Customer Reviews

Let's Go 2001: Italy: The World's Bestselling Budget Travel Series

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

On my trip to Italy I found this book VERY unhelpful. The maps were not detailed enough and while in Florence I noticed at least 3 other groups of American tourists all of us looking for the same Let's Go restaurant that did not seem to exist, this was after looking for another recommended restaurant whose street did not seem to exist. I would not recommend this book.

I got this book based on its excellent reviews in preparation for a semester in Italy. Usually I choose Lonely Planet or the Rough Guides for travelling, and now I wish I had stuck to those. The book is difficult to read and its attitude makes me angry every time I open it. I feel like it doesn't have very much history or background, and putting prices for every attraction in parenthesis in the text is distracting. Not only that, it doesn't really say anything new -- you are left with information about the boring central tourist attractions, and no way to escape the herds.

I am biased to 'Let's Go.' I used their books in '99 for Ireland, England, and France. They are perfect for the student or budget traveller, especially those looking for hostels. I would recommend this series to almost everyone I know.

I just got Italy 2001 for Christmas, and I love it already! I have been waiting since September for this book to come out! It seems to be more organized and informative than the others.

The only downside of 'Let's Go' I've heard is that the places they recommend are loaded with American students, and fill up quicker because they all have the same book. I didn't have this problem, but if you use their most popular recommendations, make reservations!

Travelers heed this advice that this book by far provides a superb collection of eateries, lodging, roadmaps, and sights, ideal for the budget traveler. It allowed me to thoroughly taste Italy's flavor literally and figuratively in a short period of time. Most importantly, its information puts you in control and feeling like a native, not a confused tourist. "Let's Go's" yearly updates enables travelers to confidently scour every crevice of the Italian landscape with utmost zeal. It's witty clips should also be commended in providing travelers entertaining literature during claustrophobic Italian train rides. "Let's Go" wets your appetite for the catacombs of Palermo or Michelangelo's David in Florence's Academia before your even get there. "Let's Go Italy" goes beyond just maps and door to door directions, its content also steers you into or away from local trouble depending on your inkling for adventure, and keeps you one step ahead as you prepare for and are on your journey. If authentic Italian pasta is in your future, don't forget your passport, and make room in your pack for "Let's Go Italy."

I hate to disagree with the other reviews you'll read here, but I honestly think this book is terrible. I've traveled quite a bit, in lots of different places, and I've really enjoyed books from the "Let's Go" series. This one, though, was so badly done that I found myself getting frustrated and angry each time I tried to use it.

The authors try (too hard) to be cool and hip, and I'm afraid that they've let that get in the way of presenting their information in a way that makes any sense at all. And, I'm not just talking about the poor job they did describing the things I'd gone to Italy to see, either. Their maps were lousy, and this book lacks even such things as clear advice on such mundane things as getting your laundry done and how to use a payphone to call home.

Do yourself a HUGE favor and steer clear of this pitiful attempt at a travelm guide.