@brittarnhild
Donna Leons books about Commisario Guido Brunetti are mysteries. I usually don´t like mysteries, but as these books are so much more, a walking guide to Venice, a cook book presenting Venetian food cooked by Brunetti´s wife, I read them over and over again, never getting tired.
When I walk in Venice, as I do for hours without stopping when I am there. I usually walk without a map. I get lost, find the way, get lost and find the way again. Sometimes a friend is showing me around. Other times I use novels as guides. Yes, novels, rarely guidebooks. I do have a lot of them as well, but novels are much more fun.
But since I, a few years ago, discovered Toni Sepeda´s Brunetti´s Venice, I always make sure to do at least one Brunetti walk during my stay.