What's "Italy: Instructions for Use" All About?
Nan McElroy shares her years of experience in Italy, covering common travel situations that you might encounter and answering questions about traveling in Italy that you might have before you go or when you are there. She anticipates many problem situations and addresses them for you.The book is divided into 2 main sections - "Planning Your Adventure" and "In Italy". The first section, much smaller, gives you basic planning tips about making decisions regarding your trip and preparing to go. She also has 10 useful tips (with explanation) for American Travelers, starting with what should be the number 1 tip for any foreign travel - "Leave the United States Behind".
Part 2 is the real meat of the book, the part you will use when traveling. It covers all the little things you probably don't know, like when shops are open and closed, what those words on the menu mean, and how to make phone calls (something that even as an experienced travler I often have questions about).
What's Covered in "Italy: Instructions for Use"?
Topics covered include
- Basic Information - Opening and Closing Times, Dates and Numbers, Dress, Language
- Getting Around by Train and Car
- How to Use the Phone and Internet, both public and with your own laptop
- Shopping
- Eating and Drinking - Types of eating places, an Italian meal, how to order coffee
- Shipping Things Home and the Post Office
- Vocabulary Words
- An Appendix with some excellent general travel information and web sites for more information.
- "Worth Noting" and "Attenzione" - excellent tips and advice that make this book stand apart from others
I found lots of little interesting bits of information I have not seen in other guidebooks like charts comparing sample travel times and cost estimates for driving vs taking the train or comparing the costs of a rail pass vs sample single train tickets.
Why Take "Italy: Instructions for Use" to Italy?
You may be well prepared for your trip - where you will go, where you will stay, how you will get there, and maybe even where you will eat. But if you are traveling independently, you will certainly encounter situations that are unfamiliar even if you are a seasoned traveler. "Italy: Instructions for Use" will help you figure out what to do by explaining the way things are in Italy.Did you know that the Italian keyboard on a computer is different from that in the US? I always have trouble finding the @ key but Nan tells you how to do it.
Did you know that you have to validate your train ticket before boarding the train or when boarding a bus?
Did you know that words may mean different things in Italy than in the US. If you order a latte you will get a glass of milk or pepperoni on your pizza means peppers.
Really, why not take "Italy: Instructions for Use" with you? It's small and lightweight, it's easy to find the information you are looking for, and it explains information in a concise and easy to read manner so you don't have to spend lots of time looking for what you need or trying to find someone to ask.
