BEMELMAN'S ITALIAN HOLIDAY

A wholly unorthodox approach to touring Italy enlivened by Bemelmans' individuality and the odd angles he chooses for exploration. What- for instance- would be heaven to the ultra rich in Italy,- Rome, Taormina, Venice, Portofino, the islands of the Bay of Naples? Or what would he advised for those with leaner purses- that small unlisted inn or trattoria? He talks to all and sundry, an impoverished Prince, a poverty striken Duke- both with back-grounds of lost wealth; a sad rich man cherishing a lost love; an alcoholic father; a waiter, and so on. Their advice and his own whims took him from Rome to Taormina, a stopover in Milan, Sorrento and Positano on the Amalfi Drive, Venice- and the islands of the Bay of Naples, Capri and the lesser known Ischia; and a finale at Mount Vesuvius. Bits of humor — less barbed than usual- anecdotes- pen portraits of personalities and places- and pen and pencil and paintbrush to enliven the text. For travel book addicts as well as for the Bemelmans' fans.