Customer Reviews

Let's Go Italy 2002

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

 

 

If this is your first visit to Italy or your first visit to one of the many `regions' of Italy(Venice, Napoli, Firenze etc...) this is the perfect book. With separate maps of most Italian towns and easy to read legends showing the locations of train stations, bus stops and cheaper-then-average hotels/hostels you will have no problem navigating the otherwise precipitous Italian landscape. The focus of most `Lets Go' books is the lower end hotels so if you're looking for four star elegance you may be slightly dismayed. Nevertheless this volume has excellent introductions to Italian history, culture, food and geography...

A very helpful guide to Italy, this is slightly superior to the similar `lonely planet' travel guide. Its sections on Venice, Naples and Palermo are essential to navigating those harder then average cities.

Seth J Frantzman 2003

I have been traveling to Europe several times per year for the last 7yrs and I have always found the Let's Go books to be very helpful and have one important quality that most other lack.. honesty and a true sense of the place being described. If you have to have the best in food and lodging these books are NOT for you and there are numerous others that fit the bill.
I have to respond to another review that gave a poor rating to the guide for actions of an employee of a hostel. Tell me what guidebook reviews any hostel or restaurant and then interviews each of the 20-40 employees for any unjust beliefs of another group. My U.S. military friends would top that list. What does a cop know of the Let's Go series, now there is an expert in travel. We should do without travel writers and just consult the highly cultured and well traveded local officer for any travel advice. How many cops have stayed and the pensions and hostels in their city. It is obvious that this reader has not traveled much and is part of the American problem that travels without understanding how the American attitude has painted a dark picture of aggression throughout much of the world.
As GUIDEBOOKS go these rate at or near the top and are unmatched at their intended audience.

In Italy, this book was the bible!. I went to Rome and Spoleto and due to the book ,I avoided some nasty situations. The book enabled me to purchase bus and train passes from Acotral. Even the dispatcher asked me in halting english,"How did you know to come here? No Americans come here".The room at the Pensioni Citta was great and the low prices coupled with the outstanding service made the listing in Let's Go Italy invaluable.The pool in EUR Marconi was fantastic, and finding the FINA Office (for Waterpolo)on Via Viglio 8 helped me to practice with the National Water Polo Team.When I went back to Italy as a member of the US Karate National Team, I loaned the book to one of my teammates who wanted to stay longer. She loved the book! This book is the guide for the tourists of the World.

I have been traveling to Europe several times per year for the last 7yrs and I have always found the Let's Go books to be very helpful and have one important quality that most other lack.. honesty and a true sense of the place being described. If you have to have the best in food and lodging these books are NOT for you and there are numerous others that fit the bill.
I have to respond to another review that gave a poor rating to the guide for actions of an employee of a hostel. Tell me what guidebook reviews any hostel or restaurant and then interviews each of the 20-40 employees for any unjust beliefs of another group. My U.S. military friends would top that list. What does a cop know of the Let's Go series, now there is an expert in travel. We should do without travel writers and just consult the highly cultured and well traveded local officer for any travel advice. How many cops have stayed and the pensions and hostels in their city. It is obvious that this reader has not traveled much and is part of the American problem that travels without understanding how the American attitude has painted a dark picture of aggression throughout much of the world.
As GUIDEBOOKS go these rate at or near the top and are unmatched at their intended audience.

My (military) boyfriend and I (Italian student... book was my idea) stayed at a Milanese hotel suggested by this AWFUL guidebook.
The place was lousy, run down and more expensive than stated on the book.
While in the restroom, I overheard a conversation during which the receptionist told someone to watch us and follow us because my guy was in the U.S. Military.
We packed our bags in one minute and ran to the police, where an inspector of the Special Ops unit warmly recommended us to stear clear from the hotels suggested by Let's Go, as they often turn out to be bad surprises!
Follow the cop's wise suggestion and get a better, more serious book!!!