5 comments about Mediterranean By Cruise Ship: The Complete Guide to Mediterranean Cruising, Third Edition.

1. If you go on a Mediterranean cruise...buy this book..if,like me,you really enjoy immersing yourself in a book about the trip of your dreams..buy this book...It is a perfect combination of facts,history and beautiful pictures and maps.The "must see" sections turn an overwelming siteseeing tour into one that is relaxed and enjoyable.My daughter and son-in-law are flying to Rome next month..she is looking forward to "borrowing" my book...it has wonderful suggestions for a Roman holiday....how romantic is that!...I would not go to the Mediterranean without this book..it would be like trying to make a delicious italian cream cake without reading the recipe..



2. This is a good book. Nice color pictures, lots of information on history, architecture, what to see in ports, where to eat and maps. A nice small enough to carry in you purse book.



3. I am planning my first trip/cruise to Europe and I was hoping for a more in depth look at the museums, restaurants, sights, etc. More than anything it was a history lesson... But, overall it had good information and it a nice "catch all" guide.



4. This book is a great help in preparing for a cruise. It contains a wealth of information on cruising, but an unexpected & very interesting section is the "History of the Mediterranean.



5. Gives an overview of many stops along the Mediterranean. I took it along on my cruise trip and enjoyed reading it along the way. Easy to pack and carry- not too cumbersome. Tauck recommended we buy it and I'm glad I did.

No comments about The Heritage Guide Florence: A Complete Guide to the Renaissance City, the Surrounding Countryside, and the Chianti Region (Heritage Guides).

3 comments about Rick Steves' Florence and Tuscany 2005.

1. Once again I used one of Rick Steves' guides as a resource for my
   trip. Once again, I found it to be thorough and extremely practical in making my selections throughout the journey.



2. The choice is clear...buy this book or regret not buying it.
   
   I had been to Florence many, many years ago. Everything is still where it was, but times have changed. We indeed live in a different world, a different time, different circumstances, and a different economy. No more Italian lira. It's the power of the euro now. Things simply cost more. Business is business, scams are scams, good deals are good deals, and bad deals are bad deals.
   
   Security is heavy and tight in many of the museums. These are, after all, icons of civilization and a religious society and history. Bags will be checked, metal detectors are in use, you will empty your pockets, and you will be scanned. In spite of a highly visible police force, thieves, gangs, and gypsies still stalk the tourists and still try their hand or tricks to part you and your money.
   
   This book by Rick Steve prepares you for all the best and all the worst that Florence and Tuscany has to offer. You can not do Florence in just a day or two, but if you have no choice then you have to prepare long in advance.
   
   I can not stress enough the importance of checking his web site for updates, most importantly the Florence area attractions. Otherwise, without this book and advice on his website, BE PREPARED TO STAND IN LINE AT THE UFFIZI FOR UP TO 7 HOURS! ACCADEMIA FOR UP TO 4 HOURS! Or you can buy this book, take his and my advice, and buy your tickets well in advance. No waiting in line, just show up at your scheduled time. It is that easy. You can order from several different sources online or wait until you get to Florence and call in your order and save additional service fees and shipping fees. As an example; while entering the Accademia, two young ladies studying in Spain from UCLA were behind us. All of us already had our tickets and were simply waiting for our assigned entry time. They had already been to the Uffizi earlier that day and also preordered tickets. They related talking to some other college students who had been in line for 5 hours trying to get in, were no where near the entry, and ran the risk of not getting in by the time they stopped allowing entry. For both the Uffizi and Accademia, those that have reservations have a separate line and entry point. So get your tickets in advance! Enough said.
   
   The value of this book comes in many forms. This is a great tour guide through each and every museum with suggested routes and paths to take, highlights the features in each room along with some historical perspective, and guides you along effortlessly. This is what others pay big bucks for...tour guides. This book essentially does this very well. We found one of the best values in the "undiscovered" gems of Florence that Rick pointed out (some of the real bargains). You can stand in line for hours to enter the Duomo, you can stand in another line for hours to climb up to the dome of the Duomo, or you can walk over to the Bell Tower where there is no line. There is also no elevator, just 414 steps but equally impressive and incredible views of the Duomo and the Florentine landscape. You can admire the doors of the Baptistery if you can get close enough. Or you can go to the Duomo Museum behind the Duomo and see the originals. This museum is a real gem. No lines, reasonable admission, self paced tour. Oh, and you can take plenty of pictures. This was never an issue in any museum in the past but now NO FOTO is everywhere. They want to protect the precious works of art but I feel the main motivation is to buy the overpriced books and pictures in the museum shops. In the Duomo Museum, you will also find Michelangelo's second Pieta, works by Donatello, actual models of the dome as well as drawings, many original elements from the Duomo, and countless other Florentine and Renaissance works to rival the Uffizi and Accademia. Again, with no lines and take all the pictures you want. You will also enjoy the religious relics like St. John the Baptist's finger, a tooth from the same, St. Peter's chains, the jawbone of other saints (or are they?) as the author points out. Another great bargain and no standing in line is the Bargello in Palazzo Vecchio. See even more Michelangelo, Donatello, and four more variations of David. Great self paced tour at your leisure with art students sprawled out all over the place sketching the statures and perhaps the patrons.
   
   Walk and enjoy Florence day and night. Even with all the preparation and advice taken from the book and web site, two gypsy girls did the "trip and fall" routine where one braces herself against the other and against an unsuspecting person. This person happened to be my wife whom had a hand run completely down inside her panties in attempts to find and snatch (no pun intended) a money belt. I was the one wearing the money belt so I missed out on a cheap thrill.
   
   Rick is right on with this book. He is right on with the fact that Florence indeed HAS THE BEST GELATO (tried several and was never disappointed). We were unable to book any hotels recommended due to peak tourist season and the popularity of this book. The only contradiction I can mention is to avoid the recommended Ristorante il Cavallino on Palazzo Vecchio. We found this to be a sorry excuse for Tuscan cuisine, overpriced for the fare, and rude behavior from more than one waiter. This view was also shared by other diners. You end up getting stuck paying for the pathetic service (servizio) as this is included in your bill already.



3. What can I say , Rick Steves does an excellent job with his staff on traveling info from books, backpaks, maps, all traveling articles, clothing to videos . You can't go wrong with Rick , just like you can't go wrong with Amazon.com . Both are trustworthy and great to deal with . Sincerely, Pat Simmon

4 comments about Rick Steves' Venice 2004.

1. I bought this book because I had seen (and suffered through) Steves' amateurish and infantile videos on visiting Italy. I was curious to see if his books were as bad as his videos. The verdict: they are equally as bad. The problem is, Steves isn't an innate or talented traveler, though he apparently has performed a miracle and makes money fooling others that he *is* a great traveler. The Arthur Frommer Guides are much better than these Steves offerings.

   Problems abound. Steves concentrates most of his time on typical tourist destinations in Venice. Of course it's interesting to read about St. Mark's Sqaure, but does he provide information on how to catch a taxi or streetcar? Of course not. What about hotels? His advice is universally bad. He hasn't a clue on how to locate a low-cost Pensions and opts for dingy tents on the outskirts of town. His suggestions on eating are obtuse. Snacking in Italy is a cinch: go to a bakery in the morning, buy your rolls, cheese and coffee and be on your way. His suggestions of hanging around railway stations and saving a few pennies are insulting and poorly rendered.

   Similarly wretched is his advice on getting about the city and Venice's environs. Forget the gondola, Venice is a walking city, not that Steves bothers to tell you this. Another weakness is Steves' opinions of the city, which basically consists of 10 pages advising you to frequent the cheapest and most touris-ridden spots. If that's all there is to see and do in Venice, then we're in trouble. Truly, this is a terrible book written in plodding, patronizing style, guaranteed to set your nerves a-jangle. Venice is a sublime place: the people, the food, the sights and sounds are fantastic! This book will steer you to the worst tourist traps. Avoid it.




2. Rest easy and enjoy yourself ,weary traveller,here is your guide to Venice. Rick Steeve's guidebooks are simply the best available to assist the traveller in Europe, and this guide to Venice is no exception.I should know, I have travelled countless times to Europe on business and have used almost every guidebook printed.With this book you will find a charming,friendly hotel that will be clean ,attractive,and centrally located. Most importantly it will not be expensive(by Venice standards.)The guide to restaurants is right on and you will feel that you have become an "insider" to the best of Venice.Museum times and other necessary information is presented clearly and is up to date.
   Everyone wants to find the "hidden Venice",where people are friendly and you will meet the Venetians. Everyone wants informed,even opinionated advice on where to go and what to do.Most people want to save money(the dollar is low, the Euro is high right now).This guide provides these things and more.His advice on packing light will save you time at the airport(a real hassle these days). I travelled with only one small carry-on and it made a world of difference in ease of travel.
   I was prompted to write after reading the previous review who gave this book only one star!Well,no other guide book that I know of actually re-assures the traveller that you do not have to stay at the Gritti Palace,eat at Harry's bar, and bring lots of clothes to have a good time in Venice. By staying in charming Pensiones, eating where the Venetians eat and travelling light you will actually enjoy yourself much more.This is why these guides are beloved by people of all ages,especially older people(or middle aged like myself) who do not want to backpack and hostel(yes, I want my private bathroom),but who finds the advice in these guides liberating.
   A must for the first time visitor to Venice, this guidebook is an invaluable,even revolutionary approach to travel for even the most seasoned traveller.



3. I just returned from Venice and depended upon this guide for general information, sightseeing guidance, and choosing my hotel. (I also used J.G. Links' Venice for Pleasure for sightseeing advice. Don't go to Venice without it!) I found Steves' book excellent. I stayed at a recommended hotel (Hotel Campiello) and it was just as described. The walks and museum tours are uniformly excellent. Only once did I have trouble and that is because a street named in the Rialto to Frari Church walk is either wrong or the sign identifying it is no longer there. However, the map in the book makes the route clear so that problem was cleared up in about thirty seconds. The writing is breezy, a bit irreverent, and easy to follow. The supplementary information is great. I used Steves' book on Amsterdam on a trip last year and was similarly impressed with that guide. He has me hooked as a steady customer and I will purchase his Rome book before my trip next year.



4. I've been to Italy several times.....Rome, Venice, Florence, Bologna, Milan, some of the hill towns, etc. Here are my reviews of the best guides to meet you r exact needs.....I hope these are helpful and that you have a great visit! I always gauge the quality of my visit by how much I remember a year later......this review is designed to help you get the guide that will be sure YOU remember your trip many years into the future. Travel Safe and enjoy yourself to the max!
   
   Rick Steves' books are not recommended. They may be an interesting read but their helpfulness is very poor. They don't do well on updates, transportation details, or anything but the first-time-tourist routine and even that is somewhat superficial on anything but the mega-major sites.
   
   Frommer's
   These are time tested guides that pride themselves on being updated annually. Although I think the guides below provide information that is in more depth or more concise (depending on what the guide is known for), if your main concern is that the guide has very little old or outdated information, then this would be a good guide for you.
   
   Lonely Planet
   Lonely Planet has City and Out To Eat Guides. They are all about the experience so they focus on doing, being, getting there, and this means they have the best detailed information, including both inexpensive and really spectacular restaurants and hotels, out-of-the-way places, weird things to see and do, the list is endless.
   
   Blue Guides
   Without doubt, the best of the walks guides.... the Blue Guide has been around since 1918 and has extremely well designed walks with lots of unique little side stops to hit on just about any interest you have. If you want to pick up the feel of the city, this is the best book to do that for you. This is one that you end up packing on your 10th trip, by which time it is well worn.
   
   MapGuide
   MapGuide is very easy to use and has the best location information for hotels, tourist attractions, museums, churches etc. that they manage to keep fairly up to date. It's great for teaching you how to use the public transportation system. The text sections are quick overviews, not reviews, but the strong suite here is brevity, not depth. I strongly recommend this for your first few times learning your way around the classic tourist sites and experiences. MapGuide is excellent as long as you are staying pretty much in the center of the city.
   
   Time Out
   The Time Out guides are very good. Easy reading, short reviews of restaurants, hotels, and other sites, with good public transport maps that go beyond the city centre. Many people who buy more than one guidebook end up liking this one best!
   
   Let's Go
   Let's Go is a great guide series that specializes in the niche interest details that turn a trip into a great and memorable experience. Started by and for college students, these guides are famous for the details provided by people who used the book the previous year. They continue to focus on providing a great experience inexpensively. If you want to know about the top restaurants, this is not for you (use Fodor's or Michelin). Let's Go does have a bewildering array of different guides though. Here's which is what:
   Budget Guide is the main guide with incredibly detailed information and reviews on everything you can think of.
   City Guide is just as intense but restricted to the single city.
   PocketGuide is even smaller and features condensed information
   MapGuide's are very good maps with public transportation and some other information (like museum hours, etc.)
   
   Michelin
   Famous for their quality reviews, the Red Michelin Guides are for hotels & Restaurants, the Green Michelin Guides are for main tourist destinations. However, the English language Green guide is the one most people use and it has now been supplemented with hotel and restaurant information. These are the serious review guides as the famous Michelin ratings are issued via these books.
   
   Fodor's
   Fodor's is the best selling guide among Americans. They have a bewildering array of different guides. Here's which is what:
   The Gold Guide is the main book with good reviews of everything and lots of tours, walks, and just about everything else you could think of. It's not called the Gold guide for nothing though....it assumes you have money and are willing to spend it.
   SeeIt! is a concise guide that extracts the most popular items from the Gold Guide
   PocketGuide is designed for a quick first visit
   UpCLOSE for independent travel that is cheap and well thought out
   CityPack is a plastic pocket map with some guide information
   Exploring is for cultural interests, lots of photos and designed to supplement the Gold guide

No comments about Insight City Guide Venice (Insight City Guides (Book & Restaruant Guide)).

No comments about StyleCity Rome.

5 comments about Blue Guide Sicily, Sixth Edition.

1. Comprehensive and detailed this 319 page book covers it all. Sicily is a gold mine of history and with this book you can follow along at the most involved historic site. We used it during all 14 days we spent in Sicily and found that we did not need to buy the english site guides while there. A lot of drawings that show how the greek sites would have been layed out and the structure of the temples. Of great use in Segesta, Selinute and Agrigento historic sites. Highly recommend for the traveler that likes detail!



2. Comprehensive and detailed book that covers it all. Drawings of the greek temples of Agrigento, Selinute and Segesta. Maps of what the sites would have looked like. Explanations of the dozens of layers of history and conquest that is Sicily's legacy. 319 pages of well layed out information in a region by region basis. Good overview of transporation options and how to get to the more remote sites. Minimal hotel information. Good color map section in the back. Did not need to buy the local english guides with this one along on the trip.



3. This new edition of the classic Blue Guide Sicily is packed with information, not only about cities and places to see, how to get there and so on, but also lots of hotels, B&Bs, farm accommodation, and the best places to eat! (Which doesn't mean the most expensive). Sicily is so different compared with any other place in the world that it can seem intimidating at first; everybody seems to shout instead of talk, traffic whizzes around, yet Ellen Grady takes you by the hand and helps you relax and enjoy, appreciating all the wonderful things about Sicily that make this island unique, a true earthly paradise. I love Sicily thanks to her, and I just can't wait for her next book!



4. And wonderfully described and brought forward in an uncanny, friendly and witty manner. Nothing is left to question, only see, explore and enjoy for yourself! Wonderful Hotel, B&B, Restaurant, Beach listing!! Siteseeing tour needs no other guide book!!



5. Yes, as other reviewers write, Ellen Grady's book is full of rich and detailed history of the places you'll visit, but it lacks essential practical information. We used it only for Taormina (beautiful town, highly recommended) and Catania (Sicily's second largest city, which you could skip), so the book may be more helpful elsewhere on the island. As for these two destinations, the book lacked essential information (like the frequency and cost of various public transportation options between towns). Also, it had virtually no narrative description of restaurants, just a mere listing. If I wanted history, I would have bought a history book. I wanted practical information to get the best out of our short time on the island, this book didn't have it.

3 comments about Blue Guide Southern Italy, Tenth Edition.

1. As an Italian who comes from Southern Italy I found the Blue Guide covering this area to be absolutely on target and extremely detailed. I have been so impressed by the Blue Guides, that it has become the first item I pack when ready for travel



2. is there any mention in this book regarding the region of cosenza in calabria, my mother's hometown? i would be most pleased if i could find anything about cosenza in this book or any other you may know of. in the very near future my husband and i will want to visit and it would be nice if i could get any information prior to our going there. thankyou for allowing me to ask this question. linda tremonti



3. The American traveller to southern Italy should be warned that this region is much different from the more heavily visited and promoted areas of Tuscany, Cinque Terre, and the Amalfi Coast. While those northerly provinces are focussed on tourism and cater to visitors, the south in general can seem almost indifferent. That is not to suggest that it be avoided. The Mezzogiorno is a charming, down-to-earth region that has much to recommend it, particularly to the visitor interested in obtaining a more realistic, everyday sort of insight into Italian life and culture.
   That said, because most of the larger guidebooks that give an overview of the entire Italian peninsula provide only sparse information about the southern third, I would not recommend venturing there without Blue Guide Southern Italy. This little volume provides invaluable background and detail about the major cities such as Bari and Lecce, and also covers the lesser known, smaller towns, beaches, and countryside. From the Sassi of Matera to the Trulli of Alberobello to Bitonto's beautifully maintained, 1000 year old cathedral, Paul Blanchard's readable, accurate, entertaining text is enriching and invaluable.

1 comments about Fascination of Rome.

1. Its a great book with interesting insight into the background of the historical sites of Rome. The amazing picture-shots of the places makes this book a treat!

2 comments about Bay of Naples & Southern Italy, 5th (Country & Regional Guides - Cadogan).

1. I'd been to the area several times, but with the Cadogan in tow, I discovered the Bay of Naples' hidden treasures. Wish I'd had it along on all my journeys.



2. This has got to be the best travel writing team alive. They are highly cultured without the slightest pretention, able to find that wonderful quirky detail or perspective, and include such basics as where the good cheap eats are. We have used this book on several trips to the South of Italia and are always delighted to read what they have to say on this or that art work or hidden piazza. The intelligence in these books is subtle and unusually wide-ranging - you can tell that this couple loves to learn as well as travel. They are truly superlative writers.

   Warmly recommended.