11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Venice is magical, this is the perfect guide, January 18, 2009
No matter what, you can not have a bad time in Venice. It's one of the most special, magical places in the world, so if you're going, consider me envious! I had heard that it was like an Italian disneyland for tourists, that it's really all a show. Honestly, if you just let your preconceived notions go and walk without a map(I know, it's hard to let go!), you'll find unexpected hidden gems & I hope you will love Venice as much as I do. We had an amazing time there and this book was definitely a must.
We're a 20 something couple who loves to travel backpack style on a budget. We don't stay in hostels, but we definitely don't spend a lot on hotels since really, you're only sleeping there. Venere.com is an amazing site for booking hotels and getting great feedback from past customers before you book. It's like the amazon.com of hotels.
We've used these slim lonely planet books for cities all over Spain, Italy and Portugal. They are amazing. I first got them on a trip to Italy, since we were visiting a few cities I hadn't been before. They were such an integral part of why we enjoyed ourselves so much, so I absolutely had to get them for our next trip to Spain and Portugal.
The books are very compact and fit in my tiny day bag(which just about houses my small camera, chapstick and a few other odds and ends). It was really all we needed when we ventured out every day. It has GREAT maps, about 5 different maps per book. And they're not gigantic, so thankfully you will not be the 'obvious tourist' which is something that I get very concerned about. I don't want to be the stereotypical American blocking off a sidewalk while staring at a map that's 2x5. Each map concentrates on a different section of the city, so you can see specific streets and points of interest.
I usually read thru these books page by page to decide my daily itinerary before we leave for our trip. I cross reference them with other guides and websites, to make sure I won't be skipping anything crucial. I made notes on the pages and highlight parts of the maps so that I can easily find things I am going to.
An indispensable aspect of these books is not only does it at least give you an idea of pricing, if not the exact amount, but it tells student/senior pricing as well as hours and even hours for different seasons if the point of interests breaks down that way. We always knew when something was open or closed so there was never wasted time walking to something and finding it closed or just about to be closed. When you're in a city for a short amount of time, that is VERY important!!
There is also a wide variety of color pictures, which I really like. It gives me a better idea of if i want to visit that museum or fountain or building.
This book can get you into a completely unknown city and help you get from an airport to where ever you're going. It tells you all the transportation choices and what is best for getting where. It has highlights for places you absolutely should not miss, sights and activities, walking tours(how often can you take yourself on a walking tour of an unknown city?!), day trips, shopping including food and flea markets, restaurants,hotels, places to visit for kids.
Lastly, my favorite section which is the 'directory', it's a how-to for the specific city your book is based on: on arrival and departure(which I mentioned before)info on tipping, your embassy, getting around: telling you about metro cards and buses and trains, basics on language and emergencies. Even tips for women or gay and lesbian travelers.
I would recommend this book whole heartedly and look forward to my next vacation so I can buy more. And afterwards, it's totally something sentimental to keep because it has all the notes on where we went and what we liked and didn't like. It really brings us back to the excitement of visiting a new, unknown place.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good little book, September 25, 2009
I was very happy with this guidebook. It was small enough to tuck in my purse, but full of good tips and recommendations. After a couple of not-so-great experiences at restaurants we'd wandered into, we decided to rely on the book's suggestions, and then didn't go wrong. We really enjoyed several of the restaurants and a great happy hour spot. It helped us get off the beaten tourist path and find the more enjoyable and more affordable restaurants. And, most of all, I definitely appreciated all the tips on places with reasonably priced drinks.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A concise guide for those who want more out of a visit to Venice, August 17, 2011
I read this guide on the airplane flight to Italy and learned a tremendous amount in a short period of time. I love the Lonely Planet series because I can count on information and highlights of places, restaurants, neighborhoods that are off the beaten path. The restaurant section provided important information on what to look for on a menu before stepping in to eat, for instance, an asterisk denotes that the seafood has been frozen and is therefore not fresh. There was also pertinent and appreciated information on what is local to Venice with regard to both food & drink, IE, Bellini's , Prosecco, fried seafood and so much more.
It is amazing how a little information goes a long way towards getting the most out of a short visit. Because of a highlighted section about Venetian glass, I was able to find an affordable yet amazing souvenir to bring home, that wasn't made in China.
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