o this decadant, elegant country, to enjoy the pleasures of 'la dolce vita'. Italy has drawn travellers in search of culture and romance for many centuries. From the northern snow-capped peaks of the Alps and the idyllic hilltop villages of the renowned central Tuscany and Umbria area, to the rugged southern shores of Sicily, lies a plethora of distinctive regions and people. From the sophisticated, vibrant cities to the simple elegance of the countryside, Italy's culture abounds. With Rome at its heart, as a united country, Italy is only a 150 years old which means that each region still has a strong cultural identity, resulting in a country of many different faces to delight returning visitors. An exuberance for life and its simple pleasures endears Italy to its visitors -- an appreciation of family, food, history and beauty are the core values at the heart of this popular country.

This gorgeous new book in the successful Secrets series is divided into regions: Northern, Central, Southern, Rome, The Islands. It's a perfect read for the armchair traveller and everyone interested in the history and the mystique of the great countries of the world.