adore--from Italy's art and architecture to glorious Tuscan hill towns to red-hot nightlife, and much, much more.   Expanded Coverage: Fodor's Italy 2014 continues to provide thorough, insightful coverage to this year-after-year top European destination. New this year is a chapter on the increasingly popular Island of Sardinia, known for its natural beauty. Dozens of scintillating new reviews are sure to entice first- and even old-timers to hotels and restaurants scattered throughout Rome, Venice, and Florence. Establishments in farther-flung cities and towns are also given their due, and this guide has long featured rich coverage of the “Mezzogiorno”: those now-trendy southern Italy destinations found in Puglia , Calabria, and Basilicata (home to Francis Ford Coppola’s new Palazzo Margherita hotel).   Illustrated Features: Multiple full-color features bring the many sides of Italy to vibrant life. Included among the photogenic array of riches are the ancient ruins of Rome, Sicily, and Pompeii; Michelangelo's spectacular Sistine Chapel ceiling, Palladio's villas, Florence's Duomo, and Assisi's basilica of St. Francis; the vineyards of Barolo and Tuscany; the scenic glory of the Cinque Terre and Venice's Grand Canal; Pizza, Naples-style; and more.   Indispensable Trip Planning Tools:  Convenient overviews show each region and its notable highlights, and chapter planning sections have savvy advice for making the most of travelers' time, with top tips on getting from cities to countryside villages. Enticing cuisine highlights are given in each regional chapter.   Discerning Recommendations: Fodor's Italy 2014 offers savvy advice and recommendations from local writers to help travelers make the most of their time. Fodor's Choice designates our best picks, from hotels to nightlife. "Word of Mouth" quotes from fellow travelers provide valuable insights.   Pullout Map: Handy take-along maps of Rome and Venice provide added value, giving travelers essential information about top attractions, walking tours, and nearby dining so they can travel with confidence. ABOUT FODOR'S AUTHORS: Each Fodor's Travel Guide is researched and written by local experts.

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