What to Read/Watch Before Your Italian Holiday
Florence
A friend recently sent me an Instagram message asking for books set in Italy to get her excited about her upcoming trip to Rome, Florence, Venice, and Cinque Terre. I love that she asked and am happy to give her some of my favorite recommendations.
If you’re looking for some recommendations to get you ready to travel again, I’ve got you covered.
Books Set in Italy
A Room with a View by E.M. Forster. This is a classic coming of age book that’s set partially in Florence and partially in England. It truly is the number one book I’d recommend if you love great literature that’s set in a fabulous location. Bonus: it’s also a truly wonderful movie that I’ve probably seen five times. Get the book. Watch the movie. Just transport yourself to another time and place.
Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes. Not quite in the same quintessentially classic category as the Forster novel, but almost. This memoir will transport you to the colors, the flavors, and the romance of Tuscany as quickly as you can say Montepulciano.
Venice
Women in Sunlight by Frances Mayes. I have to include this fiction offering by Frances Mayes because when I read it I found myself smiling as I thought about the women in the book, some of whom ventured bravely forth in their *ahem* “advanced” years to travel solo. It’s about courage, finding yourself later in life, and, of course, love.
A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemmingway. Talk about a classic! Love it or hate it (there’s a hot debate in my family about this book), you will be taken straight to the front lines of WWI Italy in this book.
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter. True confession: I haven’t read this book. But as I was searching for lists of books set in Italy, this book appeared on nearly every list. At first glance, the cover looked like a banal chick-lit book, and not the good kind (see next entry). But as I read the description, it seems like a book I need to add to my growing “Want to Read” list. Lost love. Italy. Hollywood. Edinburgh. All of these make me say, “Yes, please!”
Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan. OK, OK, this is not great literature, but if you’re looking for a fun read that’s set on the incredible island of Capri, this one might be for you. I read it after I saw an interview with Kwan in which he talked about his love for Forester’s A Room with a View. He modeled this book after Forester’s, and the result is a fun romp through Capri.
*Edited to add* I cannot believe I forgot to add one of my favorite books about Italy of all time! If you could only read one book on this list, choose Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr. This is a memoir—Doerr had just been given a fellowship to write, in Rome of all places, a WWII novel (you can guess which one). But since he was in Rome with his wife and newborn twins, life (and beautiful Rome!) got in the way and Doerr struggles with writers block. The gorgeous descriptions of Rome keep me coming back to this book. You won’t regret giving it a try.
Travel books about Italy
Because half the fun of planning a trip to Italy is, well, the planning, I thought I’d throw in a couple of suggestions for guidebooks.
Rick Steves Best of Italy. This one covers the main sights that you might want to visit in a two-week trip, rather than his more extensive Rick Steves Italy book. I know many people have various opinions on Rick and his guidebooks, but I have always found his information, especially his walking tours, really helpful.
Frommer’s Italy. I really like the Frommer’s books as they have more high-end recommendations that Rick Steves, and sometimes travelers are looking for more than the latest two-star hostel rec. Their newest Italy guide comes out on May 3, 2022, but if you can’t wait that long, go for the 2020 book and have fun dreaming.
Montalcino in this Cinque Terre
Movies/TV shows set in Italy
And just in case you’d rather watch the scenery of Italy than read about it, here are a few suggestions for your viewing pleasure.
A Room with a View, 1985. This movie is what made me fall in love with the book. With such notable names as a young Helena Bonham Carter and a much younger Maggie Smith, you are in for a treat.
Under the Tuscan Sun, 2003. This movie, based on the Francis Mayes memoir and starring Diane Lane, is just the thing if you’re looking for a little Italian romance. If you’ve never seen it, do so now.
The Talented Mr. Ripley, 1999. With names like Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwynnth Paltrow, and Cate Blanchett, how could you go wrong? Add in the creepy element and the gorgeous Italian landscape, and you’ve got a winner.
Rebecca, 2020 (Netflix version). This was the movie in which I realized that Lily James was a great actress. Based on the 1938 Gothic novel by Daphne du Maurier, which I read many years ago and LOVED, this movie version is just. so. good. Go watch it TODAY!
Letters to Juliet, 2010. Yes, it’s a chick flick. Yes, it’s a little dumb. Yes, it has Amanda Seyfried in it. But it also includes Vanessa Redgrave and the darling Christopher Egan, and those two make the movie more watchable. I’ll confess, I fire this one up every couple of years just to watch the scenery.
Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, 2021 via CNN. This series, which originally premiered on CNN, follows actor Stanley Tucci as he attempts to find the best dishes in each of the 20 regions of Italy. Season 1 features six of the regions, and I loved every minute of it. Season 2 is coming in March 2022, and I can’t wait. Following Stanley through Italy is almost as satisfying as being there yourself. Almost.
There you have it. My recommended reading/guiding/watching list for your next Italian trip. Have fun dreaming!
And now I’d love to know . . . what would you tell my friend to read or watch before her next trip to Italy? Leave a comment and let’s talk!
