My interests are geared toward art, history, landscapes and architecture. I will be on "The Best of Italy" beginning in June. What movies, what books would prepare me the best for Italy. I haven't been there since the 1970's. I know, right off the bat, seeing "David" will probably be the highlight of my tour.
Posted by
Campbell River, Canada
361 posts
Pam, On this same travel forum under the heading Tips and Trips reports there is a sub-heading for reading and movie suggestions before travelling to Italy. We found it very useful. Sherry
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Films: "Roman Holiday", absolutely! If you can find foreign language films, "Nudo di Donna" ("Portrait of a Woman, Nude") uses Venezia as a character in the film. Anything by Fellini or Lina Wertmuller. "Cinema Paradiso", "1900", dozens of others.
Michelangelo's David is certainly a highlight, but wait for the sculptures of the Captives and the Saint Matthew in the gallery that lead up to David.
Posted by
Los Angeles
1825 posts
My wife and I loved the HBO miniseries "Rome". It really brings the history to life and gives personality to historical figures (who knows how accurate?) so when you see something Roman you have a point of reference. There is a lot of sex and violence.
Posted by
Tucson
4183 posts
I love that series, too. I think it's pretty accurate, visually, culturally and behaviorally. No cable back then, you know.
Posted by
Milan, Italy
308 posts
For your visit to Florence, I suggest watching "A Room with a View". The first half of the movie occurs in Florence/Tuscany. Either the PBS or movie version will do. Buon viaggio!
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Books: Colleen McCullough's series on Ancient Rome is interesting, lots of detail. Begins with The First Man in Rome.
Posted by
Indianapolis
247 posts
I highly recommend using YouTube and your local library to search about the things/places you will be seeing on your trip
Here's a few of my favorites:
Francesco's Italy (Top to Toe):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jpcNsbFAP8&list=PLOdu-Y0QCZUMqWSu-tXQGZfdIzeTA6hfi
Fantastic PBS documentary on the Duomo in Florence:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wx2YL9Fh8s
Lots of others here I put into various playlists:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYjMPwSAQAJemcvFFK-HBfA/playlists
Posted by
georgetown, KY, USA
114 posts
Seeing the post above about the documentary on the Florence Duomo reminded me of the fantastic book I read about the building of the dome called "Brunelleschi's Dome". We climbed the dome and reading the book gave me a much deeper appreciation of the time. labor and skill involved. Plus it gave a lot of background as to what was happening in Florence at the time.
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA
28 posts
If you enjoy nonfiction, I highly recommend "Michelangelo and The Pope's Ceiling" by Ross King and "Galileo's Daughter" by Dava Sobel. I learned so much about the influence and culture of the Catholic Church in those times (not very flattering, but interesting); it really enhanced my visit to the Vatican.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Among Rick's materials, I'd look at his art lectures online at http://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/travel-talks. His Europe 101 book is a similar introductory or refresher overview of history and art periods.