No comments about Italy (Off the Beaten Track).

No comments about Central Italy (Country & Regional Guides - Cadogan).

2 comments about Rome City Streets Laminated Map by B&B.

1. I love this map! It's laminated, durable, easy-to-read, and so full of information that you almost don't need a guide book to accompany it. Love it.



2. In the labyrinth of streets called Rome, walking without a map like this is like walking with a blindfold - You can walk, but your end-up where you didn't plan and have to rely on the locals, which are not very english-literate.
   A laminated map is a must since you'll be puting it in and out of your bag doxens of times. A paper map will wear out very quickly.

2 comments about By the Ionian Sea: Notes of a Ramble in Southern Italy (Marlboro Travel).

1. What possessed George Gissing -- best known for his hardscrabble pictures of poverty in London, such as NEW GRUB STREET -- to travel to Southern Italy and write a classical travel book about his journey? Yet there he is, working his way along the underside of the boot of Italy as a traveller. Even then, the area was known primarily for its rural poverty and has not attracted tourism at any time in its existence since the Greeks settled there over 2,000 years ago.

   And yet this is perhaps Gissing's most charming book. He becomes ill, is taken care of by strangers, does his best to escape the clutches of the local bands of outlaws, and succeeds in his quest to see a corner of Europe known to few outside of Italy.

   I highly recommend this book as the best introduction to a writer who deserves a revaluation of his literary reputation.




2. George Gissing certainly composes his thoughts in beautiful poetic prose. His style of writing is delightful and descriptive; however, it was difficult for me to get past his obvious prejudice for the Calabrese. He comes across as an arrogant and pampered Englishman with no interest in southern Italy whatsoever except for its ancient Greek ruins. If I had not been in Calabria at the time I was reading this book I would not have finished it. His relentless whining of the people and conditions is tiresome and his description of southern Italian food is questionable considering the delectable ancient recipes of the area. He even comments about his constant complaining at one point, yet makes little effort to be more optimistic. By the Ionian Sea was written over a hundred years ago and is considered a literary piece, but I would not recommend it for anyone interested in learning more about southern Italy or the Calabrian people.

No comments about Sicily, 6th (Cadogan Guides Sicily).

No comments about Capri.

No comments about Calabria.

1 comments about Florence Made Easy (Open Road Travel Guides).

1. I used this guide for a trip to Florence in November of '06 and it was invaluable. It's pocket sized, for one thing, so I didn't have to lug around a huge frommers or lonely planet book. The description of the sites are short and sweet and the maps and directions were excellent. There are lots of off the beatne track types of things in there, too. We spent 2 daysin Florence and did everything we wanted to and more, based solely on the book- even tried out a few of the restaurants (which were great).
   
   The only con with this book- and this is a problem with any travel book you get- is that the prices and hours for some things (museums, churches, etc.) were not always correct. These things constantly change, so it's hard to keep them updated in a book. I woudl suggest checking online or calling the place shortly before you go to get the right opening hours and prices.

No comments about Hadrian's Villa, Tivoli and Villa D'Este (Past & Present).

No comments about Villages of Italy (Italy from Above).