Best guidebook for Venice?
 

Other than Fodors, of course.

Something with lovely color maps and photos - one that updates yearly and is specific for Venice only.

Does this exist?
Thanks!

I doubt if any general guidebook is going to update every year.

For my most recent trip, I purchased the Fodor's See It Venice guide. I found it very comprehensive, particularly high praise since I've been to Venice maybe 10 times and so have concerns a first-time visitor might not. My friends with DK guides were jealous of the information I had that was not included in DK.

Apart from Fodors:


I sometimes use TimeOut guides; they update fairly often and have color photos and good maps. Their Venice guide (1/07) covers the major cities in the Veneto, with emphasis on Venice. I think their demographic skews pretty young, so they incude lots of nightlife information. Which I, of course, ignore!

http://www.timeout.com/shop/products/ven.html

Rick Steves does a guide book just for Venice, but no color photos.

We have used his guide books in the past for Europe.

AAA had the best book on Venice that I had ever used. It was part of its Spiral Guides, but I do not know when it was last updated. It was a good size, had lots of maps and lots of color photos.

For colour maps and photos I like Eyewitness Guides by Dorling Kindersley. They don't cover AS much as some guides but I find them very inspiring in terms of making me want to visit various sights not to mention that I like their 3D street maps and walking tour suggestions.

For travelers with a serious interest in the city and its sights, I highly recommend this book. Amazon lists it as out of print but it is such a classic I am sure it is available somewhere:


http://www.amazon.com/Venice-Pleasur.../dp/1873429401