Blue Guide Northern Italy: From the Alps to the Adriatic, Twelfth Edition

On his website, travel guru Rick Steves says that Blue Guides take "a dry and scholarly approach to the countries of Europe. They're ideal if you want to learn as much about history, art, architecture, and culture as you possibly can." This is basically true, though I much prefer a "dry and scholarly" tone to Rick's "nerdy and precious" style. He's great when it comes to practical tips, but he can't touch the historical, artistic and architectural content of the Blue Guides.

Blue Guides pack a tremendous amount of information into their pages, much more than any other guide I've used. They're wonderful for reading before and after your trip, but they're probably too dense to pack and take along for most people. Before leaving on my honeymoon to Italy, I photocopied the relevant pages of the Northern Italy book to avoid having to pack it because I knew I wouldn't be visiting most of the cities it covers. (Be aware that this book does not include Rome, Florence, or...Read more

Has all the information in the Baedeker Guides from the 20's and 30's but better maps and city diagrams. The best guide book for art, architecture and history available.

For a concise guide to important art and architecture, the Blue Guide remains unbeatable. Their Northern Italy edition is superb. (The guide covers all areas north of the Tuscany, Umbria, and Marches borders.)