Italy 2013 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.
Yes, the location of Il Gabbiano in Monterosso is incorrect. It is actually situated 30 meters WEST of the train station (item number 17 on the Monterosso map -- see page 401 of 2013 Italy Guidebook).
Gary Jones in Georgetown, TX USA 05/15/2013
No.
Kathryn in Vancouver, BC Canada 05/12/2013
We just returned from Sorrento (May 2013), using the Italy 2013 book. There are two laundries in Sorrento, as stated in the book. However, neither of them offers wash & dry service. The book stated that the one on the main street offers same-day wash & dry service. Both laundries are self-service. Also, the address given in the book is incorrect. One is down a small side street, near the given address. That one is a bit on the cramped and tired side. The other, at a major intersection, is cleaner and more modern.
Beth Pollock in Fort Lauderdale, FL USA 05/12/2013
No
Allen Wiener in Potomac, MD USA 05/11/2013
Italy 2012 page 140. Venice ATVO fare is now 6 Euros-not 3.
Jeffrey Strathmeyer in Pleasant Hill, CA USA 04/26/2013
Manarola. Page 370. Aria di Mare Rooms says Db-65euro, but the hotel is saying it is 65-85 for a Db. Book says prices promised for 2013, but they won't honor the 65. They say it is a misprint.
Joel Nussbaum in Louisville, KY USA 04/22/2013
The 2013 Italy Guidebook suggested itinerary includes traveling from Siena to Assisi. The Siena Connections section says better to do this leg by bus than train, but no information on bus connections from Siena to Assisi is provided. The 2010 edition listed two times per day for this bus. The SENA bus web site now lists only one run per day, it only goes to Santa Maria deli Angeli and it does not arrive until 19:15.
Larry Landsness in Madison, WI USA 04/17/2013
I bought the 2013 Italy ebook from Amazon, the Oct 2012 printing. The guidebook is full of very useful well organized information however the secind tine through after the city links section it skips over 20 pages and there is no way to get to the missing pages again. For example the Rome city links start about page 775. I read through page by page past 815. I went back to the handy links section and clicked on Forum and it goes straight to page 804. The same happens for every other page link before p. 804. If I turn the page from the Rome link page 775 it goes straight to 804. The Florence link page also skipped over 20 pages the second time through. This is very frustrating because I read a lot of good info and was not able to get to those pages again. Also please make the maps zoomable. I cannot read the street names on many of them using my color Nook.
Barbara Kiszka in Plaistow, NH USA 04/17/2013
Manarola map in the C.T. seems "off" - street names may need correction.
Scott and Amy Schaefer in Buffalo, NY USA 04/07/2013
Hotel Il Duca is listed in the 2013 Guide as having double rooms for 90 euros but in fact double rooms are priced at 240 euros quite a difference.
Maggie in Florissant, MO USA 03/26/2013
Tickets for the Leaning Tower of Pisa are now 18€.
Kimberly Buehler in Weimar, Germany 03/15/2013
The Italy 2013 book (p. 745: "Assisi Connections > By Bus") says, "A bus operated by Curreri leaves twice a week to Sorrento..." Unable to find anything about this bus on-line, I emailed Agenzia Viaggi Stoppini, the travel agency recommended on that same page 745 (and elsewhere in the book). They replied, "... I can confirm you that there are no buses from Assisi to Sorrento. There is only one bus from Assisi leaving daily at 01.45 p.m. to Naples (arrival time 07.00 p.m.). Then from Naples you have to take a local train called "Circumvesuviana" to Sorrento." I looked into this because we're going from Assisi to Sorrento, and the thought of not having to change trains at Naples was appealing. But I guess we'll have to do it anyway.
Roy in Sonoma County, CA USA 03/11/2013
Sleeping in Bellagio: Il Borgo Apartments now have a 3 night minimum stay.
Christian Ulmer in North Salt Lake, UT USA 02/20/2013
Milan's Hotel Garda discount with the code requested per Rick Steves Italy 2013 Guidebook is 6% to 10% (not a flat 10%) depending on what special events are happening in town. From experience they often give an additional discount if you pay with cash.
Jan Flore in Wauwatosa, WI USA 02/18/2013
Some Italo trains from Rome to Milan use Rogoredo station. Information on this station would be helpful.
Carole Bennett in Daytona Beach, FL USA 02/13/2013
Italy's Cinque Terre: p 3: "I still get the names of the towns mixed up." I don't: south to north: Real MAN Can Vault MOuNTains!" Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernassa, Monteorosso. "Rio," "Man," "Corn," "VErn," "Monty." We will respectful guests.
David Bruce Youel, MD in Palm Beach Gardens, FL USA 02/03/2013
Your guidebook is the only one we refer to when traveling. It has all the information that we need.
Kathi Gaffaney in Huntington Beach, CA USA 01/24/2013
The museum combo pass does not still cover the Accademia, and it is much too expensive (18E) for the paintings seen, as much as we love art
linda huetinck in alhambra, ca USA 01/14/2013
We had a great two-week trip overall but there were two Excedrin headache-inducing experiences. We purchased train tickets to go from Florence to Siena at the Florence train station. We missed any notice that we had to validate these tickets and the conductor on the train said we owed him 40 euros each as a fine. We tried to argue that we did not know this and he said that the signs were posted throughout the station. In the end, he charged us "only" 40 euros, which was more than the price of our two tickets. After this experience, I found it described in the Appendix to the guide book but wonder if this could be mentioned earlier, for those considering train travel. The second major headache was trying to get our VAT documents stamped at the Rome airport as we were leaving. Every staff person we asked directed us to another location. No one really seemed to know what to do with this request. So any help there would be appreciated.
Lynn Hartmann in Rochester, MN USA 11/24/2012
Prices always increase..just be aware.
Janet in Strange, AZ USA 10/29/2012
Do not change the way you do your books! We picked up a different guide at our hotel in Venice (people traded books at our hotel, mostly yours). It had beautiful photos and a few delightful descriptions and then . . . . No maps pinpointing hotel and museum locations, no great commentary of the things we visit, etc. we now realize how much is packed into your books and how valuable they are. Thak you.
Mikel Morrison in Seattle, WA USA 10/26/2012
We were in Venice in October 2012 and the lady at the Accademie Museum said tickets for entry for 2 adults were 14 Euro and not 6.50 as in the R.S. Italy Guidebook 2012. She said that had been the price for 2 years.
Hoke Kimball in Atlanta, GA USA 10/26/2012
Prices have gone up on a lot of the sights. Also, Cinque Terre, which we loved, still have not opened their trails except the highest one from Corniglia to Manarola. We loved Vernazza and stayed there for 2 nights.
Ruth Stark in Sun Cityy Center, FL USA 10/22/2012
Sleeping in Varenna, p. 264. We stayed at Albergo del Sole for 4 nights. The "straight-faced" family has been replaced by a new owner; Francesco is the warm, capable face there now. The staff is attentive and competent. Our room -#5 - does have a view of the lake. The restaurant is quite good, and is a favorite of several locals we met there. An elevator has been added, a welcome sight after dragging luggage for 10 minutes from the train station. We paid 125 Euro per night, a slight increase over the price quoted in the book. This is a very good place to stay in this beautiful town.
Joseph Terranova in Lancaster, NY USA 10/22/2012
Snapshot Naples--16 euros entry for Archaelogical Museum; can ride R4 bus for 1.20 euros (buy tkt at news kiosks) from Via Medina stop (past fountain on street) north of Piazza Municipio (convenient for cruise dock) up to Archaelogical Museum; Royal Palace has free English audio with deposit of picture ID.
Winnie in Ngan, TX USA 10/21/2012
Sent in a separate e-mail
David Graham in Shell, Ecuador 10/20/2012
In general, the prices were higher than listed, especially for restaurants.
Betsy Santarpio in Moultonborough NH, NH USA 10/14/2012
The vaporetto in Venice is now 7 euros, no longer 6.5. In Siena the minimum ticket for the duomo is 6 euros, no longer 3. Despite talking with an official tourist aide while waiting in line for the duomo and again at the ticket window, we were unable to buy a ticket for 3 euros. The good news is we didn't need a reservation in early October and the duomo is worth 6 euros.
Bill Galvani in Bainbridge Island, WA USA 10/05/2012
You need to include that "rocket" means arugula - we kept seeing rocket insalata and finally found someone who knew what it was. Also the underground tour of Naples was great - you need to book it ahead but it was totally worth it
Judith Hitchings in OAKLAND, Ca USA 10/02/2012
Audio/book guide to Roman Forum was hard to follow. Area is not easy to navigate for first time & tour seemed to skip around a lot, would have liked to take sites in order we saw them.
LINDA HOOD in LEWIS CENTER, OH USA 09/26/2012
Stayed at Locanda la Corte in Venice. Upon check out, we asked for the Rick Steve's 10% discount. They said we had to ask before we booked the room because they had a certain amount of their less desirable rooms for people who asked for that discount. The discount did not apply to the better rooms. Since we booked a better room, no Rick Steves discount. We then asked for the 10% cash discount. They said that discount only applied if the cash was paid upon check in. We had arrived late at night and no one told us we even had the option to pay upon arrival. At check out, they told us if we don't ask, it is not their responsibility to tell us what discounts are available. This all being the case, you should add these precautions to the guidebook to qualify the discounts you mention. It does not seem appropriate that Lacanda la Corte is playing these games with your words.
Greg Stein in Seattle, WA USA 09/24/2012
Rail ticket validation machines are no longer yellow, but Italian green with a grayish beige front.
On page 677, there's no travel time included for the bus from Montepulciano to Florence.
Marion in San Francisco, CA USA 08/13/2012
I think the Naples subway lines on the map on p. 879 are switched. (Line 2 runs from Garibaldi, not Line 1.) The southeast "entrance" to the Paestum ruins (by the Temple of Neptune) is only an entrance for ticketholders, and tickets are sold at the museum. The map on p. 899 makes the distance from Paestum's train station to the ruins seem very far (when it's only a 10 minute walk).
Kyla Gurganus in Ypsilanti, MI USA 08/02/2012
Italy 2012, Map on page407 shows the ERba Persa Agriturismo across the bridge, but it is on the same street and side as the train station in Levanto. Exit station and go left, do not cross over bridge.
Venice - vapparato price for summer was 7euro.
Venice, Hotel Mercurio offered free wifi and was a left turn on Frezzaria, not right. Great place as well!
Kathy in Lake Elsinore, CA USA 07/24/2012
Yes. Please add a section on the Montecassino Abbey. I understand that it resides in Cassino which is a section that is not referenced in your book. I presume this is vecause of its location smack between Rome and Naples.
Kevin P. Quill in Virginia Beach, VA USA 07/23/2012
A few price changes, but that's to be expected.
One of the cicchetti bars in Venice had closed.
Kristyn Turaj in Raleigh, NC USA 07/23/2012
PADUA: Not sure what the latest edition says but the 2010 version says that the tram stop outside of Padua's train station is located due south past the bus terminals. The tram stop is actually to the right of the train station (west) as you come out, just before the bridge.
Jimmy in Victoria, BC Canada 07/15/2012
How tough the trails are! It said it would take the correct time but didnt' realize it was ALL steps the whole way up hill towards Monterossa. Should have reversed our trip towards Vernazza.
Karen in Cleveland , OH USA 07/01/2012
You're map of Florence is incorrect. There was supposed to be a Tourist Information stand next to the Duomo, but there wasn't one. You had to walk quite a ways before there was one. And it's marked with a cursive "i".
Bailey Johnson in Jacksonville, FL USA 06/29/2012
add a section on mini fares for trenitalia, huge savings
Lionel in Kennebunk, ME USA 05/30/2012
Padua, May 2012 Ristorante alle Piazze da Giorgio now permanently CLOSED ristorante Nerodiseppia now an OYSTER BAR & open only at lunch (!?!?)
Allie Taylor in Vancouver, BC Canada 05/26/2012
P. 525 Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II in Pisa no longer looks like a bombed-out zone. The construction work is completed and the piazza was opened to public with a ceremony on February 11, 2012. P. 527 Now Piazza dei Cavalieri in Pisa is under redevelopment. The southwest side of the piazza is closed. The work started on September 26, 2011 and supposed to last 450 days according to the sign on the fence. So it should be opened by the end of 2012.
Yas Obara in Redmond, WA USA 05/20/2012
Page 523 How to get from Pisa S. Rossore station to the Field of Miracles, Take the underground walkway to the east exit and walk south and turn left to Via Andrea Pisano. Walk northeast for 150 meters and you see the tower ahead. Walk 200 meters further and you reach Piazza dei Miracoli. See Opera Primaziale Pisana web site. http://www.opapisa.it/en/plan-your-visit/practical-information/how-to-get-there.html
Yas Obara in Redmond, WA USA 05/20/2012
My wife and I just returned from Italy, where we visited Civita di Bagnoregio. We loved it! As always, the Rick Steves Italy book was extremely helpful, and I can't thank you and your fine staff enough for all the fine advice. However, your readers need to be aware that one of the places you recommend attempted to cheat me by witholding change when I paid my bill. The man handling the money at Antico Frantoio Bruschetteria tried to shortchange me 5 euros, and acted like the our transaction was over. When he understood that I was not leaving without my change, he quickly came up with the money. I would not go into that cave again.
Mike Seat in Columbia, MO USA 05/16/2012
We are currently planning a June visit to the Italian Dolomites and discovered that the Florian chairlift in the Alpe di Siusi will be closed for maintenance until June 30, 2012. This will affect hikers hoping to make the famous circle hike between Compatsch and Saltria. I found this info here: http://www.florianlift.it/en/prices/
Dave K. in Atlanta, GA USA 05/09/2012
Though we took several of the 2012 Rick Steves' guidebooks with us (e.g. Italy, Rome, Florence, and Venice) we found that quite a number of the prices for sights noted in the guidebooks were out-of-date.
Charlie Gingo in Bennington, VT USA 05/05/2012
A couple of hotel corrections: Assisi - Hotel Ideale's rooms do not all have views. I was in a corner room facing the street and trees onthe side of the hotel. This room had quite a bit of street noise and it would have been helpful to know in advance that the staff spoke almost no English. Florence - Albergo Margaret Hotel's rooms are not all "peaceful". I was in a room facing the street which was very busy with traffic, people talking, and drunks yelling. There were still drunks wandering down the street at 6:30am, breaking bottles, cussing and kicking doors (just shortly before I left to catch the airport shuttle). The hotel owners are very kind but this has become a very bad location and I wouldn't recommend it for safety reasons.
Sherrie Sons in Bolingbrook, IL USA 04/30/2012
Sorrento, Italy Ristorante pizzeria Laterna Due has changed their name and their quality. They are now the Family restaurant and pizzeria. The food is mediocre at best. Not recommended.
Cindy Lepzinski in Littleton, Co USA 04/28/2012
I run a small bed and breakfast in Chianti and recently several guests from the United States have told me that that they are entitled to a discount if they pay in cash, as it has been indicated to them by Rick Steve's guides. This is a practice know as tax evasion and is what is bringing Italy to its knees. Please can you correct this totally incorrect information which is encouraging criminal activity and damaging the reputation of honest, law abiding residents of Italy.
Barbara in Greve in Chianti, fi italy 04/23/2012
The church of San Luigi die Francesi now re-opens at 3 pm instead of 4 pm. On April 10, 2012 there were mobs of teenage school groups who were noisy and disrespectful. There were hundreds of flash cameras going off and signs everywhere saying "no flash". It really detracted from viewing Caravaggio's masterpieces of St. Matthew.
Patricia Sinnott in Atlanta, GA USA 04/10/2012
I'm confused: Page 957 says Boats servicing Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi generally operate mid-April through mid-October" and then says "From Salerno ferries run from mid-April through September." Can we take a ferry back to Sorrento from Salerno somewhere between Oct 4 and Oct 10?
Cheryl Moreno in Elmira, MI USA 04/03/2012
Not that I recall. I love Rick Steves' books and rely on them when I travel in Europe.
Marybeth Janerich in Salt Lake City, UT USA 03/28/2012
Please add Trieste, Italy to the guide book!! I purchased the e-book on kindle sight-unseen for our trip to Trieste and was sorely disappointed when I discovered that Trieste isn't even mentioned! Trieste is an amazing Italian city with wonderful cafes, roman ruins, medieval castle and cathedral and more recent austro-hungarian empire art and architecture. We had a fantastic trip despite missing out on Rick's wonderful travel advice. there's also the grotto gigante, which is one of the most breath-taking caves I've ever visited, and beautiful hiking and boat trips.
Gigi Richard in Grand Junction, CO USA 03/04/2012
In the 2012 Italy guidebook, the map showing Florence restaurant locations has ZaZa's and Mario's shown in the wrong location.
Barbara skinner in Louisville, KY USA 02/05/2012
I have been using Italy 2012 to organise a trip in April/May. However, I have received no responses to my email enquiries from Don Orione Religious Guest House or Casa di Santa Brigida. Has there been a change in their contact details since publication?
Terry Clarke Australia 01/30/2012
The Roma Pass is now 30 euros. Still a great deal!
Mary Lou Beaulieu in Swanton, Vt USA 01/24/2012
Suggestion Italy 2011 Page 135 Venice Cruise Ship Terminal- The book says San Basilio Vaporetto stop is closest to the ships. It is closest to some but we found that P. Le Roma stop was the better stop for most of the ten cruise ships in port on that Saturday in October 2011. The People Mover was fast, efficient and cheap and then a ten minute walk to one of the more distant ships. Otherwise, we found the book to be accurate and detailed - Excellent! Thanks.
Lowan Morrison in Vancouver , BC Canada 01/03/2012
Osteria la Congrega restaurant in Florence has disappeared. We found the address, and there is no restaurant there. We called the phone number and no one answered.
Steve in San Jose, CA USA 01/01/2012
hotel vecchia in milano no longer offers free wifi with rick steves book
steven in los angeles, CA USA 12/31/2011
Regarding this statement from your 2012 corrections section " Sorrento and Capri Sorrento Davide Gelato's correct name is Gelataria David. They've moved to a location near the train station, at Via Marziale 9, where they offer gelato-making demonstrations for individuals and groups." Davide & David are separate businesses in different locations. I enjoyed both on our visit 2 years ago. David was then near the train station. Davide, if I remember correctly, is in a narrow street off of the center of Sorrrento.
Michael in Undisclosed, OR USA 11/12/2011
Page 783: I know that this is picky, but there have not been 265 official popes. Benedict XVI is indeed #265 on the list, but one man, Benedict IX, is on the list three times. However, I am pretty certain that there are more than 265 portraits in St. Paul's. I only spent a few minutes there, and I discovered mosaics of two fictitious popes -- Donus II and Cletus/Anacletus -- as well as one antipope, the first Pope John XXIII. Also, the portrait of the Stephen who was only pope for three days and who was removed from the list is still there. I suspect that there are at least a couple more.
Mike Wavada in Enfield, CT USA 11/01/2011
In spite of reading the Taxi section before arriving in Rome, we were scammed. We used the taxi stand indicated on the RS map where I assumed only authorized cabs would be lined up. Unfortunately, while the cab had the correct exterior markings, it did not have a meter and we were already on our way (party of 5) before we found this out. A 7 euro ride to Trastevere became 33 euros! It was the last taxi ride we took in Rome.
Pat in Middletown, DE USA 10/31/2011
Italy 2011 Cortona page 648 - Casa Kita is now 65 euro for double (could be that Osvaldo gave us a bigger room?) but includes a simple but fun continental breakfast. WiFi available, though it can be spotty.
Italy 2011 Cortona page 640 - The TI is no longer on Via Nazionale. It has moved to Casali Palace, behind the Estruscan Museum. Just walk past the museum entrance and through the courtyard, up a staircase into a small room. 2 very helpful ladies.
Italy 2011 Cortona page 645 - Combo ticket for Etruscan and Diocesan Museum is now 13 euro. Entry for each is 10 euro.
Italy 2011 Cortona page 640 - The tabacchi at Camuchia station seemed to be permanently closed. The bus fare from Cortona to Camuchia is now 1.20 euro. We were not charged for bus from Camuchia to Cortona. Bus ticket back to Camuchia can be purchased at the tabacchi half way down the hill from Piazza Garibaldi.
Italy 2011 Cortona page 649 - Ristorante La Bucaccia now requires reservations, thanks to all the RS readers dining there! :-)
Italy 2011 Rome page 797 - Gulliver's Lodge (we were in the midst of the Indignato march on 10/15!) also offers free pastry and coffee at the Pinocchio Cafe down the street (Mary will provide vouchers.)
Italy 2011 Firenze page 472 - For the life of us, we could not find Osteria la Congrega. We walked up and down Via Panicale but could not find it.
Italy 2011 Firenze page 460 - Internet access at Hotel Enza is spotty especially if you're assigned a room at the end of the hallway. Stronger signals closer to the lobby.
Italy 2011 Cinque Terre page 318 - Cinque Terre cards cost 7 euro on Sundays (their holy days.)
Italy 2011 Vernazza page 363 - Il Pirata dell Cinque Terre - We have never seen such hard working group as Massimo, Gianluca and their staff! They are worker bees with smiles on their faces and Massimo's quips make you blow out your cafe latte.
Kay Ishii in Renton, WA USA 10/30/2011
Yes, Hotel La Spiaggia
Lee Bruning in Hayward, CA USA 10/10/2011
on page 71 of the Snapshot Naples & Amalfi Coast under From Sorrento to Other Points: Naples the web site is www.metrodlemare.net (not .com)
Nancy in Scotch Plains, NJ USA 10/06/2011
Italy 2011 Orvieto: Agriturismo Locanda Rosati is owned by Giampiero Rosanti. The Cristina mentioned in the book is his Niece and her name is spelled Cristinia. Their dinner prices have been raised to 37.50€. - well worth it! Enoteca Tozzi has been sold and is now called Enoteca al Duomo and is owned by Emiliano Micheli. Piazza del Duomo, 13 05018 Orvieto. 0763344607 www.enotecaduomo.com. Very good food and service. Very energetic new owner
Jodi Sanders in Sun Valley, ID USA 10/06/2011
The elevator from the train station to the top of the town in Riomaggiore is no longer operating, according to Locando del Sole operator Enrico. It has been out of service since Aug 2010. The bus will take u thru town to the top, or u can climb up.
Kathryn in Safety Harbor, FL USA 10/02/2011
Pisa, Italy. Ristorante Bagus: After turning onto Via Nunziata, take the 3rd (instead of 1st) right turn and go to end of street. Also, other restaurants turning the other way onto Via Nunziata worth trying.
Pete in Cincinnati, OH USA 10/02/2011
The pronunciation of Civita --It is not chee VEE ta; it is CHEE vee ta. At least that is how the locals say it.
Mo in Belleuve, WA USA 10/02/2011
Train prices seem to have gone up slightly, but I assume that has to do with seasons, strikes, etc...
Kelly Moffa in Irvine, CA USA 10/01/2011
Snapshot Hill Towns of Central Italy 2009. Orvieto 1. pg 67: At the top of the funicular , in the park to the left with the ruined fortress-- WCs no longer appeared to be available--doors boarded up. 2. pg. 72 Admission to Duomo no longer free. Charging 2-3 Euro, but including Chapel of San Brizio for all entrances.
Cynthia Thomson in Tucson, AZ USA 09/15/2011
Not a correction - just something to be aware of - the bank machines in Cinque Terre do not accept Canadian bank cards. Luckily our hotel agreed to take credit card so we had enough cash for the 4 days we were there, but it could have been a disaster. We spoke to 5 or 6 other Canadians who were having the same problem and we tried at least 4 machines....
Karen in Toronto, ON Canada 09/08/2011
Hotel Florence- Bellagio had the best air conditioner we had the whole trip! It was so modern and our room was nice and cool!! We also stayed at a bigger hotel in Florence and it was in a great location, friendly staff, air conditioned and the bathroom was updated and modern. Hotel Berchielli Lungarno Acciaiuoli 14, Tornabuoni, 50123
Liza in Syracuse, NY USA 09/05/2011
In your book, you suggest parking at the free lot in La Spezia, Italy instead of driving into Cinque Terra. Your map showing the location of the parking is wrong! The parking lot is not where is is marked on your map. In fact, your map does not even cover the area where the parking lot is. You should correct the map and list the street where the parking lot is located as well as the cross streets. It took us a long time in the 90 degree heat to find that lot. Please correct the map for other travelers.
Bob in Sudbury, MA USA 08/30/2011
At Trattoria Anita, the lunches were 9€ and 13€. Thursday's the day they make lasagna and it alone is worth the 9€.
K in Rizzo, Va USA 08/23/2011
Italy 2011 page 335 Mar Mar/Il Grifone Rooms - Found out that this establishment will not let you check in after 5pm. Arrival time of our train from Switzerland will be after 7pm so we asked if we can check in then. We were told their check-in rules stipulate checking in at 5pm or earlier, not later.
Kay Ishii in Renton, WA USA 08/13/2011
I do not think Tratttoria Milanese in Milan is there anymore. We spent a good time looking for it and never found it. The tour of the Vatican Gardens was superb. I would defintiely recommend a tour guide for the section of the VaticanMuseum that one would like to see the most, otherwise it is overwhelming.
John and Elyse O'Kane in Stone Mountain, GA USA 07/24/2011
Cortona-the bus from train station to town does not run on Sundays! When taking the bus from town to station, know that the drop off is a 200 yd walk from station and be sure to alert driver that you are wanting the station, as the stop is easily missed, with no signs and no visible station!
Orvieto--hotel posta is great, but beware the large clock tower verrry close by, which rings every quarter hour--until verylate--at 12:30 am it was still going...even with ear plugs, this was a challenge
Toey in Houston, Tx USA 07/22/2011
I found Laura at the Hotel Olivedo in Varenna to be very polite, professional, and hospitable. She does not exhude the warm and fuzzies, that is not her personality, but I found her a nice host and it was a good place to stay. She works very hard, and manages to communicate with all her guests in their native language. I was impressed.
Tracy in Oxford, CT USA 07/17/2011
The fixed rate for the Roma taxi to and from Fiumicino airport is 40 euros and not 45 like the book states.
D Mitchell in Elk Grove, CA USA 07/12/2011
NOT REALLY. I ONLY WANT TO STRESS HOW IMPORTANT THE DIRECTIONS ARE TO ESPECIALLY US "SINGLE" TRAVELERS. ON THE WHOLE, THEY WERE VERY ACCURATE E.G. FINDING LODGING, SIGHTS ETC.
SANDI KELLY in SARASOTA, FL USA 07/10/2011
The excellent pizza restaurant popular with locals just beyond the main piazza in Orvieto has changed owners and names! Although the name in the 2011 Italy Guidebook remains on the small directional signs on the piazza, the new name is Charlie's or something similar. The locals were helpful in trying to explain this change and very complimentary of the cuisine, and they were correct! Thought you'd like to know for future updates to the guidebook.
Reverend Brooks Keith in Edwards, CO USA 07/02/2011
P 342. It's Aria di Mare, not Ariadmare Rooms.
Lynette Taylor in Brooksville, FL USA 06/24/2011
Your placement of the Residenza Giotto on the map in Florence is incorrect -- it is one building closer to the duomo than your current map shows. Also, it would be more accurate to list it under "close to the duomo", since the front door is about 20 steps from the duomo piazza.
Cheryl in Westminster, CO USA 06/07/2011
Yes - 1. The train terminal in Rome has very little information for a newbie to get around. Put a north arrow on your map and explian this terminal in greater detail on how to get around from where the train from the airport arrives, etc.
Update (and warn) about rising prices!
Larry Linemann in Lexington, SC USA 06/01/2011
On page 889 of the Italy 2011 guidebook, Davide Gelato is recommended in Sorrento. Yet our Southern Italy tour group went to David Gelateria for a gelato-making demonstration and free samples. I talked with the owner, Mario and he wondered if the two gelaterias were being confused. Mario makes his gelato fresh everyday and has been having RS tour groups come into his store for several years. He wondered why his gelateria was not recommended in the Italy guidebook. His gelato is a real work of art and the demonstration of its making was so interesting. I think he should be included in the next Italy guide.
Teresa Curran in Louisville, KY USA 05/31/2011
Addition, not correction. Agritursimo Pietra Rosa Via Monte Polo 11-61029 Urbino tel/fax +30 0722 53537 - mobile 389 058 7138
Mary Weisse in Rapid River, MI USA 05/28/2011
Verona - Tourist Information near the train station is closed. Only one is in Piazza Bra and is very difficult to find!
Pisa - Bus to Lucca is 3.50 Euros if you buy on the bus. Cheaper if you buy off the bus, but I don't know where they sell those tickets!
Carol in Atlanta, GA USA 05/27/2011
In the Verona section (and perhaps elsewhere), you mention in the discussion of the Duomo that Herod's slaughter of the innocents was when he commanded that all firstborn sons be killed. You're confusing that with the Exodus account of the firstborn sons being killed. Herod had just found out from the Wise Men that the new king had recently been born, so he ordered all boys under the age of two to be killed, whether firstborn or not. It's an easy mistake to make, but also easily corrected.
Michael in Seattle, WA USA 05/25/2011
Orvieto - Contrary to what the Italy book says, the La Rupe trail is NOT "fairly level and easy to follow." It's not well-marked in many places and it's way too easy to miss the turn off to get to the escalator. It's only partially paved, with long sections either dirt or gravel and some inclines in the path are so severe that I felt in danger of slipping more than a few times. We had to inch our way up or down one foot length at a time for sections as long as 30-40 feet.
Michael in Seattle, WA USA 05/23/2011
The Hotel Vecchia Milano in Milan said they had a new manager and would no longer give free Wi-Fi to Rick Steves' readers. After I said I would e-mail Rick, they relented but only because I was staying just one night.
Doug in Leopard, Tx USA 05/22/2011
Orvieto..The walk outside the walls is very poorly marked. There was no signs to the elevator and it was difficult to fine. Really hard to find the correct trail
Art Crawford in Eagle, Id USA 05/18/2011
Orvieto - Casa Selita is no longer honoring the 70 Euro RS published rate. Selita indicated in writing to us that in spite of what was published by Rick, she has had to raise her rates to 75 E per night.
Joe Kim in Pittsburgh, PA USA 05/15/2011
Page 886: The address for Hostel La Sirene is actually Via deli Aranci 156 not 160. Evidently until just last year you had to enter thru the café that is at 160 to get to the Hostel... not any more.
Mitch McCann in Killeen, TX USA 05/09/2011
I would like you to add a note please. Parking in La spezia, if you are driving from another city, is very challenging and expensive. We spent an hour trying to find a parking place and then had to spend 20 minutes looking for change to feed the meter. It would be useful for people to know that.
Nena Montgomery in Redwood City, CA USA 04/27/2011
Not all the walkable destinations were walkable if there was a issue with walking. And No recommendations for handicapped. On any of the walkable times listed allow an extra 15 to 30 minutes unless you have been there before and know where you are going.
Everett Kincer in San Mateo, CA USA 04/18/2011
When calling to make reservations for Uffizi and Accademia museums, I was given a 5 digit number confirmation and not a 6 digit number. A few others on the helpline said they also got 5 digit numbers.
Emily in Charlotte, NC USA 03/25/2011
The Kindle version of the 2011 Italy guidebook was not complete! When I compared the Sleeping in Rome section with the paper version of the guidebook, the kindle version had very few! One other recommendation: When Frommer's sells you a Kindle version of their guidebooks (at least the Asian ones, since you don't do Asia...), they give you a website where kindle users can print out the maps and walking tours. That would be so cool, if you would do it, too!
Rachel Cohen in Austin , TX USA 03/20/2011
How could you not include Sicily in a guidebook named Italy? Very disappointing
Robert in Miami, Fl USA 03/12/2011
Orvieto - Hotel Corso does not honor the Rick Steves published rate for a single (euro 70). They say the Rick Steves discounted rate is euro 86 without breakfast.
Robert Violette in Bordentown, NJ USA 03/01/2011