Enchanted Liguria: A Celebration of the Culture, Lifestyle and Food of the Italian Riviera

Enchanted Liguria: A Celebration of the Culture, Lifestyle and Food of the Italian Riviera by Downie, David. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780847820078.

To travelers, the Italian Riviera and its famous villages-- Portofino, the Cinque Terre-- have meant "vacation," "sea" and "sun" for more than a century. To food lovers everywhere its culinary triumphs such as pesto, focaccia and ravioli are icons of Italian cooking. Liguria is known as well for the trompe-loeil that decorates it architecture inside and out, and for its crafts-- furniture-making, boat-building and lace-weaving among others, for which it has been renowned for centuries. This gorgeous book is devoted to Liguria, Italys picturesque and culturally rich region that boasts a breathtaking Mediterranean seacoast and its mountainous "backyard." Downies lively account of the fascinating history and lifestyle is matched by Harriss photographs of Ligurias dramatic locales, from Camogli, the "saltiest, most piratical town" on the Mediterranean, to the interior, a vast, vertical garden dotted with towns carved from the rugged landscape. Enchanted Liguria also includes rarely photographed interiors of grand aristocratic villas and elegant houses, some of which have been family homes since before the unification of Italy. Thirty recipes from the regions best chefs reflect the taste of Liguria in a celebration of herbs, marvelous pastas, breads and seafood. The appendix is a guide to museums, villas, specialty food stores and workshops. Enchanted Liguria is a practical, essential and beautiful tribute.