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The dollar continues to be strong against the lire, making Italy a great value for U.S. travelers -- in 1996 alone, it's estimated that 3 million Americans made the trip. In the latest Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards, Italy was the only nation to place three cities (Florence, Rome, and Venice) in the top ten list of favorite international cities. This year we've made our guide better than ever, with additional maps, expanded coverage of southern Italy (including a new feature on how to trace your family roots there), and expanded coverage of shopping throughout the country.