Best Guide Book Southeast Italy

I really appreciate the level of detail in Rick's guidebooks, but the trade-off is that entire swaths of territory are sometimes ignored. While traveling in Italy last year I used a Lonely Planet book as well as one of Rick's. I found LP good for general info and description of sights, but sometimes I wanted a bit more detail on the logistics of moving around--like exactly where (in a 2-block area full of buses) do I go to get the bus from Palermo to Monreale? Also, I found the little maps sometimes a bit carelessly drawn. When streets change names, one of the names may be slapped on a part of the street that, in actuality, goes by a different name. When you're on foot and trying to figure out exactly where you are, it's confusing when the map doesn't match what you see on the street sign (assuming there is one). I learned, eventually, to embrace electronic maps, but I much prefer paper when I'm walking around. So I'd say be cautious about using the maps in the LP books. Otherwise, I was happy with them. If you're a hard-core, history-focused traveler, Insight or Blue might be a better choice for you. I'd browse in a book store rather than buying online.

I've been to the Gargano, Puglia and Matera. Great areas to visit. You'll have a wonderful time.

I use the Lonely Planet books for Piedmont and Emilia Romangna that Rick does't cover. I found the book good for basic information but lacks some of the nice tours and in depth about sights that Rick's book cover. I've had good luck contacting the local Tourist Office for information also.

One of Rick's staff has posted here that Rick's publisher has laid down the law: the Italy book cannot be any more pages! Therefore, he can't include more places without either taking out some places or skimping on the ones he does cover.

I can well believe that, and the book as-is covers the territory being visited by the vast majority of US tourists to Italy. It's just that for those of us who have some extra time, the gaps are noticeable. But that's what e-books are for; we can use more than one book.