Italy 2009

Best ways to improve this book:

Your book was an incredible help. Our byword was "What does Rick say?" It took a lot of planning, but was worth every minute of it. Your recommendations and advice was right on.

Mary in Tucson, AZ USA 06/22/2009

Our rome hotel was very good- Hotel Tolentino. It was not in the center but very close to piazza barberini. You might want to include some cheaper places farther out that are just a metro ride away.

Kristi Flax in Rose Hill, KS USA 06/17/2009

We found the book very helpful and would definately use a Rick Steves book on another trip

Val Thomson in Edmonton, AB Canada 06/16/2009

These guides have always been my "Bible" in Europe. Better detailed city road maps would be the only improvements that I think would be helpful.

Scott Tom in San Ramon, CA USA 06/09/2009

My wife and I have visited Italy several times and your guide book is one of the few that we rely heavily on. However, we are planning a trip to Northern Italy and we are astonished (and disappointed) that you have NOTHING in your guide book about Bologna, Modena, and surroundings!!! Other guide books allot up to 40 pages or so to this area, which is one we want to visit on our way from Florence to Venice. To us, this seems is a glaring omission in your book.

Roy Sieber in Edmonton, AB Canada 06/04/2009

You've got a lot said about the trains but it needs to be more... e.g. We found that you could easily double your fare by answering the questions incorrectly on the ticket machines... they now have a section that donates euros to charities :( The stations all have separate machines dedicated to the local trains (which never ever have lines) and which are a breeze to use. Its possible to buy a first class ticket (using one of the ticket machines) for a train (local) that has no first class seats!!!!! The ticket machines give out limited change.. if you over pay too much the machines issue credit vouchers that we couldn't figure out how to redeem....hmmmm --- A more complete section on Bancomat use might be helpful. We had LOTS of issues. Came down to lots of experimentation to figure out that UniCredit had the most reliable connections and least hassle for us. (Wife and I use two different banks with two different debit providers and had identical experience with Bancomats). Much anxiety. For time period of our travel... our 250 Euro daily exchanges cost us about $350 after exchanges and fees. BTW, most of the BancoMats we tried have crypic error messages that make you think you've got a big problem when it is really a little one (e.g. we couldn't get a single machine to give us more than 250 Euros per 30 hour period...yep longer than 24... even though there is a choice for it and at current exchange we didn't come close to our debit card $500 daily limit)

Duane Henderson in Chico, CA USA 05/31/2009

I can't think of any except including some of the more out of the way villages such as Praiano or Cassino. The places we visited - Venice, Lucca, Florence, Siena, Orvieto, Cassino, Praiano and Rome all had excellent information and plenty to absorb. You even made my Times magazine this week, so you must be doing something right. From day one - your PBS tours - were not only informative, but funny and hilarious which maskes reading your stuff so much more fun. Keep that up as long as you can!

Henny van Dijk in Houston, TX USA 05/31/2009

Just keep up the good work. Add more countries and cities. Information is all helpful.

Janice Humphrey in Colorado Springs, CO USA 05/26/2009

Gary Swett in Port Ludlow, Wa USA 05/19/2009

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE "NON-TOURISTY" INFO & SUGGESTIONS. MADE TRIP EXTRA SPECIAL AND EASIER TO PLAN ON OUR OWN!

Meredith Kupferman in Rancho Murieta, CA USA 05/16/2009

Your guidebooks are great. However, after having done your "South of Italy" tour last year and the Sicily tour this year, we are disappointed that neither of these areas is covered.

Jack in Burlington, ON Canada 05/07/2009

Love the layout. Maybe color the edges of city map pages so they are wasier to find?

Thomas Chamberlin in Salem, OR USA 05/07/2009

Add some more about Naples and about Herculaneum.

Lorraine New in Troy, MI USA 05/05/2009

Please consider making each guide book a series of smaller books that can be sold as a set. Due to the weight we opted to tear apart our Italy guide book as we explored the different regions leaving us with a mess of torn pages. If each large guide book was divided into smaller sections - Rome, Venice, Tuscany - we would have less to carry at each stop and still be able to keep it and the notes we have written in it as a lasting memento of our wonderful trip. As it is, the torn pages will be dropped into a garbage can as we leave the country.

Brenda in Anchorage, AK USA 05/03/2009

For Rome, I think it would be nice to include more information on mass-transit. The Metro is so limited, I think it would have been nice to know more about the buses and trams available. Other than that - you are always spot on and we use your books every time we visit Europe.

Steve Roberts in St. Louis, MO USA 04/29/2009

Needs more information on busses and trains to hill towns. I couldn't tell how we were going to get from Volterra to the Mediterranian until I reached Volterra. Normally, I like to have a better idea before I leave the states. I think your books are great!

Jeanette Rollinger in Visalia, CA USA 04/27/2009

It's getting a bit cumbersome and where's the table of contents. Move the map inserts to the back of the book - it would make it easier to open. Also,you assume that your readers will only make a day trip to Capri. Day tripping there is a mistake, like Venice, the island is at its best when the day trippers have gone home. There are some charming hotels and restaurants both in Capri town and up in Anacapri, there are some great nature walks to take, but you can't do them only on a day trip.

Lydia in Bethesda, MD USA 04/26/2009

It would be a good idea to include whether or not a hotel/BB, etc has stairs to a room. I almost rented a room where I had to climb 5 flights of stairs. Found that out on one of the travel review sites.

NoTechie in Costa Mesa, CA USA 04/20/2009

We did find that maybe having the restaurants listed within neighborhoods of major sites would be easier than all clumped together in their own sections. Just a thought as it warranted having to cross check back and forth in the book from the historic site then to the restaurant section to find a place to eat.

Luisa Craige-Sherman in Bolton Landing, NY USA 04/19/2009

We were traveling with our kids and would have liked to see more info related to kids. There was little or none in the book.

Kyla Miller in Ruckersville, VA USA 04/11/2009

Dear Rick, I was pleased with your 2009 guide to Italy. I just traveled to Florence, Rome and Venice. I used my debit card one time to obtain euros without the exchange fee. When I returned home 8 days later I found that my account had 14 fraudulent ATM withdrawals totaling more than $3000. I used a bank ATM in the Piazza Navona. I would like to warn others of the possibility of their accounts being violated. Throughout my trip I saw your travel books in others hands. I think you have the power to warn innocent travelers of this real possibility. Since I had not lost my card, I didn't think I had anything to worry about. I am currently in the process of a fraud investigation with my bank.

Wendy in Orlando, FL USA 04/07/2009

Take a trip to Torino and add it to your book starting with the 2010 Italy guide!

Colin Carandang in Houston, TX USA 04/05/2009

I can't thank all of you enough for your fabulous guide books. The details for working out the transportation alone were worth every penny. I wish America had train service so easy and pleasant. I have never planned a trip this elaborate before, especially in a foreign country, and you made it so easy. We can't wait to try another trip!

Suzy Pare in Cleveland, OH USA 04/04/2009

I would really like to know why you left out Bologna. I found it one of the most beautiful cities I've ever seen. I loved the remaining medieval structures, including the university, and the atmosphere and reputation of gastronomic excellence.

Mary Beth Morrissey in Lugano, Switzerland 03/06/2009

Add more about Le Marche & we kindly request the addition of La Tavola Marche Agriturismo. http://www.latavolamarche.com

Ashley in Piobbico, PU Italy 02/14/2009

It would be nice if there will be colored pictures in the future guide books.

yy in San Francisco, CA USA 02/13/2009

We have used Ricks guidebook for a great vacations in Germany, Austria and Italy. We find them very thorough regarding practical information not found in other guidebooks. Our two separate trips went smoothly and we felt well prepared. I could not recommend an improvement

Scott in Wainess, CA USA 01/21/2009

Maybe better maps

Lee in Washington DC, DC USA 01/15/2009

Maybe better maps

Lee in Washington DC, DC USA 01/15/2009

Just keep printing them!

Susan Gilbert in St. Petersburg, FL USA 01/09/2009

The BELLEVUE HOUSE is a good value (100 Euro for a large room which accommodated 4) and the staff is friendly and helpful. However in early July the room was sweltering. Many Italians seem to believe that air movement fulfills the AC description. I would not hesitate to stay here in cooler months.

Gary Reichanadter in Mooresville, In USA 01/01/2009

Include the Emilia-Romagna region.

J & M in Durango, CO USA 12/08/2008

Best travel book as is!!

Carolyn Seager in Toronto, On Canada 12/02/2008

We enjoyed very much our stay at the recommended Hotel Al Cason in Padua. To our pleasant surprise the hotel rate included a very nice breakfast buffet which the guide book failed to mention. It would be helpful to the hotel and traveler if this were mentioned in your next edition.

Walter Woo in Burke, Va USA 11/29/2008

For the town of Sorrento, better instructions are needed for guiding travelers down to the waterfront where there are two recommended restaurants. We ended up getting lost and had to hike almost a mile in the dark to find Marina Grande.

Chris Peter in El Cajon, CA USA 10/26/2008

Many thanks for all of your recommendations and travel advice. Small things like your appendix list of books and movies set in Italy really made this travel guide a must have. Please consider Genius Loci as an addition to your section on the Umbrian countryside. Umbria is the new Tuscany and is one of the most beautiful places on earth (at least for us) and I encourage you to expand this section in upcoming additions to improve this guide.

Karen & Jon Roses in Boston, MA USA 10/25/2008

It worked well, overall. Because we only needed parts of it, what if it were in sections that could be pulled out so you only have to carry around what you need?

Rory Scanlon in American Fork, UT USA 10/18/2008

The description for finding parking in Florence is flawed. The instructions say to "just head for "Parcheggio Parterre", follow the signs to Centro then Staio, then P. It isn't easy -- the signs are few and far between and unclear as to which way to go. I think the instructions need to be mapped and be much more specific so that others are not as frustrated as we were.

Carole and Gary in Fullerton, ca USA 10/15/2008

None. You hit on all cylinders every time. Great job Rick.

Clay & Heather Taft in Fair Oaks, CA USA 10/13/2008

Tear out sections. The book gets destroyed using it all the time and if you could tear out a city you are in...

Brad Henshaw in Seattle, WA USA 10/05/2008

Thought the book gave a lot of good general information. You did warn against eating at restaurants near a tourist attraction,...don't think you can stress that enough, We (and all the other tables of American toursts) were hustled at Buca di S.Giovanni, (across the street from the Bapistry), even though we were with my mother who was born in Italy and speaks beautiful Italian. The only table with an Italian couple was not hustled. The waiter tried to get us to order $100 bottles of wine, then brought us pretty lousy wine and it was more than the quoted price on the wine list. He also made you feel like two cents if you didn't want to order an antipasto or a side dish. He alluded to his tip several times during the dinner. When I questioned the bill, (only because it was difficult to read the handwritten tab, he came back and added more to it, and said he made a mistake!) Learned a good lesson. Oh, and don't exhange left over euro at the airport, the fees are incredible, we blew any savings we might have gotten getting cash earlier and taking it with us, finding out which credit cards don't charge conversion fees, etc. Also, VAT taxes, I hear from Avis they are nonrefundable, true? Oh, and finally, if you shop at a supermarket and don't know you are supposed to weigh you fruit first, they just shrug, set it aside and you walk out without it!

Rene Pellissier in Merced, Ca USA 09/24/2008

We were traveling by car. When you have to multiply trains and buses by 6 and have to take two taxis to fit the family, it makes more sense to use a car. Maybe you can include a little more directions on how to get places by car and where to park. When we went to the Dolomites it was hard to get to where the gondola was to go to Compatch. And also if maybe you can suggest apartment accommodation for each city or a contact number of people that can provide those types of accommodatios at a reasonable price and quality it will be helpful. With a party of 6 they always want to give you 2 rooms which makes it very pricey.

CLAUDIA TOMASELLI in KENNESAW, GA USA 09/15/2008

Italy 2008: Why is Bologna missing?? Or Modena?? Or Parma?? Or Lake Garda??

M. Millard in Baltimore, MD USA 09/05/2008

I don't really like the cartoon maps. They seem easier to read at first, but I end up buying more to get around.

Nikki Campagna in Tampa, FL USA 09/05/2008

None...it's perfect!

Judy in The Villages, FL USA 08/20/2008

I know that Rick's books are designed to give detailed information and opinions of only the best a country has to offer, but I strongly believe there should be a section, or small, separate book, on Southern Italy as it is worlds apart from the North. Florence and Venice are great places to vacation... but if you want to TRAVEL, if you want to ask a question in Italian... and not get a response in perfect English, hit Rome and don't stop until you're somewhere like the Sicilian hill town of Erice watching the most gorgeous sunrise you could imagine while staring out to the eastern coast where Tunisia feels like it's just a stones throw away!

Paul Rosini in Victoria, BC Canada 08/17/2008

Some of the directions in the book were difficult to follow. There were many instances where we were told to go to "the side" or "the back" or "next to" something but weren't given any bearings so we didn't know which "next to" was being talked about. Other than that, we LOVED the book. We traveled to Rome, Venice, Lake Como (Bellagio), Cinque Terre (Riomaggiore), and Florence and used it everywhere we went. We felt like traveling experts as we navigated our way around Italy on the trains and public transportation, got good deals on tickets, found ways to cut in line and felt like we saw "the best" that Italy had to offer. Thank you so much for all your help--we are now HUGE Rick Steves fans!

Karen and Andy Ramroth in San Carlos, CA USA 08/15/2008

I love all your helpful hints and use your books every time I go to Europe. However, I think your maps are not good and misleading. AND, I wish there were more history in your books.

Bess E. in Santa Rosa, CA USA 08/12/2008

Add Papei Trattoria for Siena eating. Very popular and very good food.

Ann Doty in Juneau, AK USA 08/11/2008

Encourage more hiking and walking in your guide books. We did lots of hiking in the Cinque Terre area. My daughter(18 years old) and I(50 years young) started in Monterosso and finished in Riomaggiore in about 3 1/2 hours without stopping. The coastal trail was wide and pretty well paved except the Monterosso to Vernazza section.

Natalie Winslow in Monroe, WA USA 08/05/2008

Your Italy book was very helpful but in every chapter about train transportation you should restate that after buying a ticket it must be stamped before boarding the train. In Florence while traveling with 14 family members the train conductor picked us out of the crowd and penalized us about $60 for not stamping our tickets. I could only find one mention of this requirement in your book and obviously we missed it.

Adam in Dallas, TX USA 07/31/2008

The maps. I ended up bringing your book with me everywhere, for the walking tours, inside museums, so it would have been nice if there was at least one good detailed map.

Kiera R in Redondo Beach, CA USA 07/29/2008

For night walk, list average sunset or dark times of each season for planning purposes. Pull-out itineraries for walks so you don't always have to tote the book around (though we did take a few pictures with our Rick) Include some restaurant suggestions near Ostia Antica! Give more daytrip ideas from Rome even if it says next to a suggestion "see Naples, p.703" or whatever.

Thank you Rick for an amazing guidebook!

Anna Lee in Birmingham, AL USA 07/22/2008

The guidebooks on Italy were an excellent resource both in planning our trip and during the trip. We did have problems finding our way through the index. The most frustrating experience was with churches. For example, we would expect San Giovanni Church to be listed in the index as "San Giovanni Church" or "St Johns Church" but the index listed the church as "Church of San Giovanni." We went through this frustration with every church we wanted information on. We also could not find the "Holy Stairs" or "Santa Scala" in the index. The information in the books is excellent but finding the information using the index can be frustrating.

Edward Bushel in Littleton, Co USA 07/20/2008

A bit better maps. Next to the description of a hotel, restauant, etc., put the Number on the Map.

A download file for the maps with recommendations indicated would be great for loading in PC, Smartphones, etc.

Mike Cleveland in Monticello, IL USA 07/17/2008

The book was wonderful; however, it would be nice if the size of the book were bigger. It would make reading the maps a little easier. Also, halfway through our trip, I began tearing pages out and only taking those pages with me that I wanted for that day. For example, I tore out all of the pages for Florence, stapled them together and carried that with me throughout the city. It was a lot less heavy than carrying the entire Italy book. And made finding those recommended jewels easier to locate.

Renee in San Diego, CA USA 07/14/2008

Needed more detailed directions a few times to find restaurants in Venice.

Tony Caruso in Alpharetta , GA USA 07/12/2008

I was a little disappointed that the Italy book was so large. The reason we loved the Spain book in 1998 was that it was small and manageable. I felt a bit like I was spending too much time reading which was the basis for the small books in the past.

Julie Mederos in Plano, TX USA 07/07/2008

Please take out your recommendation of Gulliver's House.

Daniel in Calexico, Ca USA 07/04/2008

I like it just the way it is; however, I would add as part of your traveling philosophy to make sure you know who you'll be traveling with and make sure you're sympatico; traveling aboard requires patiences, tolerance, and an open/positive mind-with a travel companion who has none of those attributes, it will make a miserable trip out of a trip that should have been magical.

Ana Miner in Novato, CA USA 06/26/2008

By the way - your podcasts were phenomenal!!!

Cyndi in Watertown, MA USA 06/26/2008

add Il Faro Hotel and Vela Bioanca Ristorante to your recommendations

Theresa Del Brocco in Costa Mesa, CA USA 06/23/2008

It's by far the best book we've seen - keep it up!

Peter & Maureen in Ridgeland, MS United States 06/21/2008

Add information about how to use the train stations. We had trouble finding how to buy tickets and how to find trains--particularly in Rome.

Jolien Mierke in Alexandria, VA USA 06/21/2008

Cinque Terre: Vernazza, pg 324: Il Pirata delle Cinque Terre. We think this should be completely eliminated from Rick's book. We went there on his suggestion and the pastries were great. One of the Canoli brothers (the owners of the restaurant) suggested that we come back for breakfast, lunch and dinner both days while in Vernazza. He made sure to mention he had the biggest write-up in Rick's book. So we decided to go back on our 2nd day for breakfast. What a mistake! It was almost to the point of harassment about why we hadn't come for lunch or dinner the previous day. The owner was extremely mean, rude and almost yelling at us for not coming for 3 meals the day before. It seems his business tactic is to "bully" people into coming to his restaurant. This is not the Rick Steve's experience. The people ahead of us in line also got this same harassing treatment and we overheard them as they left, saying that they would never return. We agree. This was Rick's only "miss" in the Cinque Terre.

Jessica in Baldwin, WI USA 06/17/2008

Maps were sometimes hard to follow - e.g. in Florence on emerging from the station it was hard to find where we were, it looked as if we had to turn left but that took us out of town so had to retrace our steps. Maybe more detailed city maps and/or links to these from the smaller maps in the chapters - we didn't realize there was actually a larger map of Venice at the front of the book until we were leaving the city.

Alcalay in Platteville, WI USA 06/11/2008

Bigger red flag about the fact that many tobacco stores are closed on Sunday which can make buying a bus ticket pretty hard.

Underline warning that if you take the Eurostar for a short trip, you will pay almost double. Wait and take the intercity.

Alfonso Damico in Iowa City, IA USA 06/10/2008

Include Mia Toscana somewhere in your book(s). I cannot overstate how good our experience was with them. Contact information can be found at http://www.welcometuscany.com; + 39 334 2476098 between 8 am and 9 pm central EU time.

Russ Lorber in Westminster, MD USA 06/07/2008

include a small section on Bologna, we stayed at Albergo Garisenda in the heart of city and it was nice. the hike up through the 300+ porticos to the top of San Luca cathedral was interesting and fun, John Grisham's The Broker describes this hike and Bologna itself

Ron and Linda Schroeder in Portland, OR USA 06/06/2008

Say a little more about the trains. We found out the hard way that on some days the trains might sell out all day (June 2, a holiday). I just assumed that if one train was full I would be able to get out on the next one, but there were no seats available on any train. We had to stand on an IC train all the way to Milan (and the train was late so it was 8 hours). If I had any idea the trains could get this crowded, I would have booked a week earlier!

Susan Aldridge in Milwaukee, WI USA 06/06/2008

Add Bologna! (But I would not recommend Albergo Delle Draperie where we stayed, despite its great location - sewer gas smell in the bathroom that would come and go)

Michael in Seattle, WA USA 05/31/2008

we just returned from Florence and a visit to the Uffizi Gallery. We made a reservation in advance which worked out really well. But when we went to get a electronic guide they needed either a passport or drivers licence. Neither of which we had on us. Perhaps you could include this note in the next version. We had a really great visit otherwise and we followed the guide's recommendations for hotels in Rome (Residenza Cellini) and Florence (Loggiata dei Serviti) Thanks again for all your advice.

Maureen Moffatt in Lunenburg, NS Canada 05/29/2008

Let Eurostar train travelers know they should depart the train rather quickly when it stops. My husband and son had the doors shut on them, and had to stay on the train until the next stop, 20 minutes away, while I watched from the platform.

Marge Sykes in Elbridge, NY United States 05/24/2008

include San Marino

Anne Wilson in Covina, CA USA 05/23/2008

Add visual clues to the audiotours and museum/city tours.

Irina in Daly City, CA USA 05/20/2008

Page 701 - Capri - Planning Your Time Add the following: Tip: The waiting line for the bus in the main square in Anacapri gets quite long - if you don't want to wait so long, walk up the street a couple blocks to the previous bus stop and get on there. Bus stops are painted in the street.

Add the following under "Eating" in Annacapri: Restaurant Barbarossa on the main square near the chair lift - order the foccacia with tomatoes and the risotta a la limone - excellent!

Scott in Renton, WA USA 05/12/2008

Kindle them all! I want to take your guidebooks with me on tour next year and would love to be able to get Kindle versions....

Stephanie Carlson in Placerville, ca USA 05/09/2008

I read this and used advice at every turn and it was always right. Used the info on the museumsin the book so did not need or pay for audioguides. Your book more the paid for itself.

Renee Lee in DeSoto , Tx USA 05/09/2008

Include Genius Loci Country Inn in the hills of Bevagna

Mary Thomas Tacconi in Bevagna PG, ITALY 05/04/2008

One way might be to put little grade shading on the side of the book to show where the new chapters (cites) begin. Other than that, it is an excellent source.

Robin Rodrigues in Modesto , CA USA 04/30/2008

Rick--

Italy 2008 was a fantastic guide for us--we had many memorable experiences because of your excellent work! One addition to consider--please re-add the Hotel Aldobrandini in Florence to your lodgings list. (degli Aldobrandini 8, tel. 055-211-866. www.hotelaldobrandini.it) The hotel was included in your Italy 2007 book, but omitted from 2008. We booked there anyway and had a lovely stay! Ignazio, the owner, was terrific! His service was excellent, and he gave us some excellent recommendations for restaurants and sites to see. On Travel Advisor, I did note that the hotel's spiral staircase is NOT for anyone with any physical challenges--you have to request a first floor room--but other than that, the hotel was fine. We spoke to Ignazio about being left out of the 2008 book, and he seemed genuinely distressed about it.

Jennifer Kyle Herd in Oak Hill, , VA USA 04/21/2008

Gotta say i'm not interested in your recommendations when they state - bad service, rude servers etc. No matter how good the food it, being berated or not respected is not a place i will ever visit.

Nicole in Denver, CO USA 04/18/2008

Sometimes, on the self-guided walks, the directions arent always as clear as I would like, but, it is a VERY minor complaint!

Brian Freund in keego harbor, MI USA 04/11/2008

Blank pages in the front and back of each book for individual notes, phrases and phone numbers. Recommend bringing non perishable munchies for emergency situations. PLEASE draw a new map of Florence! Included customs restrictions. I had $25 worth of delicious and savory cinghale salami go unceremoniously into the garbage at stateside customs. If I'd have known it couldn't come home with me, I would have eaten it, or never bought it.

April O'Connor in Portland, OR USA 04/07/2008

we found the italy 2008 guide book to be great! lot's of great tips, maps and very easy to use. very helpful info.keep up the good work rick steve's and company

bruce lahr in sauk rapids, mi USA 04/03/2008

The book is great. It was our Bible in Italy. Thanks for a great vacation!

Scott Hovey in Durham, NC USA 03/31/2008

Include ALL of Italy and not select parts.

Jason Tsongas in Rochester, NY USA 03/26/2008

Provide information on Sicily, Lake Garda as well as the Valpolicella region, plus the eastern Dolomites.

Since my mother's family was from Sicily, we started our visit here but had no recommendations in your book for this area.

We used your recommendation for lodging in Castelrotto, but nothing was provided for the other end of the Great Dolomite Road. We discovered Cortina and loved the town, it was a nice stopping distance on our way to Venice. The Hotel Olimpia was very nice in the heart of Cortina. The drive there was harrowing, but beautiful, nonetheless!

We found a wonderful family owned winery/estate called El Pendola in the Valpolicella region, since Lake Garda hotels seemed all booked months in advance. Since Lake Garda is Italy's largest, it should get some attention, and the surrounding area.

We loved staying at three agritourismos, it would be helpful to provide more info on more of these in your books. (See above first comment on Antico Borgo Poggiarello)

Lastly, the menu decoder often seemed to not have words on it that were on the menus! My son ended up ordering something with clams and he doesn't like clams! Also, we couldn't figure out for the longest time what ciervo was... turned out to be venison.

Sue Laabs in Northville, MI USA 03/23/2008

More descriptive directions or maps. Some things were a little hard to find. A picture's worth 1000 words. We were very pleased with the book and will ALWAYS buy a Rick Steve's guidebook when traveling abroad. Also have the DVDs. THANKS!!!

Carolyn Sleeper in Phoenix, AZ USA 03/22/2008

Given the economy today, add a larger section on affordability and cost-saving tips.

John Novick in Chicago, IL USA 03/21/2008

Prepare folks for the uncomfortable sense they will have when they visit Italy, as opposed to Northern Europe. We felt like part of the Italian culture was to take advantage of tourists from the United States. We felt this from the moment we stepped off of the plane.

Josh Harrison in College Station, TX USA 03/01/2008

Add a "what if" section.

[Editor's Note: Do you mean "what to do if your credit card is stolen?" If so, check out page 14 of the 2007 Italy book or page 12 of the 2008 Italy book.]

Lynnette Roberts in Vancouver , WA USA 01/30/2008

Add Sicily

cindy in fox Island, wa USA 01/29/2008

Put in BOLOGNA, ITALY! Goodness! They have San Petronio Church--only the fifth largest in THE WORLD! And, San Luca--overlooking ALL of the city of Bologna is IMPRESSIVE!

Kathleen Hanes in Bologna, IT USA 01/27/2008

Small tabs to help section the book to make it faster to find the town, city, etc you are looking for.

Tara Dickie in Warwick, Bermuda 01/26/2008

Excellent resource, this book (along with the Italian phrase book) made our trip so much more enjoyable!

Ryan Wigginton in Sellersburg, IN USA 01/23/2008

I've used Ricks books for several years and think the advice on avoiding theft needs some rewording. Not that the advice is wrong -- the tips are all good ways to avoid problems, and I'll never travel without my moneybelt.

The problem is that the book ends up leaving a sense of fear in new travelers who've never been to Europe (or Italy) so much so that people think about cancelling plans or avoiding perfectly reasonable activities like riding trains. Read thru some of the postings on the Helpline and you'll see these fears. And I must confess that before my first trip I was alarmed and expected a pickpocket in every group of passerby, to have my belongings torn from me around every corner.

I think there is a middle ground, where travelers receive the same good advice they do today about precautions they should take but without leaving such a sense of fear. As guidebook authors who have spent a lot of time exploring the areas in this book I think it is possible to lose sight of how your warnings will be interpreted by a new traveler.

Mike in Los Angeles, CA USA 01/22/2008

Keep updating it is excellent

Len Resnekov in Sydney, NS Australia 01/17/2008

maybe even more off the beated path places we visited Guzzano near lucca and participated in an all saints day procession from the cemetary to the church and attended mass we were gaulked at but we enjoyed the ordeal very much we stayed in a place in the village and stayed warm by the fireplace roasting chestnuts we picked ourselves before the goats that roamed the roads freely ate them! what a wonderful experience.

Diana Cipro in so. Dennis, MA USA 01/05/2008

Possbily some info on the Aventino area of Rome? We stayed there at the Hotel Villa San Pio and loved the quiet, residential neighborhood setting. (Room 529 is large and has a wrap around balcony!) Buffet breakfasts served in a glassed-in gazebo set in the midst of a beautiful flowering garden (in November!). Just an easy 10-minute walk to the Piramide Metro stop ... and there are some terrific small restaurants in the nearby Testaccio neighborhood.

Laurette Benton in Raleigh, NC USA 12/23/2007

I still(Ive said this before)dont think you give enough driving info.I know you favor trains but for those who drive help please.

John Theune in Sheboygan, Wi USA 12/05/2007

I think the hotel/restaurant portion needs updating and more diligent servicing. Although your writing is great, it would help if every restaurant or hotel would have more detail about best dishes/entrees, service, etc. It seems like sometimes you're just listing the available restaurants and hotels in a given area, not really recommending the ones you think are the best, or what you liked about them. Given that your books have such an editorial take, it would be fine I should think to put even more opinion in that section. But it's a tough job and you do it well, Rick! I used your book like a bible while in Italy. Quoted you all the time, "Steve says....." :)

Taya Rotering in Minneapolis, MN USA 11/30/2007

Everything was excellent and we were very satisfied. We appreciated the hefty content in the slim book and didn't mind the thin but tough paper on which it was printed. However, due to my lousy eyes and the general dim light throughout Europe (and the streets at night) it was occasionally hard to read. I would suggest that those who similarly have trouble in dim light either carry one of those little clip on lights with the book, or a magnifying plate that fits the book.

Laura in Redding, USA 11/28/2007

Looks like you're going to have to go the way of some other guidebooks and provide an alphabetical index of hotels. Where in Italy, for example, is the Hotel Aurora (11/27 posting under best accommodations)?

[Editor's Note: It's in Verona. Unfortunately some posters do not provide the location of the hotels and restaurants they mention. When we have time (not often), we sometimes edit their posts to include the town name.]

Janet Sims in Montrose, CO USA 11/28/2007

This is a question: At the Coliseum, the book states the Emperor's seat is to the left of where you enter. But the guides tell you it's where the large cross is standing immediately in front of where you enter. What's the deal?

Joan M. Burda in Lakewood, OH USA 11/25/2007

Add something about the Piedmont region

Jill Grigsby in Claremont, CA USA 11/23/2007

Give more driving hints...roads to use between towns, how to read the signs, parking hints

Carol Dierkes in Hartford, Mi USA 11/19/2007

The book is great!

Barry DeVine in Eugene, OR USA 11/14/2007

Provide more options. Rick Steve's is so popular that every place we went was completely filled with American Tourists following Rick Steve's books. It would be great to have some more suggestions for getting off of the beaten track.

D in San Francisco, CA USA 11/11/2007

Give a map that shows the hotels around Central Station in Milan. Finding them was a real struggle. Took a lot of questions on the street to track them down and then there was nothing open because some motorcycle convention was going on in town.

Marc Harrison in Olympia, WA USA 11/11/2007

Would you add BB accomodations in Tivoli( Rome ) such as Palazzo Maggiore ?

Monica in Tivoli, Ro Italy 11/05/2007

Like many others, we'd like a binding that makes the pages easier to remove.

Rick, what is up with the numbering system on your maps? The numbers are all over the place, and not in logical order sometimes! Hard to decipher, standing out on a dark street, trying to locate a place!

Other than that, Rick, YOU ROCK !!! Met so many others on this trip, carrying your book or pages from it. We are like a cult of Rick Steves' worshippers, all of us holding up our books and sharing how awesone you are. Thank you, and keep up the good work!

[Editor's Note: Currently, items on our maps are numbered approximately in the order they appear in the text within loose categories of hotels first, then restaurants, then services such as internet and laundry. Sometimes we also have to list a sight in the map key, too, and they generally appear at the end of the list. This system may change in the future but for now assume numbers are in text order.]

Linda Hornbeck in Torrance, CA USA 11/03/2007

Coastal hike in the Cinque Terre: My husband and I took the wrong turn in Corniglia on our way towards Manarola because we were following red and white trail markers. We discovered 3 hours later, after getting lost, that ALL the trails in the National Park are marked red and white; they are differentiated by number. The coastal hike is Trail #2. It would help future readers to include this tiny but important detail in the guidebook.

Jessie in Chicago, IL USA 11/03/2007

not much that I can thing of!

francine faribault in Montréal, Qc CANADA 11/02/2007

Include Perugia and the Sirius Hotel.

Pat McClung in Mt. Pleasant, TX USA 11/02/2007

more notes about crooked taxis, I looked for a number on the side, got in one that had a car number but not a phone number and got ripped off. When you get in a cab not only check for a meter but the fee rates in the back seats and ask ahead of time what the fare will be to your destination.

Chere Weiss in Kelso, WA USA 10/29/2007

All I can suggest is to keep up the good work.

Murray Duke in Ottawa, ON Canada 10/26/2007

The bood was great, well used. We saw many folks with the book and it was an easy icebreaker, like members of a club

Frank Washburn in Orogon City, OR USA 10/22/2007

Please add a gentle caveat to readers about the hike from Manarola to Monterroso al Mare. In particular, the stretch between Corniglia and Vernazza are pretty grueling. There is substantial elevation gain and the trail is very primitive and narrow. Also, recommend that hikers pack plenty of water as there is none between towns. We came across a lot of hikers who were clearly not prepared for the trail and may well have needed assistance or rescue to get out.

Also, in re: the Borghese Gallery in Rome. Please look into the possibility for a "gurney tour" to allow for full appreciation of the ceiling frescoes (tongue-in-cheek). While my wife admired the Caravaggios, I spent almost the entire time staring up at the impossibly beautiful frescoes trying to determine what was "painted" and what was carved.

Pieter Booth in Kent, wa USA 10/10/2007

More info on how to find WCs would be helpful. Also, a few more Italian words in the appx for giving and finding directions such as here, there, distance.

leigh girvin in breckenridge, co USA 10/08/2007

This book was PERFECT! I went alone to Italy, and although I have been there before with a tour, I would not have survived Italy alone without this book. Thanks Rick Steves!

Amy in Minneapolis, MN USA 10/07/2007

I am looking for sources of information about Reggio, Calabria? I wonder why Rick has not written about the area and I would like a good Rick-like source. Any ideas?

Dan in Pleasanton, CA USA 10/01/2007

1) We drove through No. Italy (Colico on Lake Como down to Siena and over to Venice back to Milan) with a Garmin GPS. In Europe Garmin works smoothly off Zip codes--please think about including these for driving. With the Garmin we could find anything even in big cities with narrow, one-way streets. Enter the zip code of the Da Vinci Science & Tech. Museum, then press attractions and you can pick off the Museum without even entering the address.

In Siena we showed three American couples how to drive to the Tuscany sites they wanted to get to--I know more people will be using GPSs as time goes on. My husband calls it a marriage saver. Even parking was simple, because it has a "find the parking lot" feature--we found parking in Volterra! We worked out with it at home for a month or so ahead of time to figure out how it thinks. That helped. Garmin tells you, "drive 200 meters to the round-about, Take the 3rd exit." We found hotels, museums, resturants--everything.

Also, therefore, please spell out street names. Garmin doesn't recognize Via K. Adenhauer, but it does know Via Konrad Adenhauer. Driving in the bigger cities is a challenge, and not for the timid. The Autostrata is much more civilized and courteous than my Texas highways. Autostrata toll booths are clearly marked, well-staffed for us cash paying tourists.

2) Map-hotel/restaurant-description coordination. Just add your map number to your description. That way we can see that restaurants 2, 10 and 4 are near our #6 hotel or the Duomo. Why fall in love with the sound of #17 when it's 2 miles away?

Diane Flindt in Sugar Land, TX USA 09/30/2007

It can't be improved. My book looks like St. Frances' Bible when I got back. It's cover is shredded, has torn pages, there are pages that were ripped out then carried around, and later reinserted. When I get back the Rick Steve's Guidebook looks like the way my feet feel.

Furnancefighter in Philadelphia, PA USA 09/29/2007

This book was the best investment we ever made. We couldn't have done it without your book. I know prices of things and restaurant staff change. That's why I'm not going to say how this book can improve because from my personal use of it, was a big help. I did see a lot of Rick Steves bookguide owners floating around the 6 cities we visited. We even made friends with one couple at Bibo's Restorante because they had their guidebook on the table as you suggest for the discount. Thank you for publishing such helpful guidebook.

Tony Ramirez in Huntington Beach, CA USA 09/29/2007

The book was a great help and quite inclusive. I'm not sure how to improve it other than if their were some way to make it lighter and easier to carry.

Michael Lopez in Rochester, MI USA 09/28/2007

Foot Care: Add a paragraph or two on foot care. Suggest that travelers remove the insoles from theor shoes at night to let them air out and dry. Also, foot powder is very helpful to keep your feet in good shape. If at all possible, rotate two pairs of shoes to allow one pair to dry.

John E. White in Altadena, CA USA 09/27/2007

Might include a tip on rail travel to Cinque Terre, to understand the Trenitalia IC express train from Pisa goes direct to Monterosso & doesn't stop in the other CT towns, necessitating back tracking on a local 1 euro ticket. Inconvenient but bearable.

Deb Kozak in Redmond, WA USA 09/25/2007

I'd like to see the page numbers with information in the area where you list the major sights with diamonds. I know it's in the index, but I found myself flipping back and forth a lot. Also, always list what is near each sight. I probably would have seen the catacombs and the Appian Way if I realized sooner how close they were to the Borghese Park.

Lowell Houghton in Sylmar, CA USA 09/23/2007

I once saw Rick say on a public TV personal appearance that he wanted people to tear out sections of the book and if, when you returned home, you would send him what's left, he would send a new book. Is this still true?

[Editor's Note: Sorry, this offer only ever applied to our museum guide "Mona Winks," which is now out of print (plus, you had to return every page and include $5). If we offered this for all of our guidebooks, we would no longer be able to afford to produce them!]

Mary in Boulder, CO USA 09/22/2007

These books are awesome. I was disappointed to not see a chapter on Sicily in the Italy book. The only improvement I would say would be to visit more countries and make more books that are this user friendly. By the end of our two week vacation, my friend and I were saying "Let's see what Rick recommends" or "We can't go there without Rick!" The book was our best friend in Italy!

Megan Tannenbaum in Chicago, IL USA 09/17/2007

We used Italy 2007 for our travels which was tremendously helpful. We enjoyed the walking tours very much. However, we did feel that the Florence section wasn't comparable to the other sections. The walking tour was confusing and not as comprehensive as the others.

Andrea MA USA 09/07/2007

Warn about the hazards of travel on Easter Sunday and Monday.

Carey Caccavo Wheaton in Sebastopol, CA USA 09/07/2007

Your walking tours are excellent but I don't like to carry the heavy book around. Why don't you publish these walks on small cards so they are easy to carry? I have used another company's tour cards, but I like your walks better.

william in vowell, ca USA 09/04/2007

Add Sotto le Fonti as a restaurant in Siena.

Mike Sulaver in San Jose, CA USA 09/02/2007

Had no qualms about tearing out sections from my 2007 Italy guidebook to take with me during each travel day, but when I returned home, I wished it would all get put back together. Any way you can discount your "last year's" edition for those of us who would like a keepsake that's all in one piece?

Polly in Morro Bay, CA USA 08/28/2007

Italy guidebook. We are still planning our trip and love the guidebook. One improvement to help people plan their days would be to give a typical range of time for visiting individual major sites. For example, you might suggest to plan for 1 to 2 hours for a particular museum, and 2 to 4 hours for another museum or site. I know that the length of time will vary from person to person, depending on their interests and such, but a ballpark range would be really nice.

Thanks!

Adele Buttolph in Enterprise, OR USA 08/23/2007

Include the public bathrooms in the map. Some of my family members have IBS, and eating gelato wasn't as fun not knowing where the nearest WC were.

Abigail Navarro in Belfair, WA USA 08/22/2007

We took your Italy book, and as you suggested, we tore it apart, keeping only the places we were visiting. We left behind each part of the book when we left that city. Great suggestion! We spent three weeks in Italy after two weeks in France, could not have done this trip without your guidebook. Thank you so much for the tip on the Veiled Christ in Sansevero Chapel - it is now my very favorite art object - next to David. Thank you for sharing treasures like that which we would have missed without your excellent guidance! Thank you, Thank you!!

Sharon & Leo Marty in Olympia, WA USA 08/21/2007

Add: Genius Loci Agriturismo - Umbria - to the guidebook. Add: Trattoria da Fiorella - Via Condotti, 11-53026 Pienza - wonderful little trattoria run by 2 brothers - friendly, attentive, excellent food at reasonable prices.

Holly Brownscombe in Berkeley, CA USA 08/07/2007

This guide was awesome. We did not start out with a Rick Steves book- we found half of an old one in a hotel in switzerland- and it was 8 years old and more accureate that the lonely planet book we were dragging around! it was amazing!! thank you for accurate maps!!

Liza in Boston, MA USA 08/05/2007

Provide a better map of STresa showing locations of recommended restaurants and hotels.

David Lermond in Wilmington, DE USA 07/30/2007

Make the book with perforated pages so you can tear out the pages for the city you are in and not lug around the whole "Bible" according to Gumba Rick...As it was I has my pen knife with me and cut out the pages as we needed them.

Rob DiCocco in Broomall, PA USA 07/24/2007

We saw a lot of vendors being chased away by the police and also some people asking for money (beggars, for a lack of a better word). I wondered what the economic and political situation in Italy was to decide if giving a little money would be helpful or detrimental in the long run ('Teach a man to fish' philosophy!)

Anu and Velu Bala-Subramanian in Westford, ma USA 07/23/2007

More emphasis on hotels and food around the central station. All the recommended hotels were way too expensive for a family of four but there is good value around the station and no problems (at least no more than elsewhere) and it is close to the city centre.

Steve Madsen in Bellevue, WA USA 07/23/2007

As a vegetarian, I would like some information regarding vegetarian (not including fish!) options. Otherwise, Such a gem and So very helpful! Thanks to everyone!

Anu and Velu Bala-Subramanian in Westford, Ma USA 07/23/2007

Focus more on getting people into the countryside (like Tuscany) and less on the museums and city sights.

Also, readers should be encouraged NOT to accept solicitations from people offering tourists to skip the Vatican Museum line in exchange for a payment. These offers, despite being disguised as official-like tours, are illegal. Tour groups have their own line for 8-10 am, and these "fake" tours snake their way into the regular/non-tour group line very sneakily right before the Vatican Museum entrance, cutting off people who have been waiting 2 hours+. Not very fair. Vatican police needs to crack down.

Michael Crichton in Ottawa, ON Canada 07/18/2007

Drop the snide comments about George Bush and American foreign policy. We didn't encounter a single negative vibe about Americans during our three weeks in Italy (nor have we in previous trips recently to UK, Ireland, and Switzerland). In our experience, this business about the Iraq war making Europeans resent Americans is hogwash, and remarks along those lines in your book only serve to apply more wash to the hog! Keep your political bias to yourselves. On another subject, you might write a bit about how to get wine home from Italy in this post-911 day and age. Many wineries will ship it home for you, but it's a very expensive proposition -- just about doubles the price. You can, however, buy a few bottles at the duty-free shop after passing through security and carry them onto the plane, just like in the old days.

Mark Adams in Gig Harbor, WA USA 07/17/2007

The guidebook needs to mention somewhere that graffiti is a huge problem in Italy, particularly noticeable in Milan, even in otherwise nice neighborhoods. Very sad to see the cities defaced in this way and it's perplexing to me why none of it is apparently cleaned up or painted over.

kath in los angeles, ca USA 07/16/2007

Rick’s books had a lot of very helpful information especially with regard to phones and trains. Unfortunately, my cell phone did not work, even though I had previously contacted T-Mobile and they assured me I’d have no problem. It turned out that my phone was not a recent model and therefore could not work outside the U.S. under any circumstances. It may be helpful to warn readers that they should closely question their cell providers before traveling.

Traveling from Milan to Florence, I booked a first class train ticket, yet I was still crammed in with 3 other travelers, toe-to-toe with one of them. When I booked from Florence to Rome, I asked the travel agent for a single seat not facing anyone, which was more enjoyable and allowed me to stretch out more.

I was disappointed by the food at most restaurants. Perhaps I did not know how to order, to get what I wanted. The sauces were remarkably bland and tasteless to my American palate. It would have been helpful to know that would be likely, so that I could have been prepared with the proper instructions in Italian. (Two of my better meals were at Japanese and Chinese restaurants.) Also, I was dismayed by the meat dishes, or lack thereof. It seemed difficult to find chicken dishes. I was later informed that this is typical for Italian restaurants.

I realize many people enjoy traveling by themselves, but that was not the case for me. As this was my very first time overseas, I think my trip would have been better with a companion. For example, I am not overly familiar with the language, and was frustrated by this. I believe a knowledgeable companion would have been helpful with that.

Jeff Klein in Cypress, CA USA 07/13/2007

Is there any way to take sections out of the book while in specific city without tearing the pages out?

Jan Lapetino in Denver, CO USA 07/13/2007

My wife and I just got back from 6 weeks in Europe, 3 leading a student group, and 3 on our own. We used your books extensively and found each one useful (Italy, Germany, Switz) But we do have one suggestion based on a rather difficult experience in Florence. Basically, it would really have helped to know that Florence has two major train stations. When I returned and looked up your individual guide to Florence, you do indeed mention this, but as we were only staying a day in Florence, not an overnight, we didn't want to carry a separate guidebook for one city and figured the info in the Italy book would suffice. It didn't.

In brief, a few days before we bought a ticket while in southern Italy for an overnight from Florence to Dijon, France. The agent never mentioned "make sure you are at Campo Mar not Firenza Main." Reading up on Florence in your Italy book on train connections in and out of the city, you make no mention of two stations. So after a lovely day in Florence, we headed to the train station to pick up our luggage and board our night train to France. We looked on the big notice board. No train with our number and times. 20 minutes to go. Went to the info desk and asked. "No problem. It will come up shortly." Bad information. Ten minutes before the departure. I went back to another clerk who took the trouble to look at my ticket. "You're at the wrong station. This is Main station. Your train leaves at campo Mar. It's ten minutes from here. You've missed your train."

The good news is that a supervisor clerk gave us a refund in cash. Also, the good news was that we thought to ask if there were any other overnights and the clerk told us that later there was an overnight to Geneva from the Campo station at 11 p.m. But she didn't know if there were any seats left. We would just have to wait till the train chugged into the station and ask the conductor if there was room. So we took the chance, went to Campo Mar and waited. There was room. But it was 3 hours of anxious waiting we could have happily done without. So send up a warning flag for all Firenze connections, to make sure they know which train station their train departs from.

roger newell in portland, or USA 07/11/2007

Have used several of your Italian guidebooks. Always very accurate and up to date.

Otto Fafoglia in Chatham, Il USA 07/06/2007

Your travel guide to Italy was INVALUABLE. I used every map and every tip that you suggested and my trip worked out very well indeed. Your helpful hints and advise are RIGHT ON and I would certainly recommend you travel books and your advise to everyone who is going to Italy and for that matter Europe in general. Thanks for the great research and information.....IT WAS SO HELPFUL AND ACCURATE.

PAMELADEMATTEO in SPRING, TX USA 07/02/2007

More help on purchasing bus tickets from Rome Tiburtina, please. We bought from the ticket agent at the station, then had to wait over 2 hours for our bus to Siena. I would have liked information on how to reserve/purchase in advance.

L & N Liss in Salem, OR USA 07/02/2007

Put the words "Don't Panic" on the front and include a towel. (ala Douglas Adams)

Bruce Smith in Appleton, WI USA 06/28/2007

I think the "Traveing as a Temporary Local" section should be expanded a bit to further address the possibility of rude or angry reactions to tourists, even those tourists who try to be temporary locals and not (say) ugly Americans. My wife and I followed almost all suggestions (we did ask for ice twice), and are generally polite. In Italy we were downright meek after the third or fourth angry reaction. At any rate, I'm a bit mystified about what we did wrong, especially in Sienna. So, I'd like more direction on how to avoid this behavior and / or, some preparation for it. Also, the book makes it sound like bad treatment is always the American's fault, but in a few cases I think the locals were just tired of tourists or grumpy. I can understand--after answering the same questions from toursts who expect you to speak English a hundred times, I'd probably be impatient too. But based on what I read in Rick Steves I was not prepared for it.

Jeff in Merced, CA USA 06/27/2007

Overall the book was great, over 90 % of the suggestions were right on the mark, would strongly recommend it to others travelling to Italy

david nano in los altos, CA USA 06/26/2007

Add the Emila-ROmagna area: Parma, Modena, Reggio, Bologna --best food in ITaly!

In URbino, there's a small cafe (lunch only) 100 yards (toward the central piazza) from the Hotel San Domenico, on the right. Great food in a garden setting.

Jack Johannes in Philadelphia, PA USA 06/25/2007

I feel like a great improvement would be better maps for the cities. It is very hard to follow the suggested walks in Rome and Venice.

Margaret Ann Burtchaell in St. Petersburg, Fl USA 06/23/2007

Table of contents for each city, better maps. overall I really enjoyed this book and used it every day for an entire month while I was in Italy. It was a tried and true guide and I highly recommend it to any traveler.

Elizabeth in CHICAGO, IL USA 06/21/2007

You do a fine job. My partner Gail and used studied your book religiously prior to and during a city visit -- and we hit Rome, Florence, Pisa, Siena and Venice. I do recommend that you focus more on Prato, the walled-in, cobblestreeted, Medieval city next door to Florence. It is the home of the famous Antonio Mattei bakery, known for its biscotti since 1858. It also has a great cathedral, reasonable shopping and good eateries. Easy access to Florence via train, too. I was there last week. It deserves more attention.

Karl Kunkel in High Point, NC USA 06/20/2007

Add additional information to the Italy 2007 Book, when traveling to different ports around Italy on a Mediterranean Cruise. Add info regarding Messina (Sicily). Ways of travel if arriving at nearby ports. Genova, Livorno, Portofino, Naples, Venice, Capri, etc.

Pete Adams in Kennesaw, GA USA 06/20/2007

Anyone who ever has reason to visit Rome from now on simply must stay at the Target Inn - Via Modena, 5 00184 Roma Telephone # - 39 06 47 45 399

My girlfriend and I stumbled onto this 7 room B&B by accident since the Rick Steves' recommended hotel in the same building had no vacancies. Thank God for that. First off, the owner and proprietor, Stefano, was raised in Australia, so he speaks perfect English. I can safely say that he saved our trip from being an absolute catastrophe. Scant hours after checking in, my girlfriend came down with a horrible ear infection that would end up requiring three visits to the hospital over the next three days. The whole time, Stefano - and his staff - was there with vital advice, hospital recommendations (that ended up being the same as were in the Rick Steves' book), and bend-over-backwards service: ordering cabs; changing flights; arranging an English-speaking doctor on call in the event that we needed it. Our time in Rome (sadly enough, since it was our 1st visit) was very scary and very stressful, but having the very friendly and English-speaking Stefano back at the hotel was a humongous relief.

If you plan on visiting Rome and not having dire medical emergencies, the Target Inn should still be the place you stay. It was a three minute walk from the train station. The rooms (we had to stay in three different ones since our plans kept changing) are all immaculately kept, with gorgeous decor and even flat-screen TVs for those travellers who would still enjoying staying in and watching English-speaking TV even though they're smack dab in the cultural capital of the planet.

We went off-season (for Valentine's Day), which also worked out great: very comfortable temperatures; reduced prices on things; a slower pace than the hectic High Tourist seasons, or so we were told.

My girlfriend and I cannot wait to go back.

Stephen Donovan in Worcester, MA USA 06/18/2007

Add separate Vegetarian restaurent section. Add the nearest Vaporetto stop for recommended restaurants.

Vinay Malur in Queensbury, NY USA 06/18/2007

Re: Venice, our hotel people told us that the way to orient and find your way around Venice is to look for signs by area, eg. St.Marks, Rialto Bridge, etc. this was the best way for us to get around..I wasnt sure if you said this in your book, I know you said to let yourself get lost because you really won't. but I thought this was an important orientation tool. I loved your books so much, they made our trip that much richer. Thank you.

Linda Nasser in Danbury, CT USA 06/18/2007

Easier way to tear out pages. none-the-less, I am a huge fan and have taken many great trips with your advice.

Carol Fink in Tampa, Fl USA 06/17/2007

I only have good things to say. This book was so valuable to our trip and the virtually glitchless adventure we had. We did the exact Rick Steves best 21 days in Italy trip. Our trip went so smoothly. Rick and company preceeded us and worked out all of the bugs for us that could have popped up along the way. They've also thrown in so many little tips and tricks that proved to be so valuable in enhancing our experience. Maybe the only thing I could say is that it should be emphasized that the 21 day trip by train gets a little bit difficult and time consuming when travelling to Civita. It's mentioned that the trip is best done by car but train is fine too. On the map Civita doesn't look too far from Assisi, but in reality it took us over 4 hours to get there from Assisi. Had we understood this we may have chosen a different hill town that was more accessable. Having said that, we loved Civita and Romantica Pucci.

Tracey Allerton-Kuldanek in Edgewood, WA USA 06/12/2007

It would be nice to have an easier way to disassemble the bigger books to take with you.

I also recommend you stock a better compass. I dumped yours and got a $9 one from REI which was invaluable. When other tourist in both Rome and Paris were spinning around with their maps, I orientated north with the compass and was on my way, especially useful in Rome with the winding streets... I headed north/north west from the Pantheon and hit the Spanish steps without ever looking at a street sign.

On trains from London, Paris, Nice, Rome no one EVER looked at my carry-on luggage tag, and except for the baggage carrier area in rear/front of TGV there was no place to lock down the carry-on. I rarely got a chance to use the lock, but was glad to have it. all, in all, thanks for making my trip anxiety free, which it was.

Lee in Long Beach, CA USA 06/12/2007

The list of restaurants was not that helpful. Our local hosts guided us to the best places to eat.

The best 2 (triple room) places we stayed were not in you book. The Hotel Andrea in Florence - with great views of the city's skyline and Il Rosetto in Sorrento with a great view of Mt. Vesuvius - were our best accommodations.

robert varnum in fort myers, fl USA 06/11/2007

Print it in a format so that pages can be easily removed/replaced. We found ourselves tearing out pages to take with us as we went into the towns. The book is a little too large for a fanny pack or small purse, which is what we prefer to carry when walking around in urban, sightseeing areas.

May Kolbe in Hereford, AZ USA 06/09/2007

Italy 2006- Love your books, however we found your section on Pompeii to be confusing. While you do note that there are two different train stations in Pompeii, you only mention directions from the one. Sometimes it is not possible to go into the most convenient train station. We had trouble finding Pompeii from the train station, but eventually did find it. However, we entered through the entrance by the the ampitheater instead of the one you suggest in your book. We didn't realize there were two different entrances. We wanted to use your walking tour, but were really confused because it started at the other entrance. I think some clearer instruction on Pompeii would be very useful because it is certainly a major tourist hub.

Kate in Baltimore, MD USA 06/07/2007

I haven't left yet, and your most recent update has Micaela Pavoncello the guide in Rome at 110 euros for 2 hours. She is quoting me 300 euros for 3 hours, Her prices are more than double what you quote!!!!!

deborah USA 06/06/2007

We found the restaurants listed were mostly $15-$20 per person & up, and we would like to see a few more frugal choices. We do realize that Italy is getting increasingly expensive, as we spent $100 per day per person on top of the airline tickets and rental car.

Juley Hull in Danville, CA USA 06/03/2007

better maps

Liz in Palmer Lake, CO USA 06/01/2007

Although we drove for 16 of 21 days without incident, an expanded driving section or perhaps a separate driving pamphlet would be useful. Driving in Italy is different; roads, signage and entrances/exits are different, and the maps don't necessarily match the reality. We would not attempt to drive in large cities- Rome especially- but much of the country is best visited by car. As an idea to avoid big cities- we moved beyond fretting over driving in to Florence and finding the appropriate parking garage- we had the idea to park at the airport in the long term parking lot. This may be a bit problematic as there are only a few hundred spaces in long term parking, but it was easier to catch a cab or bus from the airport and let the Italians take us in to the beautiful city!

Steve and Linda Wilhoit in Anacortes, WA USA 05/27/2007

Very effective. Wouln't change a thing accept to add the above recommended B&B (casa portagioia)

Rosemary Castiglioni in Woodstown, NJ USA 05/26/2007

Dear Mr. Steves, I want to let you know that I purchased your book only days before my trip to Italy (it was a last minute trip) and was very pleased with the recommendations for hotels in Pisa, Venice and Florence. I would like to suggest one bit of advice for the clueless traveler (like myself) regarding use of airport phones. If there is anyway that you could warn travelers to talk to an operator to confirm rates BEFORE they place a call it will save them hundreds of dollars. Unfortunately, I learned the lessons the hard way. I received a charge of $64.00 for a less than 5 min phone to the United States (to let my parents know I was o.k.) while I was at the airport in amsterdam. The connection fee was $15 and each minute was $4. I paid $15 connection fee and $5 per minute call to Italy to let my boyfriend know that I had made it to Amsterdam (total cost was $46). I only discovered these outrageous calls when I got home and opened up my credit card bill. The combined fee for the calls was $110. I am happy to provide supporting documentation to verify the accuracy of my charges. I spoke to someone at International Satellite Communications and was told that I should have asked before I made the calls. They offered no justification as to why the rates were not publicized. Personally, I think what they did was deceitful and unfair but I consider it a lesson learned the hard way. Instead of wasting my time filing a complaint with the Department of Corporation in the California, I would much rather publicize what I consider an unscrupulous practice and warn as many people as I can. I hope that you will consider adding an additional paragraph to the "communication" section of the Introduction to your books warning your readers to be mindful of using airport payphones that accept credits particuarly if they are void of any information about rates and fees. They should dial the operator (if this is possible without swiping their card) to confirm any rates. Alternatively, perhaps there is a way to buy some prepaid phone cards stateside (I am not sure I could have purchased them at the airport). Anyway, as I initially stated, it is just a suggestion. Thank you for a very accurate and informative book. I notice many people were using your book in Venice and Florence. Please feel free to contact me if you would like any additional information. Kindest regards, Elizabeth Armand

Elizabeth Armand in Burlingame, CA USA 05/21/2007

Make it easier to tear out the sections you want to use. Which is what we did and it worked great. We will buy a new book anyway for next time, but it would be a nice keepsake for packrats like us!

Virginia and Wayne Miller in Selma,, CA USA 05/19/2007

I do not have a suggestion but if something comes to mind--I will let you know. thank you.

Arthur and Susan Adler in Spokane, WA USA 05/13/2007

Reinforce maps in beginning of Italy 2007 guidebook. Ours fell out before we left for our trip.

J P in Tampa, FL USA 05/11/2007

Maybe each city section could include "days to avoid/or special things to watch out for" at each city. For example, we tried to stay in Milan overnight when the furniture event was being held. It took extra time to find a room.

Spell out the impacts of national holidays; what closes (e.g. car rentals in some cities?) and what does not.

Clay Oglesbee in Northfield, MN USA 05/11/2007

Add information on the Synagogues/Synagogue Museums in Rome and Florence. They are important and interesting parts of Italian history and current culture.

Susan Matisoff in Berkeley, CA USA 05/09/2007

I love your books and use them for all my European travels. Thank you for what you do! I think you have helped Americans be better world citizens by being prepared and not expecting everything to be like it is in our country and to ENJOY the differences.

Jan Hayes in Ketchum, ID USA 05/05/2007

Keep updating it, your inforamtion is so accurate and we were able to count on everything in it! Thank you!

Laura and Robert Harriman in SAN DIEGO, CA USA 05/05/2007

No information whatever on Italy's most famous gastronomic region of Emilia-Romagna and the capital city Bologna. We had to consult Conde Nast Concierge to get help here...don't you all eat??

Donald Binkley in Santa Fe, NM USA 05/04/2007

Calculate the driving times again. We found driving into Lake Como and the Cinque Terre substantially longer than indicated in the books.

Beth in Northridge, CA USA 05/03/2007

maps continue to lack sufficient detail. only with additional detailed city map were we able to find restaurants

Sherryl Nelson in Bellingham, WA USA 05/01/2007

I will be going to Sicily in Oct. Rick has a tour of Sicily but does not provide any info for the area. Any info would be helpful. My trip will included southern Italy and Sicily. Would it be best to start or end in Sicily? Thank you.

lea ruhlman in st. louis, mo USA 04/28/2007

We just returned from 12 days in the Rome-Florence-Cinque Terre area. We found your books very informative but felt that you should increase your emphasis on the need for a DEBIT card for easy access to euros in future editions. I was shocked at how many places did not take VISA and who claimed that either their machine was broken or that the computer was down. Fortuntely my daughter and traveling companion had a debit card. That is the only thing that saved us. As for places not accepting VISA they ranged from restaurants and services all through Florence and Rome. We were actually more successful with Visa in the Cinque Terre region.

Also, we used a car on the trip. You may want to emphasize the cost of parking. It cost 40 euros per day in Florenze and 20 euros per day in Riomaggiore. Neither parking garage would accept VISA.

Overall, thank you thank you, we look forward to traveling with you again.

Dennis Hanberg in Tacoma, Wa USA 04/21/2007

First, I love the RS books, and I use the hotel, restaurant, and museum/walking tours extensively. Great work! However, I'd like to say that some beautiful small towns that are never covered, while others are included exactly the same, every year. Why not change up a little, to encourage more "back door" style exploration? For example, do you have to cover the same Tuscan hill towns in every edition? Why not make suggestions for Umbria or southern Italy? Obviously, you'd have to include the Biggies every year, but you could still have a Back Door section of the books, listing different small places each year.

Marjorie in Atlanta, GA USA 04/19/2007

Driving guidance into Milan. It's not helpful to just say "Don't drive there." It's silly to return a rental car for a one day stop in Milan, or one might need to return a car there.

Angela in Sammamish, WA USA 04/15/2007

We had a difficult time navigating with the maps provided, but nothing that couldn't be solved with the free maps from the TI.

Language tips that would have been helpful: it took us a couple of days to figure out the different uses of "prego" - not just "you're welcome." Higher numbers would have been helpful, too, when we were in grocery stores ordering from the deli (I tried using "etto" and got some funny looks) - I didn't know how to say I wanted 50 grams of olives and ended up with 300 grams.

Beth and Mike Nelson in Cumming, GA USA 04/09/2007

Book was a godsend. I had never heard of you until people mentioned Rick Steves on TripAdvisor. I would love to have in the future:

1. Map of more of the bus lines in Rome -- can you include where the stops are at the Coliseum? Found our way fine though.

2. Show where the entrance to St. Peter's Basilica is to the street. (We had to leave the museum at closing time and I was concerned about how to get into St. Peter's Square, not knowing where entrance was. I think it's marked on your map but not clearly.

3. Include special section for people traveling with school-age kids. I got my daughter Discover Italy (from a website) and she was heartbroken to have forgotten it, but then in Florence we got Florence - Just Add Water, which was great, and in Rome we bought Kid's Guide to Ancient Rome which she used to be MY tour guide through the Roman Forum. This last was great for my 9-year-old -- just the right amount of information with some brief games mixed in. (This was an excellent result for us: by making it interactive, she will remember far more than if we had gone on a tour or used an audioguide. It also cost only the book, which we could keep!)

4. Prices. It is hard to keep up with the increases, isn't it? Many prices in book were understated (e.g., Leonardo express to airport was 11 Euros, not 9,50, as one example)

Margaret in Washington, DC USA 04/04/2007

Warn people about these extra rooms that may not live up to the description in the book. Don't let these people take advantage of travelers to make a extra buck. Go and look and see for yourself but watch they may pretend they don't use those rooms.

Susan Vander Hoek in Bainbridge Island, WA USA 03/22/2007

Don't focus so much on this back pack mentality. Try to write to a brader audience. also, include more pictures.

Ron Ritland MA USA 03/21/2007

We did use the 2005 Italy book, not the 2006/7 which has updated prices, and perhaps closed restaurants. We usually use our own lodging, but try to follow the recommended restaurants, which are always on target!

Brenda in Vicenza, Italy 03/20/2007

I believe the section of the book covering the Dolomites region can be expanded. You list Castelrotto/Kastelruth, Vipitino/Sterzing and Bolzano/Bozen, while there are many places that are worthwhile. Bressanone/Brixen is one that comes to mind. We recently visited for just a day and are looking forward to going back. Absolutely beautiful town with a very large and charming pedestrian zone. The Diocesan Museum was just amazing! The collection of medieval sculpture and paintings are incredible. We could have spent all afternoon.

Paul

Paul in Netcong, NJ USA 03/16/2007

Just add a very important very large print comment. Wear the most comfortable walking shoes you own and don't bother packing any other shoes. I'm glad I did.

Rick Bart in Taunton, MA USA 03/14/2007

I have the 2007 Italy and love it but was disappointed there was nothing on Isola d'Elba in it.

Shona On canada 03/07/2007

Advise which hotels allow young children in parents' room for free. There are so few that do in Italy, and often the charge is 40 euro per child per day. for a cot.

Beth in Northridge, CA USA 03/04/2007

You give scant attention to Southern Italy, from Abruzzo thru Puglia and Calabria and only touch on Sicily in a few paragraphs.let alone even mention Sardegna. This is much more likely to give travelers those special moments. Look forward to seeing more about them.

Paul USA 02/21/2007

I really can't think of any. I saw them all over Europe and with good reason. The information is great and the recomended accomodations that we were able to secure were great.

Ron Easson in Brampton, On Canada 02/14/2007

Last summer when we stayed at the Hotel Medici in Florence, we had to drive into the city's center. Having read your guidebook, I knew that it was very important to furnish the hotel with the rental car's identification, etc. I did that, yet several months later, I received a charge of $180 on my Visa statement from the car rental company which was for a traffic infraction. I traced it back to a street on which we traveled to enter the city where the car was "captured" on camera. It's too late for me...I am telling you this so you can really stress to your readers the importance of making sure all the information is reported to the proper authorities by the hotel. I just made the assumption that the hotel would take care of it as the desk clerk had promised.

Helen Sablan in Anderson, SC USA 02/12/2007

I bought the 2007 edition of this book because I am spending the Spring 2007 studying in Italy. I was quite surprised after I received the book to find that Rick Steves does not cover Italy south of Positano, which still leaves quite a bit of cultural stuff to see -- Bari, Brindisi, Sicily (where I am studying), and Sardinia, to name a few. I was also hoping for a page or two on San Marino, even though it was a different country.

I have only used one other Rick Steves' guide book in the past and have been very happy with it -- my trip couldn't have been as wonderful without it!

Elizbeth Fulham in Alexandria, VA USA 02/01/2007

More photos in the self-guided tours would be helpful to identify the sights.

Jamison Fenderson in Issaquah, WA USA 01/26/2007

Sorry to say, your books are getting more touristy every year. Nothing about the "back doors" of Southern Italy or Sicily and your books are getting too big and heavy. What has happened to your "travel light" and "visit the back doors" philosphy, Rick? You seem to be serving the hordes rather than leading us to better travel.

M Lopez in San Francisco, CA USA 01/21/2007

Add discussion of southern Italy and Sicily. We are very disappointed to see that the 2007 Italy book has no information so for the first of our four trips,we will not be buying Rick Steves' books!

Tom Brian in Tigard, OR USA 01/21/2007

More Agriturismo listings. A highlight of our trip and a farm to be recommended. Please check out info@galealpe.it - great hosts, super accommodation, inexpensive. Nearby Arezzo and Borro worth exploring. Even better than the excellent website. Highly recommend.

Margaret McLean in Chilliwack, BC Canada 01/12/2007

just an observation - this book had 250 pages in 1998, 311 pages in 2001 and 778 pages in 2007. i am a dedicated follower of rick steves and used the 2001 book to travel italy (oct-nov 2001). it was our bible, took us step by step, site by site, hotel by hotel, wc by wc, restaurant by restaurant, airport by airport, train station by train station, etc.,etc., etc. the 2007 book, while as informative as ever, seems a little cumbersome. i guess i've become a true lean and mean rick steves type traveler. i have and will continue to spread the "europe through the back door" (per rick steves) philosophy. i also travel fairly often to southeast asia and mexico - hope rick considers these parts of the world one day. so much geography, so little time! thanks to rick, the best traveler/travel writer i know. p.s. we're off to italy (with our new, but heavier rick steves "italy" book. will send feedback on our return.

bob garry in sun city, az USA 01/12/2007

Add a stronger warning about the difficulty of the Cinque Terre hiking trail, especially for the elderly or those with heart conditions.

Sandi Tedford in Atlanta, GA USA 01/06/2007

You're really well known for your Cinque Terre commentaries (when the name Rick Steves is mentioned, CT is sure to follow soon), and rightly so. You pretty much put CT on the map for Americans. However, not a lot of the info in the CT section is useful during the winter season. You mention briefly that it's "really dead," but there are still a lot of visitors who come through who could use a winter-tailored version. I would be happy to send you one for Monterosso. Thanks!

Arsiyanti Ardie in Marina del Rey, CA USA 12/28/2006

I'm reading your 2007 Italy Guide (which is fab), but there is no mention of Sicily or Sardinia - my husband and I would like to travel to either of these places for a belated honeymoon and we are need of some tips/advice/misc info on these islands. Help?

Neysa in Davies, BC canada 12/05/2006

Recommend taking a train from Florence to Assissi and returning that evening.

Sue Hall in Wilson, WY USA 11/29/2006

Correct maps for restaurants, information on Southeast Italy : Gargano, Alberobella, Castlanna Grotte, Alberobella

Greg in Issaquah, Wa USA 11/25/2006

Great book! We learned a lot before going this way. I can't imagine how one could get more details in than you do. We hope these add to it.

Ken Smith in Oakton, VA USA 11/23/2006

Could you please explain the mystery behind the people that sit at the entrance to the public restrooms and ask for a fifty cent "entrance" fee. It seemed like a scam especially when the facility was not clean. I would only pay if I had the coin and if the person sitting there seemed serious about getting the money?

Shelly in Ridgway, CO USA 11/20/2006

After using cross-pollinate.com to book b&b's in both Rome and Florence (and wishing I'd used it for Venice), I have to say that the site deserves it's own entry displayed prominently in the book rather than as an aside to the Beehive's profile. The interface is extremely user-friendly, no knowledge of italian is required, and the turnaround from request to reservation is even quicker than the 24 hours stated on the site. The rates turned out to be cheaper than even a lot of hostel doubles, and I really appreciated their meticulously detailed walking directions.

Kristin Anderson in New Haven, CT USA 11/16/2006

The book is absolutely terrific! Rick and his staff who put it together are terrific. But please warn people not to eat at Antico Forno in Civita and warn Franco that taking advantage of Rick's tourists is not acceptable.

Susan Wood in Bellingham, WA USA 11/13/2006

Other comments - In Vernazza, stayed at accomodation Nicolina - it was nice/our small balcony was enjoyable & the location is great (except for the church bells in the morning) - but no room cleaning during a 4 nite stay... fresh towels were provided by asking at Pizzeria Vulnetia. In Venice, Albergo Doni is a very clean accomodation, run by friendly staff - rooms are small - but location is great. Also - I'm not feeling that 1st class on Eurostar is necessary, as seats are assigned for both 1st and 2nd class tickets - had both types of tickets & definitely would go 2nd class on Eurostar in the future.

Diane Larson in Phoenix, AZ USA 11/12/2006

While I like your maps for general site identification, really needed streat maps. Also, perhaps more information on driving, how to follow the signs (end destination determines which turn off from traffic circle). Think we set a record for 3 rounds a traffic circle before we could figure out which turn to make. Was very difficult getting our rental car out of and back into Florance.

Marlene Beard in Escondido, CA USA 11/09/2006

We found a few errors here and there but basically we are always delighted in the books as they are. We did Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Umbria, and Rome using your guides. We rented a car for 11 nights for travel in Tuscany and Umbria. Except for parking in hill-top towns, we found driving to be very easy and safe. The only disappointment was never getting reservations at your listed accommodations as we planned our Italy adventure in early August for travel between Sept. 12 and October 5. The nice thing was your listed hotels referred us to others so we had the major cities reserved. I especially appreciate the museum guides and helpful hints about museum reservations. When you don`t have a lot of time it is nice to see the highlights that are pointed out. There were too many highlights! Vernazza was one in our room over-looking the Blue Marlin which we booked from a referral from your book. By the way there were 44 friends and family for that October 20th wedding in the church on the square...we met the whole wedding party on the train from Piza to Vernazza and became very friendly with them all. You know, I don`t know how to make the maps better, but when you don`t know a city or location they are very hard to interpret. By the time you leave you wonder why you didn`t understand them in the first place. But they are essential until you get the local maps. One other comment. I would always try to get info on the next town at the TI`s like maps, listings, etc., but not one had information to give for other towns that we were headed for. One of the best things about your guide books is the humor. I would be reading about something in a book (especially in museums)and have a good gut laugh, which is so essentia for the soul. Thanks for keeping me healthy on the journey. I am still laughing over comments in the book about art in the Borghese gallery.

Carolyn Bishop in Olympia, WA USA 11/01/2006

More new, small hill towns; siena has sold out. oltarno was great, and your guide was good. ravenna was wonderful, thanks for the suggestion of La Rustica.

anthony in caliendo, CO USA 10/31/2006

I would suggest adding the ever-present danger of various Italians going on one-day strikes. If it weren't for a very helpful landlord in Venice, we might not have made our train out, due to a vaporetto strike. In fact, you might add to useful Italian phrases the notice for strikes.

Barbara McCrea in Kalamazoo, Mi USA 10/30/2006

Even if you need a volume 2, you need to expand the guide. i.e. aosta , more dolomites, the mtn route between milan and kastelruth, the toe of the boot. more depth in both tuscany and umbria, sardinia, genoa

jim holland in chula vista, ca USA 10/28/2006

Make sure people know that there is a train from the Roma Termini to the airport. It takes almost exactly 30 minutes to get to the airport and I'm sure a taxi would be at least twice the price and take at least one hour.

Patty Haynes in Petaluma, CA USA 10/26/2006

Put a map of the entire subway system in the book. I was working in Cernusco, and had no idea it was on the Metropolitana until I got there.

Stacy Ferratti in Richmond, CA USA 10/26/2006

1. Use airport codes (3 letter designators)when writing about various airports. This is helpful when booking flights, etc as there is more than one airport in major cities and the codes are not obvious. 2.We make entensive use of "majic markers" in using the maps. This tool is very helpful and you might want to write about this in your general recommendations. 3. Make more recommendations for renting mobile phones.These are very helpful during the visit but are very expensive -- we used Roberts rent-a-phone.

Steve Goldston in Phoenix, AZ USA 10/25/2006

This was an amazing book. I read and prepared and from that planned the most perfect holiday. My only suggestion is to Add a general map that identifies the neighboorhoods that you refer to. I wanted to know how Trasterve was situated to the rest of recommendations.

Charlotte in Huron, SD USA 10/21/2006

An appendix with some more detailed maps might help...but saving that ackowledge the confusion that occurs with name changes on roads as you wander through Florence or Rome etc.

Jackie in Parker, CO USA 10/19/2006

I would reccommend the online reservations. I went in June, during the busiest time. It's about 10euros extra per attraction, but you really don't have the time or energy to wait 4 hours to get into the Academia or other important attractions.

Barbara Leo in Bartlett, IL USA 10/19/2006

Florence: Florence Dream was great, but you may want to mention it requires walking up three flights of steps to get to the reception area and there is no elevator. We were fine, but others less mobile may have problems with this. Meal times: it would have been very helpful to have customary Italian meal times spelled out for us. It took some getting used to to have dinner at 8:00 and lunch no earlier than 12:30 Showers vs. baths: We quickly learned that rooms with tubs meant showers were difficult to take without making a big mess. I little tutorial on Italian baths (no shower curtain and a handheld showerhead) would have helped us make some better room choices.

Christy Cocchi in Shoreline, WA USA 10/18/2006

More detailed maps. I used Rick's book for tips and suggestions, but had to look to other guidebooks and maps to navigate, even on foot. I'd gladly pay more to have a more comprehensive guide. Sicily is also (criminally) entirely absent from the book.

Joe Santa Maria in Barrington, NJ USA 10/16/2006

Better maps. We were frequently confused as to the relationship of streets to one another. Perhaps including more landmarks as reference points would help. A map showing the general layout of the Vatican Museum is also needed. We had a very hard time figuring out where the Egypt & Mesopotamia rooms were, which is the starting place in the book. This may have been due to the pedestrian traffic pattern we were forced to follow.

Mike Greene in Wildomar, CA USA 10/15/2006

We found your guide book for Italy to be exceptionally helpful. Only thing I would add would be to bring Mosquito Repellant. We were in Tuscany (2 weeks mid September), and Padua/Venice (3rd week of September), and the mosquitos were fierce! They not only feasted on us early in the evenings as we enjoyed a liesurly dinner and glass of wine in the many outdoor restaurants/cafes, but buzz-bombed us during the night as we slept!

Leigh Ann Baker in Milwaukie, OR USA 10/15/2006

I've been using the books for years and am always delighted to have the inside track and tips that have been so useful (still surprised to see people carrying the book yet not following the advice!).

Italy has become such a bigger tourist destination since our first trip there. It's made it tougher in some ways, but my hope is that people will heed your advice and respect the people and culture as the crowds increase.

Moira Fracassa in Detroit, MI USA 10/15/2006

nothing, it is perfect. Last year I bought and used and loaned the Great Britan book.

Kim in Wintersville, Oh USA 10/15/2006

My brother-in-law had recommended your books to me. He had used them for trip he and friends took to Italy. You books were so incredibly helpful! Besides Canada, Mexico, and the Carribean, none of us had travelled internationally before. Your book was such a comfort. The maps you provide are invaluable! Please do not forgo these in future editions!!! Entering into a strange city via train, or plane is certainly a time of heightened anxiety. Having your maps to locate our hotel was great. Additionally, the info you provided on the public transportation system (i.e. vaporetto passes, as opposed to water taxis in Venice)saved us money we did not need to waste. Your public transpotation info and maps were the key needs upon first arriving into each new city. We would have been a lot more anxious, spent a lot more money, and ended up more fatigued without your book! Thank you.

Melissa Bromby in Newburyport, MA USA 10/09/2006

I was a little confused in the Rome section. The Roman Forum Walk wasn't in the section on the Roman Forum and I couldn't find it in the book when I was at the Forum, so couldn't tell what I was looking at. I found the items later when I was looking up the night walk in Rome, but it was too late. Perhaps a reference in the Forum section pages 542 to 548 back to the Forum sights pages 526 to 533 would have helped. I also would appreciate just a little more depth into the food specialties in each region, since I followed your advice and tried the local specialties your recommended, such as the fresh anchovies in Liguria.

Douglas Drake in Sacramento, CA USA 10/08/2006

The "2006 Guidebook to Italy" was outstanding for me. Due to what I had read on "theft alerts" and everything else pertaining to pickpockets and thieves, I prevented an attempted pickpocket on my friend the first day and hour we were alone in Milan! In addition, I took your suggestion regarding the purchase of a "5 Euro" international phone card. It was so much less expensive and gave so many more minutes than any other "pre-paid international phone card" I had researched. I've been recommending your books other friends of mine who will be travelling abroad soon. Thanks "Rick Steves"!

Kathy Jasany in Cleveland, OH USA 10/08/2006

You're great! The only problem is that too many folks of reading - and taking - your advice!

Elle Page in Niwot, CO USA 10/04/2006

Your guidebook is very good and from what we saw used by almost all the americans who visit Cinque Terre and Venice! But I have two suggestions: 1. Next edition include laundromats - our hotels had either no self-service laundry or marginal and it was not easy to find them in towns. 2. Also, I think you should delete the recommendation to people to shortcut the line for St. Marks. It is really cheating the other people who have patiently waited in line. If not exactly cheating, it is sleezy. Obviously, the purpose for allowing people who check their bags to cut the line is that it is assumed that they have waited in line only to find out they cannot bring their bag in and then they are told to go check it - the idea is to let them back in without again waiting. Instead of encouraging cheating, just tell people to go early or late if they want to avoid long lines. We followed your recommendation and checked our bags and cut the line but I felt wierd and sleezy as we were doing it. After we did it I thought about it and made the realization above about why they allow it. In retrospect, the line was not that long anyway because we went early. It would not have been a big inconvenience to wait in line. As a guidebook writer myself, I think suggestions like this one do not spread good will. Take a higher ground - it speaks better of you!

kathie rivers in ketchum, id USA 10/03/2006

More additions as found in Italy. The book so far is great.

Barbara in Palmetto, FL USA 10/02/2006

we did the trip entirely by train and travel was easy and relaxing. In the book it mentions looking at departure times when you arrive at a station, but with the internet it is easy to look up timetables from home well in advance of the trip and plan out the possibilities for travel a bit more. I'd suggest advising people to do this at home in advance of the trip.

I took a Rome tour thru a company recommended in the book and it was great! I'd suggest emphasizing the usefulness and enjoyment of these more in the book. On your tours, from what I've gathered, the group is often met by a local guide who knows the ins & outs of the area. As a tourist passing thru I think I got a lot more out of what I saw from a guide's 2-hour narrated tour than I could have from even the most detailed description in a guidebook.

Ken in San Jose, CA USA 09/26/2006

Just keep doing what you're doing -- keeping it up to date. Since the table of contents doesn't outline the material for a given city, I think you should make the index exhaustive, for fast reference.

Michael Knoll in Seattle, WA USA 09/23/2006

Better linkage of the write-ups and the maps. If you include the legend and map page number with the Hotel/Restaurant/etc's write up, then its easy to flip to the right page and locate what you just read. We spent a lot of time flipping back and forth to double check the name, and the map, etc...

Overall, the book could use a bit more organization for quick reference. I liked the book though, it was the first time I have used a RS book, usually we rely on Lonely Planet.

Eric in Bellevue , WA USA 09/18/2006

How about putting the book in binder form? My books are in pieces, because I referred to them for everything. It would be nice to take only the section about the city, town, area, museum etc...that your are visiting. If not in a binder maybe have the pages perforated and holes provided so the sections could be torn out and then placed in a binder if the reader/tourist chooses.

Dana Small in Willis, Tx USA 09/16/2006

great tips, loved using your book, saved us time and money. spent 3 weeks this Aug. in Italy book helped alot

paul finn in ottawa, on canada 09/09/2006

either coil bound, or bound in a manner that pages can be taken out in city sections. i did not want to carry around pages and pages of additional material on parts of the country that i did not visit.

Nikki Kagan in Winnipeg, USA 09/08/2006

I would really appreciate an entire book devoted to Sicily! I so enjoyed using your guidebook in Rome, that a similar one for the main Sicilian towns (including your beloved Cefalu) would be an immediate purchase! I think I'd book the tickets the same day too ;-) Any plans for a book like this?

Eve Alven in Hot Springs, AR USA 09/04/2006

I agree with the comment on tear out sections... I too was ripping pages out to follow suggested walks, etc. What a great book!

Gail McHardy in Ottawa, ON Canada 08/31/2006

Think about time allowances for different activities. When I'm reading your book, I end up with several sights I most want to visit in a prioritized list. If I had some idea how much time to allow, I could plan my time better.

Brad Benson in Spokane, WA USA 08/27/2006

Cover some more places. Particularly decent waypoints between cities. We leased a car rather than take a train because we were a family of five.

We drove from Venice accross the country to Vernazza. We hadn't planned on a specific location for a night's stop, but didn't want to drive excessively. Although I had read many travel books before I left home, I had only packed my Rick Steves Best of Europe (minus non-applicable chapters) book because it covered our trip (Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Italy)and I didn't want to lug too many books around.

We stopped for the night in Modena and I discovered I had no recommended lodging, restaurants, or local sights (the Ferrari factory museum is there). I felt very unprepared to find a decent place to stop.

Brad Benson in Spokane, WA USA 08/27/2006

We had a wonderful stay at Relais del Capitano in San Quirico d'Orcia, a walled hilltop town. The townspeople were delightful and the service at the hotel excellent. We rented a car and used it as our base for seeing Tuscany.

Kevin in Portland, OR USA 08/23/2006

The book was excellent.

Gerry Loccisano in Hauppauge, NY USA 08/23/2006

tear out sections. We tore out pages to take with us when on day trips :)

Tia & Barb Do Italy 06 in Bozeman, MT USA 08/21/2006

Include Camogli, along the Italian Riveria and Lago dle Garda! My goodness, what wonderful cities! Also, you missed Radda in Chianti!

Robin Wylie in Nampa, ID USA 08/21/2006

I was looking through your Italy 2006 guidebook (I love every one of your books), when I noticed there wasn't a section in the book discussing any part of southern Italy, with the exception of Naples and Amalfi in Campania. I studied in Alberobello, Puglia and was met with exceptional beauty and culture. I was disappointed that Puglia wasn't once mentioned. It's an interesting, extraordinary place. It would be nice to see it introduced, as well.

Leigh Massey in Denton, KS USA 08/17/2006

Although I agree with your recommendation to travel to Europe without young children, that is not an option for us and many others. It would be most helpful if you included more hotels that can accommodate families in one room (quadruple).

Debbie Leech in Basiglio, MI Italy 08/16/2006

We really enjoyed using this guide! Nothing significant to suggest -- EXCEPT, please stress the sophistication of the pickpockets in Rome!! I thought I was savvy from prior European vacations -- but they got my wallet!! Beware of free admission sights where the crowds are large -- I lost mine between Trevi Fountain and the Panthemon.

Anita Hall-Kane in Bridgewater, NJ USA 08/15/2006

Research accomadations more carefully.

Caroline in atlanta, GA USA 08/15/2006

Just a comment on Gary Y's(Mission Viejo) "free" ride in Venice/ 5 Terre. The trains and boats are on an honor system.Just because you did not get caught does not make it right.

C & A in Portland, OR USA 08/09/2006

There are nice maps of Venice and Florence in the book. The chapters mention specific areas, but you have to hunt over the whole map to find them. Why not put a grid in the book (letters one side, numbers the other) and give a coordinate such as A7 for each site mentioned?

And do the same with cities mentioned in the chapters that are on the all-Italy map.

Ken Rose in Palo Alto, CA USA 08/09/2006

Need more information on overnight trains. We took an overnight train from Munich to Venice and also from Florence to Spiez (for Murren) and would have liked information on how to book, what to expect, etc.

Shannon Hammond in Hoover, AL USA 08/08/2006

QUESTION: We tore several pages out of the book to take with us as we explored different areas. Someone told us that we could send you the pages and you'd replace the book. Is this possible??

Kathy in Lambert, TN USA 08/07/2006

Better maps for each city Some of the directions are vague; for example, Oltrex (Vencie) is "just one bridge past the Bridge of Sighs." We were confused as to which way to go from the bridge.

Sarah Quilici in Boise, ID USA 08/06/2006

Reinforce the level of difficulty in the first hike from Monterosso to Vernazza. This is for people who are used to hiking.

Vivian Suarez in Miami, FL USA 08/06/2006

Thank god for The Book! If there is any way I could think to improve it, there are some instances when compass directions are used to explain where someting is. These meant nothing at noon or after dark. We got lost trying to find the SITA bus station "west" of the Florence train station with no sunshine. Locals sent us back to the city bus stops on the other side of the station twice. But, that's my only complaint. Great Book! Thanks for a great vacation.

Britt in Griffith, CA USA 08/05/2006

Perhaps two books, dividing the country into north and south? This was a LOT of book to lug around in my backpack every day. It would be difficult where to draw the line though.

Corey Hiseler in Hood River, OR USA 08/05/2006

It's a good book, but some additional information regarding "creature comforts" expected by Americans would be helpful. I especially liked the section on "ugly Americans" and think it should be expanded even more.

Kay Sutt in Santa Fe, NM USA 08/03/2006

Very useful guide

Dixon Ong in Barrie, On Canada 08/01/2006

I can't think of any. As a novice traveler to Europe your book saved our lives.

Becky Purvis in Memphis, Tn USA 07/30/2006

Perhaps have fold out more detailed maps. Warn travelers that train and bus stations do not have paper schedules to hand out. If they know the dates they will be traveling, then print them out beforehand from the internet from www.trenitalia.com.

DL and BL in Skokie, IL USA 07/30/2006

Don't think it can be improved. Next year we will have the 2007 edition.

Henry Beckmeyer in Grand Blanc, Mi USA 07/29/2006

I did not find Italy as formal (at least during the hot summer) as you indicated in your guide book.

Karen Buchanan in Lakewood, WA USA 07/27/2006

I found the section on medical care in the chapter on Rome - after we had needed that information when we were in Florence. It had all the right information in it - just was a little hard to fine (esp. in a panic). But all was well in the end!

Amy Fountain in Tucson, AZ USA 07/24/2006

Indicate why you don't mention other parts of Italy. We did visit other places-some good, some not-but sometimes we had to refer to other books to get knowledge on those places.

Cynthia in tiburon, Ca USA 07/19/2006

Loved the book! Maybe color code the cities on the edges of the pages? I was always dog earring.

Joni Accomazzo in Danville, CA USA 07/17/2006

We did a Holland American cruise which stopped at various places in Italy (Florence, Naples, Palermo) and we LOVED Sicily the best! But Sicily is not included in the Italy book...that would have been very helpful.

Marcy Halterman in College Station , TX USA 07/14/2006

Add Hotel Fontana to the list of reccomended hotels in Amalfi.

Steve Babiak in Guelph, On Canada 07/11/2006

Advise travellers of unscrupulous taxi drivers in Rome. Upon arrival at the Roma Termini station, we took a legitimate taxi to our hotel and had agreed to a fare of about 10 euro. When we arrived at the hotel, the taxi driver said we owed him 35 euro and locked all the doors so we could not get out of the car until we paid that amount. My daughter and I were so shocked, upset and frightened and paid him just to get away from him.

Dolly Mack in Reno, NV USA 07/07/2006

Hard to improve on perfection!!

Scott Fenton in San Diego, CA USA 07/03/2006

Your book was VERY helpful; not only about the big cities and main and local transportation, but also side trips and personal information like safety, shopping, and views.

My only suggestion would be to not only talk about things like the train ticket machines or the vaporetti, but also show pictures of what they look like. This includes the place to get tickets for the Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Sorrento, the SITA bus from Sorrento to Positano, and the Interno Positano bus.

You just can't tell someone where to go and expect them to understand you. It's much easier to show them what it will all look like so they will know what to expect when they get there.

Dave Hiller in Lexington, NC USA 06/27/2006

Continue with the feedback!

Kristin Villyard in Brentwood, CA USA 06/26/2006

Better maps. We got lost looking for the cafe de studente. We found it though.

Tia in Tampa, FL USA 06/25/2006

Canadian Embassy information in the appendix would be nice for all the Canadian's who buy your books.

Christine in Vancouver, Canada 06/19/2006

We discovered a trick from another Steves' user. Since the books are updated every year and you should take the most current, rip out the pages for the area or town you're currently in and just carry those. It's much lighter and can fit in any pocket!

Shayna Worley in Seattle, wa USA 06/18/2006

Keep on Keeping on...

Brigitte Bako in Los Angeles, ca USA 06/10/2006

You do a good job! Keep doing it and listening to feedback!!!!

Joe & Carolann McFadden in Broomall, PA USA 06/10/2006

New destinations, the current ones were great however new adventures would be good.

John Fowler in Owasso, OK USA 06/09/2006

Hire us as helpers, and we'll happily assisst with research

Nancy Nimmo in Laguna Niguel, ca USA 06/06/2006

You may want to recommend the Roma pass. It saved us a lot of time in getting into the Coloseum and on the trains. I did not see it in the book. I could have missed it. There is a lot of information to process. Thanks for helping to make our trip a memorable one. We took our kids as a graduatin present from college. There were 3 of them graduating. This will make a lifetime fo memories. The next stop is Spain. I will be looking forward to your book on that one.

Cindy Christofferson in Port Ludlow , Wa USA 06/04/2006

I have one recommendation that you add to your recommended places to stay in Vernazza. It is a little apartment right on the harbor (1st floor). It is very clean, with a double bed, small kitchen and a bathroom. It is 75 Euro a night. Contact person is Giacomo Callo - tel. number is 0187-821199 or 338-4363411 or giacomocallo@virgilio.it. The address is Piazza Marconi 13.

Also, you may want to reccommend that people confirm their airline tickets home at least 8 hours before leaving Italy. My husband and I didn't know to do this and did not get on our confirmed flight because they said we didn't reconfirm! I dont know if this was just Delta airlines, but it would definately be worth mentioning. Delta had to find us a flight home later that day. Some people weren't able to find a flight that day and had to stay an extra day.

Matt and Natalie Michaels in Kansas City, MO USA 06/03/2006

Make it spiral so we can take sections out

J Kaley in Minneapolis, MN USA 05/31/2006

Not much to improve, every hotel and almost every restaurant we stayed and ate was recommended by your book. Maybe better maps but unless you can get the government to put up better road signs I doubt that would help much.

Anthony in Mesa, Az USA 05/31/2006

Make the book easier to separate for travel.

Barbara Sloat in Dillon Beach, CA USA 05/29/2006

Round the corners of the book so that it slides in and out of backpacks easier. Add more listings for the "sleeping" sections of each town.

Roger J. Musser in Thurmont, MD USA 05/29/2006

Provide the Italian names of sites along with the English names.

erica reeves in midland, TX USA 05/26/2006

Go to Sardinia, Rick! And Scilla in Calabria. Or develop a guidebook for those areas in Italy that are truly "off the beaten path" (or not if you'd rather not expose them to the Disney-land phenomenon of American tourists...)

AnneMarie in Eugene, OR USA 05/25/2006

Mark the hotels listed with their descriptions with the same circled number on the accompanying maps. e.g Page 56. It's hard to locate the hotels on the map sometimes because of this omission, especially in Venice with so many hotel listings.

p50 - A better explanation of how the vaporetti lines work. We found them confusing upon arrival.

Richard in Cupertino, CA USA 05/24/2006

Some feedback for the Italian Phrasebook instead: the E to I and I to E dictionaries were frustrating to use because they lacked far too many words that were oraganized within the rest of the book. While I enjoyed reading the book and found it useful, at the same time I found it frustrating to search for the section that contained the words I had remembered seeing. This is the only Rick Steves book I would not recommend to a friend.

Richard in Cupertino, CA USA 05/24/2006

Restaurant maps for Venezia. Perhaps list which major sights are nearby. We could only find 1 of the recommended restaurants after wandering around forever with our map. So, since it was good, we went there both nights.

Michelle & John De Martin in Harrison Hot Springs, BC CANADA 05/23/2006

Spiral binding would make it easier to carry the book while open to a particular page, which would be very convenient when taking the self-guided tours.

cara colaluca and tim skowronski in harrison township, mi USA 05/20/2006

Improve the Roman Forum map to make it easier to identify the sites.

Tom Watts in San Jose, CA USA 05/18/2006

Please add more restaurant recommendations that are near the Colosseum. For people staying in hotels in that area, there seem to be limited options!

Nichole Curley in South Burlington, VT USA 05/16/2006

Ever thought of making a note book so you can remove pages that you do not need or want to carry around. Half of the book is Venice and Rome. I did not go to either but carried the pages all over Italy. Also Rick you really need to include Bologna. Great time there. The churches, main piazza and covered walkways were great. Oldest Univ in the world and best food in Italy. Mike Portland Oregon

Mike Sciaraffo in Portland, OR USA 05/15/2006

The section on pay phones is cute, but doesn't tell how to use a pay phone. Since a lot of them don't work this is not helpful. The information should be: 1) lift reciever 2) put phone card in and leave it in (remove corner first) 3) dial 4)if no luck try another phone

Dwayne Shearer in Seattle, WA USA 05/09/2006

The Roma section...was wonderful...the walk at night, the forum, the pantheon, trevi...all very busy, with a lot of police in evidence...but very walkable...one thing in Rome...the restaurants are small , and a reservation would be necessary if there are more than 2...however your advice on advance reservations, saved us a lot of time...thanks

Sally Alkire in Akron, Oh USA 05/09/2006

My wife and I feel there should be better suggestion for hotels and restuarants. We feel the places that we stayed and eat by your recommendation we not as good as some of the places recommended by other book. I think the best way to improve your book would be to have different levels of recommendations. I also like books that have a favorite recommendation for each town.

Todd R. Shepler in Austin, TX USA 05/07/2006

Re: Rick Steves’ Italy 2006 and Italian Phrase Book & Dictionary

These books were our Bible and security blanket throughout our recent 3-week visit in Italy. We heard you speak in Rockford last November and, of course, watch your shows on PBS (WTTW-11) all the time.

Some thoughts for future editions:

Add some more terms for motorists. We never did understand what the two bumps on the sign meant. And we think another was “Stay right except to pass”. Also, we rented a Mazda diesel four-door hatchback which is WAY too big a car, especially for the drive near Amalfi!

You should consider adding Castagnato Carlucci and Bolgheri to your list of places to visit. Also, Bologna.

Having a car in the Cinque Terre was a hassle. Even though we scored garage parking, shlepping up/down the hill with luggage was a hassle. Better your readers should park in La Spezia or Levanto and take the train in. We rented an apartment from Edi’s Rooms which was 117 Via Columbo # 18. This had a balcony overlooking the street which gave us the best view of the Good Friday procession!!.

In Milan, we chose comfort over charm. We stayed at the AirHotel near Linate airport for 99 euros per night and they had a free shuttle to/from the airport where we caught the bus to/from the San Babila metro station. The phone number for the Brera Art Gallery, on page 232, is incorrect (not enough digits).

Your readers should be made aware that on Easter Monday even most Tabacchi shops are closed.

Restaurant reservations in Venice are a must! We stayed at Ca’ San Trovaso in the annex, which had a private patio. Also, Taverna San Trovaso had great food.

You should add La Fenice to your list of recommended restaurants in Sorrento. (The Steak au Poivre was fantastic! You can’t eat Italian all of the time.)

We shopped at several Supermercatos (in Cecina, Livorno, Venice, Florence, Sorrento) where we bought the makings for some great meals.

John James in Huntley, IL USA 05/07/2006

Emphazise how important it is to get musuem reservations. Those made it extremely helpful and made the trip more enjoyable. Add more on shopping. You know we are all going to buy stuff to bring home...there was too much and it was hard to know if you were getting a good deal or not.

Mary in Houston, TX USA 05/04/2006

Remind readers to expect different quality of mattresses. Otherwise your book was a source of much information which was used to plan and during my 18 days in Italy. I will use the France book in 2007. I took minimal clothing as I "packed to shop".

Maureen Shafer in Southaven, MS USA, MS USA 05/03/2006

Rick's books are my travel bible. The Italy book was well-used and travel worn by the time my two week trip was over. We stayed at flats in neighborhoods which added to our experience of seeing italy through the back door as Rick recommends. My next trip is to Paris in Sept. and I am going to use Rick's guide to plan my trip in and around Paris.

Jane Debusschere in louisville, KY USA 05/02/2006

I am leaving tomorrow for a 5 week trip. I think as many people now travel with their laptop computers, it would be great to have DVD versions of the guidebooks, with more detailed street maps and perhaps even public transportation system guides. I mutilated my Italy guidebook and eliminated about 1/2 the weight, reluctantly removing pages for destinations I would "probably" not be visiting. How nice it would have been to have a DVD guidebook to consult each morning!!! That's the only way I can think of to make it better. I also like the loose-leaf ideas proposed by others. Donna - Roseville, CA

Donna Allen in Roseville, CA USA 04/29/2006

Your tips on the boats to Capri from Sorrento were very good; however, we took one of the jet boats which landed on Capri at a different dock than the other boats. Based on your description of how to get to the Blue Grotto boats, we were very disoriented and ended up at the wrong boat company -- Grotto Azzura (Blue Grotto in Italian). Although the experience was not bad, we may have missed a better one on the correct boat. Please clear up your explanation of the harbor and really emphasize the BLUE GROTTO tour. Don't be fooled.

Gary Mallaley in Thousand Oaks, CA USA 04/27/2006

Tab the cities to make them easier to locate. Flow is perfect (north to south, rather then alphabetical).

Kevin DeLashmutt in Burien, WA USA 04/27/2006

1. Need more info on whether establishments take cash or credit cards. We found many musuems, especially in Florence, take only cash. That can wipe out pocket money quickly.

2. Be careful on some musuem tickets (i.e. Pitti Palace in Florence) are only for certain parts of the museum and the ticket does not disclose that and the ticket seller doesn't warn you.

3. Need info on whether photos are allowed or not in museums. We found a lot of inconsistency. Many things in the Louvre in Paris could be photographed (perhaps not with a flash). In Rome, in the Vatican, you could shoot away until you got to the Sistine Chapel and then all photos were prohibited. Of course, as soon as you exited the chapel, you could buy their 20 Euro photo book.

Beverly Herbert in Jackson Ms, Ms USA 04/26/2006

More destinations in Italy.

Kay Peacock in San Anselmo, CA USA 04/24/2006

We mailed a package back because the bages were too heavy from shopping.At the pack and mail in Florence it was 150.ero.We waited until Assisi. At the Post Office under the arches we bought a box and sent about 30lbs. home slow boat for less than 40.ero.It arrived before we did about 2 weeks.It may be helpful to include some Post Office locations.Not a good idea to send aneything valuable.The box was beat up when it arrived but all contents were safe. arrived.

Jean Gorzalka in Sheridan, Wy USA 04/20/2006

Trenitalia Saver Passes are a rip-off! My husband and I spent over 40 bucks each per train ride on a 7-day pass ($602 with $14 shipping total!) We could have easily bought the tickets at each station (where in March the lines were minimal) for 8-15 euros. The total of our train rides (including the milk run in Cinque Terra) would have come to under $200 (if we had bought tickets at the station).

Lorin Devine in Santa Cruz, CA USA 04/18/2006

Rick needs to address the situation concerning the line at the Vatican museum. I was kind of freaked out about the length of the line and there were lots of offers for English tours (30 euros plus the 12 euro entry fee). I suspected they were kind of a rip off but I was tempted because the line was sooo long. I read in Rick's book that the line moved about 10 minutes per 100 meters so I stuck it out in the line. I was glad I did because the line did move quicker then I expected. I just think Rick needs to address the issue because I think the tour companies are taking advantage of the perception that people automatically get in that long line. I felt panicked like I wasn't going to get in, so I was very tempted. I think Rick just needs to inform people better about what is going on there.

Laura Kirkbride in St. Charles, MO USA 04/17/2006

Wish the books were lighter to pack! ha ha.

Madge & Paul Mitchell in North Bay, ON Canada 04/14/2006

I know you state that you do not cover nightlife, but to be honest, we could find no guides that covered the sort of nightlife we were looking for (read: relaxing and inexpensive). The nightlife recommendations are based on the tastes of college kids or retirees. We're thirty-ish, and thought we like both loud rock and roll and classical music, mostly we were just looking for low-key bars, preferably with outdoor seating and interesting local patrons. Most of these we ended up getting from friends (and we found some great places with a little wandering and research), but I don't think I'm alone in wishing for just a little more in this direction.

By and large, though, the book was great. We started referring to it as "Captain Rick" by the end of Day Two, and addressed all questions as such. (ex: "Where are we eating tonight?" "I dunno, where's Captain Rick? We'll see what he says."

Alison Fields in Carrboro, NC USA 04/11/2006

I really have no suggestions for improvement, unless there is some way to magically make it weigh less without removing any content. It was a tad heavy to lug around. (I know you recommend taking just the pages that apply to each location, but I just can't bring myself to tear any book apart!)

The book is a marvel of indispensible detail. Reading the book beforehand was extremely helpful and certainly saved us a lot of time that would otherwise have been wasted in Italy trying to sort out transportation, location and other on-the-spot issues.

Anne Hoganson in Halifax, NS Canada 04/10/2006

Just an idea that I'm throwing out there: what about making a style of book for the whole country book that is three ring bound with the potential to pull out the pages that you want for a certain city while you are touring it and then put them back and exchange for another city another day. Then all of your pages are together for your next trip but you don't have to tote around the whole book. You could include a thick three ring bind that the book comes on and a thin three ring bind that you put the pulled out pages and maps on for day tripping. You can email me if you like the idea but need more info.

JG in Portland, OR USA 04/09/2006

Trying to buy tickets for the train from Venice to Milan was not possible online. I don't know if they were having problems with the website www.trenitalia.it but it kept refusing our credit cards. ALSO, the number on the website can ONLY be called from inside Italy. We couldn't find an international phone number anywhere on the website (I think its because the 89-20-21 number is a toll number). So, we decide we'd try again once we arrive in Italy.

Elsie Schwing in Stockholm Sweden/Atlanta Ga, USA 04/08/2006

I've used this book on two trips to Italy. Recommendations were great, but...This book definitely needs a chapter on Sicily. I know Rick toured there. When is the book coming out??

John Pagliarulo in New Paltz, NY USA 04/01/2006

no information that i could find in your 2006 edition on how to get from the cruise ship dock to my venice hotel-- what's easiest, cheapest, convenient?

jim cochran in mountain view, ca USA 04/01/2006

It was great! Our only suggestion is either to expand the map section, or caution the maps are merely a rough guide to sites.

Karen in Garrison, Ia USA 03/31/2006

We drove from Venice across to Vernazza. It's a long drive and required a night's stay in between. Rick's book has very little information for areas not in his best of locations. We stayed in Modena at a Holiday Inn because we had no idea what other accomodations were available. We didn't realize until we got home and looked at a different travel book that the Ferrari factory (and tour) were in Modena so we missed it completely.

Brad Benson in Spokane, WA USA 03/28/2006

My daughter and I would have preferred real maps instead of your hand drawn style. Also, some of your pricing is out dated already...

Judy in Edina, MN USA 03/28/2006

Overall the Italy book is a stand-out. However, and this is something that others have posted as well;there really needs to be a short chapter on Sicily. Not super in-depth, just enough for those wanting to see Palermo, Syracuse, Taormina, and perhaps a few side trips inland. It's difficult to include everyone's suggestions, but this one is important. It is difficult to find reliable information to connect with the rest Rick's Italy guidebook. Also, a page about ferry connections from Italy to Croatia would be helpful as well, since it is becoming part of Rick Steves' Europe.

Jason Anderson in Portland, OR USA 03/27/2006

Maps are difficult--the numbers for locations should also be put in actual text of the reviews/information. Also, more vegetarian friendly restaurants PLEASE!!!

C in K, MD USA 03/26/2006

I have only one suggestion. If you have rented a car and are driving to Cinque Terre, my suggestion would be to drive through La Spezia and NOT try to find a place to park at the train station. After wasting over half an hour trying to find a parking space, we decided to go ahead and drive to Riomaggiore. (Although it is mentioned in the book that you can drive to the villages, the impression I got was that you'd be better off parking in La Spezia and taking the train.) Of course, this was in March. I'm sure it's much more difficult to drive into the towns during the high tourist season.

Okay, I've thought of another suggestion. You might want to include a whole chapter on driving in Italy. I'm glad we drove because we got to go where we wanted to go, when we wanted to go, and not have to wait for buses or trains. Also, we stayed at a nice and inexpensive B&B outside the city of Florence (in Bagno di Ripoli), which we would not have been able to do if we had used public transportation. BUT, driving in Italy was not a pleasant experience. We found it easier once we decided to get behind an 18-wheeler and go a sensible 70 MPH, but we were being passed by drivers who were easily clocking speeds of over 100 MPH. Even crazier, they drive literally within INCHES of each other.

Pat Manganella in Hico, TX USA 03/20/2006

We used several Steve's books in planning for our trip to Italy and also while we were there. We found the books to be excellent reference guides and enjoyed seeing many travelers also carrying the Steve's guidebooks! We found the sketch maps included in the books to be excellent ways to find our way around the various sites.

Sharon Garman in Rogers, AR USA 03/18/2006

Actually we are still in the planning stages and I am having a hard time figuring out which of the towns in the Cinque Terre we can safely drive a rental car to - and park for free or small fee. Also, we are doing Italy with the family and a car and want to stay in places not in the center of the cities. Any suggestions on alternate guide book?

Kathy Nicholes in Salt Lake City, UT USA 03/15/2006

How in heaven's name did you manage to omit an entire and fascinating area of Italy from the guidebook, viz, Piemonte? You don't even have Turin/Torino in the index. I am quite upset as that is the exact area I will be visiting and that is why I bought the guide for $19.95!!

Mary in Ossining, NY USA 03/10/2006

Ive just spent 10 days in Sicily and I think it would be a great place to spend the three winter months. Im going to try to interest Philadelphia friends in joining me next year. It would be great if you would do a best on winter retreats -- warm, not too expensive places where one can rent an apartment or small house for a few months. I know this is possible in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, but right now Id like you to research Sicily, please. The winter climate is as good as Southern Californias and the people and food and sites are so so much much nicer.

Evalyn Segal in Philadelphia, PA USA 03/02/2006

I can't think of a thing- you have the best books and attitude and staff in the travel business! I recommend your books and products to anyone who seems dazed by the large slection of authors, and they almost always walk out with an ETBD book.

Cynthia Cushman in Ross, CA USA 02/09/2006

We will be visiting Italy for the first time by Cruise Ship. Many of the ports, like Livorno, require additional transportation to get to places like Pisa or Florence. Having been on several cruises, we've found that booking excursions through the cruise line may have its advantage, it's usually overpriced. It would be nice to see some options for transportation from a port city to a destination city.

Thanks!

Bill M. in Cypress, CA USA 02/09/2006

Talk more about off-season travel. It's great. We just returned from Italy in 2006. We walked right into the Galleria Borghese, the Uffizi, the Academia. No crowds, no stifling heat. Venice was cold, but nothing northern U.S. dwellers couldn't handle easily. Sunshine all the way. Few crowds, no stifling heat, and great prices are the advantages of off-season travel.

Mary Kenny in Indianapolis, IN USA 02/09/2006

I wish your language books had more conversational Italian in it. Our bus driver didn't speak a lick of English and it was hard to communicate with him at dinner time, if the book had more conversational stuff in it, it would have been a lot more helpful. He was a great sport though, I even have a hilarious picture of him with his glasses on sitting at the dinner table reading the book trying to find something to talk to us about.

Erika in Edmonds, WA USA 02/04/2006

Stress to people the value of staying in convents and monastaries. Our most expensive was 120euro per room/night. Cheapest was 36 euro room/night. This is not per person, but room! Rome and Florence included breakfast. All had private bathrooms, and were immaculate. All were in great areas of each city.

Susan Harper in Atlanta, GA USA 01/26/2006

Incorrect information offered in Ric's ITALY 2006 book regarding driving permit/license in Italy. On page 25, Rick states that a international driver's license is required. Not correct - an international driver's permit is needed. There are scams on the Internet for IDL and further, AAA only sells the IDP.

jim in martin, mn USA 01/15/2006

Maybe something with the graphics making them more user friendly.

Herzel Yerushalmi in Springfield, NJ USA 01/09/2006

You forgot Sicily!! It could be a book by itself. Mr. Steves if you haven't visited there, you are missing alot. It is a beautiful island with Greek and Roman ruins, wonderful people and great food. I have been there 3 times and would go back again in a heartbeat.

Mavis in Albia, IA USA 01/07/2006