Italy but in general:
Which book to buy? The "Best of..." or the "Italy". I am planning a trip in Sept./Oct. '23 for 2 weeks. I would probably get the "Best of" based on the RS recommendation text for my length and 1st time visit. However, I see the "Best of" was list published in '20 and the "Italy" was just last month. Not knowing what is actually updated each printing, I'm thinking the more recent would be "better". Thoughts?
Happy Holidays to all!
I would absolutely go with the most recent.
The standard books are considerably more comprehensive than the 'Best of' versions.
In this case, with the difference in dates, I think "Italy" is the best choice without a doubt. The full guidebooks are always my choice, anyway, because I'm an information junkie.
I agree the comprehensive guides are better, and just received the newest Italy guide. The "Best of" have more color pix but less info.
Have a great trip.
The Best of Italy's next edition will come out November, 2023. Under the "Product Details" of the blurb for each guide book gives you the date for the next book edition.
TY all, agree on the comprehensive book. Ty for the feedback!
3 Best Italian Travel Guides:
Rick Steves Italy
Lonely Planet Italy
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Italy
Others:
Rick Steves Pocket Rome
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Rome
Glam Italia! 101 Fabulous Things to Do in Rome
Blue Guide Rome
In addition:
DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Florence and Tuscany
Tuscany, Italy: Small-town Itineraries for the Foodie Traveler
Glam Italia! 101 Fabulous Things To Do In Florence: Insider Secrets To The Renaissance City
If you keep your search as general, the list goes on and on. But if you share a specific place name the sources will be different.
Guidebooks are rather obsolete the moment they get off the press. I would advise you to get the latest of several resources from your library to determine your itinerary. I use Booking.com or similar sites for hotels. After that, start to research your sites to get the details, such as "closed on Tuesdays," "advanced purchase tickets needed", etc. I use Trip Advisor forums a lot for planning questions and once I'm there. There are "pros" who give very good advice. You quickly learn which ones just offer good advice and not necessarily their services.
Anything written before or during the pandemic might not be helpful. Hotel and restaurants often changed their names or went out of business. For every museum, church or site you wish to visit, go to their website for the most current info.
Rick's books are helpful for general planning, esp the itinerary, but not necessarily hotels and restaurants. Most are not listed in his books.
gritz, if you're on the page of any guidebook (in the shopping section of this site), one of the links it has is "Is This the Right Book for Me?" There you can see Rick's own answer to your question.
Rick, Cameron, etc have been updating guidebooks post Covid. Best of Italy pub 2020. Italy pub 2022!
Ty All again for the valuable feedback. Book ordered and will arrive on Wednesday, can't wait to begin the read and the journey.
