Much more than a traditional travel guide, Victoria The Heart of England speaks with an insider"s voice to reveal what"s truly the best about England. Instead of where to go, where to stay, where to eat, the book reflects a much more personal portrait of England, and of the English. Victoria The Heart of England is organized around four themes that areimportant to England and its culture: tradition, wit, romance, and pride. The tradition section, for example, includes information on pewter, England"s island heritage - "The Gift of the Sea" -- and the etiquette of port. The section on romance highlights the Brontes, an English cottage garden, and an Englishwoman"s retreat. This book helps readers get to know England so that when they do visit, they truly will experience England at her best, rather than just visiting the usual tourist haunts.After whetting readers" appetites for a trip to England, the book delivers even more: itineraries and a gazetteer, to provide practical help and advice for planning a visit.And because it"s such a delightful read, armchair travelers can have almost as much fun as those who visit England in person.