Magnificent Italia: Tuscano

A wonderful bit of Italian eye candy for armchair travelers (who can ponder the meaning of the palindrome “Able was I ere I saw Elba,” while seeing the lasting touch Napoleon left on the coastal city during his 10-month exile—including a 2,000-volume library), this entry in the 12-part, HD-shot Magnificent Italia makes extensive use of aerial shots to capture the natural landscapes and man-made splendors of Tuscany. In addition to visits to the wineries and farms in the region (source of Italy's largest organic produce output), viewers are treated to close-up looks at a number of cities, including Volterra, with it's sandstone walls built to protect the artists' community, where beautiful sculptures (from bowls to busts to ornate funeral urns) are still created today from the plentiful local alabaster; the “home of saffron,” San Gimignano, with its ornate churches; and Florence, where the Museo Stibbert houses Michelangelo's David. Other titles in the series (series price: $470) include: Basilicata, Campania, Sicillia, Umbria, and Valle D'Aosta. Recommended. Aud: P. (C. Block)