No comments about Lonely Planet Best Of Turin (Lonely Planet Encounter Series).

No comments about Italian Lakes (International Maps) (International Maps).

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

3 comments about A Pilgrim's Guide to Rome: 2000: Holy Year of Jubilee.

1. A fine pocket volume, this book is a must for the spiritual pilgrim. McGurn writes a scholarly and historic tome which covers every aspect of Rome for the Millennium traveller. It has beautiful line illustrations by Curtis Tappenden, which complement the text.



2. A very informative and portable book to help maximize your travels to Rome in the year 2000. Highlights on the significance of the Jubilee 2000 and significant sights in the city. Includes religious, geographical and cultural information that a traveler will find helpful.



3. As a specialist in Vatican/Holy See International and Diplomatic Affairs,former cultural attache for the Consul for Vatican-American Cultural, Educational and Intellectual Affairs and a staff volunteer with the U.S. Bishop's Secretariat for the Jubilee I found McGurn's Pilgrim's Guide to be an excellent near perfect pocket guide for pilgrims, both Catholic and non-Catholic traveling to Rome. I used the book in June of 1999 for a pre-Jubilee factfinding trip. It provides details on those topics of great interest to those on pilgrimage to Rome, e.g. history of the Holy See's celebration of the Jubilee, information on the shrines integral to the Jubilee experience and important Holy Year 2000 dates and correlating Holy See events. I used the book continuously and carried it with me throughout my trip. On the other hand, as a pocket guide I would have preferred a more reality based and accurate map. The book's map is not precise and the traveler is required to buy an additional map to carry along with the book--on pilgrimage one wants to carry as little as possible and only the essentials. Another reality of the book one must accept is the general nature of the book's "pilgrim to Rome" related information. Its early publication required the book to have an early information cut-off date. This precluded the book from including more current information. In addition, I did not find any reference in the book to any of the offices in Rome dealing with Jubilee/pilgrim events, services or information or a reference citing where to go if one had non-Holy See Jubilee Rome specific questions--especially English speaking pilgrims. There are at least three different offices in downtown Rome working with the Holy See to coordinate Jubilee events in Rome proper. None of these were mentioned. Being a resourceful person I found these on my own. Nor was there any mention of the various Jubilee websites which are available and can be accessed while one is on pilgrim in Rome. These can be a helpful complement to the book. Apostolic nunciatures and various Bishops' Conferences all have established Jubilee networks and contacts-- noting the Jubilee-Rome contacts of the international Bishops' Conferences, if applicable, would have also been helpful. All in all, however, I was extremely glad I had this guidebook on hand. The empty pages in the back of the book proved to be a perfect place to enter important and current Jubilee information. This space proved invaluable--keeping one from having to pull-out an additional pad of paper. Despite a few shortfalls, this is a very, resourceful and perfectly sized guide--not too thick or cumbersome to handle while in transit on foot in busy Rome. There is no doubt this book is an excellent handy guide which for many will be one of their preferred guides for their pilgrimage to Rome during the Holy Year 2000.

No comments about Philip's Italy Road Map (Road Maps).

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.

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).

2 comments about The Romantic's Guide to Italy.

1. This book is a wonderful addition to your Italy travel library. It is not your usual list of high spots to see in well-known tourist locales. It has a wealth of unique and truly lovely places to visit with a special person or on your own. We just returned from a trip to Umbria, and found the book invaluable in locating outings, activities, eating, vistas, and wine-tasting that we may not have found otherwise. In addition, the villa where we stayed was found through resources in the book and it was exquisite! We felt that because of the book and the activities and places discussed, we enjoyed our trip at a deeper level and got a true sense of Italian sensibility and what Italians appreciate about their terrain, sunsets, and foods. Bravo, Ms Podesta!



2. I really appreciated having this book along on my recent trip to Umbria & Lazio. One can get the typical "must-see" destinations from any travel book; Ms. Podesta's emphasizes the finer experiences to be had by deviating from well-travelled paths.
   If you are a foodie, or looking for singular dining & lodging experiences, this is the book for you.

4 comments about Northern Italy (Blue Guides).

1. I searched for a great comprehensive book on Italy for a long time. This one was recommended by a friend, whose advice I won't follow again!!!! It is such a tough nut to crack!! A plethora of information in rammed into this book, it's overwhelming and VERY CONFUSING!!!!! I recommend a Fodor's Gold Guide for the truly practical traveler!! Great little cities that you would hate to miss out on aren't even included in this book! Check out a more practical guide.



2. The book is for the art and architecture historian/student. Not meant for the casual traveler to Europe. This book is an authorative on the subjects it involves. The perfect book to have when you want to know what the archtecture in the region is about and wish not to carry a huge "textbook". Not some lame book that tells you of hotels and restaurants to visit with lots of pretty pictures.



3. This lists interesting sites in many towns and cities. This has more detail than is needed for the rushed tourist with only a couple of days to do the "highlights" of Italy, but is great for the more serious visitor with more time. Info on both the famous sites and many possibilities for going off the beaten path.



4. I miss these books most when I am in a country for which they are out of print (recently Spain) as other guidebooks provide little information on these topics. However, I also buy a standard guidebook for general (hotel, etc.) information as the Blue Guides are useless for that. If you are not that interested in more details on these topics (there is no reason you should or shouldn't be), then you'd probably be wasting your money buying this book. In that case I would give this book one star.

   I think the previous review expresses the same point but in a different way. Perhaps it is partly in reaction to this type of review that recently there seems to have been a dumbing-down of the books, which is a shame. Now that is a snotty comment.