The Most Beautiful Villages of Tuscany
by James Bentley, Hugh Palmer (Photographer)
With the recent popularity of such notable books as Frances Mayes’ Under the Tuscan Sun and Elizabeth Romer’s The Tuscan Year: Life and Food in an Italian Valley, a legion of new Italia fans are finding out what many already know: the charm of Tuscany cannot be denied. In The Most Beautiful Villages of Tuscany, author James Bentley and photographer Hugh Palmer offer a decidedly unique view of this remarkable region. Focusing on 36 villages and towns from all over Tuscany–chosen for “both their intrinsic beauty and for the part they have played in Tuscan history and culture”–the gorgeous full-color photographs, accompanied by superb accounts of each village, truly “bring the region to life, evoking the richness of architecture and landscape, and bringing out the charm of the Tuscan people.” The final chapter is devoted to useful travel information, including passages on hotels and restaurants, market days and festivals, as well as a select bibliography and detailed map of the region. As beautiful as it is informative and entertaining, The Most Beautiful Villages of Tuscany is “the perfect visual tribute to the timeless beauty of these small towns and villages.”