Florence Books

Florence and Tuscany (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

DK Publishing

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 32 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Nice guidebook 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

We enjoyed this guidebook on our recent trip to Florence. It was comprehensive, easy to use, and fun to read. This publisher also offers a companion map and mini-guide book to use on the go.

Good Info for a Trip 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I bought this prior to traveling to Italy. Great info on Tuscany and Florence. And I loved that area!!

Only wish I'd had more time 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Yeah, doesn't everyone? There is so much in this book outside of Florence and I really wanted to make the trek into the Tuscan hills around the city, especially to Pisa and Siena. But alas, I was trapped in Florence...and what a prison it was! Everyone should find themselves thus abused at some point in their life, I believe.

This DK guide made the punishment a lot easier to endure, saving me time and headache by thoroughly breaking down specific areas of the city in detailed maps. From Palazzo and Ponte Vecchio, to the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (il Duomo), and on to Brancacci Chapel and Santa Croce and everything in between. This guide gave me detailed information on each of the sites and helped enrich the experience. The exploded diagrams cover the finer points, giving the reader recognizable visual elements to look for along the way. This is so much better than words alone.

Overall, I highly recommend this book...and the city itself. Florence is a place like no other!

Editorial Review:

There is something for just about everyone in Florence and Tuscany. From viewing some of the world's greatest Renaissance art to wandering around designer boutiques. Discover a whole new side of Florence and Tuscany with the Eyewitness Travel Guide. This guide will give you practical information without any hassle. All of the important towns and other places to visit are described individually. Within each town or city, there is detailed information on important buildings and other sites. Make the most of your trip with the Eyewitness Travel Guide.

Rick Steves' Florence and Tuscany 2009 (Rick Steves)

Rick Steves, Gene Openshaw

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Buy the Rough Guide instead! 1 out of 5 stars.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful.

I came across this in an apartment in Florence, wisely jettisoned by a traveler who had more useful things to carry in their luggage.

Steves' book IS quite good at the very practical nitty gritty of Florence: for example precisely how one collects pre-reserved Uffizi tickets, but his comments on cultural aspects are at best token and often stupid. Not everyone will want, like me, to know all about as much of the art as possible in a book about Florence, but for a travel guide to cover, say, Santa Croce and make reference to only one painting when the place is full of the most glorious and important fresco cycles by major figures is inexcusable. If the information is there, one can ignore it, but if it isn't, you might return to the US (the prime market, I imagine) and realise that you have been within yards of great paintings but the guide book didn't GUIDE you to go and look at them. Instead, in Santa Croce, he refers to admittedly interesting monuments, but fails to refer to the finest (Bruni's), he's only interested in the famous names.

His grasp of the art is very poor and he seems to address his readers as though they are 12 year olds needing asinine jokes to keep their attention. For him medieval painting is a world of never-neverland (his phrase) where the poor painters are struggling desperately to paint realistically but just can't do it! Simone Martine's Uffizi Annunciation is patronised: he can't see its beauty and sees it as a mere stone on the pathway to realism. Mary 'doesn't look too impressed': a good point if he only had the wit to see that perhaps the responsibility of her role is frightening and overwhelming - it's a very moving and human piece, but his approach seems to be,'Why try to elucidate when you can be folksy and jocular'. An early crucifixion is mocked for having Christ's head raised as on a wedge as though this is a pathetic effort at three-dimensionality when it is pretty obvious that the angle would enable viewers to see Christ's face (and suffering) more clearly from ground level and has little to do with aspiring to realism. He also says that the Siena Pinacoteca (a gallery full of wonderful Sienese painting) would tempt him in only if there was a downpour! (I dread to think what nonsense Steves writes about, say, Picasso, if REALISM is the criterion by which all is judged.)

A cardinal sin, for me, is the advice to 'leave this guide face up' in a number of restaurants to gain a reduction. When I travel I like to try to be as little like a tourist as possible, while still obviously being one. I know I stand out like a sore thumb, but Steves seems happy to be as obvious as an amputated leg. And what sort of arrangement leads a guide book writer to 'negotiate' deals for his readers? All very sad, especially as Steves seems to be the Guru of European travel for Americans. Perhaps he suits those, like the previous reviewer who praises Steves for enabling him to 'do' Pisa in 45 minutes and not miss anything, though how he would know he hadn't missed anything is beyond me.

The Rough Guide does everything Steves does well just as effectively, while the cultural stuff, whether great art, architecture etc or jazz clubs, bars, cinemas, clubs - is in another league. If you want a detailed guide to the art and history of the city, see American art historian Eve Borsook's Companion Guide: it has the art, the history and is a really good unfussy read.

And if you want to get a guide to the UK, PLEASE don't buy Steves': I dread to think what rubbish he writes, on the basis of this offering.
Not even worth the one star the site requires me to give!

Editorial Review:

Rick Steves’ Florence & Tuscany 2009 is the definitive guide to Europe’s cultural capital and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. Rick includes expert advice on exploring the endless cultural sights of Florence, from the Bargello, the prison-turned-museum that houses works by Michelangelo and Donatello, to the Duomo, the Gothic cathedral complete with the first Renaissance dome. Rick also covers the quant hill towns of Tuscany, where travelers can enjoy Etruscan art and some of Italy’s finest wine. With self-guided tours of all the major museums and tips on transportation, accommodations, and dining, Rick Steves’ Florence & Tuscany 2009 allows any traveler to experience everything that this remarkable region has to offer.

Streetwise Florence Map - Laminated City Center Street Map of Florence, Italy - Folding pocket size travel map

Streetwise Maps

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

DONT DRIVE IN FLORENCE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THIS MAP!! 1 out of 5 stars.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.

We purchased this map from AMAZON only weeks before our trip to Italy. Either it was incorrect from the start or has never been updated since its publication....or there are one way gremlins afoot at the publishers!!After trying every approach into central Florence using this map we realized that at least HALF of one way streets are WRONGLY MARKED! Finally we chucked the map and followed the actual street signs and found our hotel.

planning 5th trip to Italy 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I have purchased several Streetwise for various cities. I found ALL of them to be useful. For Florence, it was particularly useful because the streets in Florence are narrow and not straight. You can easily get a bit lost - but not if you have the Streetwise map with you. You can use it to quickly get your location, and to see where the nearest piazza, church or museum is located. It also takes you across the Arno to the Piti Palace and Boboli Gardens. It is easy to carry and for someone who has progressed to bifocals -- easy to read.

Editorial Review:

Streetwise Florence Map - Laminated Center City Street Map of Florence, Italy - Folding pocket size travel map

This map covers the following areas:
Main Florence, Italy Map 1:10,000
Florence Area Map 1:150,000

Frommer's Italy 2009 (Frommer's Complete)

Danforth Prince

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Editorial Review:

America’s #1 bestselling travel series

Written by more than 175 outspoken travelers around the globe, Frommer’s Complete Guides help travelers experience places the way locals do.

• More annually updated guides than any other series
• 16-page color section and foldout map in all annual guides
• Outspoken opinions, exact prices, and suggested itineraries
• Dozens of detailed maps in an easy-to-read, two-color design

Completely updated every year! Frommer's Italy features gorgeous color photos and maps of the most of the ancient and modern cities, classical architecture and ruins, vineyards, villages, and gorgeous countryside vistas that await you. Much more detailed and comprehensive than the major competition--and now with increased island coverage, this is simply the most reliable and in-depth guide you can buy.

It's personally researched and full of candid opinions. Our authors have chosen the very best places to stay, from the grand hotels of Rome and the chic resorts of Capri to charming and affordable inns and small hotels in regions like Tuscany and the Lake District. And of course, we'll make sure that you dine memorably throughout Italy, whether you're splurging on a world-class restaurant in Florence or looking for a little-known trattoria that serves all the classics.

Wherever you go, you'll rely on Frommer's for authoritative but fun-to-use coverage of all the historic, artistic, and cultural treasures. You'll get a complete shopper's guide, the latest trip-planning advice on everything from bargain airfares to rail passes, and a complete shopper's guide. Frommer's Italy even features a color fold-out map!

Rick Steves' Florence and Tuscany 2008 (Rick Steves)

Rick Steves

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Packed with useful info! 5 out of 5 stars.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.

We lived by this book for 4 days around Florence. The restaurants Rick suggests were really great (we tried 6 places), map is detailed, museum guides are adequately informative. He was wrong on a couple of museum prices - sometimes by 50%. I'm not sure if they are anticipating fee decrease in 2008 (we were just there last week). There are other guidebooks with color pictures and more detailed descriptions of sights - might also want to have those if you are not going to do a guided or audio tour. His suggestions on side trips to the hill towns were great. We went to Siena, Pisa, San Gimignano and Volterra by car. We are really glad to have had this book. Definitely recommend and will definitely buy Rick Steves books for our future travels.

Editorial Review:

Who but Rick Steves can tell travelers how to stroll the same streets walked by Michelangelo, explore world-reknown art museums, or sample Tuscan cuisine? With Rick Steves’ Florence and Tuscany 2008, travelers can experience Steves' favorite destinations in Florence, including the Duomo, the Uffizi, the Bargello, and the Ponte Vecchio — economically and hassle-free. Completely revised and updated, this guide includes opinionated coverage of both famous and lesser-known sights, friendly places to eat and sleep, suggested day plans, walking tours and trip itineraries, and clear instructions for smooth travel anywhere by car, train, or foot. America’s number one authority on travel to Europe, Steves' time-tested recommendations for safe and enjoyable travel in Europe have been used by millions of Americans in search of their own unique European travel experience.

The Civilized Shopper's Guide to Florence

Louise Fili

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

The inside scoop to Florence 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

This little book made the difference between a great trip to Florence and an "off-the-charts" fabulous adventure. It's filled with descriptions of tiny shops of every imaginable kind that you might never find on your own -- the best of the best, unique items, real craftsmen. There's 90 year old glove shop where they simply take one look at your hand, immediately know your size and can make the perfect recommendation (and they did!) We met a 3rd generation leather craftsman who makes exquisite polished boxes and other items, and just as the book described, he works alone, and is more that happy to stop his work, greet guests and tell them all about his work. Every restaurant that we went to listed in this book was out of this world, and didn't break the bank. Oh, and Grom gelato is reason enough to hop a plane right this minute. This book got us off the tourist track and into a wonderful world we might have otherwise missed. Literally 4 inches square, the book fits into any civilized purse or jacket pocket. I don't even like to shop, and this book made be excited to get out of bed (despite the jet lag) and see as much as I could see. If you've been to Florence before, then this is the ONLY guidebook you'll need on your return trip. The author has apparently written a companion book on Rome. I can't wait for her to take on other great cities of the world. Ciao!

Editorial Review:

Eight walks take shoppers to unique shops that uphold Italian standards of quality, craftsmanship, and creativity.

With this discriminating book as a guide, visitors will find a trove of eighty shops that only native Florentines know well. In its pages you’ll find exquisite handmade lingerie, jewelry inspired by Renaissance paintings, handcrafted leather boxes, beautifully tailored shirts for men and women, vintage French and Italian designer clothing, shoes, hats, gourmet items, and much, much more. The walks include forty dining recommendations from where to get a quick caffe-ciok (“the best thing to ever happen to espresso, hot chocolate, and steamed milk”) to a sumptuous Tuscan meal. The book also serves as an informative guide to often perplexing opening days and hours, the always perplexing street numbering system, and shopping etiquette. 

The Food Lover's Guide to Florence: With Culinary Excursions in Tuscany

Emily Wise Miller

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

AMAZING! 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

You cannot go to Florence without this book! I was in Florence for five days and I wore this book out; I ate exclusively at places from this book and have never had a better culinary experience in Florence! Emily Wise-Miller takes you to the hidden gems and out-of-the-way places that tourists dream about! Writing this review is making my mouth water and my heart beg to go back, just so I can eat more delicious Florentine steak, pasta, gelato and drink the wine!

If you are planning a trip to Florence/Tuscany or simply want to learn about the culture and history of of Tuscany's culinary roots, BUY THIS BOOK! You will not be disappointed!!

Editorial Review:

More than a million English-speaking visitors descend on Florence annually, but few venture beyond the usual circuit of tourist restaurants to experience authentic Tuscan cuisine. This updated guide to the best gourmet restaurants and off-the-beaten-path locales offers in-depth profiles of the spots Florentines themselves treasure. Arranged by neighbourhood for easy navigation, "The Food Lover's Guide to Florence" is the single essential companion for travelers.

The Unofficial Guide to Central Italy: Florence, Rome, Tuscany, and Umbria (Unofficial Guides)

Melanie Mize Renzulli

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Extremely useful! 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

My husband and I used this guide on our first trip to Rome and Florence. It was well written and well organized. The book contained some great tips about getting around using public transportation in both cities; the included maps were helpful.

Sights were rated based not only upon how interesting they were but on what age groups would be interested in them, from children through senior citizens. The restaurant reviews and recommendations were right on target. Everything from "inexpensive" to "very expensive" eateries were included.

This book was obviously written using input from a variety of real travelers, not some "high-brow" travel critic! The book included information on many smaller towns, too. The only drawback was that the book was a bit on the large side. It fit into a backpack but with the other things we commonly carried, (water bottles, camera), it was a little cumbersome. However, this book contains so much useful information, it was worth taking along! Read it before you go to Italy and take it on your travels. We were glad we did!

Editorial Review:

From the publishers of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World

"A Tourist's Best Friend!"
—Chicago Sun-Times

"Indispensable"
—The New York Times

Five Great Features and Benefits offered ONLY by The Unofficial Guide:

• A complete planner to Florence, Rome, and the highlights of Tuscany, Umbria, Latium, and the Marches

• Honest advice that lets you feel safe and comfortable in the heart of Italy—whether you speak Italian or not

• Insider tips on finding the most charming hotels for the best price

• Hundreds of restaurants reviewed and ranked for quality and value

• A complete guide to the region's cultural and historic sights—with helpful hints for making the most of your time

Fodor's Florence, Tuscany & Umbria, 9th Edition (Full-Color Gold Guides)

Fodor's

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Editorial Review:

Fodor’s. For Choice Travel Experiences.

Fodor’s helps you unleash the possibilities of travel by providing the insightful tools you need to experience the trips you want. Although you’re at the helm, Fodor’s offers the assurance of our expertise, the guarantee of selectivity, and the choice details that truly define a destination. It’s like having a friend in Italy!

•Your vacation never looked better. This Fodor’s full-color guide paints an unforgettable picture of Florence, Tuscany, and Umbria with vibrant maps, vividly illustrated features, and stunning color photos.

•Updated frequently, Fodor’s Florence, Tuscany & Umbria provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available in a guidebook.

•Fodor’s Florence, Tuscany & Umbria features options for a variety of budgets, interests, and tastes, so you make the choices to plan your trip of a lifetime.

•If it’s not worth your time, it’s not in this book. Fodor’s discriminating ratings, including our top tier Fodor’s Choice designations, ensure that you’ll know about the most interesting and enjoyable places in Florence, Tuscany, and Umbria.

•Experience Florence, Tuscany, and Umbria like a local! Fodor’s Florence, Tuscany & Umbria includes Chianti, Pisa, Assisi, and much more!

•Fodor’s Florence, Tuscany & Umbria includes unique photo-features that impart the region’s culture, covering Florence’s Duomo, Siena’s Palio, Tuscan food, and much more!

•Indispensable, customized trip planning tools include “Top Reasons to Go,” “Word of Mouth” advice from other travelers, and tips to help save money, bypass lines, and avoid common travel pitfalls.

•Full-color pullout map..

Visit Fodors.com for more ideas and information, travel deals, vacation planning tips, reviews and to exchange travel advice with other travelers.

City Secrets: Florence, Venice, and the Towns of Italy

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

disappointment 2 out of 5 stars.
17 of 20 people found this review helpful.

I should have heeded the critique of one of your readers. The complaint was "after Rome the series disappoints".
However, I so loved the Rome book, carrying it about Rome, having people comment on the book when they saw me checking maps or sights, finding kindred spirits who also had the book and so on. It was truly my favorite travel guide/book of Rome.
So, ignoring advice, I ordered the Florence edition, realizing that Florence was just a part of the book...but I would never have dreamt it would be THAT small of a part.
True, Florence is much smaller than Rome, but the city is filled with so much beauty, art and architecture that surely a book dedicated to it's "secrets" would have been worth the effort.

Editorial Review:

Second in the highly-acclaimed City Secrets series, City Secrets Florence, Venice, and the Towns of Italy is a unique and sophisticated guidebook that compiles the recommendations of some of the world's most eminent authors, artists, architects, and others.

Whether writing about a painting, a restaurant, or a village's hidden byways, these experts' observations, taken together, amount to an exhilarating insider's look at both the well-known and the overlooked. The impassioned descriptions and informed perspectives in the pages of City Secrets Florence, Venice, and the Towns of Italy form an inspired tour of this most inspiring of countries.