Arguably the most fascinating city in the world, the Italian capital is an ancient place, packed with the relics of more than two thousand years of habitation. You could spend a month in Rome and barely scratch the city's surface. Yet it is so much more than an open-air museum: Rome's people, culture and food identify a modern and vibrant European capital as worth of a visit as any, irrespective of its extraordinary history. Rome DIRECTIONS has all you need to get the most out of the city. Browse our ideas section and you’ll know what you want to do, 24 hours a day. Flip to the places section and explore the city district by district, with every sight, restaurant, bar and shop located on our easy-to-use maps. It's like having a local friend plan your trip.

Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and this beautiful, useful volume is an ideal reminder for those who have been there and fallen in love with the country, as well as a book to stir the expectations of those who plan to travel there. Lavishly illustrated with photographs, this collection captures the local color of every remarkable corner of this richly diverse land-the clamor and vitality of Naples, the idyllic enchantment of Lago Maggiore, the intriguing cultural contradictions of Genova, the breathtaking (if terrifying) cliffside trails in Cinqueterre.

Contributors include Oliver Bernier, Rachel Billington, Frank Bruni, Shirley Hazzard, Paul Hofmann, Alison Lurie, Malachi Martin, Alastair McEwen, Michael Mewshaw, Jan Morris, Francine Prose, Barry Unsworth, Muriel Spark, and William Weaver. Essays full of history, philosophical ruminations, humorous anecdotes, cultural musings, and useful travel information-in short the best of The New York Times talent-will make you want to drop everything and fly to this land that continues to inspire writers, artists, and casual visitors alike. AUTHOR BIO: Umberto Eco is the author of four novels as well as numerous works of criticism, philosophy, and literary theory. His fifth novel, The Mysterious Flame, will be published in June. He is professor of semiotics at the University of Bologna.

STREETWISE(r) MILAN
Revised yearly, STREETWISE(r) is the best-selling map of MILAN, with coverage from Piazza Serafino Belfanti to Cimiterio Monumentale. Localities covered are the Duomo, Teatro All Scala, and Museo Archeologico. Points of interest such as museums, hotels, parks, and popular sites are highlighted and fully indexed. The Milan Metro is clearly indicated on a map inset. Laminated for durability, accordion folded to fit in your pocket or purse, STREETWISE(r) gives you MILAN in a clear, concise, and convenient format.