tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024398511254172770.post5944364126004601548..comments2023-10-26T17:06:56.408+04:00Comments on cool travel guide: Putting context back into travel, OR why contextualizing travel is coolLara Dunstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05568159382939703162noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024398511254172770.post-85263841557087034082008-06-28T13:47:00.000+04:002008-06-28T13:47:00.000+04:00For any English-speaking person with a special lov...For any English-speaking person with a special love for Rome, or who intends to develop such a love, I would say Georgina Masson's book is an essential resource, and great reading even if you are thousands of miles from Rome. Truly a classic. There have been various editions over the years. The one I have is the sixth, published in 1980. The author has since died but the book, now with a co-author who has done some updating and added new material, remains in print. For those who want pure Georgina, and they are many, used copies are easy to find on web sites like abebooks.com.<BR/><BR/>Jim Forest<BR/>www.incommunion.org/forest-flier/Jim and Nancy Foresthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10141909736478413386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024398511254172770.post-5039264642671429882008-06-28T11:02:00.000+04:002008-06-28T11:02:00.000+04:00Hi JimI love that line!!! That's hysterical!! But ...Hi Jim<BR/><BR/>I love that line!!! That's hysterical!! But that's exactly what I mean.<BR/><BR/>I haven't seen Georgina's companion guide. I'll have to look out for it next time.<BR/><BR/>But aren't churches wonderful all over Italy? The art hidden away inside can surprise you in the most unexpected places - such as Calabria for example. One of my favorite 'attractions' in all of Italy are the baroque churches in Sicily, especially Noto. I'll take a look at your pics for sure.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for commenting!Lara Dunstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05568159382939703162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024398511254172770.post-84924455715526790232008-06-27T18:34:00.000+04:002008-06-27T18:34:00.000+04:00During a recent two-week visit to Rome, my wife an...During a recent two-week visit to Rome, my wife and I traveled guideless. Partly it was because two's company, three's a crowd.<BR/><BR/>Instead we came equipped with several very helpful books, most notably the formidable (530-page) "Companion Guide to Rome" by Georgina Masson. Georgina is quite a guide!<BR/><BR/>Of course we occasionally paused to listen to guides, if not for long. I heard one memorable sentence from a particular guide who was hurrying her glazed group through one of the galleries of the Vatican Museum: "Look to your left, look to your right, and try to enjoy." <BR/><BR/>Nine out of ten times, we were more than grateful to be on our own. It was a near miracle to hear a guide who could truly be called a docent.<BR/><BR/>You may find my Rome photos worth a look. As you will see from the photos, for us, the main concentration was to visit the city's oldest churches: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimforest/sets/72157605352157251/<BR/><BR/>Jim Forest<BR/>www/incommunion.org/forest-flier/Jim and Nancy Foresthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10141909736478413386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024398511254172770.post-38247404311365853992008-06-07T00:15:00.000+04:002008-06-07T00:15:00.000+04:00You assume right. You may have read some of my ear...You assume right. You may have read some of my earlier anti-guide blogs... as a result of those reflections I came up with my own criteria on what I thought comprised a good guide/tour (specialization, in-depth knowledge, connection to place, etc) and I think around the same time I was doing that research and discovered Context, a fellow blogger left a comment suggesting I look into Context. I did, and we did 5 walks/workshops with them and they were amazing! <BR/><BR/>I always did continuing education courses after I finished university or in-between degrees, and Context's activities are just like those only they're 'in country' and in and about the streets of a place - really stimulating stuff! And yet they pitch them to the levels of interest and knowledge of the groups, which are so small (less than 6 people) so they can afford to do that. The sommelier we did the Italian wine tasting-cum-bar hop-cum-wine appreciation course with said every single time she does the night it's different depending on the people.<BR/><BR/>Honestly, I can't recommend them enough - I just wish there were organizations like them in all cities around the world.Lara Dunstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05568159382939703162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024398511254172770.post-85087795904280387752008-06-07T00:08:00.000+04:002008-06-07T00:08:00.000+04:00I assume they're not paying you for saying all thi...I assume they're not paying you for saying all this?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024398511254172770.post-33361838375487754502008-06-06T20:52:00.000+04:002008-06-06T20:52:00.000+04:00Definitely do - they're really very impressive. An...Definitely do - they're really very impressive. And what do you mean "if" you're in Rome again? Didn't you love it the first time 'round?Lara Dunstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05568159382939703162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024398511254172770.post-68790703409239100852008-06-06T16:47:00.000+04:002008-06-06T16:47:00.000+04:00hmmm. If I'm ever in Rome again, I'll give them a ...hmmm. If I'm ever in Rome again, I'll give them a look.Nomadic Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03302659356530720178noreply@blogger.com