The Roman Forum, the Leaning Tower, the Piazza San Marco: these are the sights synonymous with Italy. But such landmarks only scratch the surface of this magical country's offerings. In [this book], Frances Mayes introduces us to the Italy only the locals know, as she and her husband, Ed, explore, eat, and drink their way through thirteen regions--from Friuli to Sicily. An invitation to the Italy most travelers never experience, [this book] showcases cultural and historic gems not found in traditional guidebooks: a small island off Sardinia, evocative hill towns of Marche, islands of the Venetian Lagoon, Puglia's bread towns, the ultimate Sicilian beach. Mayes conjures the enchantment of the backstreets, the hubbub of the markets, the dreamlike wonder of that space between lunch and dinner when a city cracks open to those who would wander, or when a mind is drawn into the pages of a delicious book--and discloses to us the intimate life of each place.