Rome 2012 Guidebook
Best ways to improve this book:
Get it into the hands of more travelers. It is terrific. WE know a couple who are going in Feb and we have already given a copy for their trip.
Joan in Eatontown, NJ USA 01/06/2012
Have someone call restaurants to verify if they are still open.
Peter Fabriele in Scotch Plains, NJ USA 10/20/2011
Add Corsini Museum in Trastevere in your guidebook. Very intersting museum for those who have seen the rest.
Cindy Luis in Cambria, CA USA 10/07/2011
very hard to say; it is a good book!
Yolanda in New York, NY USA 10/03/2011
I saw the post about being a pedestrian in Rome. I'll admit that my husband, rather than I, did the guidebook reading, but if you don't have a section about being a pedestrian in Rome, you need to say prominently (since crossing the street can be the first thing you do once you leave the airport) that pedestrians in Rome should have no problems as long as they **pay attention** to their surroundings, wait for a bit of gap between cars before starting, **keep a steady pace and make eye contact with drivers**. It is certainly true that lane markings and traffic signals are taken suggestions rather than laws and it can sometimes be difficult to tell where pedestrian-only areas end. It helps to watch what native Romans do or join a group of them before attempting your first street crossing. Roman drivers are very good are going around pedestrians but you'll confuse them if you change your pace as you cross. My other suggestion for all of your books would be to have your staff check into lighting and fire safety issues at hotels you recommend. We have stayed at three of your recommended hotels in London, Paris and now Rome and have generally been pleased, but at our last hotel, one had to exit the building by unlocking two doors with one of two different keys and descending many flights of stairs. The stairs were poorly lit (every member of my family tripped at least once even after knowing the staircase had issues). I did not see smoke detectors in the rooms or residence hallways and there were no fire escapes or even alternate exits. These issues weren't necessarily deal breakers, but we took to leaving the key in the room's door lock, so we'd be able to find the key immediately in the event of an emergency and we had all family members practice unlocking the exit doors. Some of the marble steps tended to blend in with the step below - this would definitely be an issue for anyone with vision issues (and easily solved by the hotel's installing colored edging on the steps).
Cathy in Oakland, CA USA 09/19/2011
Map of the bus terminal at Termini showing where the most- used bus lines stop; personnel gave me misdirections to the 360 and I walked 2 full circuits of the large lot reading the small signs till I found it.
Andrew Chao in Danville, CA USA 08/13/2011
Add that the restrooms in the Termini require a Euro. (I left my purse with my traveling party, which was quite a distance from the downstairs restrooms. By the time I realized I needed the euro coin, it was too late to go back for my purse, so I had to wait for my train's facilities instead.)
Arlene Brumm in Mukilteo, WA USA 07/26/2011
None
Susan Roth in Las Vegas, NV USA 07/24/2011
Suggest purchase of bus schedule at termini-3euro. We found the busses to be easy, but didnt know the routes. It can be found online, but w/o net access it is tough. I would also suggest a layout/map of termini (with bin #s and services identified).
Tory in Houston, Tx USA 07/22/2011
Suggest purchase of bus schedule at termini-3euro. We found the busses to be easy, but didnt know the routes. It can be found online, but w/o net access it is tough. I would also suggest a layout/map of termini (with bin #s and services identified).
Tory in Houston, Tx USA 07/22/2011
Rick, please make sure you explain that walking from the Appian Way (Appia Antica) to the Aqueduct Park is doable, but very unsafe for large groups. My wife and I will walk just about anywhere, but we were even a bit apprehensive when looking in your book and noticing that you said you would walk between these places. The road is just not wide enough near Aqua Sante bottling company. Just make sure you add that caveat in your book.
David Krupski in Elkridge, MD USA 07/22/2011
The Twin Cities hostel (on the B Metro line between Paolo San Paolo and Marconi) is only about 80 Euros a night for a nice room with a bath (we had a balcony off the bathroom!) and a kitchen. The washing machine is also available.
Robert Sanford in Edmonds, WA USA 07/01/2011
I think the review on Giolitti's gelateria should be rewritten and should let readers know they are rushed in and out like cattle, treated rudely, and that kids especially suffer from the experience.
Kathy in Mpls, MN USA 06/29/2011
Loved the book. Was also a treat seeing Rick in Rome starting another episode of his program.
Debbie morgan in Benton, Ky USA 06/28/2011
A great authentic guide - but I can't actually find a 'recommended' section on the website. (Maybe just the book?)
Paul Roberts in Stockholm, - Sweden 06/20/2011
Make more people buy it so that other tourists aren't trying to steal mine!
Katie Yingling in Lubbock, TX USA 06/11/2011
Keep publishing it! These guides are lifesavers.
Sheila Redling in Huntington , WV USA 05/22/2011
My wife and I have been ardent users of your guide books for 13 years. You do a thoughtful and most helpful job.
We've used your railpasses. We still have and use 2 money belts bought from you 13 years ago. And, we've followed you into many hotels throughout Italy.
Love your philosophy and love having your help.
Spencer and Jean Davis
J. Spencer Davis in San Diego, CA USA 05/20/2011
Keep it exactly the same, don't omit any sections! You thought of EVERYTHING! I loved the marked entries on the maps, and the WC locations, and the travel lists, and the commentary, and the bus information . . . I could go on and on and on. Rick Steves and his team are brilliant! I want to come work for you!
Giuliana Chapman in Roanoke, VA USA 05/13/2011
Like Dave in Redmond, WA , I'm hoping your Pocket Guides will soon be available for the iPad and iPhone. My Mother's Day gift is an iPad2, and it will coming with me on your 21-day European tour in September. Having the Pocket Guides on it would be terrific!
Carolyn Butler in Duvall, WA USA 05/07/2011
I would like it on my iPad or iPhone so I don't need paper and can link directly to my travel planner, the browser, email for ordering tickets, etc.
I hope it's in the works.
From my iPad.
Dave in Redmond, Wa USA 05/06/2011
Better maps, by which I mean a more accurate scale. I would recommend grouping all info about a particular site together, as I was always flipping back and forth from the introductory info to the separate chapter, say on the Coliseum. I want to add that your downloadable tours are outstanding and we used them all over Rome, Florence and Venice; thanks!
Victoria in Orinda, CA USA 04/10/2011
The Rick Steves' guidebooks of Rome and Venice were our tour-Bibles during our recent trip! (Feb 28-Mar 9, 2011) Along with Rick's pod-casts, backpacks and travel maps!! We also watched the videos several times before leaving.... THERE IS NO BETTER TRAVEL GUIDE ON THE MARKET TODAY!!! We love you!!!
Loren Kent in Conewango Valley, NY USA 03/23/2011
I would love to see more budget accomodations in your books. While I'm older now and like a private room, I still like the opportunity to self cater and meet other travelers at a hostel.
Mary Coyle in Kansas City, MO USA 03/03/2011
Pages 45-51 in the 2011 edition of the book. I read this same section through about 4 or 5 times in last year's edition, and several times this year. Despite having been to the museum and the monument, and the tabularium, I cannot understand how to find several of the sights mentioned. When Rick says "to the left" or "to the right," or "in back," just what is this supposed to mean? All depends on where you are standing and which direction you are facing. I am good at directions normally, but can't make heads or tails here, especially the "back door"!
Synda Sallee in Scottsdale, AZ USA 02/28/2011
More suggestions of budget accomodations...
Ally in Paris, France 02/24/2011
You need to tell people that crossing the road in Rome is awful and the drivers literally try to run you over. A red traffic light is merely a suggestion! No one cares about the pedestrians and after three days we were really fed up with the traffic and lack of consideration for pedestrians. Please warn visitors how bad this is! We were really shocked. Also, even though you told us how to order a Caffe Latte (extra hot) in your book, it still only ever came lukewarm. Didn't work, in the end I switched to drinking Cafe Americano's just to get a hot cup of coffee. You also say in the book that public restrooms are scarce - no they are NON existant! And, when you do find one in a restaurant or coffee shop, they have no toilet seats! It was really bad. We stayed dehydrated in Rome the whole five days we were there as we daren't drink much as there was just nowhere to go to the bathroom! Really appallingly bad facilities! Just wish we had known all this before we went. And of course, to use a bathroom in a coffee shop, you have to purchase another expensive coffee so you get stuck in a vicious cycle! Other than that the book was very helpful indeed! Thank you.
Melanie Wood in Miami, FL USA 01/07/2011
We followed Rick's advice about taking the train from the Rome airport to the city to get to our hotel and it was a big mistake. We sat in a blisteringly hot railroad car for 1/2 hour and then trekked down and then up 3 flights of stairs in the metro dragging our suitcases, and then walked several blocks to our hotel. The total cost for 3 of us was 45 euros. We later discovered that the regulated cost of taking a taxi from the airport to hotel is 40 euros. Please let travelers know about these rates and that the train option is grueling..
Mary in Derry, NH USA 12/18/2010
I wish to relate an experience with Orbitz and a ground transportation company, A2Btransfers, which I bought on-line at the Orbitz site when I bought my air ticket to Rome. No one from A2b transfer met me at the airport nor when contacted seem interested in transporting me to Rome. Alert your readers that A2B transfer requires the customer to notify them three days before of their arrival. Also, in Rome, this company is not located in the airport. Orbitz refused to refund me the monies spent, stated that they have no control on the requirements of their vendors, and said that I am at fault for not reading the pre-paid voucher more closely. I have more details if someone is interested. I will never do business with Orbitz and A2Btransfer again.
Edward Shanahan in Norcross, GA USA 11/30/2010
Maybe some tips for traveling alone: though that could be its own series, I guess! Also, after mass at Santa Susanna church, they offer tours. If you didn't attend mass, you could just show up at 11:30. It's free, in English of course, very fascinating, and got me on a church visiting roll that day.
Elvira in Jefferson, WI USA 11/24/2010
Bring your books to the UK. Our friends from the States turned us on to your books!
Ben & Liz Montgomery in London, UK 11/22/2010
We used the book extensively to do our planning. It was a must for our first trip to Rome. Your book made us love Rome before we got there and we are more in love with Rome now. Thank You! As I said, add Alessio Vicari, he's great.
Sheila Forchtner in San Clemente, CA USA 11/12/2010
Clarify directions to catacombs.
Tina Hvizdos in Porter, TX USA 11/12/2010
It seems like there's too much flipping back and forth. Maybe all the eatting and sights information for each neighborhood should be together. Some of your tours (ie The Forum, and some churches) led you this way and that, crisscrossing. Sore footed tourists need to conserve on steps and fighting crowds to follow your plan.
Merrill in Sacramento, CA USA 10/26/2010
When you write something like, "See the National Museum of Rome Tour chapter," it would be nice to add, "page 186" (in this case).
Len Bick in Toronto, On Canada 10/06/2010
I wish I had some improvements to suggest but the Rome book was excellent.
Nancy Zupancic in Toronto, ON Canada 08/30/2010
We used a GPS we brought from home and it was invaluable, suggest you stress this in the guidebook. It got us directly to all locations and saved significant time
Mike Garrity in Herndon, Va USA 08/17/2010
Better maps! The streets in Rome are numerous, twisting, and often changing names. I found the maps to be too general. Perhaps giving more names of streets you'll pass on your way to a location would be helpful too...and cut down on arguments with travel partner!
Mary Bruels in Gulfport, FL USA 08/15/2010
We spend 3 weeks travelling through London, Paris, Venice, Florence and Rome, and carried all 5 Rick Stever's Guidebooks. They are of great assistance when travelling.
Robert Boehm in Greenbank, WA USA 08/08/2010
Rick, you really need to provide much more information as to websites to get current information on what is happening, special events, tours, etc. The few web links that you provide do really provide such... In searching web, I found http://en.museiincomuneroma.it/mostre_ed_eventi/eventi/roma_segreta_dalla_a_alla_z Which offers some very special tours... i.e tour of the mithreaum under Circus Maxiums, an aqueduct tour, etc.. There are many other sights which list current exhibitions, shows, concerts.. etc. You really would do your readers service in the Rome guide and others, ( Amsterdam comes to mind) by listing other Web Links. One other note, Georgina Masson's book ( latest Update) "the Companions Guide to Rome" is a must for anyone visiting Rome,, Great background info.. Enjoy your books very much..
Gregory in Road Town, Tortola, BVI 08/05/2010
I really cannot think of any.
Amanda Kwon in St. Louis, MO USA 07/12/2010
Your guide to Rome is outstanding. We really appreciated the big picture descriptions as well as the fascinating (and often funny) details you provide. Also, your suggestions on how to avoid the crowds helped a great deal. We also agree with your idea to slow down and become a "temporary locals". It made our stay in Rome a delight.
JWalker in St. Louis, MO USA 07/04/2010
expand listings- recommendations are on target, few more would likely help you secure places in desired areas or price range, same with eating options
Jayne Douin in Palos Hills, il USA 07/02/2010
The book is too scary. Yes, it's good to be warned of where there are pickpockets and that the Italian drivers are reckless, but the book makes it sound as though it's likely a disaster will happen. For instance, I found that crossing the street was not dangerous so long as one is careful about obeying traffic signals and about allowing the traffic the right of way.
Craig Oren in Cherry Hill, NJ USA 06/29/2010
Consider adding GPS coordinates to places that are hard to find. A lot of travelers are now armed with GPS capabilities on their smart phones or carry the GPS receivers
Juan in Cabanero, SC USA 06/23/2010
Under restaurant reccomendations, not all note a price range. This would be helpful.
LJ in Toronto, ON Canada 06/14/2010
Consider adding the Grand Hotel de la Minerva to your luxury listings. The hotel is wonderfully positioned. The architectural detail is dazzling. The view from my window of the plaza and Pantheon was breath taking. The service was impeccable.
Lesley Anderson in Tampa, FL USA 06/05/2010
The trip from Termini Station from the airport to the Vatican area by Metro involves LOTS of stairs through incomprehensible passageways. With luggage in tow, this was quite a surprise. Also, you should comment on the dirty Italian trains.
Christine Litka in Northville, MI USA 05/18/2010
Your books are fabulous! I have used nine so far and just hate when I have to travel without you. Is there any chance that you might eventually cover other parts of the world? Also, it seems that there are many people in other English speaking countries that want your books on their shelves. I realize you write for an American audience, but I just wanted to pass on their sentiments. You make the Lonely Planet look like rubbish! =)
Christine Greer in San Ramon, CA USA 05/14/2010
your book was a constant source not only of valuable information, but laughs as well. so humorously written...thank you!
Molly Altomare in Houston, TX USA 05/12/2010
Love your approach to guidebook writing. Maybe add more info on bus/tram connections for each site but the TI map shows routes inside the center of Rome. We liked bus 910 and 115 and tram 2D,3 and 19 for connections and joyriding and could be added to the Major Bus Routes in the orientation section.
Ron and Natalie Wickham in Foster City, CA USA 05/02/2010
Check out Sicilia! :)
Tabitha McGillivray in Skagway, AK USA 04/28/2010
I'd like to see more mention of contemporary art museums and architecture. I understand that many avant garde architects are coming to Rome to design and new buildings. Also more information on areas for shopping. Some mention of areas which don't just cater to ultra high end. My wife and I found some nice shops along the Via del Corso closer to Piazza Venezia end of the street.
gary gomby in west Hartford, ct USA 04/13/2010
For us, it would be helpful to have more detailed comments on restaurants. In Sorrento we liked your recommendations for L'Antica Trattoria and Ristorante Pizzeria da Gigino.
Bill Beckner in Austin, TX USA 04/04/2010
We love your books and podcasts. We have used 6 of your books to date and will continue to do so.
Jane Coghlan in Vilonia, AR USA 03/25/2010
We were astonished by how few places there are in central Rome, which is the most manic place I've ever visited, to settle on a park bench and enjoy a quiet moment or an al fresco meal. There are lots of piazzas, all paved and frantically occupied, and lots of sidewalk dining, all expensive, and there's the Borghese Gardens away to the North. I found myself longing for the misty greenswards of London, where pedestrians can settle with a good book, enjoy peaceful conversation, or play Frisbee. Perhaps in future editions, you can suggest locations in Rome that offer green space to urban-weary travelers.
Donna in Winston-Salem, NC USA 03/22/2010
I just wanted to say a million thank yous. We used the book constantly (the Rome edition, 2009 I think) and it saved us so much time and money and brought us so much joy. The book paid for itself 20 times over before we even landed. We also downloaded the podcast audioguide tours and they were awesome.
The wife and I used to be strict devotees of Lonely Planet. Actually, I have been a contributor on a few of their Mexico books. However, we are 100% a Rick Steve's family. You will be happy to know that I saw more Rick Steve's books in people's hands than anyone else.
Kevin Lang in Denver, CO USA 03/18/2010
I loved the guided tours and walks. At many points they were really easy to follow, but I did get a little lost/confused going from one place to another a few times-maybe better directions navigating.
Also- more information on the bus system would be really helpful. We only were able to get to where we wanted to go because we ran into an American who was studying abroad and new the area a little. A bus route map and list of which stops to use for which sites would be great. It would also be helpful having directions getting to the starting point of the walks. For example, we had a hard time getting to the beginning of the night walk (thus the bus experience above). Even just knowing which bus or metro stop is closest would help.
Jennifer Duke in Peabody, MA USA 03/16/2010
We are a family of 5 and we have used your books to tour London, Paris, and Rome. I appreciate the fact that you recommend places that are not were the mobs of tourists go. My only recommendations would be a little bit better maps and a few more pictures to help identify places.
Curt in Hinkle, PA USA 03/10/2010
none..loved the book. Felt like i was walking around with a good friend guiding me along the way.
Michaek in NYC, NY USA 03/01/2010
I would make it clear that in order to see the Sistine Chapel, you need to go to the Musei Vaticani. I knew this as I had been before but I do not think most people know.
Bevin in Stuttgart, Germany 02/25/2010
Flipping from map to map was very frustrating and finding the description of the location from the map would be much easier if there was a number next to the description.
Mary in Kaiserslautern, Germany 01/23/2010
Keep them coming. I wouldn't travel out of the states without you book in my purse and already well read.
Cheryl in Fair Haven, MI USA 12/06/2009
Actually visit the hostels you reccommend! Every hostel I booked based on your reccommendations ended up being a horrible experience! There were many better hostels for the same, if not cheaper, prices.
Leah in Hauff, MN USA 11/30/2009
Rick, your Rome book was so helpful in planning our trip! What I think would be a great addition would be a page listing all the emperors and the years they reigned ... and then another page listing all the popes and the years they served. Well, might take 2 pages each ... there's a lot! I made a list of the emperors up to Constantine on one of the blank pages and referred to it a couple times when we were touring sites. Thank you!
Linda in Gleneden Beach, OR USA 11/25/2009
I cant thank you all enough for all the great things in your guidebooks! Dont change a thing!!
Brian Freund in Keego Harbor, MI USA 11/11/2009
Go back and check all the restaurants in Rome to assure they are not using your recommendation to defraud the tourists.
Bob H. in San Diego, CA USA 11/09/2009
None, it was spot on!
Ken in Corona, CA USA 11/09/2009
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