Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2014, 322 pages.

If your way of traveling is to rush through places, ticking them off your list, then this book is not for you. If, however, you want to really get to know a place and its people, then this is perfect. And what better way to get to know a place than getting advice from the locals? Which is exactly what Gigi Griffis’s guide to Italy is.

The book is divided into two sections. The first is a series of brief guides to the country for foodies, wine lovers, outdoor people, and history buffs from chefs, wine experts, a base jumper, hiker, cyclist, and a professor of Italian history.

The second section divides the country by region. Griffis selects a few cities from each one and interviews the locals—both Italians and ex-pats living there. She selects not only cities but also small towns and villages. Each interview is presented separately: what there is to see, what tourists should eat and where what they should do (or not do) to fit in, where you can meet people, and much more. The answers make for a fascinating read.

One of the absolute no-nos—it comes up several times—is to order a cappuccino after (or heaven forbid, during) dinner. Wearing flip-flops anywhere except on the beach is another. And of course, ketchup on pizza or pasta.

Much of the book is about food—the local specialties: sardines in onion sauce in Venice, risotto alla Milanese in Milan, spaghetti con le vongole in Naples… I could go on. And of course, the gelato! I firmly believe that Italian gelato is the best ice cream in the world, especially artisanal gelato. An American ex-pat in Venice says you can tell artisanal gelato by the color of banana (greyish-white), mint (white), and pistachio (greyish-green) gelatos because they use real ingredients rather than commercial flavoring and coloring.

It’s not just about food, of course. There is so much to see in Italy. The advice from people in Rome was, yes, do see the famous monuments, but when you’re done with them, head off the beaten track. The book also suggests how to meet local people—mostly in bars! (Don’t think about getting drunk there, though—Italians start drinking at an early age, so they can hold their drink and do not look kindly on drunks.)

The people interviewed seem to love where they live, and so they make the best guides. This is such a great idea! Hats off to Griffis for thinking of it. It would be wonderful to start a series of guides like this, so we could become part of the lives of the places we visit, even if it’s for a short time.

This review first appeared on Women on the Road.