Florence and Tuscany. Not vice versa, because Florence is, like Venice in Veneto, the historical, moral and artistic capital. Nowadays we can fly and see into the very fabric of the countryside and the city; we can see details that are invisible to the lesser mortals who walk on the earth and have to look up to catch a glimpse of the top of a tower, of a dome, of a bell tower, or of a mountain. As free as birds, from above we can see the cradle of the Italian Renaissance and the entire region spread out like a huge map. From this perspective, it is easier to follow Florence's and Tuscany's changing fortunes throughout their 3,000-year history. During these centuries, human activity in the region has been uninterrupted, which has resulted in the wonderful layers of civilization we see today. Flying above the clouds, the reader will enjoy peerless panoramas as well as those hidden views, which are so picturesque in this beautiful region. There is no better way to appreciate the stunning Tuscan scenery. These pictures show an amazing land, which is quite different from that one portrayed in the postcards. The aim of this book is quite simply to pay homage to great beauty; a beauty that will transport the reader out of the ordinary world. 268 colour photographs