Frommer's Rome [With Foldout Map]

I have just read this in preparation for our trip... More to come once we get back...

I purchased this in preparation for our upcoming trip to Rome. Upon review, it is exactly what we need.

Very strong on hotel reviews (25 pages), restaurant reviews (36 pages), plus the Frommer Best Bets for both categories. Maybe a little weak on the description of the sightseeing places of interest, being perhaps too brief sometimes, but the walking tours are very good, the shopping lists and traveler's facts are very solid and reliable. Very good pre trip book for hotel listings and walking tour ideas, not necessarily the book to carry with you in the street.

I have travelled to Rome a few times, and have compared my experiences "actually getting around" the various sights to different travelbooks. Anyone will agree that each book in its own right can provide good, acceptable information. What one may have in good recommendations for lodging, it may be out of date; while another may have good walking tours and great restaurants but have bad tips on public transportation. Each purchase is therefore a compromise - there is no "perfect" book. But this book certainly does an excellent job trying. It not only has a little history (really, just a few pages) to help frame the significance of the 2,000+ years of continuous Roman existence, but then breaks it down in very organized sections for touring and experiencing. Similarly, lodging and dining are also expertly divided, if not a little limited in their listings. My favorite part is at the back of the book, with very well thought out self-walking tours through Rome, each with its own theme. For example, there's a self-guided tour on Ancient Imperial Rome, among others. Each tour listed gives total time to allow, which days are best, AND gives a few sentences on each place along the route. I've read almost the entire book cover to cover and recommend it highly to anyone. I can't vouch for 100% accuracy, but any smart traveller knows how to cross reference with either a second book or online. This is an intelligent, easy to read, and very useful travel book.

There is hardly anything I wanted to know about that couldn't be found in Frommer's latest travel book on Rome. With events, and travel notes updated to accompany this Jubilee Year, you will not feel left in the dark. Especially helpful are the listings of many restaurants, hotels, travel guides/tours, rentals, etc. according to whichever budget you choose, and whatever part of Rome you plan to be in.