Customer Reviews

Southern Italy (Insight Guide Southern Italy)

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We purchased this guide as it was the only guide available for Southern Italy and we were travelling to Puglia. There were some great pictures and interesting history section but overall almost no practical information. We tend to go off the beaten path (lots of oppurtunities for this in Puglia) and found very little helpful information in this book. We ended up usin the Rough Guide to Italy instead.

I took my first trip to Italy this summer to meet my husband's family (both of his parents are from the village of Grotteria), and wanted to see what else was available when we were not involved in visitng. While staying with his aunt in Reggio di Calabria and visiting with her daughter and husband this book would suddenly be taken over by Pepe (son-in-law) to check out what was being said about his home. His English is minimal, and to call my Italian anything but minimal would be hopeful, but we had a great time checking out the pictures and getting a thumbs up or thumbs down on places to see. What was equally amazing to me was that there were sights mentioned in the book (specifically Gerace) that none of the family had ever been to see. (Made me the heroine the day we went there.) This in not a book for those who want an in-depth look at the area, but is an good jumping off point.

I purchased this book for an upcoming trip to Italy -- particularly the Puglia Region. I spent a year in Rome 20 years ago and traveled to many places in Italy, but never got to Puglia, so I have absolutely no knowledge of this region. This book has a lot of information. It includes a large history lesson, good maps, and great descriptions of locations. I would recommend it to anyone that is looking for a good overall guide to Southern Italy.