Our guests' favorite guidebooks to Italy

Bay of Naples & Southern Italy

"Easy to read, this book does not overwhelm the reader with too many details.  It is a good starting point to learn what is in the area, and it also covers the Cilento area. Reading through this book you will be able to make your personal "must see" list. You can then browse around for more detailed information, once you know what you should be looking for."

Pleasure-seekers have flocked to the Bay of Naples since Roman times, reveling in the voluptuous isle of Capri, the dizzy heights of the Amalfi Drive, and the vertical towns of Positano and Ravello. At the heart of the region is crazy, colorful Naples herself. Visit the bay's most celebrated sights, from the island flesh-pots to the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Hidden deep in the furthest crooks of Italy's boot are Greek temples and Albanian villages; white-washed villages dot the long Puglian shore, and mirages shimmer in the Straits of Messina.

"We also enjoyed the practical travel advice, as well as the traditional Italian recipes."

Italy for the Gourmet Traveller

"Plotkin's Italy for the Gourmet Traveler was like a Bible of Italy to us. As we drove throughout Italy, not only did we learn the most interesting history of each region from this book, we learned exactly where to shop for our gourmet picnic, where to taste the best gelati, as well as which bar, bakery, trattoria, osteria or restaurant to dine according to our mood and pocketbook. We weren't once dissapointed. I can't wait to try out each of his regional recipes throughout the book. If you're a 'foodie' like us, don't experience Italy without this book. Fred Plotkin is a master of Italian dining!"

In this exhaustive guide, Plotkin provides travelers to Bella Italia with information on the best places to eat in 300 cities and villages. Practical advice, such as making reservations, goes hand-in-hand with colorful descriptions of the Italian ristorante, trattoria, pizzeria, friggitoria, and other types of eating establishments. Plotkin is particularly adept at depicting the cultural climate of each region, listing appealing towns a traveler must not pass by and those area culinary specialities to be savored. Whether one desires the address of a fine butcher shop, has a hankering for pastries and an espresso, or seeks a dining experience fit for a king, these listings more than fit the bill. When seeking out excellent culinary fare, doubtless, the true gourmet will be undaunted by this weighty tome.