Rick Steves Italy 2020 (Rick Steves Travel Guide) Paperback – December 17, 2019

I love Rick Steve's and his books are very detailed. They are especially helpful for figuring out transportation systems. Another really helpful part is having the opening times and days closed handy for major sites. Maps are good too and easy to rip out and fold in a pocket for handy reference when you're trying to figure out a subway or a bus. I like his rating system for the sites to see, but I don't always agree with his taste. It's a guide and a really good one, but remember nothing is mandatory. It's your trip and his guides are really, really useful in planning.

Rick Steves travel books are always well written and thorough. Rick seems to have the innate ability to answer questions before they are asked. It is obvious that he is well traveled and worldly. As a young girl I had always wanted to travel but everything seemed , well, so far away and too expensive. About 15 years ago I was introduced to his travel books and his advice gave me the confidence to travel. Rick Steves book, “ Italy” is comprehensive and is written with a voice that will encourage even the most reluctant travelers the information they need to seek out the world. His words are a gift.

Insightful, candid commentary and reviews, with ratings about top sights, and those of secondary and tertiary interest.

Italy isn't the largest European country, but it's one of the most diverse and rich in terms of things to see and do. It's also a long distance from Milan to Rome, because the country is a long, thin one. So you really have to PLAN.I've NEVER seen a better tour book than this one. The book is worth the cost ALONE for the chapter with a planned three week trip from Milan to Rome using only public transportation (with a variation using a rental car if you like.) I don't personally prefer to drive in Europe myself anymore; the driving patterns are different and even if I read the language, it's hard to react fast enough to directional signs to avoid getting mixed up. Public transportation for me is the way to go, and a planned trip laid out with city by city (then what to see and all kinds of tips and advice) makes this book a guide that's invaluable.Also, Italy is not as trouble-free as some other countries, so a tourist guide is really a must. Seriously, you can run into problems and I can add, women do get manhandled (even at my senior age, yep, I think they do it just to see the look on your face.) You need to read up on travel advice.And cities such as Venice are not easy to visit anymore. If Venice isn't flooded, sadly, it's thronged at certain times of year and hard to tour. And meanwhile, you may miss fantastic places nearby.This book will let you plan a sensible trip where you see things you want to see and don't run yourself into the ground. Believe me, it's a big country and the artwork alone is overwhelming to see; Italy has the richest collection of great art, even compared to France. I was completely overwhelmed and I only was in Florence and a few surrounding towns. Friends were trying to go off to Rome on the same trip for "a few days" and well, that to me is an idea that requires careful planning.So read this book, re-read it, and use it before you even go because touring Italy successfully and happily requires good planning. I can't recommend this book enough.

The guide is clearly organised, contains a lot of useful information.It gave me a relative good picture and essenceI loved addition resources in a way of audio and discussions - very interesting and useful.I found that some of the information was repeated continuously (perhaps, for emphasis in different areas).I would prefer to see more itinerary options for the same duration of time, and more budget options for both accommodation and recommended tour companies.

Excellent content and references. Well organized and concise. Very helpful, useful tips and guides.

I have used Rick Steves books for my vacation to Ireland, Greece, Portugal and Spain.I find them easy to read and have all the information a FIRST TIME visitor needs. It has city andcountry maps, hotels info, transportation, history and many other things for the visitor to ponder.Great books.

For travel planning, you can’t get any better than these books! I have used them for various trips to Europe and just bought a newer version of my Italy book for help with planning an upcoming trip, I find little difference in this and my 5 year old one, except for a more current listing of a few places to stay that aren’t hotels.Rick Steves has never steered me wrong and many little tips have saved me much time and money and always “says it like it is”!After planning the trip, I tear out segments of the book to take with me, to save space. I’ve traced a lot, so I know better than to haul the whole book when I’m only needing it for certain locations within that country.

RS's books etc are the best for travel preparation. But you do not have a book on Sicily..only the Kindle version that can be shipped to Mexico. We are hoping to go in 2021 so please fix this!.

Have read this book in preparation for our trip to Italy and am looking forward to using it on a daily basis as a reference while we're there. There is so much information and detail in this book!! Even though I have already read it, I definitely plan on reading it again before our trip!!

Excellent resource!

oh how fabulous.. !!! I love watching him when he is on PBS but this books..!!! it is over the top with information and I especially love that he includes so many online links to support the details he is talking about. Well worth the purchase.Planning to go to Italy when I retire and will surely purchase the Kindle version for easy access to all the links.Don't think this book is too expensive.. it's not.. !! you will surely realize that when you start reading.. !!

There is no information about the south of Italy once you cover the west coast - Bari, Lecce, Sicily. Perhaps they are all covered in his separate Sicily book but this was a big disappointment. Would not recommend.