From Italy News

The red alert issued by the Civil Defence regarding the heat is extended to 13 cities. For tomorrow the alarm system foresees a "level 3", which means a heat wave with the need to take measures for elderly, children and people with diseases in a Bolzano, Brescia, Verona, Milan, Turin, Florence, Perugia, Rieti, Rome, Civitavecchia, Latina, Frosinone and Campobasso. But the day after tomorrow, level 3 will only remain in Rieti and Latina, while the other cities return to level 1, no health risks. Latina will be the hottest city tomorrow with 37 degrees, while 36 degrees will be registered in Verona and Milan, 35 in Frosinone, Civitavecchia and Rome.

Women in Stilettos: I complain when I have to wear high heels for a couple of hours at a party. Go to Italy and you see women of all ages in stilettos going about their daily activities – riding Vespa’s, shopping, on the train, hiking along the trails of the Cinque Terre, etc.

Chatter is Everywhere: On cell phones and in groups Italians like to talk. There is a constant buzzing of chatter in the background wherever you go. If you listen to cell phone conversations you have to wonder if the person on the other end of the phone is listening the whole time or if both people are talking non-stop.

No Salt: Several years ago I overhead an American couple complain about how bland the food in Italy is. I could not believe what I was hearing. So many Americans are used to eating fast food and processed food that they can’t appreciate fresh food prepared with natural herbs and little salt.

Grapes Growing in Backyards: Vineyards grow behind houses in small towns all across Italy. Families harvest the grapes and make their own wine so they always have a stash of wine available.

Coffee Comes in one Size: Order an espresso, cappuccino or coffee and no one asks you if you want a tall, grande or veniti. You get whatever size the restaurant or cafè serves.

Not Just Coke:Wine and beer are sold in vending machines all across Europe which makes a nice change from only having soda and water.

In few places can it be claimed that the entire city is one panoramic work of art. There seems barely a building in Venice that does not contain hundreds of years of precious historical testimony. Of course, much changed down the centuries. A great deal of the city’s early Romanesque and Byzantine buildings were swept away to make room for Gothic splendours. – Reprinted from Lonely Planet Venice and the Veneto

Pages: 308 pages

Dimensions: 7.6 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches

Weight: 9.6 ounces

Maps: The maps in the Lonely Planet books are the best I have found in any guidebooks. There are city maps, regional maps and a country map. You can actually use the street maps to find your way around a city.

Pictures: There are a limited number of photos.

Ever since Grand Tourists invaded in the 18th century, Rome has been a major tourist attraction. Every year millions of visitors pour into town, lured by a reputation that modern advertisers would be pushed to improve.

The city’s main gateway is Leonardo Da Vinci Airport (aka Fiumicino), although if you are flying with a low-cost European airline you’ll probably land at Ciampino. Both are well connected with the city centre. Once in town, you will find the centre is best explored on foot – it’s not big and the streets are wonderfully vibrant. – Reprinted from Lonely Planet Rome, Italy

Pages: 322 pages

Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches

Weight: 11.4 ounces

Maps: The maps in the Lonely Planet books are the best I have found in any guidebooks. There are city maps, regional maps and a country map. You can actually use the street maps to find your way around a city.

Pictures: There are a limited number of photos.

Italy has created many of the world’s most sublime works of art, literature, and architecture, spawned some of the greatest empires of the ancient and medieval world, and since World War II, has emerged as one of Europe’s wealthiest and more economically vibrant countries. It also designs and produces many of the world’s most exquisite fashions, has evolved one of the world’s finest cuisines and posses a medley of landscapes as beautiful and varied as any in Europe. Few cultures are as beguiling, and few countries are as rich and endlessly fascinating.- Reprinted from National Geographic Italy

Pages: 400

Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches

Weight: 1.4 pounds

Maps: Regional maps, limited number of street maps. Since the book is too heavy to carry with you there is not really a need for street maps

Pictures: Excellent pictures printed on glossy paper