Italy’s Shrines and Wonders Discovering Sacred Spaces, Fascinating Places, and Destinations off the Beaten Path by Teresa Tomeo

Italy: a storied land of saints and the travel destination of dreams.

For those wishing to experience this remarkable country to the fullest, just knowing where to start can be overwhelming. Enter bestselling author, Catholic media personality, and Italy aficionado Teresa Tomeo to provide the choicest sites, best routes, and most inspiring and satisfying journeys to help you soak in all the beauty Italy has to offer and make your Italy excursion utterly unforgettable.

Tomeo draws from her experiences of more than sixty trips to her motherland, as well as from the many travel-coaching sessions she has given through her much-loved travel company, T’s Italy, to take you on a unique journey that combines major attractions with off-the-beaten-path dream destinations, offering her best advice as a true daughter of Italy and half-time Italian resident.

There is nothing quite like a Tomeo-inspired journey to Italy. Tomeo believes that no Italian excursion can be complete without embracing la dolce vita, the uniquely Italian way of life that prioritizes gastronomic pleasure and slowing down to enjoy God’s majestic creation and natural wonders, which open one’s mind and imagination to life’s possibilities. Her descriptions of the trattorias and delectable meals, as well as the home-cooked recipes she recommends, are sure to make you hungry for the fullness of the Italian cultural experience.

Tomeo includes practical, time-tested travel tips and faith and culture gems to help you navigate this lively land and catch the many unique regional feast days and celebrations it has to offer.

Whether you are traveling from the Vatican to Venice, Assisi to Amalfi, Turin to Tuscany, Pisa to Positano, or from Sorrento to Sicily, Tomeo shares the best of the best, from magnificent churches, to stunning hilltop chapels filled with brilliant Renaissance masterpieces, to the best places for cappuccino and limoncello, to the best shopping and exploring options. She guides you to the tombs and relics of the most beloved saints and introduces you to the lesser-known heroes whose miraculous and inspiring stories will lift your mind and heart to Heaven.

Tomeo believes that Italy, more than any other place on earth, captures the meaning and essence of Psalm 19:1: “The heavens declare the glory of God, the firmament the work of His hands.” Join her on a one-of-a-kind exploration of this sacred and enthralling land so that planning your bucket-list trip to Italy becomes a joy rather than a chore, and your dream of Italy becomes a true la dolce vita reality.

Endorsements

When Teresa says grace before meals, she often adds, ‘And thank You, God, for Italy!’ Now we have our own thank-you to Teresa for this big, bold, beautiful book—Italy’s Shrines and Wonders! Her encyclopedic knowledge of ‘the Motherland’ totally captures the magic of Italy, where churches, piazzas, fountains, and palazzi are old, but the spirit is young! We are drawn by the remarkable yet distinctive beauty of each Italian region. We are endlessly awed by shrines and saints, by incomparable art, by majestic basilicas and elegant bridges, by splendid piazzas with their bubbling fountains. We are seduced by food unmatched this side of Heaven, perhaps as we dine on an ancient square with a church bell accompanying our grace before meals. This and so much more. -Joan Lewis

In Italy’s Shrines and Wonders, Teresa Tomeo beautifully describes Italy’s rich spiritual heritage and many of its cultural treasures. This very accessible and easy-to-use guide transcends the typical travelogue, inviting readers to embark on a spiritual and cultural pilgrimage through the heart of Italy, a land steeped in faith, history, and beauty. This book is a wonderful resource for those eager to visit Italy and discover the profound connections between faith, history, natural beauty, and the vibrant Italian spirit.” -Frank Caggiano

Several things make a book stand out from the rest—engaging content, organized presentation, thoughtful wording, and, in this case, lovely pictures and informative sidebars. But what makes Italy’s Shrines and Wonders a treasure is Teresa Tomeo’s ardent love and enthusiasm, which light up every page. With the expertise of an experienced guide, Teresa invites you to share her favorite adventures and little-known secrets in the land of her ancestors, which she has adopted with a passion. The gorgeous beauty and exquisite culture of Italy draw you in. Italy’s palpable Catholic heritage exudes from every page. Join Teresa on a delightfully spiritual and culturally enriching journey through a country that radiates the glory of Christendom.-Steve Ray

Teresa has done it again—thorough research, gorgeous photos, sacred spaces, fantastic sights, and everything in between! Italy is covered by this ‘seasoned’ Italian from head to toe. Teresa caters to everything you could desire. Bravissima! -Susan Tassone

416 Pages, Paperback