Tuscany, one of the top travel destinations in Italy, is a beautiful and fascinating region. From the hills and mountains in the northern Lunigiana, to the seaside Maremma, Tuscany should be savored slowly. Reading about Tuscany with its wealth of traditions and history is a great pleasure. Enjoy these recommended travelogues and books about Tuscan life or give one as a gift.
1. Vanilla Beans and Brodo - Real Life in the Hills of Tuscany
Isabella Dusi, an Australian, comes to live in the medieval village of Montalcino for a year. Her book details the daily events of village life and the traditions and history of Montalcino and Tuscany. This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in the Tuscan way of life.
2. The Hills of Tuscany - A New Life in an Old Land
After an amusing search for a house in Tuscany, Ferenc Mate and his wife finally find the perfect farmhouse outside the hilltown of Montepulciano and begin a new life there. Ferenc's beautiful descriptions of his life, Montepulciano, and the scenery of Tuscany will make you feel like you're there.3. A Thousand Days In Tuscany - A Bittersweet Adventure
Marlena De Blasi and her Venetian husband (whom she met and married in A Thousand Days in Venice) rent a farmhouse in a small Tuscan village and begin a new life there. This is her memoir of their time there, often centered around food. Marlena is a writer of regional Italian cookbooks and this book also includes some Tuscan recipes.4. Under the Tuscan Sun
In the most famous of the Tuscany books, American Frances Mayes buys a villa in Tuscany near Cortona and tells about her experiences renovating it. In my opinion, the book is much better than the movie. You might also enjoy the sequel, Bella Tuscany (compare prices).5. Burnt by the Tuscan Sun
Italy blogger Francesca Maggi offers readers an unusual "User's Manual to Life in Italy" in her first book, Burnt by the Tuscan Sun. Her book uncovers the flip side of Bell'Italia which we all know and love so much and pokes fun at the Italians through a true stories and colorful cartoons.6. Too Much Tuscan Sun
If after reading all these books, you feel like you've had too much of Tuscany, pick up this humorous book written by an Italian who leads tours in Tuscany.7. In Maremma - Life and a House in Southern Tuscany
Tales of restoring an old Tuscan farmhouse in the Maremma region of southern Tuscany, a part of Tuscany often overlooked by tourists.8. A Small Place in Italy
During World War II, travel-writer Eric Newby escaped in the Lunigiana region of northern Tuscany where he is aided by many villagers. Later he and his wife (whom he met during the war) return and buy an old palazzo. This is a humerous tale of fixing up the house and joining into a traditional life style.9. A Tuscan Childhood
Kinta Beevor's memoirs about her childhood spent in a castle in the Lunigiana region of northern Tuscany, another part of Tuscany often overlooked by tourists. The book gives you an insight into life in the early 1900s and takes you through World War II.10. War in the Val D'Orcia
Iris Origo's heartwarming story of her days during World War II protecting children and refugees and hiding prisoners on her estate in the Val d'Orcia in Tuscany.