Amazon.com Review

Jews don’t always put Germany on the top of their travel destination list, but the fact is that outside of Israel, no country contains more important and beautiful Jewish historical sites than does Germany. Weissensee, the largest Jewish cemetery in Europe, is in Berlin, there’s a lovely ritual bath (mikveh) in Friedberg dating back to the 13th century, and there’s a rare, surviving Jugendstil synagogue in Ausburg. From Aachen to Würzburg, nearly 200 sites left out of most guide books are described and detailed, including what there is to see (often with color pictures), what the history is, and most importantly, how to get there.

In Ansbach there’s a synagogue from the 18th century that escaped destruction during the “Reichskristallnacht” of 1938. Its Torah was burned, but the building itself was left unhurt. Annual memorial services are held on November 9 (the date of kristallnacht) in this Baroque synagogue, attended by Catholics, Protestants, and Jews from throughout Bavaria. In Hofgeismar there’s a fine Judaica museum that tells the story, through its archive of texts and pictures, of a Jewish community that dates back to 1470, and there’s a cemetery that was started in 1695. The last burial of a Hofgeismar Jew was in 1935, but the cemetery contains Jewish displaced persons who died in 1946 and 1947, plus a memorial of a gravestone and a buried piece of soap, erected in 1945 by Jewish concentration camp survivors.

Documenting the history of individual settlements throughout Germany, as well as what remains to be seen of them, this unique guide keeps the history alive and makes possible an unusual German tour. –Stephanie Gold

Product Description

Whether travellers are searching for history, religion, or their roots, they will not be disappointed by the countless discoveries to be made with the help of this key to the open doors of Jewish Germany.

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Review

“Folk traditions and mythical love stories intertwine with inspired advice in this unconventional travel tome.” — May WINE ENTHUSIAST

Product Description

From the sensuous sound of water lapping against the walls of Venice’s ancient palazzi to the intoxicating fragrance of citrus blossoms in Sicily, Italy is a country made for lovers. In 10 distinct chapters, Monica Larner-who has divided her life between Italy and America since childhood-guides the reader through Italy’s most inspiring destinations, including romantic locales, exclusive hotels, and tantalizing restaurants. Each region has its own unique amorous legends, love rituals, and aphrodisiac recipes that inspire and seduce. Beautifully illustrated with dozens of luscious color photographs that evoke the magic and fantasy of a romantic trip far away, the book includes complete information on getting married abroad, and will prove an invaluable and enjoyable resource to any true romantic.

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