Andrews Robert - Fodors 2019 essential Italy

Italy is the kind of destination that travelers return to over and over. They come for awe-inspiring art and architecture that influenced Western civilization, and stunning historical ruinsas well as for some of the worlds best food and wine. Also beckoning irresistibly are Italys sun-kissed olive groves and vineyards, the sparkling waters of Lake Como and the Mediterranean, and atmospheric monasteries, castles, and farmhouses. And if you seek vibrant cities with renowned museums, restaurants, and shopping opportunities, Rome, Florence, and Milan await.

Editorial: Douglas Stallings, Editorial Director; Margaret Kelly, Jacinta OHalloran, Senior Editors; Kayla Becker, Alexis Kelly, Amanda Sadlowski, Editors; Teddy Minford, Content Editor; Rachael Roth, Content Manager

Design: Tina Malaney, Design and Production Director; Jessica Gonzalez, Production Designer

Photography: Jill Krueger, Senior Photo Editor

Maps: Rebecca Baer, Senior Map Editor; David Lindroth, Mark Stroud (Moon Street Carography), Cartographers

Production: Jennifer DePrima, Editorial Production Manager; Carrie Parker, Senior Production Editor; Elyse Rozelle, Production Editor

Business & Operations: Chuck Hoover, Chief Marketing Officer; Joy Lai, Vice President and General Manager; Stephen Horowitz, Director of Business Development and Revenue Operations; Tara McCrillis, Director of Publishing Operations

Public Relations and Marketing: Joe Ewaskiw, Manager; Esther Su, Marketing Manager

Writers: Robert Andrews, Nick Bruno, Agnes Crawford, Liz Humphreys, Fergal Kavanagh, Patricia Rucidlo, Liz Shermaria

Editor: Margaret Kelly

Production Editor: Elyse Rozelle

Copyright 2019 by Fodors Travel, a division of Internet Brands, Inc.

Fodors is a registered trademark of Internet Brands, Inc. All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Fodors Travel, a division of Internet Brands, Inc. No maps, illustrations, or other portions of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

ISBN9781640970700

Ebook ISBN9781640970717

ISSN2476-0706

Library of Congress Control Number 2018907409

All details in this book are based on information supplied to us at press time. Always confirm information when it matters, especially if youre making a detour to visit a specific place. Fodors expressly disclaims any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, that is incurred as a consequence of the use of any of the contents of this book.

Photo Credits: Cover: Jan Wlodarczyk / Alamy Stock Photo; Experience Italy: Angelo Campus; Rome: JPF/Shutterstock; Side Trips from Rome: dave tonkin/iStockPhoto; Venice: Photomarine/Shutterstock; The Veneto and FriuliVenezia Giulia: Luca Lorenzelli/Shutterstock; The Dolomites: kavram/Shutterstock; Milan, Lombardy and the Lakes: Andrew Mayovskyy/Shutterstock; Piedmont and Valle dAosta: Luciano Mortula/Shutterstock; The Italian Riviera: Jipen / Shutterstock; EmiliaRomagna: Ixuskmitl | Dreamstime.com; Florence: Freesurf69 | Dreamstime.com; Tuscany: JBVPhotos/Shutterstock; Umbria and the Marches: Gaspar Janos / Shutterstock; Naples and Campania: Balate Dorin/Shutterstock; Puglia, Basilicata, and Calabria: Ronszoey | Dreamstime.com; Sicily: Mkrzyzak | Dreamstime.com; Sardinia: Patrice Wangen/Flickr

v5.3.2

a

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

Fodors Recommendations

Everything in this guide is worth doingwe dont cover what isntbut exceptional sights, hotels, and restaurants are recognized with additional accolades. Fodors Choice indicates our top recommendations. Care to nominate a new place? Visit Fodors.com/contact-us.

Trip Costs

We list prices wherever possible to help you budget well. Hotel and restaurant price categories from $ to $$$$ are noted alongside each recommendation. For hotels, we include the lowest cost of a standard double room in high season. For restaurants, we cite the average cost of a meal. The meal includes three courses: primo (usually pasta or an appetizer), secondo (meat or fish main course), and dolce (dessert). For attractions, we always list adult admission fees; discounts are usually available for children, students, and senior citizens.

Hotels

Our local writers vet every hotel to recommend the best overnights in each price category, from budget to expensive. Unless otherwise specified, you can expect private bath, phone, and TV in your room. For expanded hotel reviews, visit Fodors.com.

Restaurants

Unless we state otherwise, restaurants are open for lunch and dinner daily. We mention dress code only when theres a specific requirement and reservations only when theyre essential or not accepted. For expanded restaurant reviews, visit Fodors.com.

Credit Cards

The hotels and restaurants in this guide typically accept credit cards. If not, well say so.

EUGENE FODOR

Hungarian-born Eugene Fodor (190591) began his travel career as an interpreter on a French cruise ship. The experience inspired him to write