The city of Venice, shrouded in mist as it rises above the lagoon, is home to centuries of history and legend. The beauty of Saint Mark's Square and the secret, winding canals have inspired generations of artists and writers to capture the soul of this sometimes melancholy, yet always lovely city.

The surrounding region of Venetia is no less rich in cultural and natural treasures: from Juliet's balcony in Verona to the architectural masterpieces of Palladio; from the ancient university of Padua-- among its students Galileo, Dante and Petrarch-- to the wild grandeur of the Dolomites.

The Traveling Gourmet offers the perfect introduction to one of the world's most celebrated cities and its regions, with plenty to delight both the inquisitive tourist and the dedicated food-lover. In addition to the author's lively account of points of local interest, for each town or region visited, Italian chef Toni Vianello presents a selection of mouthwatering recipes. Specialities include dishes such as zuppa di go (a soup made with tiny fish from Venice's lagoon), and radicchio alla griglia (a salad from Treviso where the lettuce owes its quality to the purity of the town's water).

Specially commissioned photographs capture the beauty of the sights and the appetizing colors of local products, inviting readers to bring the flavor of Venice into their own home.

Venice and its surroundings are a feast for the senses. The ancient splendors of the mythical Serene City, the stunning vistas of the Dolomite mountains, the romance of Verona-- discover their magic in this unique guide to the culture and cuisine of one of Italy's most beautiful regions. Includes fifty recipes.

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The Traveling Gourmet: Venice guides us to the heart of one of Italy's most celebrated cities and its region, with plenty to delight both the inquisitive tourist and the dedicated food-lover.

The author plunges us into the magic of northern Italy, leading us on a cultural and culinary tour which begins in mythical Venice, and is followed by excursions to surrounding cities, including Trevise, Padua, and Verona. We are presented with well-known and lesser-known aspects of this region, from the history of the renowned Venetian Carnavale, to the majestic Dolomites in the Italian Alps, through to the ancient Roman and Renaissance architecture of Vicenzia.

For each town or region visited, Italian chef Toni Vainello presents a selection of recipes for local specialities, including dishes such as zuppa di go' (a soup made with tiny fish from Venice's lagoon), and radicchio alla griglia (a salad from Trevise where the lettuce owes its quality to the purity of the town's water). Specially commissioned photographs capture both the beauty of the sights and the appetiz

Gilles Plazy has written a number of works, including poems, fiction, and essays, amongst which Cézanne and the Provençal Tables (Clarkson Potter, 1995) and In the Footsteps of Van Gogh (Penguin, 1998).

Mark Edward Smith is English but was brought up in Italy, and has lived in Venice for twenty-five years. His photographs have appeared in many major Italian and European magazines such as Geo, Dove, Vie del Mondo and Espresso, as well as in the New York Times. He has published several books on his beloved Venice.

Pier Antonio Vianello, or Toni, was born in the Italian town of Portogruaro in 1950. He studied Fine Art in Venice before leaving for London where he worked for three years as a chef. His restaurant, L'Osteria, is one of Venice's finest. He has authored a number of cookery books on traditional Italian cuisine.