Food Wine Rome: A Foodie's Guide to Rome

Food Wine Rome, a new guidebook by David Downie (food and travel writer who has contributed to Gourmet and Bon Appetit and many many other food publications), is the food guidebook for gourmets who are visiting Rome. In his book you will discover the best restaurants, food shops, and wine purveyors. Even long-time residents of Rome will find surprises in this beautifully designed and illustrated book.

Free Guide to Rome's Angels and Demons

Angela Nickerson, the author of A Journey into Michelangelo's Rome, has published a guide to the Rome of Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. You can get this guide for free at Roaring Forties Press. Thanks eternallycool.net for clueing us in!

Your Own Private Tuscany

Want to rent a vacation villa in Tuscany? What about an apartment in Rome? The logistics can be overwhelming and the choices are too numerous to count. But there's no question that when you are traveling with family or a group, private residences are the more affordable and authentic way to travel. Your Own Private Tuscany can help you figure out where to go, agencies to use, how to rent a car and shop in family-run stores for your superb home-cooked Italian meals. See the website for more details on how this book can help you plan your perfect vacation.

L'Espresso's Guide to the Best Restaurants in Italy

L'Espresso, La Repubblica's weekly cultural magazine, has published its top restaurant choices in Italy for 2009. You can search by region for the best of the best in every city. Their top pick for Lazio is La Pergola at the Rome Cavalieri Hilton. Also among their top ten are L'Altro Mastai and Il San Lorenzo, two restaurants that the Modern Traveler has reviewed. Buon Apetito!

This is Rome

Another holiday gift idea for the young romantic is the children's classic This Is Rome by Miroslav Sasek. First published in 1960, the book has been updated to reflect changes in the 21st century. Children and grownups who remember the book from their own childhoods will love the charming pictures and stories about the famous monuments of Rome.

"Ancient Athens on Five Drachmas a Day" By Philip Matyszak

No, this book is not about Rome, but if you enjoyed Philip Matyszak's Ancient Rome on Five Denarii a Day, then you are sure to get a kick out of his newest "guidebook" to Ancient Athens. In Ancient Athens on Five Drachma a Day, you will meet the philosophers, orators and artists who made 5th century Athens so famous, and learn a few tips on avoiding bedbugs and streetbrawls while you are at it. The book will be released on October 27th, but you can pre-order it at Amazon for 32% off!

Luxury City Guides: Are They Worth It?

It seems to be a trend nowadays to publish luxury city guides "for the discerning traveler." There are at least three guidebooks out there now that claim to offer a more refined traveling experience. Not only do these guidebooks cover fine restaurants, 5-star hotels, and luxury shopping, but they really utilize the help of insiders to get the most exclusive recommendations. The prices of the books themselves are also exclusive. The Nota Bene Review requires a year membership (at 495 British Pounds!) which entitles you to their printed guides and access to their members website. The Louis Vuitton City Guides are $110 and include 30 European cities. The Luxe Guides, which are really glorified pamphlets, cost $26.99 for a 3-city guide (which includes London and Paris).
Readers: Are they worth it?

Dine as the Romans Do

There's nothing more disappointing than going out to eat in Italy and finding yourself surrounded by Americans! There's a reason this happens-they are all reading the same American guidebooks. The New York Times Magazine recently featured two Italian guidebooks that will bring you to the best restaurants in town. The menus at these restaurants will not be written in English, but you will certainly have an authentic experience. The two guidebooks highlighted are Osterie d'Italia, the guidebook published by Slow Food Italy, and Ristoranti d'Italia del Gambero Rosso. The Slow Food movement advocates for organic food, seasonal produce, and traditional cooking methods. The Gambero Rosso (Red Shrimp) Group is a publishing house in Rome akin to Gourmet, Wine Spectator, the Cooking Channel and Zagat all in one. You can register on-line to access all of their recommendations or order the 2008 Gambero Rosso guidebook through their website.

"Blue Guide Rome": All You'll Ever Need to Know about Art, Art History and Archaeology

The Blue Guide Rome is a classic. You will not find extensive information about hotels, restaurants and shopping. But you will find everything there is to know about the sights you are seeing. This book is not for throwing into your knapsack and quickly thumbing through to get around. You will use this book to research the sites and sights you want to visit before you get to Rome, during your visit (e.g. while you are visiting the the Basilica of San Clemente and you want to know about the mosaics and excavations in the catacombs, but you don't have a tour guide), and after your visit- to savor the experience. The Blue Guide also provides over 25 suggested walks, with detailed narrative and must-see stops, that could each take up to half a day. This is a book you will want to keep forever, long after your trip is over.

The Best Sales During "Saldi" Season-Fendi?

According to Suzy Gershman, author of Born to Shop Italy, the best place to shop during Italy's twice yearly sale season is the Fendi in Rome (Via Borgogna 39). In January and July, heaps and mounds of discount Fendi items appear at this store (one of the most fabulous in the Piazza di Spagna shopping district) from recent seasons and seasons past. Handbags, shoes, clothing-all at a fraction of the regular price! For more on shopping in Italy from outlets to outdoor markets, see her book-and watch out for her biting wit!

Readers: What are some of the best deals you've found during Saldi season in Rome?

Trip Coach available on Budget Travel

On Tuesday, March 4th at 12:00 pm, Anne Hanley, the author of Time Out Rome will be available on Budget Travel for real-time advice on your next trip to Rome.

"Ancient Rome on Five Denarii a Day" by Philip Matyszak

This well-written and clever book takes you back to Ancient Rome as a tourist. From arrival by sea at Ostia to arranging lodgings and entertainment, you will find the book's clear and humorous approach to ancient Roman culture a delight to read. Included in the book are wonderful quotes from Latin authors about daily life in ancient Rome and countless explanations of ancient Roman customs and practices. There are even a few walks that you can still take today. Adults who love history and young people who are students of Latin and the Classics will equally enjoy this book.
Ancient Rome on Five Denarii a Day

Knopf Guide to Rome

The Knopf Guide to Rome is a guidebook like no other. A work of art in itself, the guidebook contains indexes to the flora and fauna of Rome, explanations of the various art historical periods and architectural orders, and extensive reflections upon the famous emperors, popes and artists of Rome. Included in the book are detailed street and topography maps, overlays of reconstructions of ancient ruins, and countless images of paintings, sculptures and drawings all printed in the highest quality. It is the perfect book for the traveler who is interested in the history and art history of Rome. But don't worry-there is a very good section on practical information as well, so you will not be without suggestions for hotels, dining and shopping.

"The Civilized Shopper's Guide to Rome" by Margaret Brucia and Pamela Keech

If you are interested in seeing a Rome that rarely reveals itself to tourists, then you will enjoy the Civilized Shoppers Guide to Rome. This little book (literally 4"x 4") is a great companion to take with you as you search for out-of-the-way antiques shops and vintage clothing stores. And it's detailed with many stops for coffee and lunch on the way! Written by two long-time American (part-time) residents of Rome, the book provides size conversion charts, maps, and extensive contact information for each store listed.

"1,000 Places to See Before You Die:" Restaurants in Rome

The New York Times bestseller, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die is more than just a checklist of famous sights and monuments. It also includes restaurant and hotel recommendations. For Rome, four restaurants were recommended by the well-known travel author, Patricia Schultz. In Trastevere she recommends the classic trattoria Da Checco er Carrettiere (Via Benedetta). For a local favorite near the Pantheon, try Da Fortunato al Pantheon (Via del Pantheon). Also near the Pantheon is La Rosetta (Via della Rosetta 8), where fresh seafood is flown in every morning and evening. Der Pallaro offers an authentic experience (without a menu!) in Campo dei Fiori (Largo del Pallaro). Buon Appetito!
1,000 Places to See Before You Die

"City Walks: Rome" by Martha Fay

Rome is a city meant to be seen on foot. Unlike many other grand European cities, Rome's layout was not planned. Ancient Rome developed "organically"-as small separate settlements on hills that eventually merged together. During the Renaissance the Romans did very little to change the layout of their city, and to this day many of the streets follow the ancient topography. Many of Rome's greatest sites are inaccessible by car, necessitating good walking shoes, a good map, and the expectation that you will get lost. But don't worry. With City Walks: Rome getting lost is the point. This set of 50 double-sided notecards is ingenious. One side of each card contains a list of must-see sights, cafes and shopping in a particular neighborhood. The other side depicts a map of that neighborhood with a recommended walking route. The cards are all linked so that one picks up where another leaves off. You can take 4 or 5 with you for the day and see all sorts of famous sites-and a few unexpected marvels on the way!
City Walks:Rome