Rome 2010

Best ways to improve this book:

A few words for the first timers (like ourselves) about the public toilet idiosyncrasies would be helpful. Knowing that there might not be a toilet seat (whats up with that?!) and that carrying some extra tissue would be smart, would be useful trip preparation.

John and Debra Gall in Sequim, Wa USA 11/06/2009

Someone has a great sense of humor!The books are fun to read in addition to giving great information.

Susan Handloff in Steamboat Springs, CO USA 11/02/2009

I think that the guide is a little misleading when it describes how well dressed the Italians are, etc. I found everyone in Rome to dress pretty much the way Americans do (not well, that is). I did not in two weeks time ever see the well-dressed people that Rick speaks about in his guide. I was out at all hours of the day and night time and found everyone to be very casual and not at all dressed as it was described in the book. I think the guide would be more useful if if reflected the reality of today's Rome which pretty much allows you to dress any which way and is so used to tourism it does not care.

Madeleine in Orange County, CA USA 10/23/2009

More ipod tours!!! Great way to hit the highlights of each attraction and enjoyed the humor.

Sherri Campbell in Katy, Tx USA 10/18/2009

Love your BOOKS!!! They help me find good places to eat that the local eat at! Love the museum layout pages as well!

Jennifer in NY, NY USA 10/10/2009

More guidance, please, on how to decide whether to use the student-run, English-speaking tours at the major sights. Is there a way to know if these are a rip-off? Also, PLEASE strongly warn people to have a back-up if all they are using is a magnetic strip credit card. Throughout Europe, we noticed this becoming more and more of a problem -- not having the European micro chip credit card. We had cash, but not every merchant/restaurant was very accommodating by falling back to the "old" machines. And some of the younger cashiers didn't know how to use the old paper/signature machines!

Laralyn Sasaki in Columbus, OH USA 10/09/2009

I can't think of a thing. So glad I took your books with us to Italy. (I also took the Florence and Venice books -- I'll be writing my reviews on those later.)

Cindy in Saint Louis, MO USA 09/30/2009

Occasionally, I wished that some of the black and white maps in the book had more detail, like names of side streets. Otherwise, everything was spot on!

Laura Logan in Kirkland, WA USA 08/04/2009

Please explain more about the various imperial forums. You show Caesar's forum on the front colored map but not on the Roman forum map, nor is it mentioned at all in the Roman forum walking tour. It would be nice to know what it is, why it is not included in the walking tour.

Dale in Fairfield, OH USA 08/03/2009

This was my first time using your books. I am recommending them to everyone. They are better than Fodors and Frommers as they are easier to follow and give you more of a tour/story of an area.

Patricia G in Washington, DC USA 07/29/2009

The maps in the front of the book are nice, but they don't include enough of the small side streets and their names.

Dave in Milwaukee, Wi USA 07/14/2009

I know cruising is not the "back door" way, but we saw many people with Rick Steves' guides on our European cruise. More info on getting into town from port cities as well as the ports themselves would be beneficial. Would also love more tips on traveling with children.

Beth in Northridge, CA USA 07/10/2009

Give more information on how to walk to the Catacombs of Priscilla. The book made it seem like it'd be just beyond the Villa Borghese, but we needed to ask quite a few people for directions to it.

Russell in Metaire, La USA 07/08/2009

Maps are a little hard to follow. We used the Mp3 audio guides they were helpful but I still wanted more informatation

Crystal Young in Swanton, Oh USA 07/05/2009

This book was incredibly helpful and we used it for EVERYthing. Thank you for putting together such a great one-stop resource!

Just a little more explanation of the Rome Termini train station for first-time visitors might be helpful. Perhaps we were too jet-lagged but coming into Termini on the Leonardo Express on Track 24, we did not realize how far we were from the main station, or that there even WAS more to the station. Trying to transfer to a Florence train was a bit challenging, as Departure boards at that part of the station did not list train numbers, and (as we later found) listed only the final destination of trains (which in our case turned out to be Milan). Signs pointing downstairs to Tracks 1-32 (?) were also misleading, as our train turned out to be leaving from Track 8 in the main part of the station. We asked several people for help but in the end figured it out ourselves and got on the right train with 2 minutes to spare! Also, when leaving Rome for the airport a week later, best to double-check Leonardo Express departure tracks, as you recommend. We scoped out the route on a Sunday and found the train leaving from Track 8, but the next morning, it was at Track 24. Clearly posted on the departure boards, so no problem.

Cecilia in Dallas, Te USA 06/15/2009

Slow down, take your time and really think - follow things through. Bus and train times change, sure - but to screw up the direction the bus is going in? That is sloppy. To say the Roma Pass includes Vatican City? Hello - think about that (this is what a guest said - someone needs to verify it is actually in the Rick Steves book).

sarah in rome, italy 06/05/2009

We had a little trouble finding the restaurants recommended... we were only able to find Miscellanae (which actually we stumbled upon by chance). This may be more due to the fact that Rome can be confusing (it takes awhile to get used to finding the street signs). There were a few other restaurants we tried to find that we couldn't and ended up going elsewhere.

Other than that, this book was extremely helpful and I would (and do) recommend it to everyone!

Jeni in Beaver Dam, WI USA 05/31/2009

More detailed Directions

Matthew A. King in Brighton, CO United States 05/20/2009

Your detailed information on how to take the public transportation was priceless. I had a bit of trouble with the reservation machine for the Eurostar train and a nice stranger helped me finish my transaction then tried to help himself to the change! I appreciated your advice about pickpockets. I wore my moneybelt as advised and just said Mi Dispace to the many beggers. Remind folks to watch out on the narrow streets for those speeding scooters!

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

I love the book. I referred to it as "The Good Book" on my trip. I love how your books have an opinion, like "do this first, then do that." It really helps when you're in a new country and you hardly know where to start.

Michelle in Los Angeles, CA USA 03/10/2009

Please add the Hotel Aphrodite (located right next to the train station) and encourage them to give a Rick Steves' discount. It is very well-located to all the sights. We paid 135 euro per night (I talked them down from 165 euro) for 3 people (room with a queen bed, a love seat hide-a-bed, and 3/4 bath with bidet).

The room comes with a well-stocked, complementary breakfast buffet served in the top floor dining room. The room is clean & stylish. We stayed on the back of the hotel and found it to be quiet. The view was like that of Jimmy Stewart's apartment from "Rear Window."

Leanne Roe in Everett, WA USA 12/31/2008

Include an extensive index listing each restaurant, hotel and subject.

More restaurant and cafe reviews.

D. in Dallas, TX USA 12/31/2008

Really, we love the books the way they are. Ok. Maybe the cover color is loud...but that won't stop us from buying all the Steves' books we need for great travel!

Marina Rizo-Patron in San Antonio, Tx USA 12/23/2008

Keep doing what you are doing!

Erica Ryan in Bakersfield, CA USA 11/10/2008

I love that you give common practices of a country or city, such as tipping amounts, etc. When I bought a purse in Rome, however, and found out that the zipper was broken and tried to take it back the next day, they wouldn't. I would like to know common return policies in future guidebooks.

Eleanor in Natick, USA 10/25/2008

Tear out pages. All in all I loved your book and I have already bought the 2009 book for my trip back in March 2009

Margaret Hall in Knoxville, tn USA 09/23/2008

No need to improve as long as the changes are put in the updates section. That's why I am letting you know while it just happened to us. It is so hot here in July that any change that requires more walking is something that I would like to know.

Cheryl Monteith in Houston, TX USA 07/20/2008

I don't know if you have one already, but a downloadable guide to the touring sites would be super for an IPOD. It was hard to read your fabulous info while walking through dark churches, and I had read everything ahead of time. Add these 2 restaurants: Trattoria da Giggetto at the Portico D'Ottavia in the former Jewish ghetto. Fabulous food, magnificent ambiance esp. at night. I would also add Taberna Ulpia at the Foro Traiano: it overlooks the market, is spectacular at night. Wait staff was wonderful. Ambiance is very romantic.

[Editor's Note: Yes, we have downloadable MP3 files for sights in Italy and elsewhere in Europe. Visit http://www.ricksteves.com/news/podcast_menu.htm]

Wendy A. Paterson, Ph.D. in Buffalo, NY USA 07/09/2008

Would it be possible to review agencies that rent apartments?

Lisa in Berkeley, CA USA 07/08/2008

Can you guys work on making a more complete index? That's my one big complaint with this book. I frequently wanted to find some bit of information and couldn't because the index just didn't list it. :-(

John Weiss in Boulder, CO USA 06/23/2008

Better maps!

Ann Blalock in Katy, TX USA 06/22/2008

Add more simple drawings to the maps for major landmarks. A drawing of the Arch of Titus would have helped to find the ticket booth. Also, mention that most attractions are impossible to navigate without an audioguide. One example of this is Pompeii, which only has numbers at each location that correspond to the audioguide and map.

Rosemary in Forest Hills, NY USA 06/19/2008

My husband travels to Rome for business; one of his favorite restaurants is Ristorante Vecchia Roma at Piazza Campitelli; telephone 06 6864604; www.ristorantevecchiaroma.com.

Jean Hoffmann in Pleasant Prairie, WI USA 06/05/2008

Include information about how to book the Scavi Tour. Anyone planning three months in advance should receive this tip.

Sue Koehler in Pittsburgh, PA USA 05/20/2008

just to update the Forum and Vatican tours

Triona in Cork, Co Ireland 05/18/2008

Just keep up with updates - the book is fabulous. We will always use a Rick Steves book when we can, and we are going to look into the tours for places we don't feel comfortable going on our own. THANK YOU for helping to make our trip so memorable, efficient, and easy!

Meredith Esham in Bethesda, MD USA 04/30/2008

Check out CristalHome on Via La Spezia This was the apartment we stayed in. Excellent value, on the bus route. The owners provided tons of excellent info on getting around, markets to buy your own supplies. It was clean and well taken care of. A good one to consider including in your next update.

Cathy Garvey in Baldwinsville, NY USA 04/27/2008

An addition to my previous post: Please explain in the Rome 2008 guidebook what you mean by "bring coins for light" when you are visiting a church. The colorful mosaics in many churches can be lit up by spotlights if you put a coin in the light box, usually located in the front or back of the church. From my experience, a coin of any euro denomination will buy about three minutes of light, making for some great digital camera pictures. Many people (including me!) were looking at the mosaics in the dark until another tourist dropped a coin in the light box.

Joseph in Harlingen, TX USA 04/21/2008

Put the locations of the McDonald's restaurants in Rome on the color map of Rome located at the front of the Rome 2008 guidebook. They had the ONLY bathrooms that I could find and were VERY helpful as I walked EVERYWHERE around the city. PS - The color map was GREAT, I never got lost using it.

The tour of the lower church and Temple of Mithras in the Church of San Clemente, with all due respect, is an absolute MESS! I never did see the fresco of St. Clement and Sisinnius, despite looking ten minutes for it. And the Temple of Mithras is more extensive than your guidebook suggests. I found a room with water running out of the wall (marked Spring Water) and wondered if it had been a recent discovery or was cenral to the Temple itself - it would be nice to know.

On the Trastevere Walk, along the Trastevere Back Lanes, WHERE is the "stubby remains of a tower sandwiched between apartments?" A picture in your guidebook would help clarify it.

Overall, I used the Rome 2008 guidebook EXTENSIVELY and found it to be a GREAT resource for my week in Rome. Nice job, Rick and staff, THANK YOU, and I WILL use your guidebooks in the future! I feel Istanbul calling me for next year...

Joseph in Harlingen, TX USA 04/18/2008

Have periodic updates of the actual accommodations you're recommending. I highly doubt that Rick Steves would recommend the hotel we stayed at if he were given the same accommodations--perhaps the RS group is given better, cleaner, rooms when the hotel knows they're coming.

Jenny in Highlands Ranch, CO USA 04/11/2008

I downloaded the MP3 tours you had for Rome and I really, really enjoyed them! You should really be selling these (combining somehow with the book?) It was much easier to enjoy the sights with the commentary - easier than reading from a guidebook constantly - (and the pictures helped me make sure I was looking at the right thing as well!) If you had more of these for the walks, etc, that would be fantastic (though - and this just a really polite suggestion - maybe some of the goofy humor could be toned down...just a hair...)

at $0.99 ea, I would be a little fussy about buying them, at $0.49 each from itunes or somewhere similar I would be really happy to give you the additional money.

Thanks for making my trip so fantastic! Everything in the guidebooks was really helpful; I particularly enjoy the suggested walks.

Tim Johnson in New Castle, DE USA 04/08/2008

You hint at the drawbacks of Rome, but I might explain them a bit better (temper expectations). First, I'd try to scare away more parents from bringing their kids (they should go to Paris instead). Rome is a really tough town to visit with children. I think about age 12 is the minimum age for most. Getting around is generally tiring, the streets are trecherous, and the Romans don't try to make their museums interesting to kids. There's also the museum admission "problem":: officially, unless you're an EU citizen, kids have to pay the regular adult price (extremely expensive -- like $15 at the Colosseum). This absurd policy is strictly enforced about half the time. If the kids are over 10, it's probably best to buy them the 20 Euro Roma Pass, as they also get a 3-day transit pass worth 11 Euro alone (all adults should definitely buy the Roma Pass to reduce their expenses). For kids under 10? Buy the pass, or try to get lucky and sneak the kids in!

I'd also tell folks that the current weak value of the dollar (one Euro equals $1.52) makes Rome very expensive. A modest dinner for 2 at an inexpensive trattoria is about $75. Candidly, even at your "recommended" restaurants, the food might be better at your local Macaroni Grill (I know that sounds provincial and harsh, but I think it true). I've had great Italian meals in Italy, but I think having great Italian food in Rome now at a price that you'd feel good about paying would be very, very hard.

Because of this, I would stress the street food options a bit more. You should put the exact location of the Testaccio food market on your local map. This is a fun market to provision your breakfast or lunch from, and the prices seemed very affordable to what you'd typically pay in the heart of town.

Overall, given the poor value for money in Rome and, as you say, the somewhat "brutal" touring conditions, I think most Rick Steves readers would be happiest with 2 full days in town to see the sights and then head elsewhere. This isn't really a city to relax and linger in.

Dave in Philadelphia, PA USA 03/04/2008

Every time I go to Rome I learn a little more that you just have to go with the flow to a certain extent. However, there is a fine line between being easy to get along with and getting taken advantage of. I would tell people to question and try not to be a schmuck. I'm planning to write an "expose" about watching the gladiators at the Colusseum up close while my friend was inside. Quite the eye opener!

April Smith in Stonington, CT USA 02/24/2008

A few more day trip ideas.

Liz Phelps in Pittsburg, CA USA 02/18/2008

I know most travelers go for "shopping and Culture" but I'd spend more emphasis on the Museums and ancient sites that an American simply can not replicate in the States. I would also include more day-trip ideas from Roma to Florence,etc... The train system is incredibly easy to use and cheap.

Rocco Curro in Newark, DE USA 02/14/2008

Be sure to include warnings about the Metro system, mainly Termini. My grandma had her wallet stolen and I caught someone trying to pick my pocket. Make sure you tell people to be on guard.

Adrian Sligh in Amory, MS USA 12/10/2007

Please be more specic about holiday closings.

Kim in Omaha, NE USA 12/09/2007

Keep looking for more ways to beat the crowds, avoid lines and find the public wc's. The info we feel most differentiates Rick Steves guides from others is this "reduce the hassle" stuff.

Jim & Megan Taylor in Seattle, WA USA 10/09/2007

As an aside, I drink a lot of water and found the tip about filling up a bottle at the fountains helpful. However, ordering "acqua del rubinetto"---tap water---at restaurants often didn't work. 25% of the time they would acknowledge the request but not bring the water, 25% of the time it was not a problem and 50% of the time they would argue or actually refuse to bring tap water. I finally gave up after the 5th day as it wasn't worth the effort.

Greg Morris in Tarpon Springs, Fl USA 09/28/2007

A good map would be great - those tiny streets can be confusing. Also better directions on how to obtain the train to Pompeii, we got it, but more direction would have helped.

julie pasqual in Jersey City, NJ USA 09/09/2007

In the tips section (page 38)remind travelers that many shops and restaurants are closed in August, particularly after the first week of August. It is not a good time for shopping in Rome. And we found that three of the eateries you recommended were closed for the month after we had bothered to find them.

JoAnne Sulak in Leesburg, VA USA 08/16/2007

Better maps

Kate in Redondo Beach, CA USA 08/11/2007

Metro closing times would have been helpful, even though walking 3 metro stops only takes about 30-40 minutes. Was not the first time I've walked across a European city at night.

I think your maps are great for the purpose they serve, but I would recommend getting a detailed city map to navigate (free tourist maps seem to work ok)

I'm a convert from Let's Go and Lonely Planet. I think your tips are a lot more helpful

Brian in Cleveland, OH USA 07/26/2007

Rick's books are excellent and I attribute us being good students of Rick's BackDoor philosophy of having a wonderful family vaction through France, Switzerland and Italy. Thanks Rick!!!

Jim Naylor in Everett, WA USA 07/23/2007

You need a three tiered system of maps: An overall regional map, then a city map that includes the NE part of Rome. And then the closer-in maps: Orient ALL of them to North, like everyone else does. Your hand written maps with strange compass alignments are near useless: North is North, set that to the top of the page. We've used your books for two trips to Italy. We've found most everything to be useful except for the hand written maps. And last thing. Public transportation in Italy is in practice, free to native Italians. I have only observed Tourists actually buying and stamping tickets. But do it anyway if you're a tourist. The fines, if you don't have a ticket only apply to you as a guest in their country. And if you try to do as the Romans do, not buying tickets, the person you pay the fine to probably isn't a real conductor anyway. So buy the tickets and get them stamped, even if no one else is doing so.

Francis Saffell in Springfield, OR USA 07/22/2007

I would echo the comments about putting in exact addresses and improving the maps. Overall, though the guidebooks are excellent. I would recommend using other guidebooks for planning the trip. Use the ones with more photographs. Use multiple sources for information on what to see, history and art information. You will get a different emphasis and will be better able to decide what you want to see. But for what to have in your hands while touring around Rome, the best guidebook is Rick's.

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

Still the most current up-to-datre and rtelevant guidebook on the market. Keep up the good work and maintain the annual updates.

Marsh Mendez in Fremont, CA USA 07/12/2007

The directions on getting from one place to another were quite confusing. If you are not familiar with the area, it can be difficult to understand exactly where you are supposed to go (especially the Vatican Museum and the Night Walk).

Darrin in Glendale Heights, IL USA 06/21/2007

My wife and I took a few different guidebooks on our honeymoon to Rome, and we found this one the least valuable (I like Eyewitness Guides best for the general overview and Blue Guides for detailed information on sites). In fact, we hardly used it and the only reason it redeemed itself was because it included a telephone number for English-speaking doctors that came in very hands when my wife came down with a terrible flu. My major beef with Rick's book is that it's not comprehensive: we love the Aventine Hill, for example, and stayed at a wonderful hotel there while in Rome, but Rick doesn't even mention it as an area worth visiting; it has many beautiful churches and some grand views of the city, and it's a short walk to the Metro and the ancient heart of the city. If all you need is highlights for a short trip, this book is ok, but we prefer something that gives us more options and lets us decide what we want to see.

John Knutsen in Berkeley, CA USA 06/08/2007

Don't be scared off from travelling with children in Rome. So much is accessible to them, especially if they have been just a little bit educated before leaving. We are relatively unexperienced travelers ourselves and took our three young children with us in September. We only had two weeks to prepare before going. Before we left, we took them to authentic Italian restaurants, found gelato, watched Rick's DVD and older films set in Rome to get them in the mood, got a phrase book/dictionary/cd set from the library and listened on the way to school each day. In order to not be overwhelmed by the language, they were each assigned about 6 phrases that they would be responsible for knowing for the rest of the group... like, "Where's the bathroom?" or "Can I have a fork, please?" or "Fire!" and even "My sister will need an extra plate to share my food." When travelling with families in Rome remember two things: Most taxis cannot take more than four passengers, so get a transit pass right away and force yourself to learn the system the first day - it gets easier everyday; and rent an apartment instead of staying in a hotel. The accommodations will be much cheaper, the food will be much cheaper (allowing you to cook some meals at home), and will likely plant you in the middle of a really great neighborhood! If you're lucky, you'll get one in Trastevere. Stay there and take the #8 Tram right into the heart of town. It's covered on your transit pass, runs every few minutes, and takes about 3 minutes to get to Piazza Argentina and connections.

Lewis Family in Federal Way, WA USA 05/25/2007

Try to find more restaurants not around the recommended hotels; we stayed near Termini station and had trouble finding any recommended restaurants.

Megan Stoner in Jackson, MS USA 05/25/2007

Provide a little bit better maps and explain about unmarked streets and those that don't appear on city maps.

Mark E. Lamb in Melbourne, Fl USA 04/26/2007

Teach us how to pronounce gelato and gelateria - That is the best ice cream my husband and I have ever tasted! (combination of coffee and pistacio Yum)

Lee Lamb in Melbourne, FL USA 04/23/2007

Nothing. We are a convert from Fommer's. This was our first Rick Steves' book and will not be the last. BTW, we noticed your book all over Rome.

PAUL BESSINGER in TINTON FALLS, NJ USA 04/13/2007

I can't see any way to improve. Keep doing what you do, with the standards you have. I used the Rome, Venice & Florence books to guide myself , my wife, her sister & our brother-in-law through these cities & was told I should lead tours when I retire. I gave the credit to your guidebooks for the advice & the background on places & art & history I would otherwise not have known to share. We didn't go exactly "by-the-book", but meandered a bit, falling into parts of your recommended walks & things to see, finding ourselves wandering into serendipitous events. Thanks for making our trip such a great time.

George Easton in Westlake, OH USA 04/04/2007

other restaraunts of note: Galeassi in Piazza S. Maria in Trastevere - fine pasta lunch Enoteca Capranica - great muscat grappa TAZZA D'ORO - national coffee treasure!

Gary Carson in Aransas Pass, tx USA 03/24/2007

a little more information on where the electric bus stops are and more information on shopping

Annie in Chan, NY USA 03/03/2007

You should provide a warning about the Appian Way. The book implies that you can walk the Appian Way from Church of Domine Quo Vadis to the Tomb of Cecilia Metella. Well we did, but it was a death defying walk. Between Domine Quo Vadis and the Catacombs of San Sebastian the way is bordered by walls on each side with about 2 feet for walking space and traffic going 50 to 60 miles an hour. Because people were walking on both sides of the road the traffic occassionally verred in our direction so closely that we litterally had to turn our bodies so our backs were against the wall to keep from being hit by mirrors on the sides of the cars. I considered this the most dangerous thing I have ever done. But once we had started there was almost no turning back. We couldn't cross the street because the traffic was to heavy. If we had turned around we would have had our backs to the traffic. I kept thinking the road must be about to open up but it kept going and going.

Kerwin in Atlanta, GA USA 02/04/2007

You did your usual terrific job in Rome 2007. Wouldn't dream of going anywhere without you! Keep up the good work...

Cindy in Beavercreek, OH USA 02/01/2007