Florence & Tuscany 2012 Guidebook
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.
Pisa: you must be 8 to climb the Leaning Tower. We went to Pisa on my daughter's sixth birthday--the guidebook had said you must be 6. Needless to say she was quite disappointed. (as well as my other kids as they decided to support their younger sister and not climb themselves)
Carol Losos in Jersey City, NJ USA 01/02/2012
train station in directions- go right, not left
laura in chicago, IL USA 10/19/2011
Some of the maps are not precise, and I would be looking for streets that were not where the map said they were. More precise maps with more detail would be better.
Cooper Woodard in Providence, RI USA 10/18/2011
I'm not sure this is a correction, but we were in Interlaken, Switzerland on the 25th of September and the TI was closed. We were told that even in high tourist season, that it is not open very regularly. Just thought we'd mention this to you in case someone wants to check into it.
Marie Canada 10/09/2011
I'm not sure this is a correction, but we were in Interlaken, Switzerland on the 25th of September and the TI was closed. We were told that even in high tourist season, that it is not open very regularly. Just thought we'd mention this to you in case someone wants to check into it.
Marie Canada 10/09/2011
In the section on Local Guides in the 2012 guidebook, you list Karin Kibby as a local guide you use. The listed email, Jeanne in Eau Claire, WI USA 10/04/2011 One of the restaurants we went to near the Mercato Centrale--I am afraid I don't recall the name--was listed as a restaurant and cooking school in the guidebook. It was, when we asked, now no longer a restaurant--it's now just a cooking school. Storme Winfield in Colchester, UK 09/16/2011 Florence and Tuscany 2011 pg 357, Driving instructions to Pisa/Pietrasantina parking lot: "exit the autostrada at Pisa Nord and follow the signs to Pisa ( on the left)" etc. Please clarify whether the "autostrada" refers to the highway running west from Florence vs. the north-south highway running to the west of Pisa. We travelled west from Florence, finding only a Pisa Nord Est exit, and not sure if this was correct, but finding Pisa on the left as noted and appearing to be correct according to our Michelin map. Took us over an hour with a GPS, going to the airport and through town to eventually find the suggested bus parking lot--which was convenient, but suspect needs to be approached from the alternate highway--thanks Cynthia in Thomson, AZ USA 09/15/2011 We love your book. It made our trip so much more comfortable and complete: great priced accommodations of our choice, location best food. joseph olivo in rocky river, oh USA 09/04/2011 Yes, see above. Joe Weilenman in Pago Pago, AS American Samoa 08/11/2011 Yes, see above. Joe Weilenman in Pago Pago, AS American Samoa 08/11/2011 Florence and Tuscany FH in Laguna Beach, CA USA 08/02/2011 Florence and Tuscany FH in Laguna Beach, CA USA 08/02/2011 Two of the Cinque Terre maritime trails are closed this year and others may be closed next year. Peter Showler in Ottawa, ON Canada 07/11/2011 The original Baptistery doors in the Duomo Museum were gone for restoration when we visited on 4 July 2011. There was no sign stating so when we entered the museum and bought the tickets. Caroline Greene in Bicester, England 07/06/2011 No Briana Benson in Los Angeles, CA USA 06/19/2011 Regarding Montepulciano: there is no bus service to any outlying towns on Sunday during the summer months. We searched extensively today and had several locals try to find a bus for us. Eric Warneke in Denver, Co USA 06/12/2011 I think you already have the Hotel Katti in your book, but three weeks ago they opened up the Trattoria downstairs from the hotel and it is excellent! The prices are very affordable, they have outside tables, and it's the perfect addition for people already staying at Hotel Katti. They serve lunch and dinner and specialize in typical Tuscan cuisine. The chef has 30 years experience cooking Tuscan cuisine. They even have the Bistecca Fiorentina, it was done very well. Anne Ricketts in San Francisco, CA USA 06/04/2011 The three day combo pass for the Pitti Palace is no longer available. There is a multi museum pass now for sights in Florence for 50 Euros. Worth it if it covers the sights you want to see. Allison Garth in Little Silver, NJ USA 05/24/2011 Reservation NOT required for Brancacci Chapel in Florence if it's slow. I walked right in (it was a Monday)...there were very few people there and no time limit on seeing the chapel. Doug in Seattle, USA 05/03/2011 No. Shannon Fonferko in Schaumburg, IL USA 03/20/2011 We are having problems with b-ticketing who have billed us for a purchase and are telling us the money has not been taken out of our account. We have not had email contact with anyone since. I would suggest not using these people on your site. I have read some blogs on Trip advisor who have suggested the same. For your information. Brendan Netherlands 03/10/2011 The museum of science has been completely redone and renamed the Museo Galileo. The order of the exhibits has changed substantially. I believe that all the items noted in your tour are still there but the tour in the guidebook no longer makes sense. Anne in Washington, DC USA 12/30/2010 We went on bus to Piazza Michelangelo and stayed on the bus planning to get off at next stop for San Miniato Church, see it and walk back down. Should have gotten off and walked up to the church as bus stop is so close and we wasted time while bus sat for 20 min.. You still have to walk up steps to the church so no reason to wait and easy to miss the San Miniato stop! Martins in HOPEWELL, VA USA 11/03/2010 No. Jim Gray in Novato, CA USA 10/24/2010 During our stay in Florence, my wife tripped on sidewalk contruction and broke a bone in her elbow, for which we needed emergency attention. To find out what we should do, I first called the recommended Medical Services Firenze phone number, and got no response; please check to see if that service is still alive. I was able to connect with Dr. Stephen Kerr, and he recommended the one hospital in Florence that could accommodate us--Santa Maria Nuova; it would be helpful if that hospital could be identified in the guidebook. Gary Erickson in Kirkland, WA USA 10/02/2010 No Norman Barker in Medford, OR USA 09/24/2010 None Dennis Imwalle in Cincinnati, Oh USA 07/15/2010 no JoAnne Cruson in Nampa, Id USA 07/07/2010 There is a small da Vinci museum with his inventions reproduced in wood that is definately worth a visit for anyone curious. Dave and Hillary Hoppock in Orinda, CA USA 07/05/2010 The Siena Landmark mentioned for Gramschi central bus terminal is no longer the Jolly Hotel but is now the Excelsior Hotel. Gerald Raine in Redmond, WA USA 06/19/2010 No Barbara Jennings in Munds Park, az USA 06/10/2010 On Friday, May 27, LaBuca, in Pisa was shuttered during the day. Do not know if that was just for that day or why. Michael Chevalier in New Hope, PA USA 06/02/2010 The Hotel ei Capitini in Montelcino is not a wi-fi spot. Just one PC with a slow connection. But, it's heaven! As of May 27, the bus in Vernazza was closed due to landslides (from the TI). Michael Chevalier in New Hope, PA USA 05/27/2010 RS Florence Lists the Bargello open on Sundays. Not all :( There go plans. Check Fodors for correct schedule. I believe a copy of RS Paris 2010 would be proper compensation. Len Bogarad in 1712 Beacon St Brookline, MA USA 05/09/2010 Siena has a new (another?) combo ticket. I think Rick can recommend this one: 8 euro includes Duomo, Duomo museum, Bapistry, Crypt, Santa Maria della Scala, and Pinacoteca. We bought at TI but may be available at Duomo ticket office. Great value! Ron and Natalie Wickham in Foster City, CA USA 05/02/2010 This won't matter to readers, but may to the Dominican Sisters of Saint Catherine of Siena. They and not the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (whoever they are) run the Casa Santo Nome di Gesu. See Florence & Tuscany p. 246 and check the website for Casa Santo Nome di Gesu. Jim RAsmussen in Albuquerque, NM USA 04/01/2010 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