Here are some recommendations for books and other materials that will help you get the most out of your next trip to Florence!  These selections will grow as we find the time to add to them, so check back regularly.

Travel Planning  |  Art and History  |  Food and Wine 
Fiction and Poetry | Movies and Music
 

Travel Planning
	Eyewitness Guide to Florence and Tuscany Eyewitness guides are great starting points for travellers--they offer just the right blend of practical advice and historical/cultural information, as well as easy to use "cutaway" style diagrams of important buildings and individual neighborhoods.
Art and History
	The Stones of Florence Although Mary McCarthy wrote this in the early 1960's, it is still one of the definitive English-language works about Florence, focusing on Renaissance history and art.
	Blue Guide: Florence For the traveller who spends a lot of time in museums!  This book focuses less on practical travel tips, and more on extremely detailed descriptions of Florence's architecture and art treasures. Essential reading for art lovers.
	Brunelleschi's Dome : How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture The fascinating history of one of the world's most famous architectural landmarks.
Food and Wine
	Sandra Gustafson's Cheap Eats in Italy This book, which covers Rome and Venice as well as Florence, will definitely help you get the best value for your food budget.  From pizzerie and "hole in the wall" restaurants to worthwhile "splurges," Gustafson's recommendations are always reliable.
	Eating in Italy : A Travelers Guide to the Gastronomic Pleasures of Northern Italy Faith Heller Willinger's excellent book includes listings for all of Northern Italy, as well as a good section on Florence. The author's detailed recommendations range from her favorite cafes to the best places to buy housewares and kitchen gadgets!
Fiction and Poetry
	A Room With A View E.M. Forster's classic story of a young woman who is transformed by Florence is perfect "pre-trip" reading--the Merchant-Ivory movie of the same name is also definitely worth a look!
	The Divine Comedy Dante's masterwork--Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso in a "terza rima" translation by John Ciardi.
	Aurora Leigh and Other Poems Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote much of her poetry in Florence, including "Casa Guidi Windows," which appears in this volume. (Casa Guidi is just across from the Pitti Palace, if you want to go and take a look!)
	Robert Browning's Poetry Includes excerpts from "The Ring and the Book," inspired by an old book that Browning found in the market one day (or so the story goes...).
	Romola This novel by George Eliot is about a young woman living in Florence during Savonarola's time--not a "quick read," but very interesting!
Movies and Music
	A Room with a View Absolutely essential viewing before any trip to Florence!  Maggie Smith, Helena Bonham Carter, Julian Sands, Judi Dench and Denholm Elliott, plus the glorious voice of Kiri te Kanawa on the soundtrack.