Photo Credit: Traveler’s Tales

What do you get when you take thirty separate travel stories from thirty separate writers, all focused on one of the romantic destinations in the world? A very objective snapshot of what it’s like to live there.

Having done so for two years myself, I enjoyed this book on a personal level. I think Italy is an absolutely magical place to live. Which is probably why my favorite excerpt is the interview with Frances Mayes, author of Under the Tuscan Sun.  Hearing my own thoughts echoed by a fellow expat made me long for an afternoon of wine tasting in the countryside again.

Other shorts that stick in my memory? One person’s dunk into the Grand Canal (nearly did that myself once) and the excerpt on what standing in line means in Italy. If you are planning a trip and want to get in the mood, or are interested in taking a stroll down an Italian memory lane, 30 Days in Italy just might be for you.

Related Reading: 11 Things to See and Do in Bolzano, Italy

Specifically for those interested in eating and drinking their way through Florence, as well as those interested in a cooking class or two. I was particularly pleased to see one of my favorite restaurants the world ‘round: Il Latini. Emily Miller includes recommendations for actual cooking schools, tips on where to eat in various sections of Florence and the surrounding area, and a helpful explanation of various food terms and types of restaurants found in country. Thorough.

Photo Credit: Ten Speed Press