Fully colour-illustrated travel guides packed with information on the history and culture of a destination.

Winner of the American Association for Italian Studies Book Prize A new history explores how one of Renaissance Italy’s 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 Europe’s 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 states’ overseas territories. Second, Tuscans invested in cultural, intellectual, and commercial institutions at home, which attracted the knowledge and wealth generated by Europe’s imperial expansions. Finally, Tuscans built effective coalitions with other regional powers in the Mediterranean and the Islamic world, which secured the duchy’s 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.

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. Travel the roads of Val d’Orcia, sample Chianti and explore the Uffizi’s collections; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Florence & Tuscany and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet’s Florence & Tuscany Travel Guide: Up-to-date information - all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020’s COVID-19 outbreak NEW top experiences feature - a visually inspiring collection of Florence & Tuscany’s best experiences and where to have them What's NEW feature taps into cultural trends and helps you find fresh ideas and cool new areas 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 NEW Accommodation feature gathers all the information you need to plan your accommodation Improved planning tools for family travellers - where to go, how to save money, plus fun stuff just for kids 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, 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 Over 51 maps Covers Florence, Siena & Central Tuscany, Southern Tuscany, Central Coast & Elba, Northwestern Tuscany, Eastern Tuscany and more The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet’s Florence & Tuscany, our most comprehensive guide to Florence & Tuscany, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled. Looking for just the highlights? Check out Pocket Florence & Tuscany, a handy-sized guide focused on the can't-miss sights for a quick trip. Looking for more extensive coverage? Check out Lonely Planet’s Italy for a comprehensive look at all the country has to offer. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, 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 phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day. 'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' – New York Times 'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – Fairfax Media (Australia)

Newly revised, updated, and redesigned for 2016. True to its name, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Top 10 Florence and Tuscany covers all the region's major sights and attractions in easy-to-use "top 10" lists that help you plan the vacation that's right for you. This newly updated pocket travel guide for Florence and Tuscany will lead you straight to the best attractions the region has to offer, whether you want to see artistic masterpieces like the Duomo and Michelangelo's David, or experience the local wines and fresh olive oils. Expert travel writers have fully revised this edition of DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Top 10 Florence and Tuscany. + Brand-new itineraries help you plan your trip to Florence and Tuscany. + Maps of walking routes show you the best ways to maximize your time. + New Top 10 lists feature off-the-beaten-track ideas, along with standbys like the top attractions, shopping, dining options, and more. + New typography and fresh layout throughout. You'll still find DK's famous full-color photography and museum floor plans, along with just the right amount of coverage of the region's history and culture. The perfect pocket-size travel companion: DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Top 10 Florence and Tuscany.

This book shows how the seemingly immutable Tuscan landscape was largely shaped by modern conflicts over economic resources and cultural meanings.

Insight Regional Guide: Tuscany offers you a uniquely comprehensive approach to getting the most out of your trip to one of the most popular destinations in the world. Engaging chapters consider the region's fascinating history as birthplace of the Renaissance, putting into context the many artistic and architectural wonders on show. Tips for exploring the breath-taking landscape and for tucking into the world-famous Tuscan cuisine and wine ensure that you don't miss a thing. The great cities of Tuscany, including Florence, Siena, Lucca and Pisa, are covered in addition to the off-the-beaten-track Tuscan towns, such as San Gimignano and Montepulciano. Full-colour photographs throughout give you a true flavour of life in the region today. Detailed maps plot all the major sights you'll want to see, and the Travel Tips sections offer selective advice on where to stay, what to eat and the activities available. A free pull-out touring map (in a plastic pocket) is also provided to suggest the best Tuscan drives.

Practical travel guide to Tuscany & Umbria featuring points-of-interest structured lists of all sights and off-the-beaten-track treasures, with detailed colour-coded maps, practical details about what to see and to do in Tuscany & Umbria, how to get there and around, pre-departure information, as well as top time-saving tips, like a visual list of things not to miss in Tuscany & Umbria, expert author picks and itineraries to help you plan your trip. The Rough Guide to Tuscany & Umbria covers: Florence, around Florence, Lucca and Northern Tuscany, Pisa, the Central Coast and Elba, the Maremma, Siena, the Sienese hill towns, Southern Tuscany, Arezzo Province, Perugia and Northern Umbria, Assisi and the Vale of Spoleto, Spoleto and the Valnerina, and Orvieto and Southern Umbria Inside this travel guide you'll find: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELLER Experiences selected for every kind of trip to Tuscany & Umbria, from off-the-beaten-track adventures in Perguia and Northern Umbria to family activities in child-friendly places, like Pisa or chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas, like Florence. PRACTICAL TRAVEL TIPS Essential pre-departure information including Tuscany & Umbria entry requirements, getting around, health information, travelling with children, sports and outdoor activities, food and drink, festivals, culture and etiquette, shopping, tips for travellers with disabilities and more. TIME-SAVING ITINERARIES Carefully planned routes covering the best of Tuscany & Umbria give a taste of the richness and diversity of the destination, and have been created for different time frames or types of trip. DETAILED REGIONAL COVERAGE Clear structure within each sightseeing chapter includes regional highlights, brief history, detailed sights and places ordered geographically, recommended restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs and major shops or entertainment options. INSIGHTS INTO GETTING AROUND LIKE A LOCAL Tips on how to beat the crowds, save time and money and find the best local spots for sightseeing, wine tasting and eating out. HIGHLIGHTS OF THINGS NOT TO MISS Rough Guides' rundown of Lucca, the Maremma, Siena, and the Arezzo Province's best sights and top experiences helps to make the most of each trip to Tuscany & Umbria, even in a short time. HONEST AND INDEPENDENT REVIEWS Written by Rough Guides' expert authors with a trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, to help to find the best places in Tuscany & Umbria, matching different needs. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Comprehensive 'Contexts' chapter features fascinating insights into Tuscany & Umbria, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary. FABULOUS FULL COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHY Features inspirational colour photography, including the stunning Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the spectacular leaning tower of Pisa. COLOUR-CODED MAPPING Practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys for quick orientation in Assisi and the Vale of Spoleto, Orvieto and Southern Umbria and many more locations in Tuscany & Umbria, reduce need to go online. USER-FRIENDLY LAYOUT With helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your time.

Sublime renaissance architecture, exquisite art collections, romantic medieval towns and picturesque rolling hills covered in vineyards, olive groves and cypress trees — Florence and Tuscany has all this and much more to delight every traveller. Your DK Eyewitness Top 10 travel guide ensures you’ll find your way around Florence and Tuscany with absolute ease. Our newly updated Top 10 travel guide breaks down the best of Florence and Tuscany into helpful lists of ten — from our own selected highlights to the best museums, places to eat and shops. You'll discover: • Ten easy-to-follow itineraries, perfect for a day-trip, a weekend, or a week • Detailed Top 10 lists of Florence and Tuscany’s must-sees, including detailed breakdowns of the Uffizi, the Duomo, Pitti Palace, San Gimignano, Campo dei Miracoli, Siena’s Duomo, Siena’s Campo and Palazzo Pubblico, Chianti, Cortona and Lucca • Florence and Tuscany’s most interesting areas, with the best places for shopping, dining, and sightseeing • Inspiration for different things to enjoy during your trip – including children’s activities and things to do for free • A free laminated pull-out map of Florence and Tuscany, plus eight color city and neighborhood maps • Streetsmart advice: get ready, get around, and stay safe • A lightweight format perfect for your pocket or bag when you’re on the move DK Eyewitness Top 10s have been helping travellers to make the most of their breaks since 2002. Staying for longer and looking for a more comprehensive guide? Try our DK Eyewitness Florence and Tuscany or DK Eyewitness Italy.