VENICE

A guide to noteworthy sights in Venice, Italy, geared toward senior citizens and the disabled.

In this specialized handbook, Bowling shares his obvious passion for this magical city of ancient churches and canals, presenting an easy-to-use manual peppered with small tidbits of Venetian history and culture. The bulk of the book is chapters specific to the main piers that service the large water taxis (called vaporetto), which function just like public buses elsewhere, of this carless city. From Rialto Bridge to San Marco Square and Ghetto Nuevo–“the world’s first ghetto”–to Murano Island, each sight is listed with pertinent information including hours and ticket prices, along with a section describing ease of access. In an extensive section on music and entertainment, the author lists details of Venice’s most popular concert venues, often found in basilica and palaces. In addition to numerous photographs, each chapter contains a map of the roads around the applicable pier. These maps are serviceable, yet an additional atlas to the city may prove helpful. While the author does not include restaurant descriptions and only a handful of hotel suggestions, the book does have a comprehensive index as well as supplemental information on topics like navigating Venice and the intricacies of air travel. Readers may find Bowling intermittently patronizing, particularly when he offers overwritten advice on basics like Internet research and ways to be comfortable on an airplane. This book is certainly not for budget travelers or experienced travelers, but proves valuable for hesitant travelers who are unaccustomed to a European sightseeing vacation. A resource such as this is rare, and the author does it justice, transferring his enchantment with Venice to his reader.

The perfect guide for less-able-bodied travelers.