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Escape to Tuscany |
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 Escape To Tuscany byCandice Gianetti FODOR’S 95 pages, 1999 ISBN 0679002960 Reviewed by Devorah Stone Here is the opportunity to discover the tourist’s Tuscany of churches, olive groves, carnivals, balloon rides, villas, and ancient castles. What else would one expect from Fodor’s - publishers of famous travel books? Poetic prose sprinkled with adjectives like majestic castles, honey-colored stone, and earthly beautiful olive trees, describes this visitor’s play land. "As you leave the port behind in a wake of sea spray, wild rocky coves and deserted sand beaches call to you like sirens, but strap yourself to the mast and save them for another day". Snippets of trivia enliven the text: "Much Ado About Nothing was filmed in Villa Vignamaggio and extra virgin oil has less than one percent acidity". Antonio Sferlazzo shot the photographs from surprising angles - the back of a horse or the close-up of a chef’s hands. His breathtaking rather than postcard pretty photographs show the stark contrasts between land, people, and animals. The hard cover book, small enough to pack, is divided in two parts. The first part describes locations: An Enchanted Isle, Pardini’s Hermitage, Giglio Island Maremma and Into the Marble Mountains - The quarries of Carrara, the Apuan Alps. Each heading has one page of descriptive text with lavish illustrations opposite. The effect is compelling. You will want to go there. I certainly do. The second part of the book is devoted to details, with two topographical maps of the region, and the costs of wonderful villas and balloon rides quoted in American dollars or Italian lire. Each section describes a location, how to contact by phone, fax, web sites and email, distance from the nearest town, prices and options for accommodations. If Tuscany lures you, decide on what to visit, look up your chosen destinations on the map and in the "All the Details" section. Email, fax or phone the contact person to reserve ahead. While this is not a bargain hunter’s guide, the listed prices for accommodation and events are not extravagant. The price of The Villa Table, Badia A Coltibuono for one person for five nights lodging, four days of cooking classes, all meals and excursions included, is $3,500 American dollars. The price of ballooning over Tuscany with a glass of champagne in your hand is $139.00 dollars per person. Dreaming of Tuscany? This book is for you. |
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