For Italians, pausing to enjoy a scoop of intensely flavored, velvety gelato is a favorite pastime that requires no special occasion. It's an excuse to take an afternoon stroll or visit with others at the neighborhood gelateria, where the proprietor uses only premium ingredients and age-old techniques to handcraft the world's best ice cream. Every Italian town and city has its own beloved gelaterie, offering seasonal specialties and family recipes that have been handed down for generations. Pamela Sheldon Johns gives us the grand tour of these gelaterie, tracing gelato's roots back to Sicily and uncovering the secrets of great gelato making.