No comments about Fountains of Rome.

5 comments about Rick Steves' Rome 2007 (Rick Steves).

1. I took this guide on a recent trip to Italy, along with the Eyewitness and Blue Guide books. Rick Steves' books are designed for the traveler who wants a decent overview of a particular place, and as such they're not at all comprehensive. I understand that and it's a fine approach as far as it goes, but it makes no sense in a city like Rome to leave out the Aventine Hill altogether, as Rick does. We stayed on the Aventine because it's the quietest and least hectic part of central Rome, a short walk from the ancient heart of the city, and it has some fine hotels and beautiful ancient churches. If I'd never been to Rome and had only Rick's book with me, I would have missed it altogether. Rick is very good on practical tips such as finding the best museum passes, avoiding pickpockets, and navigating the world of rail passes (he also sells some great travel gear), but I prefer to have a more comprehensive book that lets me decide what I want to see, even if that means sacrificing detail. With that in mind, I prefer the colorful and user-friendly Eyewitness Guides for broad overviews and good city maps, and Blue Guides for historical, artistic, and architectural detail.
   
   Another thing that bothers me about Rick's books is the tone and style of his writing. Many people love him precisely for that, which is fine, but I find his writing style grating and in many places his history is just plain wrong. He's particularly bad when dealing with Christian history, a very important thing to get right when dealing with Rome! Finally, the maps are not very helpful unless you're sticking with Rick's itineraries exactly.
   
   The only thing that made this book worth having on my trip was the inclusion of contact information for English-speaking doctors who make hotel visits, which unfortunately came in very handy. Everything else I could have found on his website without buying the book. Overall, I found this book unhelpful and left it behind in our last hotel.



2. We tore out the sections we needed with an exacto knife and therefore could carry them in our fanny packs for just that day of sightseeing.



3. This was a great book to have with us on our trip to Rome. If we happened to leave it in the room we were lost without it. Needless to say that only happened once. Gave a great 'tour' which included just enough commentary and even anecdotal accounts that were interesting. We really enjoyed the information on the Roman Forum...We aren't group tour type of people but don't feel we missed anything...actually heard alot of the same stuff thats included in the book. Also gave great travel hints etc that were very useful...and seeing alot of other travelers with the same book makes it a popular choice.



4. This book paid for itself with just the information about the Vatican Museum. It is dismaying to see a 4+ hour line to visit the Vatican Museum and the Sistine chapel. Fortunately, by reserving months in advance (as the book suggests), we just walked right in.
   
   This is just one example, because the book is full of tips on the best time to visit each attraction and how to skip the long lines. Worth every penny.



5. My husband and I honeymooned in Italy in June, 2007. This was our first trip abroad so it was imperative for us to choose a good guide book. Rick Steves' guide to Rome proved to be an invaluable tool for our trip, especially in the planning phase.
   
   Strengths:
   - Great for pre-trip planning such as locating a hotel, getting around the city, deciding which sites to visit, etc. We stayed at Gulliver's Place and L-O-V-E-D it.
   - Especially helpful is his section on planning your sight-seeing based on the number of days you will be there. His ratings of most important to least important things to see were, for the most part, spot-on. We relied upon his recommendations for our week-long trip heavily.
   - His walking tours were great fun and gave us a more in-depth look at Italian life.
   - He provides enough information on the history and development of Rome to highlight important sights to see. This was useful.
   
   Weaknesses:
   - I found his hand-drawn maps to be especially hard to use. My husband and I wound up lost in one section of the city and were not able to find our way back using his maps alone. At the beginning of the book are "real" maps but they were not as helpful as the free map we received at our bed and breakfast.
   - This book does not contain stunning photography and graphics. I was a bit disappointed in this area.
   - Once in Rome with an outline of daily activities, I would recommend using a different guidebook. We really found the Eyewitness Travel Guide to be great for this. This book present Rome by its different neighborhoods and has a 3-D map of sorts that was really quite helpful for determining where you are in relation to where you should be! Plus, it has beautiful pictures and well-presented background information.
   
   Overall, this book is wonderful for planning but not as great for actual use while in Rome. Buying this guide in conjunction with at least one other will guarantee a safe, happy and, most of all, FUN trip!

1 comments about The Pilgrim's Guide to Rome's Principal Churches (Michael Glazier Books).

1. I have been to Rome 8 times, and this book comes with me every time! The floor plans for 50 of the most popular churches in the city of Rome are laid out for you, as well as what to see while you're in there. The author even thought to make the highlights of each church into a 'walking tour', so you're seeing the items in the order you'd be walking it, rather than criss-crossing inside every church. It give the history of the building as well as the names and dates of great artwork to be found. I'm sorry to find out it's out of print -- but it's definitely worth looking for used!

5 comments about The Rough Guide to Rome, Second Edition.

1. This book delivers the right contents. There is no question about that. It has the quality of the other Rough Guides. It is practical, it is funny, it has a different view on things and it makes you want to go and see them.

   The only thing I thought was lacking is some kind of overview or highlights section. Traditional full-blown Rough Guides usually have a 'Where to Go' section in the introduction. I could have appreciated a similar section in the beginning of this book as well, preferably taking into account that there are people who will stay for a week and others who will only stay for a few days. I don't suggest that people are being taken by the hand with complete itineraries as other guides do but some more suggestions would be useful.

   Personally I believe that the maps could be better. I used them to see in which area I had to look (which for each site is nicely indicated in the book) but then switched to the map I got in the tourist office. I assume that this is one of the drawbacks of the otherwise excellent and handy format.




2. I bought this book while I was living in Rome, and in my six months there saw nearly all the sights listed and more. I especially loved the book's size--I could hide it in my pocket and not look so much like a tourist, and I didn't have to walk around with a big huge map unfolded in front of me. If only the maps in the book could be a little more detailed (like, including the names of the piazzas and churches mentioned in the text!). The bars and restaurants recommended are places I actually went and would recommend to other travelers.
   I did find some errors in the text, but unless you're searching for specific works of art, etc. like I do, this shouldn't be a problem. Definitely my favorite of my 5+ Rome travel guides.. I like it even more than the one in Italian!



3. I really don't care for Lonely Planet's Italy guide so I bought this one. Many of the descriptions are brief.



4. If you want the real lowdown, and the fine detail on travel to Rome, this is the best guide book I've found. There are literally hundreds of recommendations for places to shop, see, eat and stay. I checked out the restaurants mentioned around The Spanish Steps, and completely agree with their picks. As someone who makes part of their living by writing about Rome, through my web site, I can tell you that this is a well researched, up to date book that will not disappoint.



5. The Rough Guide to Rome is the easiest to read guide I've ever owned. The writing far exceeds the usual highlights featured in other books.

5 comments about North of Naples, South of Rome.

1. Tullio writes a frank look at life not only through the ages in the camino valley but of the roman catholic church, of politics and of the differences in north of italy and the kingdom of naples, one of the two sicilys. He talks about food and even gives recipes on how to make sausage, tomato sauce and liquers;the importance of food, noise and celebration, especially in the provincial towns, which seem no longer to be so provincial. The book extols the joue de vivre of the italian temperment and what's best he doesn't mince words. The book is entertaining while informative, a look at yesterday and a look at today with perhaps a tiny glimpse of the tomorrow one only hopes is kept at bay long enough to climb those mountains and get to the marketplace on Monday in many of the hill towns.



2. After thirty years I returned to Ciociaria and my little town of Fontechiari. With Tullio's book under my arm I was able to fill in the years and heighten the anticipation. My companion and I stopped by to say hello; too bad Tullio was in Japan this year but Mario offered us a glass of Compari at his bar and Maurizio told us he would be open on Thursday for pizza. With my mother's Italian we talked a little of life, Tullio and food, just two strangers having a drink in little town called Gallinaro in Ciociaria.

   Not your typical tourist destination without the family connection but this part of Italy is full of hidden treasures like the Cyclopean walls above ancient Arpino, Vicalvi Norman ruins, and beautiful comunes like San Donato Val di Comino. Tullio's gives the reader insight into the local Italian character, history and politics combined with the how-to of regional cuisine. This book gave me the interest and desire to explore an area of Italy few tourists (except expatriates)rarely see.




3. After thirty years I returned to Ciociaria and my little town of Fontechiari. With Tullio's book under my arm I was able to fill in the years and heighten the anticipation. My companion and I stopped by to say hello; too bad Tullio was in Japan this year but Mario offered us a glass of Compari at his bar and Maurizio told us he would be open on Thursday for pizza. With my mother's Italian we talked a little of life, Tullio and food, just two strangers having a drink in little town called Gallinaro in Ciociaria.

   Not your typical tourist destination without the family connection but this part of Italy is full of hidden treasures like the Cyclopean walls above ancient Arpino, Vicalvi Norman ruins, and beautiful comunes like San Donato Val di Comino. Tullio's gives the reader insight into the local Italian character, history and politics combined with the how-to of regional cuisine. This book gave me the interest and desire to explore an area of Italy few tourists (except expatriates)rarely see.




4. Grazie, signore!

   Like Tullio, my husband is an expatriate from the Valle di Comino. This was a great book about the valley - full of history and insight. It helped me, as an American outsider, to understand and appreciate the culture and traditions of La Ciociaria. Plus, it was a kick to read about some of the places we visited while there!




5. My family is from San Donato Val Commino so the book had a special interest for me. I enjoyed it very much-

2 comments about Moon Metro Rome.

1. This book does a great job of breaking the city into smaller maps that make it extremely easy to get around.

   The maps are very clear and easy to read. Rome is a maze of little streets and other maps that we saw had street names overlapping each other and were very hard to read. This book breaks up the city into smaller large scale maps, you do not need a microscope to read them! Also you can just focus on one page at a time instead of having a huge map that you need to refold over and over.

   Rome is so confusing that even city residents need a map. You WILL need a good map to get around the city. This book does the job wonderfully.

   The maps are also laminated which makes them tough enough to handle the lots of opening and closing, the rain or even a spilled cappucino, very nice touch!

   We will use this series next time we travel to a city that they make a guide for.

   The only reason for the 4 stars is the book is light on info about 'sights' and focuses too much on shopping, restaurants and hotels. We needed a different book to get details on some of the things that we wanted to see.




2. this handy guide is also great (see streetwise maps for maps). Be sure to review them before you leave to be sure they cover the area you will be in because they are mostly "on the beaten path" items. I suggest also doing research on Frommers.com to be sure you dont miss something not covered in these books. These books are compact and easy to carry while traveling in city. Did not use for the resturaunts that is something that you need to find by exploring or research blogs but these hit the major sites in easy to read categories with simple maps. I would buy these for all my city travels.

5 comments about A Thousand Bells at Noon: A Roman Reveals the Secrets and Pleasures of His Native City.

1. Having had the pleasure of living in Rome, I was thrilled to read this book. Franco's memoir of his beloved city is lovingly written and he captures the very essence of what it is like to spend a few months there and really get to know the neighborhoods. To write about Rome is to take on a daunting task: how can you begin to describe a city that is layered with 2,000 years of civilization? The only way is through personal experience and Franco's book opens the door to this most mysterious and wild, yet sophisticated place. A must for anyone planning a trip there and better yet, if you've already been there and want to reminisce.



2. It seems that anyone who has lived abroad, (especially if the abode was in Tuscany or the South of France), feels compelled to write about it. This book makes for a pleasant read, but is somewhat predictable in its adherence to that genre of travel/living abroad school of writing. I found the book had some useful and amusing facts, but a lot of the in-depth encounters with other Romans added nothing to my interest in that city. Although a British visitor, without the length of experience of the now-expatriate Romagnoli, H.V.Morton's "A Traveler in Rome" remains the incomparable choice for a deeper understanding of Rome.



3. This book represents the musings of a native son of Rome, returning for an extended visit home after a lifetime living abroad. Romagnoli, now in his 70s, grew up in Rome, leaving it for America some 50 years earlier with his American wife. As this book begins, the widowed Romagnoli, newly re-married to another American, is returning to Rome to re-establish his ties.
   
   During the tax ride from the airport, Romagnoli considers the concept of "native". He was born in Rome, but that doesn't qualify him as truly Roman. To be truly Roman, all ancestors to 7 generations back must have been born and lived in Rome. While his mother was a Roman, his father was a "pellegrino," an immigrant from the North. The taxi driver points out some of the more recent pellegrinos they pass on the way to Romagnoli's rented flat. This is a suitable introduction to the book-rather than focus on the sights or manners of the Romans, Romagnoli considers broad topics of special import to Italians. In each subsequent chapter, he takes up a different topic in turn, such as government, health care, the fountains, religion, and transportation. But he develops each of these topics from his experiences on this particular trip. By the time you finish reading this book, you will feel you have had a series of long conversations with a Roman about how the city works, and how Romans feel about it.



4. Fascinating....and the review is coming from a 'Romano de Roma'.



5. A Thousand Bells at Noon is an affectionate, intelligent essay about the city of this transplanted Roman's birth. Loosely organized by chapter into various topics, it touches upon such subjects as what makes a "true" Roman (it's more than just living there), the impossibly temperamental system of government, the vagaries of historically categorizing Roman places, people, and events, and the joys of wandering Trastevere, one of the oldest and most representative of Rome's many neighborhoods. Romangnoli probably never intended this collection to be either guidebook or memoir, simply the setting down on paper of his thoughts and impressions of a place he knows well and loves dearly. Reading these essays brings back memories of visits to the Eternal City and evokes a bit of its essence.

5 comments about Inside Out Rome (InsideOut City Guides).

1. I just got back from a trip to Italy and I purchased an Inside Out book for each of the locations I was visiting (Rome, Florence, and Venice) and these books are life savers. The maps are incredibly convenient and easy to use and the listing of what to do is a great concise overview of the main sites in Rome. The way the maps pop out is seriously cool and the books are small enough that they can fit in a large pocket (like on cargo pants) or a purse. The compass ensures you always know where you are going an the pen was extremely helpful for making notes (there is a section in the back for notes).
   
   If you want a very detailed travel guide, this book probably isn't for you, but this is the perfect book for getting a great overview of the sites, some good restaurants and some of the best hotels. I recommend this book to take around with you as you are site-seeing as a supplement to that big heavy travel book you might be thinking of.



2. We used this book on our recent trip to Rome and really enjoyed it. It is a great size and shape...fits in pockets and purses. The maps are great too...I love the way everything folds up. The only thing that would make this book better would be a detailed map of the local metro system.



3. I recently visited Italy and I purchased an Inside Out book for each of the locations I was visiting (Rome, Florence, and Venice) and these books are life savers. The maps are incredibly convenient and easy to use and the listing of what to do is a great concise overview of the main sites in Rome. The way the maps pop out is seriously cool and the books are small enough that they can fit in a large pocket (like on cargo pants) or a purse. The compass ensures you always know where you are going an the pen was extremely helpful for making notes (there is a section in the back for notes).
   
   If you want a very detailed travel guide, this book probably isn't for you, but this is the perfect book for getting a great overview of the sites, some good restaurants and some of the best hotels. I recommend this book to take around with you as you are site-seeing as a supplement to that big heavy travel book you might be thinking of.



4. Once you travel with these guides, you will never let them go! I have used them in 3 cities in the US and 5 abroad and they have never let me down. You will not be sorry - best dollar value around too!



5. My most recent purchases of the Rome Inside-Out city guides represent a replacement for one I literally wore out after three trips and constant use, as well as two for gifts for our two grandchildren who will be traveling with us. These guides are easy to use and contain an amazing amount of information in a packet about the size of a purse-size pocket calendar.

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