Discover the rich history and culture of some of the world¿s most influential historical places with these highly illustrated books, packed with information and enlightening descriptions.

Whether you want to tour Brunelleschi's Dome, marvel at artwork in the Galleria degli Uffizi, or explore charming hill towns, the local Fodor's travel experts in Florence and Tuscany are here to help! Fodor's Florence and Tuscany guidebook is packed with maps, carefully curated recommendations, and everything else you need to simplify your trip-planning process and make the most of your time. This new edition has been fully redesigned with an easy-to-read layout, fresh information, and beautiful color photos. Fodor's Florence and Tuscany travel guide includes: AN ILLUSTRATED ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES GUIDE to the top things to see and do MULTIPLE ITINERARIES to effectively organize your days and maximize your time MORE THAN 30 DETAILED MAPS and a FREE PULL-OUT MAP to help you navigate confidently COLOR PHOTOS throughout to spark your wanderlust! HONEST RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LOCALS on the best sights, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, shopping, performing arts, activities, wineries, and more PHOTO-FILLED “BEST OF” FEATURES on “What to Eat and Drink,” “10 Best Museums in Florence,” “Best Hilltop Villages in Tuscany and Umbria,” “Free Things to Do in Florence,” and more TRIP-PLANNING TOOLS AND PRACTICAL TIPS including when to go, getting around, beating the crowds, and saving time and money HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL INSIGHTS providing rich context on the local people, politics, art, architecture, cuisine, music, and more SPECIAL FEATURES on “Who's Who in Renaissance Art,” “The Duomo,” “Santa Croce,” “The Pleasures of Tuscan Wine,” Piazza del Campo,” “The Goodness of Tuscan Food,” and “Assissi's Basilica di San Francesco.” LOCAL WRITERS to help you find the under-the-radar gems ITALIAN LANGUAGE PRIMER with useful words and essential phrases UP-TO-DATE COVERAGE ON: Florence, Tuscany, Chianti, Siena, Pisa, Arezzo, Umbria, and more. Planning on visiting other destinations in Italy? Check out Fodor's Essential Italy, Fodor's Amalfi Coast, Naples & Capri, Fodor's Rome, and Fodor's Venice. *Important note for digital editions: The digital edition of this guide does not contain all the images or text included in the physical edition. ABOUT FODOR'S AUTHORS: Each Fodor's Travel Guide is researched and written by local experts. Fodor's has been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for over 80 years. For more travel inspiration, you can sign up for our travel newsletter at fodors.com/newsletter/signup, or follow us @FodorsTravel on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We invite you to join our friendly community of travel experts at fodors.com/community to ask any other questions and share your experience with us!

Apache Tuscany is a free, open source project that helps users develop Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) solutions. It provides a lightweight infrastructure that implements Service Component Architecture (SCA) and provides seamless integration with other technologies. Tuscany in Action is a comprehensive, hands-on guide for developing enterprise applications using Apache Tuscany's lightweight SCA infrastructure. The book uses practical examples to demonstrate how to develop applications with the open source Tuscany SCA. Readers will learn how to model, compose, and manage applications. Detailed explanations of how to use the various features of Apache Tuscany for protocol handling and developing components are presented. Readers will also learn how to extend Apache Tuscany to support new programming environments and communication protocols. Purchase of the print book comes with an offer of a free PDF, ePub, and Kindle eBook from Manning. Also available is all code from the book.

Tuscany is located in the central western part of Italy on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It gets its name from an Etruscan tribe that settled the area about three thousand years ago. It has belonged to the Romans, the Lombards, and the Franks. More than four hundred years ago under the Medicis, Tuscany became a major European center. It is undoubtedly one of ItalyÕs top tourist destinations as well as an ideal place for your villa when you hit it big, really big. Florence is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and the administrative center of Tuscany. It is one of ItalyÕs top tourist destinations, whose sites of interest are too numerous to list here. Siena and Pisa are two other major tourist destinations. This guide covers a visit to Florence and to Tuscany: the cities covered include Fiesole, Arezzo, Cortona, Chiusi, the Chianti region, Siena, Volterra, San Gimignano, Pisa, Carrara, Massa, the Versilia, Lucca, Pistoia, Montepulciano, Pienza, Grosseto, Massa Marittima, and Monte Argentario.

A new history explores how one of Renaissance ItalyÕs leading cities maintained its influence in an era of global exploration, trade, and empire. The Grand Duchy of Tuscany was not an imperial power, but it did harbor global ambitions. After abortive attempts at overseas colonization and direct commercial expansion, as Brian Brege shows, Tuscany followed a different path, one that allowed it to participate in EuropeÕs new age of empire without establishing an empire of its own. The first history of its kind, Tuscany in the Age of Empire offers a fresh appraisal of one of the foremost cities of the Italian Renaissance, as it sought knowledge, fortune, and power throughout Asia, the Americas, and beyond. How did Tuscany, which could not compete directly with the growing empires of other European states, establish a global presence? First, Brege shows, Tuscany partnered with larger European powers. The duchy sought to obtain trade rights within their empires and even manage portions of other statesÕ overseas territories. Second, Tuscans invested in cultural, intellectual, and commercial institutions at home, which attracted the knowledge and wealth generated by EuropeÕs imperial expansions. Finally, Tuscans built effective coalitions with other regional powers in the Mediterranean and the Islamic world, which secured the duchyÕs access to global products and empowered the Tuscan monarchy in foreign affairs. These strategies allowed Tuscany to punch well above its weight in a world where power was equated with the sort of imperial possessions it lacked. By finding areas of common interest with stronger neighbors and forming alliances with other marginal polities, a small state was able to protect its own security while carving out a space as a diplomatic and intellectual hub in a globalizing Europe.

Divine cuisine and spectacular art await in Florence and Tuscany Whether you want to sample delicious Tuscan food and wine, gaze at the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa or browse eclectic markets in Florence, your DK Eyewitness travel e-guide makes sure you experience all that this region has to offer. The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is filled with architectural masterpieces and dazzling collections of art. Yet the countryside is just as mesmerizing, with cypress-lined roads leading to picturesque towns and idyllic islands lying just off the coast. Our recently updated e-guide brings Florence and Tuscany to life, transporting you there like no other travel e-guide does with expert-led insights and advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations which place you inside the region's iconic buildings and neighborhoods. You'll discover: - our pick of Florence and Tuscany's must-sees, top experiences and hidden gems - the best spots to eat, drink, shop and stay - detailed maps and walks which make navigating the country easy - easy-to-follow itineraries - expert advice: get ready, get around and stay safe - color-coded chapters to every part of Florence and Tuscany, from Santa Croce to Oltrarno, Central Tuscany to Southwest Tuscany Touring the country? Look out for our DK Eyewitness Italy.

Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet's Florence & Tuscany is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Experience art-lover heaven at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, tempt your taste buds on a food tour around Tuscany, and climb San Gimignano's medieval towers - all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Florence & Tuscany and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet's Florence & Tuscany: NEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card with wi-fi, ATM and transport info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel Improved planning tools for family travellers - where to go, how to save money, plus fun stuff just for kids What's New feature taps into cultural trends and helps you find fresh ideas and cool new areas our writers have uncovered NEW Accommodation feature gathers all the information you need to plan your accommodation NEW Where to Stay in Florence map is your at-a-glance guide to accommodation options in each neighbourhood Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics Covers Florence, Siena, Central Coast, Elba, Apuan Alps, Lucca, Pisa, San Gimignano, San Minato, Chianti, Arezzo, Garfagnana, and more The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's Florence & Tuscany is our most comprehensive guide to Florence and Tuscany, and is perfect for discovering both popular and off-the-beaten-path experiences. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. eBook Features: (Best viewed on tablet devices and smartphones) Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations' websites Zoom-in maps and images Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing Important Notice: The digital edition of this book may not contain all of the images found in the physical edition.

Delicious cuisine, spectacular art and lush landscapes await in Florence and Tuscany. Whether you want to sample delicious Tuscan food and wine, gaze at the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa or browse eclectic markets in Florence, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that this region has to offer. The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is filled with architectural masterpieces and dazzling collections of art. Yet the countryside is just as mesmerizing, with cypress-lined roads leading to picturesque towns and idyllic islands lying just off the coast. Our newly-updated guide brings Florence and Tuscany to life, transporting you there like no other travel guide does with expert-led insights and advice, detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights, photographs on practically every page, and our hand-drawn illustrations which place you inside the region's iconic buildings and neighbourhoods. DK Eyewitness Florence & Tuscany is your ticket to the trip of a lifetime. Inside DK Eyewitness Florence and Tuscany you will find: - A fully-illustrated top experiences guide: our expert pick of Florence and Tuscany's must-sees and hidden gems. - Accessible itineraries to make the most out of each and every day. - Expert advice: honest recommendations for getting around safely, when to visit each sight, what to do before you visit, and how to save time and money. - Colour-coded chapters to every part of Florence and Tuscany, from Santa Croce to Oltrarno, Central Tuscany to Southwest Tuscany. - Practical tips: the best places to eat, drink, shop and stay. - Detailed maps and walks to help you navigate the region country easily and confidently. - Covers: Tuscany, Florence, Around the Duomo, Around Santa Croce, Around San Lorenzo Oltrarno, Tuscany, North East Tuscany, Central Tuscany, South East Tuscany, North West Tuscany South West Tuscany. Touring the country? Try our DK Eyewitness Italy. Want the best of Florence and Tuscany in your pocket? Try our DK Eyewitness Top 10 Florence and Tuscany. About DK Eyewitness: At DK Eyewitness, we believe in the power of discovery. We make it easy for you to explore your dream destinations. DK Eyewitness travel guides have been helping travellers to make the most of their breaks since 1993. Filled with expert advice, striking photography and detailed illustrations, our highly visual DK Eyewitness guides will get you closer to your next adventure. We publish guides to more than 200 destinations, from pocket-sized city guides to comprehensive country guides. Named Top Guidebook Series at the 2020 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, we know that wherever you go next, your DK Eyewitness travel guides are the perfect companion.

Explore the busy streets of Florence and Tuscany, see history, and stroll through museums. Eat bread dipped in olive oil and stroll along cobbled streets in these beautiful cities. Discover DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Florence & Tuscany. + Detailed itineraries and "don't-miss" destination highlights at a glance. + Illustrated cutaway 3-D drawings of important sights. + Floor plans and guided visitor information for major museums. + Guided walking tours, local drink and dining specialties to try, things to do, and places to eat, drink, and shop by area. + Area maps marked with sights. + Detailed city maps include street finder indexes for easy navigation. + Insights into history and culture to help you understand the stories behind the sights. + Hotel and restaurant listings highlight DK Choice special recommendations. With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that illuminate every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Florence & Tuscany truly shows you this region as no one else can.