Venice - Best Guide Book
 

I have a couple of books, Fodors and Rick Steves, but do you have a favorite for Venice that you used and found helpful? The Eyewitness one looks nice and so does the National Geographic one.

Hi Ronda,

Well, I can't comment on the "best," since I haven't researched them all. However, on our recent trip to Venice, I used Rick Steve's, Fodor's City Pack, and Frommer's. I found Rick's to be the most useful and the best organized during our stay.

I would use Rick Steve's books again on most trips. However, we're planning Ireland and Scotland with Fodor's right now, because we couldn't find both books in the Rick Steve's collection. I will admit that the format is much harder to use than Rick Steve's format that I've become accustomed to.

Ronda,

I would choose D&K's Top 10 Venice, as it's compact enough to carry around and has great pics and maps.

That said: More than any other city, a stay in Venice without a guidebook is not only feasible, it's desirable. The best way to see Venice is just to walk, turn corners, back out of dead-ends, and go into every church you encounter. The city is so small, you can't get too lost or too far astray -- especially with the all the vaporetti to bail you out.

DK Eyewitness is by far the best of them all. So much detail!

There is no one best--guidebooks are aimed at specific audiences, so you have to find the one that fits your needs.

We use the Michelin Green guides pretty much wherever we go.

I usually buy at least half a dozen guidebooks per trip & devour them!

for Venice, definitely DK. And I do love the Top 10 format. I've only got the Top 10 for London and Paris but they are great, and very compact.

For a good history book, buy Jan Morris' World of Venice. (or maybe it's just Venice, depending on where you buy it).

Time Out Venice is great.

I actually liked Rick Steves Italy but it seems to be a bit beneath some folks here... ;-)

there is another one right on the tip of my tongue and darned if I cannot think of it right now. It's an unusual kind of guidebook, it's written almost in bibliography form. The author has cobbled together her favorite stories and essays and books about Venice and adds in quite a bit of her own tips and impressions. I love it, and when I get home I'll post the author/title here...

I agree with Rufus. Each person's perfect guidebook is going to vary since we all have different needs and prefer different formats.

Barrie Kerper - the Collected Traveler! I knew I would remember.

I have her books for Paris, Provence, Morocco, and Venice/Tuscany. really fabulous books.

oooh, and I see she now has Northern Spain and Southwestern France in her stable. back to B&N it is...

just returned. HIGHLY recommend Rick Steves. Also used the DK Top 10. Both were good. Bought the general DK for Florence/Tuscany and can honestly say it was awful. Lots of pictures no substance.

The whole eyewitness line is excellent, enough detail if you are interested but small enough to carry around a refer to occasionally. Very good or details in cathedrals and museums.

Hi
In addition to Fodors, I found the Michelin Green Guide wonderful, I enjoyed the detail on art and architecture. It doesn't have much in the way of practical tourist info though.
I just can't get myself to like the DK Eyewitness books for on-the-spot use, tho' nice imo as pre-trip research and they have pretty pictures. When traveling, I found them heavy, and most especially I don't seem to like the way they are organized, I am forever flipping through the books trying to find my topic.

I also like the Great Eats in Italy and Great Sleeps in Italy books for restaurants and hotels. The series is by Gustafson.

I have a long file on Venice; if you'd like to see it, email me at
[email protected]

Just came back from Venice and only used the latest edition of the TIME OUT book on Venice. It was accurate,up to date on everything and invaluable for its maps and information on transport,hotels,restaurants,stuff off the beaten path...etc.
Looked at all the others and they didn't compare in my opinion.

Speaking of "up to date," that's another thing I like with Rick Steve's books. They are actually updated yearly, rather than just putting a new date on the old stuff.

He also has a link on his website where you can find any info that might have changed since the publishing of a specific edition. I find that is helpful before travel, as well as making an older guide last longer after you return.

Thanks for your responses. I very much appreciate your input. I will only have a couple of days in Venice so want to pack as much in as I can.

Thanks again Elaine; you already sent me your wonderful file. And I have read Statia's lovely trip report.

Hi

I went to Venice in June and I had the DK Eyewitness book. It is hard to tell which books are the best...it all comes down to your own taste :-)

Well, if you want some more information I can also recommend my very own trip report with pictures located on my homepage www.gardkarlsen.com. Please get in touch if you have any questions :-)

Regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway

I did entitle my post "Best Guide Book" but in my actual post I did say "do you have a favorite for Venice that you used and found helpful?" So I am just asking which one YOU liked and why.

Gard, I have looked at your report and pictures and they are great. We will be in Milan as well as Venice before going on to Barcelona. My husband is "on business" so I will be on my own some days in Milan and Barcelona.

My Ancestors are from Norway and while my parents have visited relatives there, I have not been yet so I enjoyed looking at your pictures of Norway as well. Some of them are breath taking.

Hi

I'll try not to turn this in to a Norwegian post...but yes, some of the places in this area is quite nice. Just take a look at the pictures from Kjerag and Preikestolen. I really love Kjerag and even if it takes 2 hours to walk there it is worth it. The view from 1000 meter above the fjord is breathtaking...I actually went up there last Sunday and it was amazing.

Well, let me know if you need any advice about Norway :-)

Regards
Gard
www.gardkarlsen.com

Every book has its strengths and weaknesses, so I suggest going to your local bookstore and paging through the various guidebooks to see which one best meets your needs. Also, be sure to buy a good streetmap of Venice--one that marks every street. I got the one by Insight and it was great. As a bonus, it clearly showed all the vaporetto routes and stopcs.

"Blue Guide-Venice" no fluff just facts:). Regards, Walter