Feasting her way through an Italian honeymoon, Jen Lin-Liu was struck by culinary echoes of the delicacies she ate and cooked back in China, where she'd lived for more than a decade. Who really invented the noodle? she wondered, like many before her. But also: How had food and culture moved along the Silk Road, the ancient trade route linking Asia to Europe-and what could still be felt of those long-ago migrations? With her new husband's blessing, she set out to discover the connections, both historical and personal, eating a path through western China and on into Central Asia, Iran, Turkey, and across the Mediterranean. The journey takes Lin-Liu into the private kitchens where the headscarves come off and women not only knead and simmer but also confess and confide. The thin rounds of dough stuffed with meat that are dumplings in Beijing evolve into manti in Turkey-their tiny size the measure of a bride's worth-and end as tortellini in Italy. And as she stirs and samples, listening to the women talk about their lives and longings, Lin-Liu gains a new appreciation of her own marriage, learning to savor the sweetness of love freely chosen.

Product Description: Feasting her way through an Italian honeymoon, Jen Lin-Liu was struck by culinary echoes of the delicacies she ate and cooked back in China, where she'd lived for more than a decade. Who really invented the noodle? she wondered, like many before her...read more

Product Description: Insider advice on ancient seaside and cliff-top temples, strolling through rice terraces, learning traditional music and dance, and discovering hidden beaches. Where to find; the richest Balinese textiles, traditional Bali dance performances,  classic handcrafts, unique paintings, and the best fresh fruit juices...read more

Detailed, objective reviews of hotels and restaurants to suit any budget are accompanied by up-to-date coverage of sightseeing, nightlife, shopping, and local activities; dozens of maps; and expert trip-planning advice, in this premier travel series.

A colorful travel series that explains how to see the best a city has to offer in a short period of time presents dozens of itineraries that include a range of thematic and neighborhood tours, along with bulleted maps, dining and lodging suggestions, star ratings of hotels and restaurants, local attractions, hundreds of color photographs, and other practical visitor information.

Detailed, objective reviews of hotels and restaurants to suit any budget are accompanied by up-to-date coverage of sightseeing, nightlife, shopping, and local activities; dozens of maps; and expert trip-planning advice, in this premier travel series.

Frommer's. The best trips start here. Experience a place the way the locals do. Enjoy the best it has to offer. Insider tips on China's top attractions, plus extensive coverage of unique and off-the-tourist-track regions and villages. Outspoken opinions on what's worth your time and what's not. Exact prices, so you can plan the perfect trip whatever your budget. Off-the-beaten-path experiences and undiscovered gems, plus new takes on top attractions. Find great deals and book your trip at Frommers.com

Product Description: Frommer's Beijing features gorgeous color photos of the sights and experiences that await you, plus invaluable Chinese translations for every hotel, restaurant, attraction, and shopping listing. All maps in Frommer's Beijing include Chinese translations, to make navigating the city easier...read more