I have just started planning a Mediterranean Cruise for 2010, so I have plenty of time to read some good books that take place in some of the cities we might visit. Anyone have any suggestions for cities like Florence, Rome, Venice, Athens, Tunis, etc? It would be a great way to get a feel for some of the history before we go.

Oh Cora! Rome is FABULOUS! You could spend the rest of your life there and still not see all there is to see! If you do go I suggest going to the top of the Spanish Steps into the little forsest. From that vantage point you can see almost the entire city. It is right next to the Trevi Fountain, so you can't miss it!

I recommend Spring of the Ram or Race of Scorpions both by Dorothy Dunnett.

Cora--I did that cruise 5 years ago, it was amazing! See if you can do a tour to the original site of Olympia----awesome! and, ITA with Jen, Rome is a few months' vacation in and of itself!

for Venice, which I also adore, read anything on Cassanova, or see the film, which was fun!

Thanks for all the suggestions. So far I have ordered The Birth of Venus and placed a bunch of the other suggestions on my wishlist.