Described as "the perfect Baroque city," the southeastern Sicilian city of Noto was totally destroyed by an earthquake in 1693 and then rebuilt by ambitious citizens eager to match Italian achievements. The Genesis of Noto traces the complex history of Noto's foundation and growth as a grid-planned Renaissance-Baroque utopia. Described as "the perfect Baroque city," the southeastern Sicilian city of Noto was totally destroyed by an earthquake in 1693 and then rebuilt by ambitious citizens eager to match Italian achievements. The Genesis of Noto traces the complex history of Noto's foundation and growth as a grid-planned Renaissance-Baroque utopia.

Steve Galluccio's newest stage triumph, In Piazza San Domenico, is a comedy of errors that takes place in a bustling neighbourhood of 1952 Naples. This two-act play recounts the story of how one broken engagement ripples throughout friends and family, affecting all of their respective love lives in different ways. The young and beautifully earthy Carmelina faints in the arms of the town philanderer, Tonino, setting off a wave of malicious gossip that seems to infect everyone in town with second thoughts about their current partners--and inexplicable desires for new ones--as often as not consummated on that shadowed spot of carpet behind the statue of San Francesco in the church on the town square. Finally, as if the very gods are angry with these salacious goings-on, an earthquake hits the town, sending the characters into the piazza and keeping them there for the night with a series of ominous aftershocks. As the sun rises, misunderstandings are resolved, the truth is revealed, and hardened hearts yield to the eternally verdant desires for life. In a world and a time hovering between the "traditional" values and the emancipated new thinking, Italian theatrical archetypes with their roots in Roman comedies and the Commedia dell'arte evolve into the recognizable stereotypes of mid-twentieth-century society that were to become hallmarks of the whimsical Sophia Loren/Marcello Mastroianni films of the early 1960s. Of this play, Galluccio has said: "Humour is a powerful tool that can get us through anything ... the human spirit and its sense of survival is bigger than whatever society can throw at us."

Full-color photography and a host of practical information highlight this series of user-friendly travel guides, which also include descriptions of local sites, restaurants, hostels, shops, and nightspots; ratings of sites for value, historic interest, family friendly appeal, and other criteria; local itineraries and shopping suggestions; travel suggestions; transportation options; and colorful maps.

A photo-illustrated guide to travel in Italy that presents cultural and historical overviews, descriptions of sights to see and things to do, trip planning tips, maps, a lodging and dining section, and several walks and drives.

Your in-depth guide to the very best of Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Make the most of your trip to Naples and the Amalfi Coast with our DK Eyewitness Travel Guide. Packed with insider tips to make your trip a success, you'll find a guide to Naples's stunning architecture and its scenic drives that let you experience the best hotels, bars, and shops that the city and coast have to offer. Try local delicacies at fantastic restaurants, bars, and clubs, and enjoy the great views in spots that will take your breath away. We have the best hotels for every budget, plus fun activities for the solitary traveler or for families and children visiting Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Discover DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Naples & the Amalfi Coast: + Detailed itineraries and "don't-miss" destination highlights at a glance. + Illustrated cutaway 3-D drawings of important sights. + Floor plans and guided visitor information for major museums. + Guided walking tours, local drink and dining specialties to try, things to do, and places to eat, drink, and shop by area. + Area maps marked with sights. + Detailed city maps include street finder indexes for easy navigation. + Insights into history and culture to help you understand the stories behind the sights. + Hotel and restaurant listings highlight DK Choice special recommendations. With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that illuminate every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Naples & the Amalfi Coast truly shows you this destination as no one else can. Recommended: For a pocket guidebook to Naples and the Amalfi Coast, check out DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Top 10 Naples & the Amalfi Coast, which is packed with dozens of top 10 lists, ensuring you make the most of your time and experience the best of everything.

Describes essential places to see from around the world, offering information on what to find at each spot and the best time to visit.