“A love letter to an ancient Italian city by the sea . . . Both writers are exemplars of the windowpane school of prose: We are able to visualize their subjects as soon as we take in their sentences.”—Mindy Aloff, The Washington Post“Refreshing and delightful. Begley and Muhlstein manage to combine in one volume the innocent ardor of a first-time visitor and the seasoned appreciation of longtime lovers.”—Don George, National Geographic Traveler“This is an unconventional introduction that captures the spirit both of La Serenissima and of what Thomas Mann called “the slightly foul odor of sea and swamp.”. . . fresh insights both from the writers who are quoted and the authors themselves: and the novella is a gem.”—Andrew Taylor, Times Literary Supplement (UK)“A charming collection of writing and memoirs of the most romantic of cities.”—The Daily Express (UK)

“A love letter to an ancient Italian city by the sea . . . Both writers are exemplars of the windowpane school of prose: We are able to visualize their subjects as soon as we take in their sentences.”—Mindy Aloff, The Washington Post“Refreshing and delightful. Begley and Muhlstein manage to combine in one volume the innocent ardor of a first-time visitor and the seasoned appreciation of longtime lovers.”—Don George, National Geographic Traveler“This is an unconventional introduction that captures the spirit both of La Serenissima and of what Thomas Mann called “the slightly foul odor of sea and swamp.”. . . fresh insights both from the writers who are quoted and the authors themselves: and the novella is a gem.”—Andrew Taylor, Times Literary Supplement (UK)“A charming collection of writing and memoirs of the most romantic of cities.”—The Daily Express (UK)