Can anyone recommend a guidebook to learn more about the toe, instep and heel of Italy's boot? My sister-in-law and I are going on the RS South of Italy tour in May. RS Italy book doesn't include Basilicata, Puglia or Calabria. I bought Lonely Planet's South Italy guidebook but it barely touches those regions. It covers Naples and the Amalfi coast as do the RS Italy book and Insight Guide Naples & Amalfi Coast. Hunting in bookstores and on Amazon, I can't find a book that gives much info. While I can research online, my sister-in-law doesn't do much on the computer. I'm looking for a guide book to get her involved planning our free time. Lonely Planet talks more about hotels and restaurants than sightseeing and totally misses the part of Calabria we will visit after the tour.
As always, thanks for your help. I will have lots of questions over the next few months.
Posted by
Washington DC
28065 posts
Is there a Rough guide? I'm sorry that LP isn't helpful in this instance.
Posted by
Folsom
2732 posts
When we researched for our next tour (we chose Sicily) we found the same thing. I suspect it reflects that fact that these areas are much less visited, maybe a good thing. Look at DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Italy 2019.
Posted by
Atlanta
2510 posts
A month or two ago, I saw a program on TV on my local PBS station that was about the Basilicata area of Italy and it included Matera which is a place you will be seeing on the South of Italy tour. I don't remember the name of the hostess.
She is an American of Italian descent and was tracing her roots in that part of Italy. A very untouristed area and beautiful. You might try googling the program, it was fairly recent. Maybe YouTube?
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2299 posts
Cadogan has a guide (or used to, anyway) called Bay of Naples & Southern Italy. You might be able to find it used online if it's no longer published. They're heavier on on history and sightseeing and less on hotels and restaurants.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32350 posts
Kathy,
You might have a look at the South Italy chapters covering Puglia, Basilicata and Calabria. You can download just that chapter in PDF format for a reasonable $4.95, so it wouldn't cost much to check it out, and you could take that with you on your phone or iPad. Here's the link - https://shop.lonelyplanet.com/products/southern-italy-travel-guide-4 .
Posted by
OP
Phoenix🌵
3070 posts
Thanks everyone. Patricia sent me a link to the PBS show which I will watch soon. I bought the Lonely Planet South Italy and am sending it along with some other travel things to my sister-in-law. I really don't know if her computer skills are good enough to find things on Google, so I want to make it easy for her. Her kids and grandkids can help her with the computer. I have found a lot on Google. I'm just a little old-fashioned myself and like books to highlight.
Warning: be prepared for my onslaught of questions as May gets closer. You'd think by now I'd have traveling the Rick Steve's way figured out. I must have asked a million questions last year.
Posted by
NC
220 posts
I haven't been, but have this area on my radar for future travel. No guide book information, but the PBS series mentioned might be 'Dream of Italy', with host Kathy McCabe. She has a nice episode on Matera. Also, I found 'Italy Unpacked' from BBC on Youtube, hosts Andrew Graham-Dixon (art historian) and Giorgio Locatelli (chef), specifically their series 3 covers this area. Enjoyed their shows as well.
Posted by
281 posts
Just returned yesterday from our trip there, and our guide, Caterina, had handouts for us for the places not covered in the RS Italy book. They were not as elaborate as the sections in the book, but were fine for basic info. She also had restaurant recommendations. I did bring copies of pages from a couple of other guides that I had found, but didn't really use them.
Posted by
Westford, MA
212 posts
We went on the South of Italy tour this past May. Loved it. The relevant sections of the RS Italy tour book and a SIM card with data are all you need.
Posted by
OP
Phoenix🌵
3070 posts
Thanks Lois and Carol for sharing your experience. We’re really looking forward to our tour in May.
Posted by
11569 posts
We currently are traveling in S.Italy, Puglia( adored it!) and Sicily, a wonderful experience. Have only eaten seafood and veggies for three weeks, delicious. You will love this experience!!
Less crowded and the locals are not jaded against tourists rather so very kind and welcoming.