Guidebooks for Rome
There are so many different Rome guidebooks available that it can be hard to work out which one is the most useful. Those who want an all-rounder, with a little information on everything, might choose the Rough Guide to Rome, while people who enjoy wearing down their shoe leather should consider packing a copy of Frommer's Memorable Walks. Below you'll find reviews of some of the best, and the most popular, Rome guidebooks.Reviews of guides to Italy, language guides and other useful books can be found in the menu on the right.
  |
The Rough Guide to Rome |
|
| Thanks to the ubiquity of this series (which has expanded over the years to cover everything from horror movies to ethical shopping), The Rough Guides are often the first guidebooks that people think of. The Rough Guide to Rome does have a lot going for it; it gives a broad range of information on the city, as well as tips for a few daytrips out of Rome to places like Tivoli and Ostia Antica. This is the kind of guidebook that makes a good all-rounder; perhaps it isn't the only one that you'll need, but it's probably the best one to keep with you in your bag while you're on the move in Rome.
A particularly nice feature is the appendix, which contains extracts from writing on Rome by people like William Weaver and Elizabeth Bowen. There are also some handy maps, including a train and metro map, and a couple of pages of useful phrases. |
||
 
| Rome for Dummies |
|
| With so many Rome guidebooks available, it's interesting to see how the "Dummies" series tackles the subject. The first thing you notice is the absence of glossy photographs; this is a book that sets out to give you information, rather than showing you pretty photographs of sights that you'll be seeing for yourself anyway.
In fact, the Dummies format provides something refreshingly different to the legions of near-identical guidebooks.Rather than divide the book according to the regions of Rome, Rome for Dummies tackles different aspects such as dining, exploring, nightlife and shopping. This almost gives it the feel of a user's guide to the city. As well as the usual appendices with popular phrases, etc, there is an easy-to-find section called "Quick Concierge" which contains advice on a range of subjects including getting babysitters and finding cashpoints. There's also a list of useful telephone numbers. Rome for Dummies is obviously written primarily for an American audience; there's information on the perils of long-haul flights, and a page on getting a US passport compared to short paragraphs for Brits, Australians, etc., but the authors have made an effort to include information for people coming from other countries. |
||
 
| Frommer's Memorable Walks in Rome |
|
| From the authors of Rome for Dummies, this inexpensive little book contains twelve recommended walks around the city. Each walk focusses on a particular area of Rome, with Trastevere being divided in two. the layout is simple and clear; each walk begins with a map and the route is clearly described, with each of the sights given its own heading. They've also taken the trouble to describe how one spot on the walk connects to the next, which should minimise the risk of getting lost (unless you choose to get lost, of course). They also give approximate durations for each walk, and suggested stop-off points for refreshments.
Memorable Walks in Rome is a narrow book which should fit neatly into a jacket pocket or a handbag. The walks are varied enough to be of interest whether you're a tourist on your first visit to Rome, or you've been here a while and want to get to know the city a little better. |
||
