simply visiting monuments, immerse yourself in Sicily’s rhythms, sacred traditions, seasonal festivals, and everyday rituals that define life on Italy’s largest island. With this book, you’ll experience Sicily through moments, not just monuments. With over 150 festivals woven ...

The Venetians' language and way of thinking set them aside from the rest of Italy. They are an island people, linked to the sea and to the tides rather than the land. This latest work from the incomparable Peter Ackroyd, like a magic gondola, transports its listeners to that sensual and surprising city. His account embraces facts and romance, conjuring up the atmosphere of the canals, bridges, and sunlit squares, the churches and the markets, the festivals and the flowers.

From the author of the acclaimed Pulitzer Prize-winning #1 New York Times bestseller All the Light We Cannot See and Cloud Cuckoo Land, a "dazzling" (Azar Nafisi, author of Reading Lolita in Tehran) memoir about art and adventures in Rome. Anthony Doerr has received many awards—from the New...

Rome is filled with churches. It has been the center of the Catholic Church for almost two thousand years. You might know the most famous ones, like Saint Peter's Basilica or St. John Lateran. These churches are amazing — but they are not the only ones. If you are looking for something special to visit on your trip to Rome, pick out a few lesser-known churches. You often find the most amazing and unexpected things inside them. I love showing people these hidden gems, because you can show visitors something they did not expect at all. In this guidebook, I take you to all the amazing ...

John Hooper's marvelously entertaining and perceptive new book is ideal for anyone seeking to understand contemporary Italy and the unique character of the Italians. Looking at the facts that lie behind and often belie the stereotypes, his revealing book sheds new light on many aspects of Italian life: football and Freemasonry, sex, symbolism, and the reason Italian has twelve words for a coat hanger yet none for a hangover.

Two eras. Two loves. One canvas bridging time... Art student Lydia Irvine's year in Florence was supposed to mend her broken heart. Instead, it shatters her reality. Drawn to Titian's 'Venus of Urbino', Lydia slips through time, dreaming of life as Maria, the artist's secret muse. As she discovers a passionate affair that history forgot, Lydia's own love life intertwines with the past. But these are more than dreams, and delving into Titian's story, Lydia uncovers a mystery that spans the generations. As the lines between past and present blur, Lydia is trapped in a life-or-death struggle ...

Byron and Hitler were equally entranced by Rome's most famous monument, the Colosseum. Mid-Victorians admired the hundreds of varieties of flowers in its crannies and occasionally shuddered at its reputation for contagion, danger, and sexual temptation. Today it is the highlight of a tour of Italy for more than three million visitors a year, a concert arena for the likes of Paul McCartney, and a national symbol of opposition to the death penalty. Its ancient history is chock full of romantic but erroneous myths.

Whenever people come to see the Jewish Ghetto in Rome, they are a bit underwhelmed at first. Besides the synagogue and the many kosher restaurants, at first glance there does not seem to be a lot to see. However, the ghetto is a very interesting area with a painful history. Once you know this history and the places associated with it, the area becomes much more alive. The Roman Jewish community was one of the oldest in Europe and one of the last to gain its freedom. The story of the Roman Jews is different from those of other Jewish communities and not well known by the general public. For ...

Italy: The Official Travel Guide is the perfect audiobook to cut out any confusion and give you straight answers as to where you need to go and what you need to do when you are in Italy. You will also learn about what the climate is for each region, what to look out for, the cultural differences, what you should and shouldn’t do when you are there, and much more.

Set off on a remarkable family adventure through Switzerland and Italy with Alpine Dreams and Tuscan Sunsets. This captivating travel narrative chronicles a self-planned journey across two of Europe's most enchanting destinations. This book paints a vivid portrait of breathtaking landscapes, cultural treasures, and unforgettable experiences, from the snow-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps to the sunlit vineyards of Tuscany. Embark on meticulously planned excursions, each offering a unique experience. From the charm of Swiss towns like Lucerne and Interlaken to the artistic grandeur of Rome and...

Brought to you by Penguin. Professor Alice Roberts travels two thousand miles by train in search of a greater understanding of the Roman Empire for Channel 4's popular TV series The Roman Empire by Train with Alice Roberts. This book delivers more depth and context than the TV series possibly...

“My ideal type of armchair travel: immersive, insightful, seductive. In Bella Figura, Kamin Mohammadi takes us to the year in Florence that changed her life, and gives us the tools to bring the grace of the Italian lifestyle to our own lives.” —National Bestselling Author Stephanie Danler...

A very personal, off-beat, prejudiced exploration of the sights, sounds, history, and legends of the Eternal City. A commonplace book is a personal journal which can contain quotable passages, observations, comments, literary excepts, and intellectual souvenirs. This book explores the author's personal vision and views dealing with the City of Rome and Italy.

Journey to the center of Italy! Italy is one of the most magical countries in the world - so what are you waiting for? Passport to European Travel Guides offers this comprehensive, yet quick and concise, top 10 guide to Italy - one of the most romanticized countries in the world!

Explore Italy’s Fashion Capital and Legendary Lakes with Insider Tips, Itineraries, and Must See Attractions Dreaming of Milan and the Italian Lakes? This unique Italy travel guide brings you into the heart of Italy’s fashion capital and the enchanting region of Lombardy. This guide offers something unique: a month by month festival and event calendar, cultural deep dives, and itineraries that go beyond ordinary sightseeing. From Milan’s Duomo, Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, and the Brera Gallery, to La Scala Opera House, Sforza Castle, and the lively Navigli district, this book ...

In the summer of 1849, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Italy's legendary revolutionary, was finally forced to abandon his defense of Rome. He and his men had held the besieged city for four long months, but now it was clear that only surrender would prevent slaughter and destruction at the hands of a huge French army. Against all odds, Garibaldi was determined to turn defeat into moral victory.