Picturesque Italy

Reprint of the original, first published in 1875.

Every year, Italy swells with millions of tourists who infuse the economy with billions of dollars and almost outnumber Italians themselves. In fact, Italy has been a model tourist destination for longer than it has been a modern state.The Beautiful Country explores the enduring popularity of “destination Italy,” and its role in the development of the global mass tourism industry. Stephanie Malia Hom tracks the evolution of this particular touristic imaginary through texts, practices, and spaces, beginning with the guidebooks that frame Italy as an idealized land of leisure and finishing with destination Italy's replication around the world. Today, more tourists encounter Italy through places like Las Vegas's The Venetian Hotel and Casino or Dubai's Mercato shopping mall than experience the country in Italy itself. Using an interdisciplinary methodology that includes archival research, ethnographic fieldwork, literary criticism, and spatial analysis,The Beautiful Country reveals destination Italy's paramount role in the creation of modern mass tourism.

The publishers of China the Beautiful Cookbook present the enormous diversity of Italy's regional cultures and cuisines in this unique collection of authentic recipes. 250 color photographs plus maps.

This book features 101 towns that represent the twenty diverse regions of Italy and their varied landscapes.

The Rough Guide to the Italian Lakes is the most authoritative guide to this exquisitely beautiful region. Clear maps and detailed coverage of every site and attraction, from dramatic Lake Garda and dreamy Lake Como to scenic journeys and unforgettable hideaways on charming Lake Maggiore and lesser-known lakes such as Orta, Iseo and Lugano. Discover the majestic beauty of Verona, with its unforgettable open-air opera productions, as well as the best shopping in Milan and the finest art in Bergamo and Mantua (Mantova). Knowledgeable accounts of all the major tourist sites and the hidden gems that characterise the Italian Lakes bring the area's Baroque gardens and Renaissance palaces to life. Rely on countless recommendations of the best restaurants, bars, cafés, shops and hotels in the Italian Lakes for every budget and to suit every taste. Follow epic walks and cycle ways, explore lakeside villas, visit medieval villages - all with expert background on everything from local wines to a handy Italian-language menu reader. Relax, draw breath and lose yourself in the beauty of the Italian Lakes, with sharp, intelligent writing from knowledgeable and experienced authors, whether you're planning a day trip or a leisurely holiday. Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to the Italian Lakes.