Frommer's. Irreverent Guide to Rome

This guidebook is great! Other guides will tell you what Italy is like. This one tells you what you'll like (or try to skip)about Italy. It's indispensible for American travelers who want the dish and don't want to waste their time visiting cheesy places and tourist traps. The author's views were refreshingly candid, humorous and knowledgeable.

Apparently, the five years the author spent living in Rome gave her the perfect combination of local savvy without losing her American "sensibilities". Using this book is like going to visit your ex-pat best friend, who will ensure that your trip to Rome is the most memorable (and authentic) leg of your European tour.

As I browsed a bookstore looking for a travel guide to Rome, I came upon the Irreverent Guide and couldn't put it down in the aisle. I even recommended it to a fellow traveller also browsing the selection! As someone who has spent a lot of time in the Eternal City, I am a discerning reader, and this guide book was spot on with its descriptions of local Romans, on the mark when it came to the chic spots and unusually entertaining! It made me laugh out loud in public-- a tribute to its author, and is well worth every dollar!

This is a refreshingly frank depiction of Rome and the Romans who have developed such an amazing city. The smart mix of history and culture into witty yet truthful guidance definitely made me feel like more of an insider. This truly is more than just a list of what you can see and where you can stay, it is a guide for your travels.

I have been to Rome several times, and I am always looking for new places to eat, sleep, and shop. My friend bought me this book, and it's definitely refreshing. The Irreverent Guide to Rome tells you if a museum is worth visiting or if it's a tourist trap. I also like the way the book is laid out with brief, amusing headings. It's a guidebook, but it's also a fun read. I'm looking forward to carrying the Irreverent Guide with me on my next trip.