12 best italy travel books

Italy is renowned for its rich culinary traditions, including its world-famous wines and delicious cuisine.There are numerous travel books and cookbooks that focus on Italy's beverages, wine, and food. These books provide readers with insights into Italian culture, history, and the art of cooking and wine appreciation. Here are some popular categories and examples of books related to Italy's beverages, wine, and cookbooks:

  1. Italian Wine Guides:

    • "The World Atlas of Wine" by Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson: This book provides comprehensive information about Italian wines, including detailed maps and descriptions of various wine regions.

    • "Italian Wine for Dummies" by Mary Ewing-Mulligan and Ed McCarthy: A beginner-friendly guide that covers the basics of Italian wine, wine regions, and grape varieties.

  2. Cookbooks Focusing on Italian Cuisine:

    • "Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking" by Marcella Hazan: This classic cookbook is a staple for anyone interested in Italian cooking. It covers a wide range of Italian dishes and techniques.

    • "The Silver Spoon" by Phaidon Editors: Often referred to as the Bible of Italian cooking, this book contains over 2,000 recipes from Italy's best chefs and home cooks.

  3. Regional Italian Cuisine:

    • "Autentico: Cooking Italian, the Authentic Way" by Rolando Beramendi: This book explores the diverse regional cuisines of Italy and emphasizes authentic ingredients and techniques.

    • "Jamie's Italy" by Jamie Oliver: Jamie Oliver explores the food of Italy's different regions in this cookbook, offering his take on classic Italian dishes.

  4. Books on Italian Beverages:

    • "Italian Drinks: Apéritifs, Cocktails, and Other Traditions" by Annette Joseph: This book delves into the world of Italian beverages, including classic cocktails and aperitifs.

    • "Negroni: Drinking to La Dolce Vita, with Recipes & Lore" by Gary Regan: Focusing on the iconic Negroni cocktail, this book explores the history and variations of this Italian drink.

These books not only provide recipes but also offer cultural context, historical insights, and recommendations for exploring Italy's food and beverage scene. Whether you're a wine enthusiast, a food lover, or planning a trip to Italy, these books can be valuable resources for learning about and enjoying Italian cuisine and beverages.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best italy travel books on the market
  

Rick Steves Italy 2020 (Rick Steves Travel Guide)

Rick Steves

Based on 679 reviews Check latest price

DK Eyewitness Italy: 2020 (Travel Guide)

DK Eyewitness Travel

Based on 163 reviews Check latest price

Product features

Welcome to Italy

Explore Italy’s elegant architecture, picturesque coastlines, world-class museums, idyllic alpine parks, colorful cliff-hanging towns and so much more with the help of your DK Eyewitness guide. Whether you’re here for a quick visit or a grand tour, we’ll help you to navigate the very best the region has to offer.

In-depth area-by-area guides

Our in-depth area guides make traveling across Italy easy, whether you want to indulge in the country’s extraordinary cuisine, hike in the Dolomites, relax by Lake Garda, cruise down Venice’s Grand Canal, explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii, drink espresso in Rome, gaze upon Renaissance masterpieces, or sip spritz in sunny Capri⁠—we’ve got you covered. And our selection of itineraries suggest several realistic ways to make the most of your time⁠—whether you’re staying for two weeks or just a few days.

Look inside the biggest sights

Explore Italy’s favorite landmarks with our famous cross-section illustrations, including 3D guides to the Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, as well as illustrated short walks through the country's major cities.

Be inspired

With so much to see, we’ve created expert-led special features that show you how to travel across Italy your way. Across detailed page spreads, we take a look at how to enjoy the best of Italy. Savor the sumptuous foodie culture; explore the country’s beautiful national parks; discover famous film locations; find the best gelato; unearth centuries of history; take a sparkling prosecco tour; spot iconic monuments and wander off the beaten track to discover sleepy villages hidden in rolling verdant hills.

Fodor's The Best of Italy: Rome, Florence, Venice & the Top Spots in Between (Full-color Travel Guide)

Fodor's Travel

Based on 46 reviews Check latest price

Product features

HELPFUL PLANNING ADVICE

Find what you need faster with color-coded category icons and easier-to-read two-column text.

GORGEOUS COLOR PHOTOS

Beautiful photos packed throughout will fuel your wanderlust.

ITINERARIES AND MAPS

Itineraries, maps, travel tips, and neighborhood guides will acquaint you with your destination and help you maximize your time.

IN-DEPTH FEATURES AND EXPLANATIONS

Learn about history, culture, and more with in-depth spotlight features

Fodor's Essential Italy 2020 (Full-color Travel Guide)

Fodor's Travel

Based on 67 reviews Check latest price

Product features

HELPFUL PLANNING ADVICE

Find what you need faster with color-coded category icons and easier-to-read two-column text.

GORGEOUS COLOR PHOTOS

Beautiful photos packed throughout will fuel your wanderlust.

ITINERARIES AND MAPS

Itineraries, maps, travel tips, and neighborhood guides will acquaint you with your destination and help you maximize your time.

IN-DEPTH FEATURES AND EXPLANATIONS

Learn about history, culture, and more with in-depth spotlight features

One Hundred & One Beautiful Small Towns in Italy (Rizzoli Classics)

Rizzoli

Based on 172 reviews Check latest price

Gray Malin: Italy

Harry N. Abrams

Based on 415 reviews Check latest price

Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World's Most Amazing Places

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Glam Italia! 101 Fabulous Things to Do in Rome: Beyond the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps

Based on 121 reviews Check latest price

Rick Steves Italian Phrase Book & Dictionary (Rick Steves Travel Guide)

Rick Steves

Based on 180 reviews Check latest price

Frommers EasyGuide to Rome, Florence and Venice 2020

FrommerMedia

Based on 39 reviews Check latest price

Easy Italian Phrase Book: Over 1500 Common Phrases For Everyday Use And Travel

Based on 167 reviews Check latest price

Friuli Food and Wine: Frasca Cooking from Northern Italy's Mountains, Vineyards, and Seaside

Ten Speed Press

Based on 130 reviews Check latest price

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