Florence & TuscanyGuidebook corrections:Please note: The following corrections were submitted by readers and have not yet been confirmed by Rick. Check updates from Rick for the latest.  Il Giardino Secreto is not just a few "humble rooms" It is a wonderfully restored place to stay with an absolutely beautiful garden! Barbara Prickett in Tucson, Az USA 06/16/2008 The vaporetto in Venice is a pain in the ass. There is no directo anymore, both boats are the slow boat, you are herded into a stuffy area, the girls managing the on and off were rude. The only negative about Venice. Ana Miner in Novato, CZ USA 06/04/2008 Florence, Science Museum: Ground & basement floors open, 1 & 2 closed (4/28/2008), very disappointing, many instruments on tour or upstairs. Even at 4 Euros Galileo's finger is not worth the cost. Richard English in Addison, VT USA 04/28/2008 Uffizi - Rooms 21 - 25 (Martin Luther) were closed when we went on 4/9. I am not sure if that was just temporary. The rooms were blocked off. YOu had to go in and out of the round room. Tom in Schaefer, FL USA 04/12/2008 Both the first AND second floors of the Science Museum are closed to the public, and the sign says it will not reopen until 2009. They only charge €4, but you'll only see a selection of the Gallileo exhibits (not even the finger though), and that's about it. Meredith MA USA 03/22/2008 The science museum in Florence was undergoing work that closed the first floor (most of the good stuff). No time for completion was given, so it may be open for the main tourist season. Brian Gulledge in Woodbridge, VA USA 02/11/2008 As of 28 January 2008, Hotel Davanzani Florence only extends the Rick Steves Guidebook discount to a fixed subset of their rooms rather than to any room booked within the hotel, and may have rooms available which are not eligible for this discount. Cash payment discount does apply to all rooms. David Salmon in Locust Grove, GA USA 01/28/2008 Train traveling from Pisa airport to Florence cost 5.4 euro, instead 5.1 as listed on the book. We thought the train goes directly from airport to florence SMN, but we had to connect it from Pisa Central. It would be a helpful hints for other travelers Pisa Duomo was free when we visited.
Amy in Oakland, CA USA 01/02/2008 No Kakoli Dutta in Sterling, VA USA 12/08/2007 Santo Spirito church is not open at the hours mentioned in the book. We stopped by a few times and gave it up. Tracey Mantrone in Queens, NYC, NY USA 11/28/2007 An addition to the tip about making reservations for the most popular museums: In addition to the fee you pay to your hotel for making the reservation, you will also pay a fee to the museum for the reservation when you arrive. Our 3Euro fee became a total of 6Euros each, on top of the entrance fee. (Still worthwhile in order to avoid the lines.) jody in seattle, wa USA 11/12/2007 For the Accademia, it is 9.50 euros; with reservation it is 13 euros. Right now your book says it is 6.50 euros. Maureen in Alexandria, VA USA 10/27/2007 No Linda Cherek in White Bear Lake, MN USA 10/19/2007 The parking lot on the west side of Montalcino that you have labeled as "free" is now "pay". Jim & Megan Taylor in Seattle, WA USA 10/09/2007 Taking the bus to Voterra is inefficient since there are only two buses in the morning (weekdays), one in the afternoon (14:15) and one in the evening (17:45). We worried that we might be stranded if we relied on catching the only evening bus. Instead, we took a Volterra tour with Cor Magis Travel from Siena in a comfortable van holding eight passengers for 40 euros per person, not cheap compared with about 10 euros R/T by public bus, but much more efficient and relaxing for enjoying the Tuscan countryside and charming streets of Volterra. The tour was informative with the exception of the 40-minute visit to an alabaster factory and showroom (too much time in alabaster store!) Our tour guide did not provide as much detail on civic history and architecture as we received on our tours of Florence with Artviva. The return trip to Siena included a fun visit to a winery for a wine tasting class -- no pressure to buy anything. Victoria Watkins in NEW YORK, NY USA 09/15/2007 There is now a plaque on the mid point of Ponte Vecchio prohibiting locks being left. We were there Aug 22/23 and there wasn't a lock to be found. :( Tiphanie in Benoit, MI USA 09/08/2007 Fees charged at tourist attractions in Florence have increased - perhaps a note in the book that mentions the fees are bound to be slightly different might be useful. Ann Ringstad in Fairbanks, AK USA 09/07/2007 I Fratellini in Florence is no longer open in August, according to a neighbor there, who told me the owner has made so much money he can take the whole month off. Directions inside the Uffizi Gallery did not seem up to date with current traffic patterns. The room numbers were different and the flow was not as described. Doyle Johnson in Medfield, MA USA 08/27/2007 In Florence, the restuarant Osteria del Porcellino is listed on the map as #18, it is really #19. We spent quite a while trying to find this place, but enjoyed it once we were there. Devin in Olympia, WA USA 08/06/2007 Hotel Pensione Elite in Florence was convenient, clean and enhanced by friendly, outgoing Nadia. However, they no longer take credit cards and do not offer any breakfast. A DB was 70 Euros - reasonable! Ellen Shields in Winchester, Ma USA 08/06/2007 We loved Siena, but you said that the town square there was the most beautiful in Europe. Wrong. Of the ones we saw, Brussells was the best and San Marco in Venice was the second best. We stayed at the Casa Santo Nome di Gesu convent. In the sleeping section you said that they also had cheap dinners. We never saw any indication that they served any dinner at all and we were there around dinner time. Craig Caldwell in Kaysville, UT USA 05/09/2007 Gelletaria la Costarella was impossible to find. Looked all over and found a couple other places. One was next to another store named "... Costarella ..." but that is not the name of the Gellato place. If it really exists provide the address. Mike Harry in San Jose, CA USA 04/28/2007 was in Pisa 3/27/07 no bus #1 to tower in Pisa,should be Rosa Line,take bus marked R/L,also signal bus to stop they won't stop just because you are standing at the bus stop! Robert in Mason, KY USA 04/06/2007 Santo Spirito church is only open on Sunday from 9:00am to 10:00am, and during masses. Info received from the staff at Borgo Antico restaurant on the Pza Santo Spirito.(recommended by you & very good). I have more to write, but will add it on the page about Rome. George Easton in Westlake, OH USA 04/04/2007 On page 38 and 122, you indicate the Duomo Museum is open on Sunday from 0900-1340. This is incorrect and we arrived there too late on Sunday to see it all. The correct hours for Sunday are 0900-1300. I have a picture of the plaque outside showing the hours but I don't know how to attach it. It looks like these hours have not changed in some time judging from the plaque. Mark Derrick in Chattanooga, TN USA 03/27/2007 Not so much a correction as an addendum. Was in Florence and Pisa 14 FEB-18 FEB 2007. The fresco museum in Pisa is currently closed. The ticket that allows you to access all of the sights (Duomo, Baptistry, cemetary, and Duomo museum) was 8 Euros. Of those, the Duomo was free. I did not notice any signs that indicated when the fresco museum would re-open. Tom in St. Louis, MO USA 02/28/2007 The pensione Sorelle Bandini is closed. The phone number now reaches a hotel Abaco (http://www.hotelabaco.it/). The woman I spoke with on the phone did not know when Bandini would be open again, and couldn't tell me why it was closed (limited English, and my limited Italian) charles mangin in Raleigh, NC USA 01/30/2007 The top of the Boboli Gardens is open (rose garden), with wonderful views of olive orchards and distant hills. Breathtaking. Susan Hall in West Vancouver, BC Canada 12/23/2006 p. 200, Ristorante il Ritrovo, closed p. 37, MediciRiccardi, days should be Thu-Tue Sue Hall in Wilson, WY USA 11/29/2006 Page 227-228 DO NOT TAKE A CAR INTO FLORENCE!! At least not when I was there Oct24-27,2006 NIGHTMARE!! Lenny Fein in Austin, TX USA 11/10/2006 The rival launderette is actually at 55 Guelfa, not 22, as listed on page 27 of the Florence & Tuscany 2006 book. Purchase a 2.50 euro token from the change machine to wash. Then load up all heavy or cotton items such as jeans, tee shirts and socks into the extractor, and pay .50 euro to spin excess water from clothes. This will greater reduce drying time, which costs 2.50 euro for 15 minutes.
Fred & Gwen Fukumoto in Las Vegas, NV USA 10/26/2006 Would suggest you describe the trek to Civita from the Bagnoregio parking lot as requiring a little more fortitude. We took the bus up with the very pleasant driver and three very hospitable elderly ladies, dropping each off at her home as the prelude to the run to Civita. The bus driver questioned us "Macchina?". Later, after discovering the parking below the bridge, we figured out his message. C'est la Vie. Brooks & Susie Weiss in Winter Park, FL USA 10/20/2006 Yes, scratch your recommendation of Trattoria Trebbio. Mary Beard in Green Oaks, IL USA 09/29/2006 Yes- Scratch your recommendation for the restaurant "Trattoria de Leo" in Lucca! Pete in Bartos, VA USA 08/18/2006 Albergo Firenze has air conditoning during the day but at night they turn it off. They told us that they had to turn it off because the neighbors complained about the noise it made. I would love to know the real story if you contact them and find out anything more. Another aside, while we were there they had a fire in the hotel and the fire alarm was not working. So other than that and all the mosquito bites I got from having the windows open, all was well. Nancy Bagnoli in fairfax, VA USA 07/09/2006 Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori - they appear to run their own hours - whatever is convenient for them. The book reads that they open at 11am. When we visited them at 11:30 they were still closed for business and told us they opened at 1pm. On a previous visit, I arrived there around 12pm and they told us we had to wait about 10 minutes and then they opened. Stephanie in Aviano, Italy 07/09/2006 I would appreciate more information about car rental. should you pay extra for the additional insurance, or does your credit card have some type of insurance? Karen A. Riccio in Columbus, OH USA 06/22/2006 Basilica Santa Croce does not seem to be using the main doors as an entrance anymore, so your directions to Michelangelo's tomb need to be altered. B. Decharo in New York, NY USA 06/21/2006 Page 77, map of Uffizi gallery, room 6 on your map is actually room 7. The wine information on page 204 is not included in Index, would be helpful to add there Margaret Tuck in Augusta, GA USA 06/02/2006 In Florence, Affitacamere Lucia Freda now has a small website with photos: www.dormireintoscana.it/LuciaFreda/index.htm Stephen in Boise, ID USA 05/14/2006 Perfect! Susan and Tony Recce in Lawrenceville, NJ USA 04/30/2006 Just returned 04/16/06 from Firenze. Hotel update: Hotel Ungherese (page 188)is now run by Sabrina and Leonardo. They are doing an excellent job and the location was excellent for drivers as you say. Nice rooms and good value! Pretty terrace. Robin Farrow in San Jose, CA USA 04/20/2006 Announce "Culture Week", if possible. All musuems are free and a bazillion student groups go out for culture. We traveled 4/1 -4/10 and ran into tons of obnoxious teens. We'll only travel during off-season from now on. Jill CH in Ontario, CA USA 04/19/2006 The Duomo Museum charge was 8.50 euro for students and 10 for regular admission, not the 6 euro it lists in the book. Meg in Haslett, MI USA 04/19/2006 When we went, Orsanmichele Church was free and open to the public. In the guide book, I think it says that the church is only open in the evening for concerts. I'm not sure what the usual is, but that was not the case when we went. Leigh Thomas Hamann in Minneapolis, MN USA 04/14/2006 This may be updated in the 2006 book (I have 2005) but at the Leaning Tower of Pisa there are now railings during the outside portion of the climb. It felt very safe. J in HONOLULU, HI USA 03/30/2006 Some of the hours of the Gelato and Tratoria's are a little off for off-season travelers. We just returned from a week in Florence (2/11-2/19) and found the several eating establishments were closed or did not follow their summer hours Scott Shapiro in Pleasanton, Ca USA 02/20/2006 I echo what I note a couple of others have regarding going to San Marco or Museum of Precious Stones in Florence to get tickets for the Uffizi or the Academia, we were told the same thing. Go to those or call the number but they would not sell there. I was there in mid November 2005. Susie Sherman in Pleasant Ridge , Mi USA 02/04/2006 Sort of -- I booked the Hotel Basilea online for 3 nights -- Jan 11 to 14. I wanted to be sure I had a room when I arrived, tired and solo, in Florence. I was quoted a price of E110 at night. When I arrived, I was told there was a problem with the room and they had moved me to the Hotel Machievelli, around the corner on the Via Nationale. Same price. No problem. It was a good hotel. When I checked out at the Machievelli, I showed your book and mentioned the discount to see if the Machievelli would honor it. They wouldn't, but said it was because there were no discounts during this, the "Week of the Fashion Shows". So -- I am wondering -- are there blackout dates for the Basilea and/or other hotels in the book? Your book was great companion on this, my first solo trip, to Florence. I have been to Italy several times and never had more fun than I have had with this book. Thanks! Teresa Mastrobuono in Lititz, PA USA 01/20/2006 The city bus from the Pisa airport and the bus station to the Field of Miracles is Bus #1 and not bus #3. It is a 20 min. ride to/from the airport. Dennis & Donna Thompson in Godmanchester, CA UK 01/16/2006 2005 book, In Varenna the Nilus Bar is now called Il Molo. Tricia in Shakopee, MN USA 01/05/2006 |
