Michelin Red Guide Italia, 1997

If you are going to select you own lodgings or restaurants, the Red Guide is a must. You can trust it completely.

I have just ordered Italia 2006. It must be the 10th edition of this wonderful travel guide that I have bought. I wouldn't leave home without it. Yes, it is written in simple to understand Italian. After all you are going to visit Italy...they speak Italian not English! It is one of the few travel guides that tell you the closing days of the restaurants. I cannot think of one thing wrong with the Michelin Guide and I have been using them for 30 years!

The previous reviewer (who wrote that the Guide is not in English) apparently didn't understand that there is a key in the front of the book and also on a bookmark that explains all of the easily understood symbols with regard to credit cards, parking, elevator, air-conditioning, etc. This is essentially a catalogue of the best hotels and restaurants, along with locator maps. It's terrific. Also, look for the "black car" symbol. If you happen to be staying in a place with the black car symbol, just showing the Michelin Guide (must be for the current year) will get you one free night in the garage. That savings alone will probably be more than the cost of the book. If you feel like splurging, look at the maps in the front for the 1-, 2-, and 3-star restaurants and for the 4- and 5-peak hotels. If you want more modest places, they're listed too.

Every Michelin Red Guide I have has an introductory section in French and in English, and often in Italian, German, and perhaps other languages. The hotel and restaurant listings indicate features with icons which are explained in the introductory section. Michelin Red Guides are the most comprehensive and objective of any published, from budget to deluxe.

Be AWARE that this guide is "written" in Italian -- but do NOT be intimidated by that fact. The essential information is (as in the case of all Michelin texts) conveyed by ideograms or other diagrams (maps, etc.), and the meanings are clearly explained in the multilingual bookmark which accompanies the guide. The information itself is the most accurate -- and most respected -- in the world. Consider that when deciding on how you're going to spend the thousands of US$ that your Italian vacation will cost.