Taking you off the beaten path of tourist Italy, "Italian Country Hideaways" invites you to the most unforgettable private villas, castles, fortresses, and farmhouses-places in which you can actually stay. An introduction to each region"s local food and wine, sites, festivals, and other points of interest is followed by a selection of unique estates memorable for their meals, dcor, architecture, grounds, and history. Opening up their ancestral homes, the owners of these preserved and fully functional estates now offer you a key to the hidden splendors of the Italian countryside. A detailed appendix provides all the practical information you"ll need for planning your visits, including complete contact information, prices, amenities, and dates of availability, plus helpful facts and advice on transportation, seasonal considerations, and making reservations.