Italy expert Tim Jepson takes you on an unforgettable tour around one of the world's most alluring regions. From the Renaissance gem of Florence, to such charming Tuscan villages as Siena, Montepulciano, and Montalcino, to the pastel-hued villages of Cinque Terre, and beyond, you'll fall in love with this area's art, culture, cuisine, history, and beauty. Features include self-guided walks in the heart of Florence and Siena, as well as drives through the wine-famous Chianti countryside and through the glorious Casentino. Experiential sidebars make sure you get to know the intimate side of the place, including learning to make the locally loved pappardelle pasta, helping to cultivate olives for the famed olive oil, and speaking a bit of Italian yourself. A Travelwise section details practicalities, including where to find the most gracious inns, delicious cooking, and tucked-away wineries.

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TIM JEPSON was born near the River Thames and grew up on the fringes of London, close to Amersham, the second-most outlying station on the city's Tube, or subway system. Since 1985, interspersed with periods living and traveling abroad, he has lived in London itself, first in Islington and latterly in Notting Hill. He has written six other books for National Geographic and is a guide and expert for National Geographic Expeditions. His travel articles have appeared in the Daily Telegraph, Vogue, Conde Nast Traveller, and other publications. LARRY PORGES has been a book editor at the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C., for more than a decade. He was born in New York and lived in London for five years, three of those in Maida Vale. Porges studied English history at Tufts University and the British and European Studies Group, London. He wrote the 2011 revision of the National Geographic guidebook to London, was a contributing author on the National Geographic e-book Quintessential London, and has been published in National Geographic Traveler magazine and other publications. Despite frequent trips back, he misses London, especially the London Evening Standard, Little Venice, and being surrounded by people who still think of Starburst as Opal Fruits.