Best Guidebook for 1st trip to Italy

This is the one I would read, especially including the chapters that are topics beyond destinations. There’s a lot of valuable info in there that will save you money & time.

https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/italy-guidebook

Hi and welcome to the forum!
What fun you're going to have putting this trip together! Yes, it's easy to become overwhelmed if trying to think about and research EVERYTHiNG all at once! It works much better to break it into bits...which you've already gotten a leg up on by first determining where in The Boot you want to go. It also sounds as if you've set aside a generous amount of time to cover ground versus try and cram far too many locations into far too few days. That's a common pitfall so good for you!

Guidebooks: Just there isn't one brand of shoe that works for every sightseer, there isn't just one guide. Of course the website you're using will be heavy on RS guidebook users (and not a thing wrong with that if it works for you), I might recommend hitting your local library and checking out a selection, or spending some time perusing a few at a bookstore. Some of us use multiples of them for different reasons....although I'm guessing most only travel with just one.

Key is to never depend on any of them for very current information: things like hours, entry fees, closures, etc. can change soon after a book goes to press so rely on the websites of the attractions themselves for that stuff. I've personally never used one for hotel or restaurant recommendations but others may. This website does have a section for RS guidebooks post-press updates that is nice to have:
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/guidebook-updates

As well, travel forums such as this one can be invaluable as a guidebook can't answer all of the questions a traveler may have. What's in a book not making sense, especially when it comes to a how-the-heck-do-I do-this? You'll find oodles of help here; just ask. :O)

Beyond Rick’s books you really need to check some of the other series of books out and find the level of cost and interests that feel closest your expectations. All the series have their place but you need to read between the lines to find their target audience.

Many people like the Lonely Planet series but it seems aimed at a slightly lower cost, comfort tier of travel than RS people to me. If that’s you then I’d look there first.

Also be aware that Rick’s local books go into more detail on places and will mention towns not in the Italy book. There are very clear guides as to which books are recaps of larger books and which have new details.

Four weeks seems plenty of time for the places you have listed.

Happy planning!
-Tod

My method of planning a trip is to start at our local library. I check out the books they have for the country that we plan to visit. If I find that one of those contains the information that I am seeking, then I will purchase those guides. In addition to Rick's books, the "Moon" travel guides often meet my needs. Once your itinerary is set, then this forum is a great place to have specific questions answered. Happy planning!

I have to say congratulations for realizing a book might be a useful companion to your planning! The Rick Steves book helped me plan our first trip to Italy in 2010 and it was soooo helpful not only in determination an itinerary but also in the logistics of travel: how to take a train, when to rent a car and when NOT to, making advance reservations. His self-guided tours and walks are excellent. As others have said, one book may not do it all for you as Rick does not cover every nook and cranny of a country. One of the strengths, though, is pointing out why something might be worthwhile versus sites that are merely OK or skippable. Few other books I have read do that.

I also used ‘Europe Through the Backdoor” a lot for that first trip, but secondarily to the Italy book if you are sticking to one country.

In planning our first trip of 23 nights, I feel we stayed in just the right number of places for the time we had (Venice-Cinque Terre-Siena-Orivieto-Rome-Milan).

I still buy up-to-date books for countries we are visiting to see what has been added, what’s changed. I do not rely on the books for restaurants or lodging. And as Kathy mentioned, be sure to check details like hours and days open, current ticket prices, etc., on the website for places you want to visit. Those things change every year. Download apps for transportation, too. Invaluable these days, and come back to ask specific questions as your plans develop.

Have fun planning!

Thank you to all of you for responding so quickly. Seeing that there were responses reminded me of Christmas morning as a child running into the living room and seeing Santa had arrived. What a great community this is. I will go to the library and the bookstore today and start searching to see what books align more with the way we like to travel. We fall into the middle - no hostels or shared bathrooms, no butlers waiting to see what we need. Also, thank you for the simple but meaningful reminder to have fun. I shouldn't be overwhelmed; this isn't some life-or-death situation, I'm planning a wonderful vacation. Thank you again.

I'm with TravelBug79. I start with my local library network and read the most recent guidebooks. I don't look at any books published before 2023, because Covid has changed so much about travel and much of the info is out of obsolete.

And as Kathy said, one size does not fit all. Some books will give have beautiful, color photos that will make you want to put that place on your want list. Some have truly off the beaten path info. Some do a better job of the pros and cons of an area, a sight, a hotel...

The Rick Steves' guidebook that Jean recommended will give you an education on how to travel around Italy with all its nuances along with Rick's curated ideas of the best of Italy.

Enjoy your research into amazing Italy!

I started out with Lonely Planet for Italy. But I don’t like their new format, and a general book for all of Italy doesn’t give enough information on specific places or regions.

So then I purchased Rick’s book for Venice, Michelin Green Guide for Tuscany, and Rough Guides for the Italian Lakes.

I would never rely solely on Rick’s books. He does not like Bologna but we enjoyed our stay in Bologna. He doesn’t like Malaga in Spain, for example, but we loved Malaga.

Just curious, why are you staying in Bolzano? We were there yesterday to see Otzi the Iceman and take the cable car to the Renon plateau. Both were awesome. But I wouldn’t want to stay in Bolzano. It’s a large city. I think Merano ( where we are staying) or Ortisei would be nicer experiences. But you do need a car.

In addition to Rick Steves and Lonely Planet, I like the Glam Italia guidebooks by Corinna Cook. Especially her Venice guidebook.

We fall into the middle - no hostels or shared bathrooms, no butlers
waiting to see what we need.

Well then, you're amongst mostly kindred souls here!

"Agree with kmkwoo; there is so much of Italy that the
RS books do not cover. Entire regions, in fact. They are a good supplement, but I would also consult Fodor's or Rough Guides, and maybe Lonely Planet.

And then there are guides to particular regions of Italy, and a lot of food/travel books as well.
For example, David Downie for Liguria and other regions.
Carla Capalbo for Campania, etc

I've now been to the library and picked up RS Florence & Tuscany, RS Venice; Fodor's The Best of Italy, Fodor's Essential Italy; Rough Guides The Rough Guide to Italy; and Moon's Rome, Florence and Italy. I know that might be a little much, but I figured I'll look at them and see which one(s) I want to buy. The majority were published in 2025 with one or two in 2024. Kmkwoo, my heart is not set on Bolzano; I was just picking a place in the Dolomites. You're right, after your suggestion and quickly looking at Merano and Ortisei, since our purpose in adding the Dolomites is to experience the scenery, we would be much happier staying out of a city. Once again, thank you all. Just as an aside, I think all of these books I lugged home from the library weigh more than the luggage I'll be taking to Italy.