italy

"The Roman Forum, the Leaning Tower, the Piazza San Marco: these are the sights synonymous with Italy . . . Mayes introduces us to the Italy only the locals know, as she and her husband, Ed, eat and drink their way through thirteen regions--from Friuli to Sicily. Along the way, she seeks out . . . cultural and historic gems"--Provided by publisher.

The author describes how she and her husband came to purchase the celebrated Palladian villa outside of Venice, and relates its history, former inhabitants, and the architecture of one of Italy's national treasures.

Relates the experiences of children's author Giselle Potter when, at the age of seven, she toured Italy with her family's tiny theater company, The Mystic Paper Beasts.