wp-1585504675025.jpgWelcome to my stop on the Frances Mayes Always Italy blog tour sponsored by TLC Book Tours! Thanks to TLC for the invitation!

Pictured along with the book is biscotti, in tribute to one of my favorite places on earth.

About the Book:

The world’s favorite expert on la dolce vita (Under the Tuscan Sun author) guides readers through Italy’s iconic regions, replete with lavish National Geographic images.

This lush guide, featuring more than 350 glorious photographs from National Geographic, showcases the best Italy has to offer from the perspective of two women who have spent their lives reveling in its unique joys. In these illuminating pages, Frances Mayes, the author of Under the Tuscan Sun and many other bestsellers, and New York Times travel writer Ondine Cohane reveal an Italy that only the locals know, filled with top destinations and unforgettable travel experiences in every region. From the colorful coastline of Cinque Terre and the quiet ports of the Aeolian Islands to the Renaissance architecture of Florence and the best pizza in Rome, every section features insider secrets and off-the-beaten-path recommendations (for example, a little restaurant in Piedmont known for its tajarin, a pasta that is the perfect bed for the region’s celebrated truffles). Here are the best places to stay, eat, and tour, paired with the rich history of each city, hillside town, and unique terrain. Along the way, you’ll make stops at the country’s hidden gems–art galleries, local restaurants, little-known hiking trails, spas, and premier spots for R&R. Inspiring and utterly unique, this vivid treasury is a must-have for anyone who wants to experience the best of Italy.

My Thoughts:

I’ve read a few delightful books by Frances Mayes, who has spent her life honoring this most beloved country in her writing and travels. Especially given recent times, I cherished my time spent with this beautiful book. As with any National Geographic book, the book is filled with stunning pictures, and the content sparkles just as much.

If you are planning to travel to Italy, or if you dream of traveling there, this book is your quintessential traveling companion. I’ve been fortunate to visit a few places in Italy: Sicily, Rome, Pisa, Florence, Sorrento, Pompeii, and my favorite of all, the Amalfi Coast, and this book highlights each of those well-traveled places, along with the less commercial sites to visit.

Overall, it’s a book anyone in love with Italy like I am will be happy to own.

I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

About the Authors:

FRANCES MAYES is the author of four bestsellers, Under the Tuscan Sun, Bella Tuscany, Everyday in Tuscany, and In Tuscany. All are about taking chances, living in Italy, and the “voluptuousness of Italian life.” A widely published poet and essayist, Mayes has written numerous memoirs, books of poetry, and novels. Formerly a professor of creative writing at San Francisco State University, she now devotes herself full-time to writing, traveling, and restoring a historic garden. She and her husband divide their time between North Carolina and Cortona, Italy.

Find out more about Mayes at her website, and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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ONDINE COHANE, a contributing editor at Condé Nast Traveler, writes regularly for the New York Times travel section, among many other publications. She has appeared on CNN and Good Morning America, and co-hosts Condé Nast Traveler’s Insider Guide series on PBS. Cohane lives in the Renaissance town of Pienza in Southern Tuscany and owns two boutique hotels.

Find out more about Cohane at her website, and connect with her on Twitter and Instagram.

Have you read Frances Mayes Always Italy, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR