National Geographic Traveler: Italy (3rd Edition)

I just returned from a two-week trip to Italy with my family. My sisters and I had bought every guide to Italy possible - except this one. My father brought this National Geographics' version of a travel guide to Italy with him - and it was the one guide that we all fought over. The color pictures in this guidebook were amazing. Not only did it list everything interesting to see in a variety of different towns in Italy - it described the history and myth behind everything that you were seeing (and this is what is missing from most tour books in my opinion). The book even included interesting side sections, such as one on the old fashioned "Grand Tour of Europe". It was a pleasure to read about places that we never even made it to on our trip. This is a wonderful book to use during travel in Italy - or even as an interesting coffee table book. (The paperback version is light to carry and fits in a large pocketbook). Now that we have returned home and that the well...Read more

What we love about the national geo series is that they entice you into getting ready for your trip. the photos, proposed walks and drives - these get a 5 out of 5. However, they are not good for finding a reasonably priced place to stay, eat, shop and in general finding your way around. For this I recommend a good road map and the Lonely Planet guide. We did 14 days Italy driving from Rome through Tuscany to Florence and the Nat'l Geo guide was essential for planning the trip.

This book is a wonderful companion to any trip to Italy. The pictures are beautiful (what I would expect of National Geographic) and the information within the book is full of history. We went with a tour group and from reading the book, we were a step ahead on the guides information many times. It also suggests not only the major tourist sites to visit, but also out of the way sites that you might not hear about otherwise. I did give this book four stars because, like another reviewer said, it doesn't give too much information on accomodations and where to eat. Other books may be better for that.

The best thing about this book is that you can use it as a book of memories because of the pictures. I highlighted all the places my mom and I went. Hopefully I will return and hightlight the entire book!