Product Description

Buzz through Rome on a scooter, cook up a feast in Tuscany, float down Venice's Grand Canal and hang out with the glitterati on the Amalfi Coast - Italy is the real deal. Make sure you are pointing in the right direction with this best-selling guide.

o EXPLORE - in-depth coverage takes you beyond the classic cities into the heart of Italy's rolling countryside, craggy mountains and tiny hilltop towns
o PUT IT IN CONTEXT - detailed history, culture, art and food chapters help you get under the skin of this incredibly diverse country
o HATCH A PLAN - inspirational itineraries and comprehensive practical information enable you to make the most of your time in Italy
o STAY IN STYLE - whether it's a cosy B&B for a night or a week in Puglia's trulli, our listings deliver
o DINE OUT - from humble trattorie to fine-dining institutions, our hand-picked reviews highlight the best of Italy's regional cuisine

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #257441 in Books
• Published on: 2006-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 924 pages

Amazon.com
From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there, chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach. While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money.

Explore the riches of Italy with Lonely Planet's essential guide. Featuring a special color feature on Italian art and architecture, this book also contains insider's advice on the best pasta and gelati; skiing and trekking information, notes on history, culture and current politics; as well as practical food and accommodation suggestions for every budget. Delightful sidebars add insight into the culture, with details on everything from gladiators to mushroom picking. --Kathryn True

Review
“Lonely Planet guides are a must-pack” --Toronto Star, February 2006

From the Publisher
Who We Are
At Lonely Planet, we see our job as inspiring and enabling travellers to connect with the world for their own benefit and for the benefit of the world at large.

What We Do
* We offer travellers the world's richest travel advice, informed by the collective wisdom of over 350 Lonely Planet authors living in 37 countries and fluent in 70 languages.
* We are relentless in finding the special, the unique and the different for travellers wherever they are.
* When we update our guidebooks, we check every listing, in person, every time.
* We always offer the trusted filter for those who are curious, open minded and independent.
* We challenge our growing community of travellers; leading debate and discussion about travel and the world.
* We tell it like it is without fear or favor in service of the travellers; not clouded by any other motive.

What We Believe
We believe that travel leads to a deeper cultural understanding and compassion and therefore a better world.

Customer Reviews

Decent guide
I did a multiple country tour across Europe and I will preface my review with the disclaimer that I only ended up seeing Venice while I was in Italy so all my comment pertain to the Lonely Planet's section on this city.

The section on Venice was not as helpful as other Lonely Planet guides that I have had the pleasure of using with my travels. The maps, while accurate and useful for approximate locating, will need to supplemented with another map (either the Lonely Planet's or one purchased when you get there).

The hotel reviews were good, but I would also use the internet more as I found a nice cheap hotel not listed in their guide just walking through the city. Their review of the usefulness of the Venice Pass was also spot on - ie you will have to work hard and smart get your money's worth.

Good for trip prep., but not good when you're there
I bought this book before I went to Italy and planned to use it to guide me around. When I was there, I found the book is good for reading, but is not useful at all when you need to rely on it to go around. The very few maps in the book are very general and lack of details. You can't tell where you're and what you're looking at if you only have this book. I had to buy some other books there so that I don't miss the great things at the places I visited.

Lonely Planet Italy
Decent range of information, though some more specificity would be nice-especially in Venice. They had very little on accommodations or dining there.