Medieval Italy
Glossary of Renaissance Dress and Textile Terms · Vaneglista di Antonio Dellaluna did a huge public service by transcribing the glossary from Dress in Renaissance Italy, 1400-1500, by Jacqueline Herald. (Humanities Press: NJ, 1981). The book is, sadly, out of print.
Metropolitan Museum of Art timeline for Venice and Northern Italy, 1400-1600 A.D.The Met's website is an indepth resource for period research. Just like the museum itself, it's also a wonderful place to lose your sense of direction.
Paradox Place · Adrian Fletcher's web site is a must-go destination for the armchair medieval traveler to Italy and other places. Lots of big, beautiful photos that he took himself, with his own knowledgeable eye-witness descriptions. Pics so beautiful, they'll make your eyes water.
A Day in a Medieval City, by Chiara Frugoni · Two things I love about this book: It's about Italy, rather than England, like most medieval stuff in these parts, and it's a fun read. Wonderful details amply illustrated.
Medieval and Renaissance picks
The Golden Tarot deck · Beautiful collages of late medieval and early Renaissance artwork. Kat Black's carefully assembled images are slightly surreal, in the tradition of medieval art itself, yet completely accessible as tarot. Of particular value is the meticulous documentation of the artworks in the accompanying book, with artist, country, title, date, and collection. The presentation is gorgeous, with rich gold-edged cards and a 198-page book in a sturdy box.
Renaissance Tarot · Brian Williams brought together his love of tarot and Italy with the gorgeous art of the Renaissance Tarot. The Renaissance Tarot Book includes Brian's own line drawing reproductions of classical, medieval and Renaissance masterpieces. Brian's knowledge of the period and his adeptness at marrying the symbolism of tarot and the Renaissance make the book a fascinating read.
Crispin: Cross of Lead, by Avi · Crispin is a series of very engaging kid/YA novels that make the medieval times seem real, without the usual hyperbole.
Catalogue of Digitized Medieval Manuscripts · As close as most of us will get to looking at the precious manuscripts themselves.