Ann, we went from the BG's 8th to 10th edition and, content-wise, found it an improvement... the layout's less cramped, with a font size that these days is more comfortable (even if it does sometimes seem greyish, rather than a good solid black?). Also now has a good number of pictures, photos and maps in colour to lighten the mix.

But the better paper (needed for colour), slightly larger page size and an 120 of them, do reduce its "useability" - although the previous one was hardly a featherweight either!

To get an idea of the breadth of coverage, the index (which, as they do nowadays, only shows the 'start' page number, rather than the length of articles) and a short sample can be seen here:

http://blueguides.com/book-details/?...y=book&key=169

As an example, the new one has 6 pages on S. Maria Maggiore as against 3.5 in the old. Text is much the same, trimmed in places and extended in other - plus a 1/2 page line drawing of the exterior.... probably a net gain?

There again, more obscure places get correspondingly less space - so Santa Maria dell'Orto for instance....

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/trastev_churches

.... has but a line and a half for its description and history!

........................

Did we already discuss this, which may well have to be ordered from the USA....

http://angeluspress.org/The-Pilgrims...r_name=tylenda

Very good coverage of 51 of the city's churches, however those are almost as numerous as the fountains!

In that there's 16 pages re SMM - and as the Angelus Press have now taken down their lush sample, here's a quick scan of two of them:

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/imag...44277/original

(But no mention at all of SMd'O !)

........................

Oh to hire a Sherpa Tenzing, or Sancho Panza! Or to have books that come apart in handy "daily" sections?

Peter

Oh to hire a Sherpa Tenzing, or Sancho Panza! Or to have books that come apart in handy "daily" sections?>>

how I agree. I used to have kids with me who could partially fulfill those roles, but sadly no longer.

we hadn't discussed [not that i remember anyway] the Pilgrim's guide, and thanks for mentioning it, but again, I think that it's too specialist for me. [AND I'm no pilgrim!]

i do tend to print out quite a lot and chuck as i go, but wouldn't intend to do that with this sort of guide.

you're definitely pushing me towards the blue guide.

<<<you're definitely pushing me towards the blue guide.>>>

Getting the new BG edition does sound like the best overall option for you.

If I could only take 2 things into a city I was visiting for the 1st time it would be the BG and a 'Streetwise (or similar type) Map'.

But being a history nerd I'm also going to try and push you too an Oxford guide compromise for the major archaeological sites <smile>.

I said earlier the Oxford is detailed but it is written as a guidebook for tourists.

A_Brit_In_Ischia said this;

<<<Or to have books that come apart in handy "daily" sections?>>>

I have done something similar. On a driving trip I was going to visit Verona, Lucca, Pisa, Siena and Assisi.

I bought an Italy guidebook like Fodors and cut-out (actually by cutting thru the binding/spine with a razor knife so the section is still intact/bound) the sections on those cities, IOW I made a narrow pamphlet for each city.

For $11.50 including shipping via Amazon you can buy a used Oxford Rome guidebook.

The Roman Forum section is 59 pages which is 30 actual pages, so a pamphlet.

If you wanted everything else (all the sites W, SW and NW of the Colosseum) it would be 225 pages or 113 actual pages which is the size and weight of a short paperback book.
The only other major sites you would possibly visit is San Clemente and the Baths of Caracalla
which is 14 or 7 actual pages more.

Just a thought:-).

thank you kindly, Rostra, and Peter, for taking so much time to help me with what is in reality quite an insignificant decision.

i'll let you know what i decide and how me decision works out!

Or you might get used copies of their previous editions through Amazon UK, for under a fiver each, and take a pair of scissors to them?

P!

Peter - i looked at that, but my recollection is they weren't as cheap as you might think, after delivery was taken into account.

Ill have another look though - thanks for the suggestion.

Question, I followed the advice and ordered tickets to the Vatican from the website above http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/MV_Home.html. One can no longer pay online anymore but just get a confirmed registration, and that is what I did. So apparently we have to go and pay (in cash) once we are there. Has anyone done this and if so, is there a line? I was so looking forward to having this all prepaid and taken care of!

What great information on this thread! I am highlighting and transferring information to my ROme trip folder. WOW!

<B>macswim:</B> You might do better if you start a new thread w/ your question. Many will miss your post at the end of this long thread.

Will do, thanks.

macswim - there shouldn't be much more of a queue than there would have been if you'd prepaid. you have a reserved entry time, so you go right to the front of the queue to get into the museums, show your reservation e-mail, go in and pay.

I would turn up 15 or so mins before your reserved time, because everyone else who has reserved entry will be in the same boat.

Thanks annhig! You are leaving this week too, eh? We are game for a GTG if you are!

macswim - I leave on Sunday 17th feb returning Sat 23rd. we are going to be in classes in the morning, and doing excursions in the afternoon, but evenings should be free and I love the idea of a GTG with you and your family.

my e-mail address is [email protected] if you want to drop me an e-mail so we can exchange further details.