el344

Sandra Gustafson's Great Eats Italy: Florence - Rome - Venice; Fifth Edition (Great Eats Italy)

I carried this everywhere in Florence and Rome -- it's organized by location so that when you decide to eat, you can just look up and see what's nearby. We had some great lunches based on recommendations from the book.

el

suze

I do the research but then leave all the guidebooks at home. I pick up maps and tourist information upon arrival. I pack light, and no way can I drag around a big old pile of guidebooks. If you really must take one, I'd try to find a single volume that covers all of Italy.

2010

Thanks to all who entered the discussion!

When planning a trip I read every guide book that is available on the shelf at my local library - even those that are a bit outdated! I find that they are all different from the way the information is organized to the depth/detail given to a destination. I manage to glean something from each resource!

But for this trip, I will need to take guide books that will provide enough information for a first-time visitor to Italy like me. We are staying four days in each location: Venice, Bellagio, San Gimignano, San Quirico & Florence. So, my goal is to figure out a way to travel without packing a library of books in my suitcase! It looks like tearing books apart & taking only pertinent sections may be a practical way to go! I'm not brave enough to leave home without at least one resource!

Not all of the 2008 editions are available for purchase just yet, so I still have time to check out the Cadogan Guides and other suggestions from here! BTW, I have used CG for Brittany, Normandy, Dordogne & the Lot. They were great books to take!

Thanks, everyone!

2010

Susan7

The Blue Guide to Northern Italy is great for art and culture. It doesn't cover places to eat or hotels but the information on sites is fantastic.

vetralla

As a guidebook writer (Fodors as well as DK Eyewitness Rome) I guess that the info in the print edition is probably 2 years old before you read it during your trip. Thus the importance of the information shared on this and other websites concerned with travel. Up to date info from other travelers and those of us who live here is far more valuable than carrying any number of guidebooks in your luggage. For itineraries off the beaten track and articles check www.elegantetruria.com

cathies

My preparation for out trip this year to Italy/France has included a cut and paste to a word document of any info from Fodors posts, that I don't want to forget. So far it's about 20 pages and I'm sorting it as I go, by country, city, transport, favourite things, museums etc... As well as a few smaller guidebooks I will take this as a handy reference tool. Thanks to all the posters who have made this possible! The DK Top 10 are good as they don't weigh much. A girlfriend lugged Lonely Planet Rome in her handbag everyday when we were there last time - I don't know how she did it

tomassocroccante

Get a copy of
City Secrets: Florence, Venice and the Towns of Italy

With concise maps, and short articles by architects, historians, chefs, artists, writers ... each revealing favorite "secret" places, from paintings tucked away in small churches, to special views, to a favorite gelateria. A small book with a big wallop. You find yourself in a town or neighborhood, look at the appropriate map, and discover that around the corner is a pizzeria popular with locals after work, or the excavation of an ancient temple.

Also in this series - City Secrets: Rome / City Secrets: New York / City Secrets: London

BTW, I do like Fodor's guides. Not as colorful as some, but chock-a-block with info. A good guidebook is my favorite in-flight reading, whether a first visit or a return. It can lead to new temptations, or remind me to go back to a half-forgotten corner.

I also think a guide book is handy to have along in the evening when firming up plans for the next day - you may come upon something new or near another destination. Living in a city that is a major tourist destination, I'm amazed how many people arrive without a clue beyond what they've seen on TV.

Buon viaggio.

2010

Vettralla's comments as a guide book writer has made me think about the reliance to travel with these books. For example, here are the most current books available for the following recommended titles: SG's Great Eats Italy (2005), Blue Guide to Northern Italy (2005), DK Top 10 Venice (2002) and City Secrets (2001). So, how old is too old?

2010

Zerlina

Monuments, churches and museum collections do not change from year to year; the basic information in the Blue Guide will still be valid. Opening hours, reservation systems, admission fees do change; that is what the Internet (Google) is for.

Generally speaking, restaurants do not change hands (and undergo quality changes) as often in Italy as in the US; opening days and prices can change. Again, Google is your friend for any restaurant that you know in advance you want to eat at; most restaurants nowadays have Web sites (in Italian and English).

tdyls

I find Rick Steve's books to be detailed....in what little slice of (country) or (city) he is writing about. The sarcasm I can do without -- a non-serious tone like in Fodor's books is one thing, but insipid jokes and sarcasm is another. The one thing that I do use Rick's recommendations for is eating -- if a restaurant is mentioned in a Rick book, I avoid it like the plague because it is generally overcrowded with tourists and/or the food is nondescript.

I have not used any of the other books in your list. My usual tourbook library consists of a Fodor's or Frommer's book of the country(s), region(s), or city(s) I'm going to, plus a DK book of the same thing. DK is useful for its pictures and details, Fodor's/Frommer's is useful for its practical information.

jrschultz

Free mp3 downloads from Rick Steves
Check it out...
http://www.ricksteves.com/news/trave...otour_menu.htm

tomassocroccante

I still occasionally refer to a 10-year old Fodor's Paris guide - the maps are essentially valid, historical information, walking tours, etc.

For up-to-date information most cities (and countries) are served by magazines (in Paris, Time Out is a good one to pick up on arrival.)

2010

Just an update regarding my quest for which guide books to take on our first trip to Italy. I managed to borrow many of your book suggestions from the public library. As well, many of the 2008 versions are available now.

My revised list looks like this:
Rome Venice Florence (Cadogan Guide 2007)
Great Eats Italy: Florence, Rome, Venice (2005)
Michelin Tuscany Green Guide (2007)

I will bring notes regarding things to see & do on Lake Como, and leave the sections on Rome at home!

Thanks again for your suggestions & insights. They really gave me pause to think about what I need to travel.

2010

directions

My problem with this was that I had all the pages torn out and other pages printed out from the internet but, but what happens is you can't find the info needed when you need it because of all the stuff you have to paw through.

My advice is to read through your stuff, leave it and go for all the info you will have on the various places when you get there. I wish I had done that.