Italy: Instructions for Use: The Personal, On-Site Assistant for the Enthusiastic But Inexperienced Traveler

When it comes to getting ready for a trip with family or friends, I'm the planner. I always manage to build a pretty impressive collection of guide books and research the internet for months to find other traveler's favorite things to see and do. While getting ready for our latest trip to Italy, I found myself becoming overwhelmed with all the information I had in front of me and I couldn't make up my mind which guide to read. That's when I settled down with the book that saved me from information overload and gave me dozens of practical gems that made seeing all the sites in Italy so much easier. I read "Italy, Instructions for Use" cover to cover. This perfectly pocket-sized "personal assistant" helped us to relax and enjoy our trip. We knew just what to do and what to look for. I took it with me and consulted it over and over again. It even helped me remember the Italian word for this and that and saved me from so many embarrassing moments. We used it to make train reservations; to know in advance what it was like to drive on the Autostrada and how to buy the right gas for our rental car; what to expect in a restaurant and so many other answers to the questions you forget to ask before you go. You'll still need your favorite Travel Guide to read up on sites and pick hotels, but trust me; you will find that "Italy, Instructions for Use" is the best investment you can make before your next trip to Italy.

I bought several books on Italy. This was the one book I carried with me at all times. As a novice traveller to Italy it got me through everything. I mastered the train system and Fast Ticket machines, travelling on the autostrada, getting gas, and use of the pay phones. I used it every day for reference and it never let me down. I even stopped carrying my phrase book because this book already had everything I needed to say. If space is a concern, forget those other books and rely on this one. It's small and compact and has it all.

I recently toured Italy for the second time with Nan McElroy's book in my purse. It was invaluable in getting my husband and me on and off the train and around town using both public transportation as well as the taxi. I particularly liked the information about tipping, restaurants and the Italian mind set. The vocabulary at the end of each chapter was helpful in formulating some halting Italian to order food and to find our way around Rome and Florence. Her information on money and protection from pickpockets was right on. I have traveled europe for over 10 years and found this book to be a most practical guide. I not only read it before I left home but as we were touring in Italy for it's helpful hints. The book is small and lightweight enough to carry in your pocket and made our trip completely enjoyable and easy.

Pocket-sized for easy carrying, Italy: Instructions For Use is a simple guidebook offering a wealth of basic travel advice organized so that one can consult it for quick answers to common questions, anywhere, anytime. Color-coded sections further speed up one's ability to find answers swiftly. Italy: Instructions for Use is not a conventional travel manuel with hotel and restaurant listings; it focuses especially upon culture shock and other problems, from how to get around to dealing with the post office, changing currency and much more. Italy: Instructions For Use is a "must-have" reference before sojourning into Italy, for business or for pleasure.

My husband and I have been to Italy 3 times, the third with this book. Many lessons we've learned the hard way were confirmed by this book, along with some we hadn't encountered yet. This is a great book for first-time travelers, and still very useful for return trips. Topic-associated glossaries, specific coping techniques, and pocket size make it worth taking when you're packing light.