Some people go to Italy for the sun, and some for the art.
But all go to Italy for the food. Those serious about their diet can find some guidance in books on Italy's gastronomic delights. A Traveler's Guide to the Hidden Gastronomic Pleasures of Northern Italy, by Faith Heller Willinger. With 1,600 entries devoted to the 11 regions in Northern Italy, this book covers everything from soup to nuts, er, da zuppa ai noci. She even offers advice on cooking schools, winery visits and tells you where to buy houseware and linens.