Todi pictures

I've added a paltry 3 pictures I snapped in Todi to my flickr set. Each has a brief introduction to these essential sights of the serene little Umbrian town. Perfectly proportioned Piazza del Popolo, with its 12th-century Duomo, and Santa Maria della Consolazione just outside the town walls are worth the trip alone. But more than that, Todi is a great place to just be, not necessarily to see. Put your camera away and soak up the peace.

There's much more help with planning a visit to Todi on the comune tourism page (in English). The tourist office is on 075/8945416.

Taking You Back to Tuscany

Just back from Tuscany? Pining for the place? Not even a little? I know I am.

This website combines Google Maps and 360 degree panoramic photography to give you a real sense of being in 15 different spots across the region. There's even a bit of Umbria – Perugia and Assisi – thrown in for good measure.

I especially love this internal panorama of the Basilica di San Miniato al Monte, in Florence. The Romanesque basilica, just uphill from Piazzale Michelangelo (see the book, p. 61), is one of the few city spots you can find a bit of peace, even in high season. On p. 63 of the book we recommend a family Oltrarno walk, from the Giardino di Boboli, that'll guide you all there.

Okay, so a bit of surfing doesn't quite match basking under a Tuscan sun for yourself. But, from my desk in East London, it's as close as I'm getting for now. Alas.

Livorno - Extras

Nip over here to my new Flickr site and you'll find the first of what I hope will be a regular series of slideshows with photos and background information we didn't have space for in the book.

This week: Livorno (p. 139-142) in brief, port city, home of cacciucco, and untypical Tuscany hangout.