8 thoughts on “Comments on Blue Guide Rome

  1. Very good guide to Rome [Amazon review]

    First, I bought both the paperback and Kindle editions. I bought the paperback first, but it was so thick that it was impossible to carry it with me easily while sightseeing. I then bought the Kindle edition, and had no problems with faults or navigation like the earlier reviewer. One simply must go back to the table of contents (easily done) and then simply click on the site/area one wishes to explore. Like all Blue Guides, it is comprehensive, especially in its descriptions of the major churches of Rome. Some of the walks suggested were really good, and I am glad I followed the book’s advice. However, the author of the book does not hold back when he/she doesn’t think something is worth your time. In a couple of cases, I am glad that I went to a church even though the book said it held little merit. Still, the book made my four-day trip to Rome much more meaningful.

  2. Well worth the weight to take on site [Amazon review]

    So glad to see an updated edition of one of the finest guide books ever. I relied on its predecessor until so many changes occurred in what it is possible to see in Rome. This is the right book for serious visitors or residents in Rome who want depth of history and solid information. Great for pre-travel study or armchair reflection. This is not the book for people primarily in search of where to eat or where to stay. Best book to take on site for thorough explanation of what you see without the book weight of colored illustrations. A must for the scholarly tourist.

  3. Roman Holiday: The Gold Standard [Amazon review]

    The ROME BLUE GUIDE became like a talisman for this reviewer. It provided detailed information about each sight including directions, history, photos and drawings. There were recommendations on where to eat and sleep as well as directions on how to get places. Detailed maps were included in the back. Options for public transport were also included. When in doubt about the order of popes or emperors, chronological lists were provided. A detailed index was so helpful. For the most fulfilling visit EVER to the Eternal City, don’t leave home without the Rome Blue Guide!

  4. No need for guided tours when you have… [Amazon review]

    We took several guide books to Italy and this was by far our favorite. No need for guided tours when you have the Blue Guide. Also loved the city walks.

  5. Favorite stories

    Dear Sir / Madam, I am an Ph.D. archaeologist and tour guide in Rome. I have used your Rome guide to study my tour and I have really appreciated it. It is at the same time complete and clear, without unnecessary details that can confuse the reader. Thus first of all I would like to thank you for the great job! My experience as tour guide and traveler is that sometimes is nice to break the basic information with some fun but real facts about the monuments or stories related to them, that help to keep people engaged. For example I noticed that people always appreciate the story about the church of S. Lorenzo in Miranda, in the Roman Forum: according to a 13th century manuscript the last words of S. Lawrence on the grill were “turn me over… I’m done on this side”. People always laugh but I explain that the interesting thing is that this was a serious manuscript about lives of the Saints, so people really believed that this words were real. Another nice anecdote is about the Trevi fountain. According to legend, the source, about 20 km from the city, quenched the exhausted soldiers of Agrippa as they returned to Rome. The exact place where the source was had been shown to the soldiers by a young girl, from which “aqua virgo”. Perhaps in the wake of the legend of the soldiers of Agrippa, people began to argue that those who had been drinking this water would always return to Rome. And so, until a few decades ago, it is said that by the small fountain on the right side, took place a little secret ritual: the girls were drinking ‘”virgin water” at their boyfriends before their departure, all sealed by a pledge with glasses which were then broken. In this way the toast was symbolically not repeatable, and also the fidelity was assured. Not surprisingly, the fountain is still called the “fountain of love”. This is my experience as Rome tour guide but when I travel I love to have curious details about the thing that I see. Every monument of Rome is full of this kind of stories and I know that it’s impossible to write about everything. Anyway these are my favorites. I hope you will like them.

  6. Outstanding guide for the scholar in all of us! [Amazon review]

    I have used Blue Guides for years and they are excellent! They provide a detailed historical information in a concise and brief format that is easy to read. Besides solid information and historical context, they also have excellent recommendations for dining, accommodations, and things to do.The diagrams are very useful help you ‘peel back’ the layers on what you are seeing. Compared to other guides, I find Blue guides to be far more comprehensive and easy to use.

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