Next year our grandson will be studying in Rome for one semester , and we would like to give him a guide book to Rome. Any suggestions, especially something geared to students ?
Thanks !

Let's Go: Rome. Written by students, full of great information, and one of my favorites even though I'm not a kid any more.

Hi Jenny,

Agree w/ Nikki on Let's Go. But if you want something with photos, I'm a fan of the AAA spiral bound guides. Their guide for Rome gives great suggestions for museums, sports, retaurants and walks and is very light and packable. It was the only guide book I took on our (3rd) trip this fall. It's maps of the historic city sections are some of the best.

The EYEWITNESS GUIDES are fabulous as they have wonderful pictures along with a paragraph or two about the various places and things(sections on food,general services,etc.) Personally. I would make up a "grouping" of books for him which would include: Lonely Planet:ROME/The "Marling" Menu-Master for Italy (has different sections on food and what it is and small enough to take to restaurants)/Eyewitness Guide to either Rome or Italy.Also, a small English-Italian dictionary for school;converter set and perhaps a good hostel book of Western Europe(for when he travels outside of Rome on the weekends?).

I used the DK eyewitness book "Top 10 Rome" alot when I was there because it was small and easy to carry and it has alot of information. I agree with giving a couple books.

I also recommend the Eyewitness guides, both the Top Ten Rome and the full guide.

A selection is an excellent idea, and to those two I would have to add Frommer's Rome Past & Present.
We found the plastic overlays taking one from present day ruins to sites of ancient rome in all their glory, really helped visualize the city and its history.

Check amazon.com is you don't find any of those mentioned.

Above are good suggestions for practical matters, but friends of mine who've lived there always cite "The Companian Guide to Rome" by Georgina Masson (now revised by Ford) as the most detailed and rewarding guide to the city. It takes the form of more than twenty walks through the city, stopping at monuments, galleries, churches and notable buildings, all fleshed out with stories of the lives lived in the neighborhood.

Your grandson should read it before he goes, and while he's there. He will probably also read it when he come home, because the writing is of a very high level and as successful in rekindling memories as in inspiring interest.

Just to offer an alternate opinion,I bought A Companion Guide to Rome by Masson and for me it was not an essential purchase. The authors (it has been revised several times) offer infinite detail and historical tid bits, but it actually offered little that wasn't already in the Michelin Green Guide, I found the writing a bit dull, and it is too heavy to carry around imo. Since he's going to be there for several months, maybe he <u>will</u> want it for his own library. But Let's Go will be more fun and practical. Rick Steves might also be a good choice in this case.

Why something geared to students?

Is he incapable of handling a grownup guide? Do 20 year-olds need special dumbed-down versions of real books?

At that age, I found the Blue Guide invaluable. I'd have felt offended if someone thought me the sort of person who needed a Frommers. I'd have been pleased if someone had given me the Companion Guide.

Best of all, if his Italian's up to it (and if it's not, a great way of getting his Italian up to it) is the TCI's Guida Rossa for Rome. Currently on special at the TCI site (touringcub.com) at &euro;5 per volume for the Rome and each of the other 23 local Guida Rossa volumes.

But only if you join TCI (&euro;73 per year). Why not give him a subscription? He'll learn a great deal more about Italy that way than from the &quot;Gee Whizz! This is how you get a passport!&quot; inanities of the Let's Go series.

Sorry. The TCI URL is www.touringclub.com

flanner, I don't think it's a matter of dumbing down books for students. More a matter of pointing out inexpensive travel suggestions in conjunction with strong cultural content. At least that's what I was looking for when I was a student. That said, however, my own two student daughters have no interest in guide books of any variety. When my older daughter studied in Copenhagen, she seemed to get most of her travel ideas through word of mouth. Not my idea, but seemed to work for her.

Time Out.

Sorry, I sent too soon.

Time Out has lots of nightlife, dining, shopping, entertainment listings that are geared to the young and trendy or wannabe-trendy. It's not bad for the cultural stuff, either.

But as an old and non-trendy visitor, I still use my Companion Guide as I have for many years. And I like the Blue Guide, Eyewitness, Cadogan, and several others as well.

Hi
We used the Cadagon guide to Rome. Found an inexpensive pizzeria and some good place to visit. Not heavy, written with some humor and goes into various aspects of Rome.

An enthusiastic vote for Lonely Planet, and not just for students. I have used their books as part of my research for trips both in Europe and Asia. They have lots of good background information and tips for lodging and restaurants beyond the super-cheap recommendations.

But since they are bulky, when walking around I, like others here mentioned, carry the Top Ten books. Love 'em!

How about a gift certificate to a great bookstore with a card that says it is for a Rome guidebook, and let him browse and pick his own?

Another vote for the Lonely Planet Guide to Rome. Great walking tours, small, light, lots of information, good for young adults who are smart as well.

I'll put in a plug for a good map. I loved &quot;The Rough Guide to Rome Map&quot; (Rough Guide City Maps). Available on Amazon or I bought mine at Barnes &amp; Noble. It is waterproof and rip-proof. It had everything on it that we needed. You might be surprised how little a young adult is interested in using a guide book. It is still a good idea - but make sure he has a good map.

Thank you so much for the suggestions! I was astounded by the response . We certainly will get most of the books, and include the map !