Rick Steves' Italy 2007

The book covers a lot of ground, but I’m curious about what factors influenced the selection of specific cities and sites. Was it based on popularity, personal favorites, or something else?

I appreciated the background stories behind landmarks, but I wonder if that made exploring Italy more meaningful or overwhelming during trips.

Considering the book's age, I’m curious which recommendations have stood the test of time and which might need updating for current travel plans.