Besides using this talk forum (which I love!), I've been using Rick Steve's and Fodors' travel guides as reference for my trip to Italy. Besides these books, do you recommend any other books that might be more useful?

What about a guidebook I should take for my trip. Preferably something that isn't too bulky.

We use the Eyewitness series.

I also love the DK Eyewitness travel guides. The illustrations are amazing. Have fun!

Before going on a trip I read and take notes from several guidebooks: Fodor's, Frommer's, Lonely Planet, Let's Go etc. I take my notes with me on the trip along with one book and usually choose Rick Steves, his books are lightweight, have great budget tips, maps and self-guided walking tour suggestions. Have a great time in Italy!

If you are considering something other than the big, well known cities, then both Michelin and Thomas Cook have pretty good books but both are written primarily for driving tours.

I use the DK Eyewitness books for planning, but I don't bring them with me because they're too heavy. I love the Cadogan books, and they're usually pretty lightweight. And I'm a diehard green Michelin fan. I use the Michelin red for planning, but don't bring them along - just take notes from them and bring the notes with me.

Yes Michelin Green (I have never even picked up a Michelin Red).

I like Lonely Planet for lots of information and good maps. Let's Go I find has information arranged in a more user friendly manner, but contact information for hotels and museums needs to be verified against another guide book.

We normally use the Michelin Green Guides and the DK Eyewitness Guides.

HiI usually check through the bookstores to see what meets my needs. When we went to Rome I used the Cadogan Rome guide. I usually use the Green guide or Rough guide. My wife and I travel independently and I find both Green and Rough guide most suitable for my purpose.