Rome The Second Time
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For anyone returning to Rome for another visit, the Introduction to this guidebook is prescribed reading.  The authors honestly, aptly, and with good humor describe "living with Rome's frustrations" with reality stories not found in typical guidebooks.  Here you will learn or recapture the memory of being stranded by a sudden impromptu strike of trains, planes, buses, subways, anything that moves; the disappointment of finding buildings closed that are supposed to be open; the cancellation of programs and exhibits on a must-do list; the difficulty in getting something fixed quickly, or at all, for that matter. The authors suggest many positive ways to deal with Rome's frustrations so you can come away with lifelong memories of Rome's magical magnificence.

Do NOT expect to use this book on your first visit to Rome. It is a delightful primer for those wanting to go beyond -- sometimes WAY beyond -- the beaten path. You'll find walking tours through the countryside to discover hidden ancient aqueducts; a history and itinerary through Nazi-occupied Rome; several unusual visits to the 20th-century residential neighborhoods inhabited by real Romans; and a great many tips on how to enjoy your free time alla romana. Entertaining sidebars help you decipher the symbols on ancient monuments and the Fascist numbers on newer buildings, order coffee the correct way, understand the trattoria, shop for real estate, and ferret out free buffet dinners. Offering much more insight than your typical guidebook, authors Dianne Bennett and William Graebner clearly share the philosophy of In Italy Online: travel is about much more than history and art; it is an opportunity to peek into a different lifestyle, learn how it came to be, and appreciate its quirks and peculiarities. We highly recommend this book for anyone who thinks Rome is more than the location of the Coliseum.

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