5 comments about Lonely Planet Rome: City Guides (Lonely Planet Rome).

1. I just (January 2007) spent six days with this guide as my constant companion on a holiday in Rome. I also saw many other people carrying this book around with them - so it seems it is a popular choice! I would say this book was an essential part of the success of my trip.
   
   * Walking around central Rome I noticed that every other person seemed to be carrying some sort of map! The maps in the guide are clear enough for navigation in the city - once you understand their limits. For example, not every street is shown and/or labelled, but in the centre of the city you're never all that far away from a street that _is_ shown. Once I got the hang of the rather chaotic way the streets work, I felt comfortable with wandering around for a while and then finding my place on the map. But if (like me) you had booked a room in a hotel well outside the city centre, you will want to get a proper map of Rome and/or take a printout of the area from Google Maps - I did both. But in the city centre it's much easier to have the guide open to the map pages than to use a large folding map.
   
   * In the shopping section there is a strong (but certainly not exclusive) emphasis on clothes/fashion/design. There's no doubt that this correctly reflects the vast number of such shops in Rome. Nevertheless, that is not my sort of thing and I would have liked more coverage of other types of store.
   
   * The walking tour section is excellent. I did two of the walks pretty much as per the directions and found them very enjoyable. Be aware though that if you want to go in to the places on the tour you need to check opening times - for example, I started the Trastevere tour at about 10:30 and by the time I got to the second half of the tour most of the places were closed. Well, that was my fault - the book gives opening times for the places mentioned on the tours.
   
   * Every place mentioned has specific directions on how to use public transport (metro and/or bus) to get there from Termini station - these directions were invaluable and I relied on them many times.



2. Lonely Planet is great for inexhaustible lists of information that you cannot possibly go through, like hotel listings, restaurants, nightlife, plus some interesting background info on history, culture, politics, and the like.
   
   I just got back from a week's vacation in Rome and I found that Lonely Planet was really useful for finding my way around the city (pretty decent maps) and finding lodging and local phone numbers. As for actually exploring places of interest, I found Rick Steves' Rome much more detailed and fun to follow.



3. This book saved my husband and me in Rome earlier this year. The friends we were traveling with had purchased the Lonely Planet Italy guidebook but it did not have nearly enough information to get us around Rome. This guide provided excellent walking tours and information on the major sites in Rome. Its multiple maps of many parts of the city made navigating the often twisty streets of the city more managegable. Definately a must for any first time traveler to Rome!



4. Credit where it's due: the guide did cover the basics.
   
   What it missed was most of the wisdom for seeing the city efficiently obtained in even a single visit. Some examples:
   - Italian restaurant customs are vastly different from American customs. For example you seat yourself and must ask for anything you want (to order, a drink refill, the check, etc.) - it's just their way of doing things. None of this was mentioned.
   - The best times to beat crowds and lines. I went several places at the suggested times and hit long lines, then exited a couple hours later to see almost no line at all...
   - Organized tours get different lines to see historical attractions (Vatican, Colosseum, etc.) than the general public. Many of these tours are a cheap way to cut through the wait even if you don't want the tour. I figured out that paying 5-10 euros for a tour can almost completely avoid a 1-2 hour wait; I just handed my pass to the guide and said "no thanks" after getting through the entrance.



5. I spent about 7 days in Rome, and found this guide very practical. I also had the Green Guide (Guide Vert-Italy) which wasn't so great for Rome-only.
   
   First, Lonely Planet guides have the worst physical quality of any guides. Maps are illegible as they are black and white and there are almost no photos. Second, the guides are not great at emphasizing the "must sees"; everything is wonderful. LP does have a "see in a day" or "see in two days" section, but I have found this itinerary mediocre and particular to individual tastes (I for example do not care to sit in a fancy restaurant for lunch for 3 hours).
   
   The only other negative thing I can say about LP is that they recommended Perugia versus Assissi, though the latter was probably nicer and closer (though I didn't go due to LP's recommendation).
   
   But LP did have some great area sites, including Tivoli, Ostia Antiqua, and others. LP is great in the practical areas - bus lines, train routes and schedules, etc. LP consistently surpasses all other guide books in this area.
   
   In general, I do not focus a lot on shopping or restaurants. Serious "tourists" are always walking around and seeing sites, and tend to eat when hungry rather than go to a particular restaurant.
   
   LP also has great budget lodgings listed, which in Rome is quite important. Hostels were consistently higher quality, based on some conversations I had with people, than hotels.
   
   Eyewitness guides have better graphics and maps, for example, though you can get decent enough maps of Rome from hotels, and most of the historic sites have passable explanations and illustrations, either in brochures, books you buy, or on display.
   
   In terms of total number of places/sites, LP tends to win precisely because they have so few graphics.
   
   I think LP could vastly improve just by adding color maps and a few more photos, and still keep the same variety and quantity of information.
   
   LP Rome tends to be best if you have a lot of time and you don't mind reading through the book several times. Otherwise, a more easier book such as Eyewitness might be better because it will cut out some of the smaller sites that LP mentions.

4 comments about Culture Shock! Finland: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette (Culture Shock! Guides).

1. I'm leaving in August to be an exchange student to Finland and this book told me everything the Lonely planet guides were afraid too! This book was divided into nicely planned sections with a wonderful section dedicated to doing bussiness in the country. No book about Finland would be complete without the sauna chapter- and this book spares nothing. It has been by far the best preparation book I've read. The only downfall is that it is written by a Brittish woman- but she makes both Bristtish and American comparisons whenever possible.



2. I, unfortunately, found the book after our recent trip. I had to laugh at so many of the customs and especially the traits, as I am of Finnish decent. It was light hearted, and I found it to be right on the mark, especially in helping me find out why I am the way I am. Have passed the book around and everyone agrees that it's a winner!



3. Perfect for the person who will be going to Finland, and live for any length of time there. I am not entirely sure it would be necessary reading for the tourist, but much better for a person who will actually live amongst the Finns. So, if you are in business and will be spending any significant time in Finland, this is very much essential reading. It would be good for Diplomats new to the country or their jobs to read the work as well.
   
   However, for the children of Finnish Immigrants, ( I can really only speak for Canada, but think it would apply evenly to the United States, specifically Minnesota ) I think the work to be ESSENTIAL READING. Much of Finnish culture was imparted to me, and my cousins while growing up, but it was Swallow's attention to the details, and her "anglo-sizing" events that made many things much more clear to me.
   
   Swallow has a wit and humour to her writing, and it was an enjoyable read. I have kept it secret, and away from my wife, as I am sure that she would poke fun at some of the Finnish idiosyncrasies.
   
   Excellent book.



4. This book is fascinating. I was in Finland for a year for Fulbright and this book helped me to begin understanding the culture of Finns. It is honest and at times hilarious!
   
   I shared it with my Finnish friends while I was there and we roared with laughter because it is all dead on!

2 comments about London's War: A Traveler's Guide to World War II.

1. Well first off, it's TWENTY walks not eight! Either way, I can't rave enough about this book. I bought it as a Mother's Day gift, and was leafing through it waiting for the mircrowave to bing, and have now read it cover to cover TWICE: first for the little boxed tidbitty things on each page, all the human interest details, and then for the rest of it, which turned out to be ALL human interest stuff. It's written about things you'd really want to KNOW, like how people felt and how they survived and how things are pronounced, and where the bathrooms are. It made me think how much dignity Londoners had, and how brave they were. I wasn't even planning to go to London and I still found the book fascinating. I guess that'd be my only complaint, actually. Now I want to go but I can't afford to! I'm writing this review because I just signed on to amazon to buy a copy for myself (not as a gift this time!), and thought I'd spread the word. Enjoy!!



2. I took this book w/ me to London last summer and spent time on some of the walks the author suggests. I wish I had had time to do them all as I found her guidebook to be an excellent source, highly enjoyable, lots of side notes and comments, with good maps.
   
   When I returned I recommended it to a professor who was going over to teach for the fall semester. He reported that he and his wife thoroughly enjoyed it as well. So, if you're a history buff, WW II or not, you'll enjoy this guide.

1 comments about Cool Hotels Europe (Cool Hotels).

1. Nice little book. It's essentialy a book of pretty pictures of European hotels, and only contains basic info. However it does this well. Probably only good if you're just wanting to look at the design aspect of hotels. Quite enjoyable to leaf through.

1 comments about A Traveller's History of Germany (Traveller's History).

1. This is an excellent introductory German history for the newcomer, and a good review for the history student. The book wastes no pages. Even though the information on each subject is brief and to the point, this small paperback of roughly 325 pages seems to cover EVERYTHING from the earliest days to 2006. It assumes no previous study of German history, so you won't have to look up random surnames referencing people the author expects you to be familiar with. The book has a complete list of rulers from the Holy Roman Empire (beginning with Karl die Grosse) to the Democratic Republic, a chronology of major events, and maps for every major period (12 total). Based on my search for texts on German history in English, I can say that this small volume contains more information than can be found in the somewhat popular history by Hagen Schultze, which is also available on Amazon. If German history remotely interests you, this is where to begin.
   
   PS: This book is the closest thing to what I have been looking for, a huge 500+ page or so complete history of Germany in English. If anyone knows if such a thing exists, please post a comment for this review. Thank you.

5 comments about Fodor's French for Travelers (CD Package), 2nd Edition (Fodor's Languages/Travelers).

1. Having had a year of French in college, I was concerned that this Audio book would be too basic for me, but I found out it wasn't! It does cover some very basic things (greetings, numbers, etc.) which would be more helpful for beginners, but it also covers typical situations in a trip (airport, restaurant, accommodations, etc.), for which the vocabulary and grammar may not be learned until advanced level courses.

   It comes with 2 Audio CD's of about 70 minutes each, broken into 12+ lessons. The book has all the phrases/conversations in the CD's, plus some additional tips/info, as well as a dictionary section with vocabulary targeted for travelers. The book has 260+ pages and it is of very small size, so it is ideal for carrying it around in your trip.

   I listened to the CD's while driving, though I recommend reading the corresponding lessons afterwards or in advanced to listening to the disc, as it helps to associate the spelling to the pronunciation. The CD's mostly have words and phrases in them, but they also have small conversations at a bank/restaurant/hotel/airport depending on the lesson. Each word/phrase in the disc is spoken once in English and then twice in French, so you can't miss it if you're paying attention.

   I strongly recommend this item, even if you already have basic understanding of French, as it will help you communicate and get around in your trip!




2. Get this set if you plan on having a bad time. Barely will you be in to 'Good evening' when the lessons quickly turn to "Stop thief!" or "He stole my watch" or better yet, "I want an attorney" -- all of which are phrases I have NEVER used in France. Fodor's should have had the good sense to give practical lessons first, etiquette, directions, service, culture etc. before launching into rude commands and pick-pocket paranoia.



3. This book is not for someone who just wants to pick up enough French to get them through a trip unless they have a good ear and memory. I found "French in 10 Minutes a Day" much better as you must write what you learn in a workbook.



4. I went through three lessons before canning this CD. The lessons were terrible! Sometimes they stated the French word before the English word and sometimes afterward, which meant you could be learning the wrong word! The pronounciations were nowhere near the way the French speak; they were like what a HS French teacher who'd learned from a book and never been to France would speak.



5. We used the book while we were in Paris quite a bit to help with vocabulary. The CDs weren't the most useful part of the package and were a little boring. We all have some fluency with French. However, if you are completely new to the language, it may be good to hear the proper pronunciation.

1 comments about Stockholm & Sweden Travel Map (Globetrotter Travel Map).

1. Kartan ar en av dem baste som ja ha sett! Jag tycker att ni skulla upskatta detta vigtiga och fint exampel av nagon kartan nagonstans!

2 comments about In Love in Italy: A Traveler's Guide to the Most Romantic Destinations in the Country of Amore.

1. "In LOve in Italy" is a very doable book. Easy to read and pleasent to look at, good information. I have given it as a gift.



2. This is a beautiful book, both in terms of words and images. Very special. Perfect for those who love Italy, someone going on a trip there soon, or dreaming of a future viaggio. The sort of book you buy for yourself and then want to give to each of your friends. The pictures are lovely and look particularly nice on the non-glossy paper. The paper feels good on your fingertips, as you turn the page. A book Italians would love.

3 comments about A Northern Coast to Coast Walk: From St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay (Skills for Success Series).

1. This is a perfect book for ANYONE considering this trek. It has it all, including contact numbers and addresses.



2. Excellent booklet/guide for those who are planning to do the Coast2Coast walk! Clear description and maps.



3. I plan on doing the C2C in May of 2009. I bought this book first, and I am not confident in it. The maps are weak, and the descriptions are vague, and boring to read/follow. I bought Wainwrights pictorial guide, and I would rather travel with that. I am also looking at Stedman's latest guide.

No comments about Romantic Venice 2009 Wall Calendar (Calendar).