Lonely Planet Italy

What I like about Lonely Planet Italy:

• If I could only buy one guidebook, this would be it.  I think they provide the best information on how to get to places and what to do when you are there. They also tell you what you should see and do when you are there.
• I love the slightly irreverent tone of these books.
• The Table of Contents is great.  They make it very easy to find whatever it is that you are looking for.  They even have the tip boxes listed in the table of contents.
• There is a good, though short language guide and Italian word glossary.
• For each large city (and some smaller towns) there is information on where to find tourist offices (which are excellent places to pick up free maps), foreign consulates, medical services, what to do in an emergency, etc.
• Each major city has information on how to get there if you are arriving by air, bus, train, car, etc. 
• Information on things to buy, entertainment, bars, gambling, where to see the opera, etc. is provided.
• Side Boxes contain information such as “Savings Venice”, “Gladiators”, and “Unraveling the History of Noodles” among other topics.
• Information is provided to suit every budget – inexpensive hotels as well as luxury hotels.  They give you their opinions on where you should splurge and spend a few extra dollars and what is not worth the extra money.
• There is a section with color photos on art and architecture.
• Information on how to get to the various sites is provided.  For example, take Metro Line A to San Giovanni t get to Chiesa di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme in Rome.
  
  
  What I Don’t Like about Lonely Planet Italy:

• This book is way too heavy to carry around with you. I either copy the pages I think I will need, especially the maps to carry with me or I buy an older book and cut out the pages I need. Or better yet, buy the region or city guides.