Time Out Florence and the Best of Tuscany

Apollo, August, 2005

Time Out Florence and the Best of Tuscany

Penquin Books 1195 [pounds sterling]/$16.95

ISBN 0 14101355 9

The paucity of stars awarded the Time Out guide does not mean that I disliked it: quite the contrary. I just don't think it really is a guidebook. Covering Florence and the rest of Tuscany in about equal measure, the book is divided into sections on sighteeing, accommodation, 'Eat Drink and Shop' and arts and entertainment. It is crammed with suggestions for every sort of activity, from cinema and jazz to horse-racing and football. I would not hesitate to follow its excellent, clear recommendations for restaurants and accommodation, and the book is well written and often amusing--the introductions, on culture, history and food, have real flair. But the art and architecture are skimped. The brief entries on each monument are really just glorified listings, there are no plans and the maps are barely adequate. Do people really come to Florence to visit the faces?

Santa Croce 615 words Overall Rating: *