Florence & Tuscany 2010

Guidebook 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.

I just checked into Hotel Villa Elda in Siena, Italy (March 17, 2010). I asked about the free bottle of wine upon check-in that was mentioned in Rick Steves' book, but the receptionist said the offer had ended.

W. Leung in Los Angeles, CA USA 03/17/2010

In the Uffizi Gallery, the room with the famous statues of Venus and Apollo is closed and under construction

Mary in Ny, NY USA 02/21/2010

In the 2009 edition, pp. 12. "Cheap tricks in Tuscany": Palazzo Davanzati is listed under free sights - it is not. And one can enter into Palazzo Vecchio's courtyard, but only a few meters as the ticket checking is in the same place, closing the rest of the courtyard only for paying visitors. Entrance tickets different from the 2009 guidebook's indication in February 2010: Museo dell'Opificio delle Pietre Dure - 4 EUR, battistero - 4 EUR, palazzo Davanzati - 2 EUR, sacristy of San Miniato Church - 1 EUR, palazzo Medici-Riccardi - 7 EUR,

Farago Eva in Szombathely, HUngary 02/21/2010

Another great book. Only guide we needed. Everything you need to know is in this book.

Tim Marks in Rio Dell, ca USA 02/19/2010

Dear Sir/Dame is possible insert our bed and breakfast in your book Florence & Tuscany 2010 Rick Steves. our web site is www.soggiornoapienza.it

Carlo Alessandro Murrocu in Pienza, IT ITALY 02/18/2010

In January there did not seem to be any reason to pay for reservations at Uffizi and Academia. Everyone else just walked in.

David Neely in Chicago, IL USA 01/31/2010

2010 Florence Tuscany guidebook: Re: Uffizi. On pages 98 and 99, there is a conflict between the map legend on page 99 and the narrative entitled "Getting In" on page 98. The door enumeration doesn't match from narrative to map.

Mark in Bellingham, WA USA 01/18/2010

October 27, 2009 in Siena - the Duomo Cathedral entrance ticket was 6 Euros (not 3, per the 2009 guidebook.)

Chris in Cedar Point, NC USA 12/04/2009

Hotel Elite is a division of Hotel Montreal which is closer to the train station on the same street. Elite does not have a desk or services. One must call the hotel to find out how to get a key/access to the rooms. I was offered a room at the Hotel Montreal at the same price asked for the Hotel Elite and I was very grateful, but it might be best to correct your book entry on this hotel. No sunny Nadia running Hotel Elite any longer. One is completely on their own staying in those rooms. If interested in this location, best to book through Hotel Montreal directly.

Mindy Mitchell in Washington, DC USA 12/04/2009

Orsanmichel is now open on Mondays.

Maura in Stamford, CT USA 11/27/2009

The Duomo in Siena now charges 6 Euro, not 3 as listed in the guidebook. It is also now roped off inside in such a way as to make it logistically difficult to follow Rick's tour of it. One of the main rooms of statues in Rick's tour of the Uffizi Gallery is closed for renovation for several months.

Kevin in Syracuse, NY USA 09/30/2009

No American Express office in Florence

lance Reynolds in alameda, ca USA 09/19/2009

Yes

Ken and Peggy Williams in Marietta, GA USA 09/19/2009

The restaurant in Cortona, "Ristorante La Bucaccia" has a new phone number. The new phone number is: 0575 - 606 - 039. We ate there twice this past June. This restaurant's wonderful and gregarious host, Romano, asked us to go to Rick's website and let everyone know about this recent change.

Steven Jones in Cincinnati, OH USA 08/10/2009

No, but would like to say that my sister and I were in Rome, Florence, Venice, and Tuscany for 2 weeks in June and followed Rick Steves guidebooks in every city, ate at the recommended restaurants, did the walking tours, got lost like he suggested, followed his guidebook tours in every city, stayed in his recommended bed and breakfasts, and did a total Rick Steves European vacation, and had the best time ever. We had read all the books before we went and studied them, so we actually knew how to read a train ticket, know where to rent bicycles in Lucca, know what kind of insurance to get on our rental car, and the list goes on and on. This was the first Rick Steves trip, but I feel we know you after following your advice for 2 weeks. Thanks so much, and can't wait to take another trip.

JoAnne Cruson in Nampa, Id USA 06/30/2009

While guidebook info was enormously helpful, we thought just a bit more about train transfers in Rome might be helpful for first-time visitors. We arrived in on Leonardo Express on Track 24 and did not realize the rest of the train station was quite a bit further down the tracks. Departure-info boards at Tr. 24 listed only final destinations for trains - no train #s, so we got a little panicked when we could not locate our train to Florence & could not find anyone who knew. One train employee waved in the distance and told us 'probably Tracks 1 thru 5.' Signs pointing to tracks on a lower level (Tracks 1-32 I think?) almost had us headed there, which would have been wrong, as we finally located the main part of the station, including a Departure Board listing our train number headed to Milan (final destination), leaving from Track 8. We made the train with 2 minutes to spare!

Climb to top of Duomo now costs 8 euros, but absolutely worth it! Our 22-yr-old nephew was so enthralled we thought we'd never get him off the dome!

Cecilia in Dallas, Te USA 06/15/2009

While guidebook info was enormously helpful, we thought just a bit more about train transfers in Rome might be helpful for first-time visitors. We arrived in on Leonardo Express on Track 24 and did not realize the rest of the train station was quite a bit further down the tracks. Departure-info boards at Tr. 24 listed only final destinations for trains - no train #s, so we got a little panicked when we could not locate our train to Florence & could not find anyone who knew. One train employee waved in the distance and told us 'probably Tracks 1 thru 5.' Signs pointing to tracks on a lower level (Tracks 1-32 I think?) almost had us headed there, which would have been wrong, as we finally located the main part of the station, including a Departure Board listing our train number headed to Milan (final destination), leaving from Track 8. We made the train with 2 minutes to spare!

Climb to top of Duomo now costs 8 euros, but absolutely worth it! Our 22-yr-old nephew was so enthralled we thought we'd never get him off the dome!

Cecilia in Dallas, Te USA 06/15/2009

Rome: it would be better to place the national holidays in the beginning of the book (instead of in the appendix) along with your hints about which sites are closed on which days. We had planned to go to Ostia Antica on June 2 and only noticed that it was a holiday the day before.

We had our concierge (Cavaleri Waldorf Astoria/Hilton) call and discovered that the site opened later than usual.

We followed your directions to get to Piramide and the train. We boarded a train toward "Lido" without asking if it stopped at Ostia Antica, since your guide suggests that all trains stop there, and it zoomed right by every stop (including Ostia Antica) but finally stopped at one of the Lido stops. We got back on a train to return and it also zoomed right by Ostia Antica. We, as a joke, waved at the people crossing the blue bridge to Ostia Antica. Unfortunately, I couldn't convince my husband to try again from Piramide. At least we saw the ruins from the train.... And we enjoyed our short visit to Piramide.

Jane in Houston, TX USA 06/09/2009

The American Express office mentioned on page 27 is no longer in operation.

Lou in San Jose, CA USA 05/17/2009

Bargello has English translations in the Donatello Room (staff member said they've had the translations for the last couple of years!!). This was a breath of fresh air since they did not when we visited in 2006! The Duomo Museum allows photography WITH flash except for a couple of displays which are clearly marked. We were not allowed to take pictures in the Medici-Riccardi Palace. They had a special exhibit of dress/costume during different periods of time, and perhaps this was the reason. We were in Florence in early March 2009.

Lana in Richmond, TX USA 04/10/2009

No. I can't tell you how much I appreciated all of your suggestions. From the transportation (great details) to hours for the different museums to those little helpful hints (don't sit down while drinking your cappucino).

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

hotel enza-- while a bargain and friendly, they really need to replace the mattresses !

dianne gallagher in rochester, ny USA 11/10/2008

When leaving Firenze SMN station, the exit sign (Uscita) directs you to the side entrance, not the front. This caused us to walk away from our hotel, not towards it. A more detailed map of the station area (or a caution about the exit sign) would have helped.

Diane Russ in Hartsdale, NY USA 11/03/2008

The Banfi winery is located about 20 minutes south of Montalcino, not 10 minutes. Free tours, which are outstanding, should be reserved two to three weeks in advance. Wine tastings come with a fee.

Kelly in Milwaukee, WI USA 10/07/2008

Prices at the museums in Florence, which have already been mentioned by other travelers.

Celia Strickler in Palmetto, FL USA 09/24/2008

Went to Florence week of August 25 - Book states Academia is 9-euros and the reservation fee is 3.5- euros. Academia is now 10-euros and the reservation fee is 4-euros. Also, Bargello Museum is now 8-euros with a 0.50 euro adder for weekend for a total of 8.5 euros.

Rick in Windham, NH USA 09/08/2008

The Duomo in Sienna was not open as late as the guidebook said it was.

Bonnie Kamp in Thousand Oaks, CA USA 07/30/2008

Unfortunately, Hotel Villa Elda in Siena, Italy does not offer the Rick Steves discount during high season. October 2008 double room quoted for 160 Euro.

Jennifer in Chicago, IL USA 07/22/2008

BIG CHANGES IN FLORENCE (We toured Florence on July 1, 2008)

Pitti palace is no longer free and requires a min 10 Euro fee. The Accademia (Galleria dell'Accademia) was 14 Euros per person with reservation and an additional 5.50 euro for an audioguide (i.d. required to loan audioguides). The Bargello (Museo Nazionale) was 7 Euro (not 4) and Donatello's David is under restoration and is face down in the prone position. It is under restoration until the end of '08.

steve in dallas, tx USA 07/02/2008

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

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

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