Rome 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.

Ristorante Il Gabriello is not located at via Vittoria 51. It is at 31. There is no number 51.

Bob H. in San Diego, CA USA 11/09/2009

No. It was helpful every day.

John and Debra Gall in Sequim, Wa USA 11/06/2009

Everyone we met in Rome was carrying the Bible - Rick Steves' Rome.

Susan Handloff in Steamboat Springs, CO USA 11/02/2009

no

Jim McCloy in Tallahassee, Fl USA 11/02/2009

Correction to Rome 2009: Page 148, while describing the interior of the Church of the Gesù,specifically the ceiling fresco and stucco, the line reads, "A glowing cross with Jesus' initials 'I.H.S.'..."

IHS are not Jesus' initials, but an acronym for In Hoc Signo [Vinces], Latin for "In this sign, conquer" - part of Constantine's vision for victory if he converted to Christianity.

AJ in Rome, Italy 10/15/2009

Miscellanea hasn't closed, it just moved. It's now located on the street that runs behind the Pantheon. As you face the Pantheon, take the street that runs along the right side and you'll find Miscellanea on the next corner. I talked to Mikki, so I know it's still his place in a new location.

Frank in Wilmington, DE USA 10/11/2009

Miscellanea Restaurant near the Pantheon is no longer open.

Albert in Clanton, AL USA 10/01/2009

The charming little church Boca della Verita is open 1 hour later than it says in the book. (during the summer, anyway). We thought we had missed it, but arrived to find we had plenty of time to see the church, enjoy the architecture and visit the gift shop.

Barry in Florence, OR USA 09/27/2009

Just a few weeks ago, me and my husband followed the instructions to get to the Borghese Gallery (from the Spagna Metro stop). There is instructions to take a right once you "hit the supermarket". There is no supermarket as far as we could see. Was this a mini mart? There was a lot of construction at this station and I think there needs to be clearer instructions about how to get to Borghese because there are so many escalators and moving sidewalks to get through (ie. count how many you have to pass) and several exits from the station. Scary but we found the gallery in time.

Not sure if the taxi fee to get from airport to Rome is still standard 40 euros. Our driver told us it was 60 euros. Maybe we got ripped off. Would advise people to take train to their hotel if they can - 11 euros!

Sally in Vancouver, BC Canada 09/20/2009

Rome 2009 Guidebook - "Nightclubs" on page 320. There is a short paragraph recommending Monte Testaccio as a nightclub spot. We went on a Friday night, searched all around the area and found only one "nightclub." The line was too long to bother with and the crowd was late teens early 20s. There were plenty of restaurants that offered club music and dancing in the Monte Testaccio area, but the crowds were slim and didn't have a nightclub feel. We found the area around Piazza Navona to have a lot more nightlife going on, also mostly late teens and 20s. Even better, there was a huge outdoor (but fenced off) nightclub pumping away just south-southwest of the Colosseum between Via Di S. Gregorio and Via Celio Vibenna. This outdoor club may have only been a summer thing, and we were there on a Friday night at the end of June, but this was the best of the bunch. We're in our young 30s and this crowd fit us the best.

Julie in Salt Lake City, UT USA 08/29/2009

Rome 2009 -- Page 204 states that you can download a free Rick Steves audio tour for Vatican Museums, but you don't have this audio tour on your website. Also, on page 205 mentions the Pinacoteca painting galley -- skip to page 198. Page 198 is before 205 and 198 is the tour for the Pinacoteca painting gallery in the Borghese Gallery Tour!

Pat Greene in Miami Beach, FL USA 08/23/2009

none

Al Esposito in delray beach, USA 08/22/2009

Fiumicino Airport has another terminal (T5) which Delta uses where we had to get all our stuff processed before we went to terminal C. If you accidentally get dropped off at A, B or C terminal you can take a T5 bus shuttle provided by the airport.

Abigail Kamishlian in Carrollton, GA USA 08/16/2009

I recall that on a previous visit to Rome the Pantheon was a wonderfully serene and indeed spiritual spot. This past May I found it cluttered with Stuff--heavy pews, statues, banners, garish floral arrangements, and a makeshift chain rigged to keep visitors from the area under the oculus, as well as a big booth renting acoustical guides. When I mentioned to the young woman in charge of the booth that the Pantheon seemed much changed from my previous visit she indicated that changes had been for the better, that the Pantheon is a Christian church and that fortunately the seating no longer has to be brought out for services and then stowed away. The ceiling is still glorious.

Carolyn Woznick in Cambridge, MA USA 07/31/2009

The 40 euro taxi rate from the airport might be obsolete. We couldn't find one for less than 60 euro to Camp di Fiori.

Dave in Milwaukee, Wi USA 07/14/2009

The book states that there is a mandatory bag check before entering St Peter's Basilica but when we were there on July 4 there was no such check. People were wandering around with bags and daypacks.

Also, in the Sistine Chapel, the audio tour was great, but the description of the Last Judgement at the end of the rest was frustrating because there were so many people packed into the chapel that it was impossible to move back to the wall where this painting was to appreciate the fine detail described. From a logistics perspective it would be better to have this described as soon as one enters the chapel, not after having been encouraged to walk to the other end.

Peter Maxwell in Sunnyvale, CA USA 07/14/2009

Roma Pass now costs 23 euros/person. We were advised they are not required for children under 9. We received complimentary tickets for our kids to the Colisseum & paid only 4 euros for our 7 year-old at the Galleria Borghese.

Beth in Northridge, CA USA 07/10/2009

Rome 2009: Gulliver's other B&B on Via Cavour is 120 euros not 115 as stated on page 281. When I asked, their response was "we have not updated our information on rick's book, as a matter of fact there are no info at all on Gulliver's Lodge on the book"

Rob in Spokane, WA USA 07/05/2009

Miscellanea (p. 712 2009 book) was not open on Sunday, 31 May. But we ate at a lovely little trattoria right across the street, lured in by the blackboard specials. The food was great but we should have asked the prices before we ordered, as the bill was quite a bit more than we'd expected.

Cecilia in Dallas, Te USA 06/15/2009

Scam alert on Roma Pass: Your guidebook was very helpful; I read it in advance and it was very useful. I would suggest you add an alert to a scam at the Ciampino Airport. When we arrived, I went to a booth in the airport that said "Roma Passes" here. It also said they were $11 euros and I assumed this was some type of discount. I asked THREE times if this was the Roma Pass, if it included the bus tickets, tickets to the Coloseum, etc. (as mentioned in your book) and he said "Yes, absolutely; it includes ALL of this." He emphasized ALL. I asked him 3 times. Only the next day did I find out, when going through the line at the Coloseum, that it wasn't valid. The ticket-taker there said, "You're not the first one who has been scammed by this!"

We did not fly out of Ciampino Airport or I would have had a confrontation with the person selling the tickets. But, alert your readers to another scam. It was a surprise since it was at the airport, in the terminal. We're pretty savvy on scams, but this one got us...and many more, I'm sure!

Phil Denver, CO

Phil in Denver, CO USA 06/08/2009

Roma Pass discounts do not include the Vatican Museum

sarah in rome, italy 06/05/2009

In the Rome 2009 guidebook Rick recommends the antipasti buffet at La Rustichella 7 euro for a dinner sized plate. It's in fact 8 euro for a six inch plate. The buffet is predominantly cold fried potatoes, cold fried veggies and things swimming in mayo. The owner also arbitrarily decided that one member of our group had put too much on the plate--- seriously how much can you get on a six inch plate and charged us 16 euros AFTER we'd eaten. This was the very first time we've EVER had any problems whatsoever. Mediocre food, very rude service and trying to extort extra money screams tourist trap to me.

Maggie Flynn in Florissant, MO USA 06/01/2009

Be careful when taking the Leonardo Express train back to FCO airport... the guidebook says it usually leaves from track 24 (which it probably does) but it is true that it does not always... we got on the wrong train since we didn't double check the destination and just went with the track number (our mistake as obviously we should have double checked with someone) as it was early and we were in a hurry.

Jeni in Beaver Dam, WI USA 05/31/2009

The guide at the St.Sebastian in Rome said that there was a statue of the saint made by Bernini and i was surprised that it was not mentioned in the guidebook

Matthew A. King in Brighton, CO United States 05/20/2009

Climbing the dome at St. Peter's in Rome: The guide book is written to make it sound like you pay 7 euro for the elevator to the roof and then you pay an additional 5 euro to climb to the top of the dome from roof level. You pay one or the other. If you take the elevator to the roof, you still have to climb stairs to the top of the dome.

Susanna in Omaha, NE USA 05/08/2009

Just returned from our Rome trip. Rome 2009 provided alot of useful information and I used it constantly. The only mistake I found was on page 254 regarding getting to The Moses - from the Metro:Cavour, The Moses is actually in the Church on the left at the top of the stairs.

Jack Bell in Westminster, MD USA 04/18/2009

The entrance to the Forum/Palatine Hill is on Via San Gregorio. The entrance on Via Fori Imperiali has closed.

Steve Raffensperger in Leola, PA USA 04/11/2009

Just an addition. At the Borghese Gallery, the English speaking tour is booked at the same desk as the audio tours.

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

I send an update on behalf of Michelangelo Minervini, a.k.a. Micky, owner of the Miscellanea bar in Rome:

please note that since March 28th, 2009 Miscellanea (formerly in Via delle Paste 110/a, Rome) has moved to a new address, in a bigger, freshly renovated location. The new address is Via della Palombella 34-35, not so far from where it used to be--in fact, it's just on the opposite side of the Pantheon. Micky's salads and sandwiches are as fresh as ever, and the prices remain unvaried. Readers of Rick Steves are highly welcome and will be greeted with a glass of Fragolino (Sexy Wine), as always.

Andreina in Rome, Italy 04/02/2009

The Galleria Doria Pamphilj is a very worthwhile visit, but I think that the entrance has changed. It is now directly on Via del Corso, 303, I believe.

Webb in Manhattan Beach, CA USA 03/21/2009

We spent time in Rome this past September and noted a number of changes that have occured just since the Rome 2008 guide was published. Prices are bound to go up, but in some restaurants they were much, much higher than suggested in the guide. Entrance to the Forum is different now. The TI center in Termini has apparently changed location and took a ridiculously long time to find.

Colleen in Wolfisberg, WA USA 11/17/2008

The Roman Forum tour started a little rocky. The book says to walk through the entrance nearest the Colosseum on the street Via Sacra. It was easy enough to find. However, after you walk a little ways up there is a fence across the street and a small turnstile to the left with an office booth on the other side. This is an exit only and we were told to go back past the Arch of Titus to the main entrance. No big deal - that entrance was easy enough to find.

Erica Ryan in Bakersfield, CA USA 11/10/2008

Forget spending your money on guides. Order a Rome or Rome & Piu pass online before you go, pick it up at the airport upon arrival, and use it. You can bypass the lines at the Colosseum and Palatine with the pass, and get discounts elsewhere in Rome. Wear good walking shoes.

Randy Clark in Menifee, ca USA 10/22/2008

The TI at the Termini is indeed near track 24, but it has moved about half-way down the track and is in a little alcove near the post office "PT". I never found the one outside in/near the bus parking lot.

Richard York in Tyler, TX USA 10/21/2008

Ostia Antica was up to 6.5 Euro, and on the day I went (a Saturday) the museum closed at 4. Still, this is one of the better tourist values.

Colin in Seattle, WA USA 07/23/2008

We were at the Roman Colisseum today and when we attempted to go to the Forum via the Arch of Titus,(now an exit) we were told we had to go back down the hill, take a left and enter further down the road, which we assume was through the Palatine Hill. We decided at that time, since it was so hot and we were tired of backtracking, we will do just the Forum on another day. Also when going to the Borghese Gallery, we took the 910 bus but there is no longer a Pinciana stop, it is now Via Allegre. We did not get off that stop but realized after it took off that we should have gotten off since we saw the Borghese Gallery in front of us as the bus was turning right. We got off the next stop but had to backtrack 3-4 blocks.

Cheryl Monteith in Houston, TX USA 07/20/2008

Going on a guided tour of the Vatican doesn't necessarily save you time in line. We booked a 10:00 tour with Through Eternity and ended up standing in line until 1:00. Although our guide was good the time spent in line was unexpected and frustrating.

Jennifer USA 07/15/2008

The number given on p. 382 for reporting a theft of Mastercard did not get us through to anyone--human or machine (dialed the correct country code and everything). It took all morning with the help of the Hotel staff to find a number where we could successfully report the theft of a card. You can't stress enough how skillful the subway thieves can be. My friend was jostled, "surrounded" by a man and several girls, all of us clinging to the center post because of large crowds. The man distracted her with his closeness, and her wallet was taken from a double zippered purse hanging on her front, probably by the girl standing across from her. This really hurt. We took cabs or walked the rest of the week.

[Editor's Note: We're sorry that you were robbed. The number we give for Mastercard in the US should be called collect--not dialed directly. The number is 636/722-7111.]

Wendy A. Paterson, Ph.D. in Buffalo, NY USA 07/09/2008

A few historical mistakes in various places in the Rome book (hey, I'm a Classical Studies buff...), most notably that Brutus was not Caesar's adopted son. He was, however, probably Caesar's *natural* son, in as much as it was well-known that Caesar had been having an affair with Brutus's mother for quite a while.

Also, pretty much all of the prices for admission to the various sites in Rome have gone up by 1 to 2 Euros.

Also-also, one may want to add a note that the Metro stops running at 10 or 10:30 PM (all the sites I found said 10:30, but that doesn't explain why we couldn't get a train at 10 PM... ah, Italy). This is especially important to know before taking the Night Walk!

Also, the hours for the Ara Pacis are correct, but they don't sell tickets after 1 hour before closing. I wish I'd known that before walking all the way over there!

John Weiss in Boulder, CO USA 06/23/2008

The dot routes of the walking tours in the Rome book were harder to follow than the gray shaded tours in the Paris book.

Jean Hoffmann in Pleasant Prairie, WI USA 06/05/2008

In the tour of the Forum, you are guided to enter by the start of the Via Sacra, near the Arch of Constantine. However, this is now marked 'exit only' and it takes much longer to reach the beginning of the tour in your book. We found this very disappointing as we were exhausted before we even started and didn't get the enjoyment we were hoping for.

The other part was during the Vatican museum tour, it says you will face a decision about entering the Sistine chapel immediately or detouring and face several flights of stairs to stop and read abut it first. We wished to go immediately to the chapel as we were with my 3 year old son. However, there was no choice and we walked down about 4 flights of stairs and up about 2 carrying a buggy, which wasn't pleasant either.

Triona in Cork, Co Ireland 05/18/2008

The Cost of Ostia Antica is now 6.50 euros not the 4 as in your book.

Mary Ann and Dennis Devitt in Lombard, IL USA 04/28/2008

If you want to take a bus back to Rome from the Appian Way, you need to take #218. Rick's book suggests #118 both ways but we found that #118 goes only away from Rome

Cathy Garvey in Baldwinsville, NY USA 04/27/2008

The Vatican Museum now costs 14 Euros. San Clemente has the following hours 9 to 12:10, 15:00 to 17:40 daily and 12 ;00 to 17:40 on Sundays and holidays

Mary Ann and Dennis Devitt in Lombard, IL USA 04/26/2008

I just wanted to share an experience regarding the suggestion that it's customary to have a butcher select a picnic lunch for you at a grocery. I used the phrase in your phrase book, and had an italian butcher scream at me, irately, "Picnic? What this mean, picnic?" He then slapped his open palm on the counter, while he rattled off the italian words for cheese, meat, etc. I simply left. I found it ironic that this occurred at a shop catty-corner from the Trevi fountain. By that, I mean, he wasn't operating a shop in some rural village where he should expect to be isolated from non-italian speakers. I didn't learn flawless italian for my trip to Rome - but I tried, and was polite. I didn't expect him to speak English, but I expected him to tolerate some very broken italian and pointing at food items to complete a sale in a heavily tourist area.

Ken Fischer in Newport, KY USA 04/23/2008

www.airportshuttle.it price is 35 Euros for 1 person. 6 Euros for 2nd person, up to 8 people. Guidebook says 28 euros for 1-2 people. No email address is listed, so I faxed to ask if they offered this price to Rick Steves referrals, provided my email address & asked if they would email or provide me with an email to avoid international calls. I got no reponse at all. The shuttle I used last year was over 2 hours late, so I was hoping for a good recommendation.

Denise LeCroy in Birmingham, AL USA 04/21/2008

The tartufo at the Tre Scalini bar in the Piazza Navona now costs 5 euros. The Europa international telephone calling card, purchased for 5 euros at any tabachi, now gives you 268 minutes of time instead of 220 minutes. You cannot enter the Roman Forum by the Arch of Titus, as it is blocked by a gate and marked as "Exit Only." A sign on the gate directs you to enter through the Palatine Hill off of Via di San Gregorio. The bust of Livia at the National Museum of Rome is not in Room 4, it has been moved farther down the hallway near other busts. The building housing the Scala Santa (Holy Stairs) is closed from noon to 3 pm. If you want to recite the prayers while climbing the stairs on your knees, the prayer booklet costs 2 euros at the information booth immediately inside the building. The Archeologia Card, which I purchased at the Palatine Hill, was NOT advertised, I had to ask for it.

Joseph in Harlingen, TX USA 04/18/2008

just noted you had posted one response

"On your Ancient Appian Way map, I would note that the San Sebastiano #118 bus stop is one-way in the direction out of Rome. Probably better to walk back to San Callisto to get back into town."

I actually rode it the "wrong way" from that stop, it goes 3 stops or so and turns around and goes right back to Rome. No more than 10 minutes out of your way, surely faster than walking back. Best part was watching all the tourists pile out after two stops fearing they were being taken far away!

Tim Johnson in New Castle, DE USA 04/08/2008

Vatican museum now takes credit cards - at least for a group of 7. The machine is in plain view. Also we reserved our guided English language tour through the Vatican directly about 2 months before our trip. EUR 29.50 and it allows us to skip the long line, includes guided English tour (excellent). Well worth it and easy to do although it must be done by fax only (visit the Vatican museum website for more information).

Robert in Longview, wa USA 04/06/2008

At the Forum entrance at the foot of Via Cavour, you can still get in free if you say you only want to visit the Forum. The guidebook had indicated it was free, so I asked.

Flora Pirquet in Arlington, MA USA 03/30/2008

The Rome: Past & Present book is amazing. Highly worth the recommendation. However, I tried with every vendor at the Colosseum (probably to the vendor's annoyance) and they will not negotiate on the price. In fact, all but one had increased the price to 15 euros and "discount" to 10 euros.

Stephanie Milburn in Broken Arrow, OK USA 03/23/2008

Update on March 20, 2008. The Roman Forum is not free any more. You must pay the 11 EUR entry fee at the entrance to the Paletine Hill. You cannot enter by the Arch of Constintine as the book suggests; this is only an exit now. This just came in effect last week.

Also, prices for Bioparco have gone up, too. 10 EUR for adults and 8 EUR for children.

Sheryl in Fort Worth, TX USA 03/20/2008

The bus information in the 2008 edition for the catacombs of Priscilla is incorrect. Yes, bus #63 does go there, but NOT from Largo Argentina. (At that point, the bus is headed SOUTH on a one way street, not NORTH to the catacombs.) We had to go to Via Corso to catch the bus in the right direction and lost so much time we missed the catacomb's 5:00 p.m. close.

Lynne Carpenter in Chicago, IL USA 03/17/2008

We often found admission prices to be about a Euro higher than in your book, but that's to be expected. On your Ancient Appian Way map, I would note that the San Sebastiano #118 bus stop is one-way in the direction out of Rome. Probably better to walk back to San Callisto to get back into town.

There is now no choice but to tour the modern religious art galleries in the Vatican museum. The shortcut to the Sistine Chapel is closed.

Dave in Philadelphia, PA USA 03/04/2008

The shortcut from the Sistine Chapel to St Peter's is now marked "Tour Groups Only"

Liz Phelps in Pittsburg, CA USA 02/18/2008

Museum of the Imperial Forums was open, though I didn't go inside (too many ancient roman sights at that point).

Brian Gulledge in Woodbridge, VA USA 02/11/2008

Mea culpa. I meant to send this feedback much earlier. Re: Ostaria da Giovanni ar Galletto. When I ate at this restuarant during Holy Week 2007, I mentioned your name and asked for Angelo.

I explained I was staying at Casa di Santa Brigida but was a single diner. I was treated quite graciously and Tony, one of the waiters, seated a French family next to me. If I remember correctly it was Thursday. Should this have been my Last Supper, the delicious lamb entree and warm hospitality, left me contented.

Later on Easter Sunday after dining with the Sisters, I stopped by for dessert, espresso and to extend my Easter Greetings. Although it was crowded, Angelo literally set up a small table for just for me, heavenly.

Cynthia Rapak, San Francisco

Cynthia Rapak in San Francisco, CA USA 01/26/2008

Rome 2008: The entrance fee to Ostia Antica is now EUR 6.50 and not EUR 4.

Paul Sanschagrin in Fanwood, NJ USA 11/29/2007

The price of the lift to Saint Peter's Dome is now 7 Euros and not 6.

Dennis Swartz in South Orleans, MA USA 11/29/2007

The ticket price for the "Trambus Open 110" (page 30 in Rome 2008 guidebook) has increased. We were there the first week of November and paid 16 euros per person, not 13 euros as the book indicates.

JD in Arlington, VA USA 11/17/2007

The directions for finding the Egyptian section of the Vatican Museum are now incorrect. They've changed traffic flow.

Maryellen Pienta in Catania, Italy 11/16/2007

The maps for neighbourhood walks could be improved; it took some time to realize that a block on those maps does not correspond to a block in the city. There's more than one block from Termini to Maria Maggiore, yet the drawing shows everything as one long block... For instance.

Lydia Perovic in Toronto, ON Canada 10/31/2007

I am planning my 1st year anniversary trip to Rome and so far this guidebook has been a huge help. I also picked up the eyewitness guide to rome and while colorfull, it does lack the level of detail i crave. I did have an update request: the details for colosseum and a few others dont have the fact that they are closed on christmas day listed(the day i land)It just has open hours per season. If there was some more detail, that would be helpful

aditi in fremont, ca USA 10/23/2007

We have discovered that many parking kiosks in Italy will not accept our various debit and credit cards, whiich means hoarding coin is even more important.

Jim & Megan Taylor in Seattle, WA USA 10/09/2007

Ristorante Alla Rampa not so good. The Rome 2007 guide itself was invaluable. Made our trip so great!

Greg Morris in Tarpon Springs, Fl USA 09/28/2007

Both Osteria da Mario and Restaurant Coco (page 274)were closed for most of the month of August. However another restaurant also on Piazza delle Coppelle called Ristorante Maccheroni was excellent and moderately priced - especially good were the homemade meatballs, and lots of Italian families with kids were eating there. Also, Ostaria da Nerone (page 278) was closed for August. We were a little disappointed that we couldn't try these places.

JoAnne Sulak in Leesburg, VA USA 08/16/2007

In Rome, the easyInternetcafe in the Piazza Barberini is closed. There is a very small internet cafe nearby in the Via Zucchelli.

In my experience, all Internet cafes in Italy require you to show your passport the first time you use their services. Of course, if you use an Internet terminal in the lobby of your hotel, then this isn't necessary, since you show your passport when you check in.

Peter Vatne in Nashua, NH USA 08/04/2007

Leonardo Express (airport-Termini train in Rome) for 11 euros

Jan Nugent in Pennington, NJ USA 07/28/2007

Just an almost universal 0.5 to 2 euro increase in admission prices (Roma Pass now 20 euro, Vatican Museum entry 13 euro, I believe the Galleria Borghese is also slightly more expensive).

I did manage to get a ticket to Borghese without a reservation at 9 am on a Sunday.

Brian in Cleveland, OH USA 07/26/2007

The Easy Internet Cafe in Rome has downsized from 250 + computers and moved from the Barberini Piazza to a side street North West of the Piazza called Via Zucchelli. I counted only about 20 terminals.

Jim Naylor in Everett, WA USA 07/23/2007

Just observations. The train to Ostica is a miserable, seedy affair. Taking the boat is marginally better, yet the boat trip has its detractions also and you are going to see where all those people selling the sunglasses and purses live and you will wonder if you are in the Third World someplace. You can book on line at Battellidiroma.it and a Roma Card will work for entry to the site. You will want to buy entry on the boat as you are entering "through the back gate." regardless of what your e-ticket reservation says, the boat leaves from the west side of the Ponte Marconi bridge at 10am and runs only Fri-Sun. Its about a mile walk from the Marconi Metro to the bridge. Don't bother taking the boat back, it doesn't give you enough time to see Ostica. Use the tram on the return.

Francis Saffell in Springfield, OR USA 07/22/2007

Hours at the Vatican museum are shorter but Rick already notes that in his update on the web.

Marsh Mendez in Fremont, CA USA 07/12/2007

The address for the Priscilla Catacombs is incorrect. It is either Via Salaria 450 or 480. There is only a small, obscure sign. When entering, it looks like you are entering a private home.

Selma Pierce in Salem, OR USA 07/08/2007

Cindy from Beavercreek, OH posting (2/1/07) regarding Ostia Antica (Rome, 2007 book) is exactly correct. The turn in the Metro station to connect to the Roma-Lido train is to the left, not right. Was a bit confusing. The site directions were also somewhat hard to follow - though we eventually tracked everything down.

Kevin Masters in Syracuse, NY USA 07/06/2007

Michaela's Jewish tour was informative and energetic. She very obviously pushed everyone toward buying from the Jewish shops and eating at her select establishments. We would have preferred if she just said, we appreciate if you would support these fledgling Jewish businesses to help preserve the area. We also felt that too much of her walking tour was dedicated to telling us how much all the real estate costs and how her parents should have invested better. Many on our tour found her to be a bit opportunistic.

js in los angeles, ca USA 06/29/2007

Every night we were the there the metro closed by 22.30, not 23.30 like the book said. This created some long walks back to the hotel. (We didn't budget for taxis).

Darrin in Glendale Heights, IL USA 06/21/2007

The Vatican Museum has changed their hours. Groups go in at 8:30AM. Non groups (the left side) opens now at 10:00AM so if you line up be prepared for a long wait!

Carol Berning in Naples, FL USA 06/16/2007

Not a correction, but a note that if you're using the public transportation...all schedules and services change on Sundays. There isn't much info in English on that anywhere and you can be stuck waiting a LONG time.

Lewis Family in Federal Way, WA USA 05/25/2007

I couldn't find a recommended restaurant in Pisa, but I forget which one.

Julius Caesar bust was missing from National Museum

Gesu church was missing the animated manger scene

James Tierney in kirkland , WA USA 05/19/2007

Prices have changed form 2006 but you'll know that since Mikki (Miscellanea) said you were there just a few weeks ago. At Caffe dello Studente they had a special menu exclusively for Rick Steve book toaters for outside.

Mark E. Lamb in Melbourne, Fl USA 04/26/2007

I had a melt-down at the Vatican. Please make this addition so others do not end up crying in front of the Vatican Guards. My worst experience was that your book did not (nor any sign) warn us that when you check your bag at the Vatican Museum, they will hold it hostage if you don't come back for it before the museum closes.

This may sound like common sense, but you are pushed by the sea of people from the museum, into the chapel, then you want to see St. Peter's. We didn't even realize the Museum had closed. When we realized it had closed, we asked a guard at St. Peter's how we get our bag back. He told us to walk back outside the walls of the city to the entrance of the museum.

We did as we were told, but when we got there (after they had us go through the security system again) they told us we had to pick our bag up behind St. Peter's. But walking back out around the city was not the worst of it. We were told (as we were standing just below the coat check counter) that we could not get our bag until at least 5:30 (it was 3:00). We walked back to St. Peter's thinking it had to be a mistake and talked to the guards there.

Now let me take a moment to set the stage. It was the last of our 3 days in Rome and it was only 3:00 and I had every intention of seeing more that day. And everything was in our backpack, including our jackets and your book. When the guards at St. Peter's repeated that our bag would not be brought to the lost and found behind St. Peter's until at least 5:30, I burst out into tears in front of all the guards and the crowds.

In the end we found something to occupy our time until 6 pm, then I used your book to see what would still be open. We made it to the Capital Hill Museum one hour before closing. It was very peaceful and we got great pictures of the Forum and Colosseum at night. The issue also kept us at St. Peter's Square later then we had planned, which rewarded us with the best pictures of St. Peter's at dusk.

Please warn people about the bag check issue. I was already run down, exausted, and am a type A personality (who highlighted your book before we even left for Italy), so you see this glitch sent me over the edge.

Bethany Gaivin in Dunstable, MA USA 04/15/2007

Flat rate of Taxi from FCO airport is 60 euros.

PAUL BESSINGER in TINTON FALLS, NJ USA 04/13/2007

The price of the Leonardo DaVinci train from the airport to the Termini train station is now eleven euros one way, but well worth it.

bernie rogers in wilder, VT USA 04/10/2007

The Colloseum has installed metal detectors, so there isn't a "left" line for ticketholders until after waiting in line with everyone to go through the metal detectors. You do save some time after the metal detectors, but not a lot.

Terese in Eden Prairie, MN USA 04/08/2007

Updated pricing as of March 2007. Castel Sant' Angelo was 7.50 Euro. The price for the take-away Tartufo at Tre Scalini has gone up to 5 Euro (but worth every bit of it!).

Pam Kitkoski in Rockwall , TX USA 04/07/2007

The Palantine Hill and Forum both closed at 6 PM- earlier than the book noted-

anne in abingdon, MD USA 03/27/2007

need better directions to some restaurants eg. never did find Ostaria da Giovani ar Galletto

Gary Carson in Aransas Pass, tx USA 03/24/2007

Aside from already mentioned price changes: 1. The Capitol Hill museum now has a metal detector and an X-ray machine at the main entrance; therefore the only way into Palazzo Nuovo is through the tunnel. 2. When to go: never during the Rome Marathon weekend (3rd Sunday of March or so), unless you're into that kind of entertainment! It's ten times worse than a strike - half the bus routes (e.g. 64 and 110) are shut down, the metro is crowded worse than in Paris; and yes, despite claims to the contrary, the pickpockets are aliveand well: a guy standing next to me on the train was a victim - his wallet was lifted from his front pocket when he was entering the train. 3. The Four Rivers fountain is undergoing renovation.

Leo in Fremont, CA USA 03/18/2007

Need to modify section about Appian Way - getting North-bound bus (to return) is very difficult near San Sebastian & San Callisto

Bruce in Simpson, CA USA 03/07/2007

Also, there is a student rate of $8 euros for the Vatican Museum if you have a student id. My guy let me pass by just telling him my age since I didn't have my id on me.

Annie in Chan, NY USA 03/03/2007

The Roma Pass for the museums and transportation in Rome went up from $18 euros to $20 euros.

Annie in Chan, NY USA 03/03/2007

Just updates, even though it is early in the year: the cost to go up the Dome (elevator then walking) of St. Peter's is €7 up from 6, the train from the Rome airport to Rome is €11 up from 9, and the Vatican Museum is €13 up from 12. Plus, the easyinternetcafe in piazza Barberini was not there, and when we inquired in a hotel on the piazza, they said that it had "closed to change" but we couldn't tell if that meant to change locations, or to remodel. Thanks for all the good info in your book.

Christine in Sacramento, CA USA 03/03/2007

Rome 2007 lists the opening time for the Vatican as 0845 hours. I just came back from Rome and this year's opening time is now 10:00 AM. Book was otherwise great!!

John Hayes in APO , AE USA 03/02/2007

Under Coffee, the phonetic transcription of "con ghiaccio" is wrong in one syllable ("ghee" not "shee") and "alla moscha" is one letter off (should be "mosca")

Stirling Haig in Chapel Hill, NC USA 02/20/2007

Yes - price of entry to the Vatican Museum is now 13 euros. Also, the "escape door" in the Sistine Chapel is being kept locked during low season.

Chris in Roma, Italia 02/16/2007

I just booked the Vatican Museum Tour for our trip in April. I first tried the fax number in the Rome guidebook and didn't get through, so I went to the Vatican website and it listed a different number, which worked. The new number is 06-6988-5100.

Laurie Gauer in Chanhassen, MN USA 02/13/2007

Took your Ostia Antica daytrip... A couple of missteps in your Guide...both at the site and getting from the Piramide metro to the train. You had us literally turning into a wall ("turn right" should have been been a "turn left"... The directions around the site were "murky" at best...

Cindy in Beavercreek, OH USA 02/01/2007

The Casa San Giuseppe has a website http://www.travel.it/Roma/casasangiuseppe/index.htm

Teresa d'Entremont in Yarmouth, NS Canada 01/15/2007

We followed your guidebook and went to the bus/train station to buy tickets for the 110 bus. We could have saved time and money if we had known that we could purchase tickets on the bus at any stop.

sharman schubert in seattle, wa USA 01/10/2007

1. Day trip to Villa de Este and Hadrian's Villa. There is curently construciton in the central town area of Trivoli. The directions to catch the Cortral Bus were good, but the buses actually now continue farther within the town of Tivoli and end in a large parking lot with lots of flowers stalls that lead into a very large cemetery. Bus drive told us to get back on the bus with a smile, and he would get us there. The directions would be more helpful to tell visitors to depart the Cortal blue bus in downtown Tivoli at the stop near the central square and across from a large park with fountains and amusement rides. The walk to Villa de Este, cross the main road and follow along the signs and walk along the hillside ride to the Villa entrance a little more than a block away. To go to Hadrian's Villa, get off the Cortal bus as directed above, enter the Tabacco shop and purchase tickets for the orange 4x bus that goes back down the hill to the entrance of Hadrian's Villa. An important note is that it is called Villa Adrianna, not Hadrian's Villa as it is referred to in english. Both are great places to visit. We actually stayed in Rome, but came out to Trivoli for two days to spend several hours at both villa's. Both sites were faboulous. I had studied them twenty five years ago as a Landscape Architecture student and it was terrific to finally have enough money to see them in color.

2. The guidebook gave closing times for winter hours at various outdoor sites such as Ostia Antica, Palantine Hill, etc. What we found it that they actually close about 1/2 hour before dusk. This makes since as these sites become very dark by 5:00 in December and January. However, at first we were caught off guard with the early closings. Open to dusk would be more appropriate.

Great guide, was very helpful.

Pam Blough in Grand Haven, MI USA 01/06/2007