You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling in Italy. From the beaches to the Alps, from fine art to fine pasta, Italy has it all. With this book, you'll trace Italian culture from Rome's Colosseum to Michelangelo's David to the bustling elegance of Milan. Experience the art-drenched cities of Venice and Florence, explore the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum, and learn how to avoid the lines at the most popular museums. Discover the villages of Tuscany and Umbria and the lazy rhythms of the Cinque Terre. Shop at local market stalls, sip a cappuccino at an outdoor cafe, and pick up a picknic lunch at an allimentari. Relax and enjoy the life of Bella Italia! Rick's candid, humorous advice will guide you to good-value hotels and restaurants. He'll help you plan where to go and what to see, depending on the length of your trip. You'll get up-to-date recommendations about what is worth your time and money. More than just reviews and directions, a Rick Steves guidebook is a tour guide in your pocket.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Paperback
I took this book (and "Let's Go-Italy") on my 3-week solo cycling tour of Northern Italy and Tuscany. Rick has so much useful information for the independent traveller.
My itinerary was from Florence to Siena, then back up to San Gimignano, Volterra, back through Siena to Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano. I then rode down to Orvieto and the short ride to Civita di Bagnoregio. A train to Venice, then my ride through the Dolomites and Alto Adige from Cortina d'Ampezzo to Brunico,Bressanone, and Bolzano. From there I went west to Passo di Tonale, the Gavia Pass (a couple of days before the Giro d'Italia), then to Bormio, Tirano, and over to Lake Como. I wrapped things up in Milano.
Rick's guide was invaluable, not only for the information about these places, but also for the fact that he opens up the wonders of the hill towns that most guidebooks ignore (you can't enjoy "discovering" places that you can't find in other guides!). The hill towns were definitely a highlight of the trip.
Rick's sensitivity to the more adventurous, independent tourist results in the feeling that you're travelling with a friend who knows the place.
Cyclists: don't buy a map in the States. Get situated in whatever country you're going to, and chances are the book stores in the foreign airport, and even service stations, will have a much better selection, which you can tailor to your itinerary. One personal caveat about riding in the Italian Alps and Dolomites is to be prepared to skirt tunnels. Unlike France, many tunnels in Italy are off-limits to cyclists. It was so confusing trying to find alternate routes around the tunnels, that I finally saw the need for a Garmin GPS for my bicycle, after 20 years of cycling in foreign countries! As a lifelong resident of the area around Bormio (and serious cyclist) told me (after the carabinieri politely told me to stay out of the tunnels), the locals are also confused by bad road signage! Don't feel you need to buy a GPS just to cycle in northern Italy, but it IS a big help.
All in all, Rick is head and shoulders above most in his European guides. Highest recommendation.
My itinerary was from Florence to Siena, then back up to San Gimignano, Volterra, back through Siena to Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano. I then rode down to Orvieto and the short ride to Civita di Bagnoregio. A train to Venice, then my ride through the Dolomites and Alto Adige from Cortina d'Ampezzo to Brunico,Bressanone, and Bolzano. From there I went west to Passo di Tonale, the Gavia Pass (a couple of days before the Giro d'Italia), then to Bormio, Tirano, and over to Lake Como. I wrapped things up in Milano.
Rick's guide was invaluable, not only for the information about these places, but also for the fact that he opens up the wonders of the hill towns that most guidebooks ignore (you can't enjoy "discovering" places that you can't find in other guides!). The hill towns were definitely a highlight of the trip.
Rick's sensitivity to the more adventurous, independent tourist results in the feeling that you're travelling with a friend who knows the place.
Cyclists: don't buy a map in the States. Get situated in whatever country you're going to, and chances are the book stores in the foreign airport, and even service stations, will have a much better selection, which you can tailor to your itinerary. One personal caveat about riding in the Italian Alps and Dolomites is to be prepared to skirt tunnels. Unlike France, many tunnels in Italy are off-limits to cyclists. It was so confusing trying to find alternate routes around the tunnels, that I finally saw the need for a Garmin GPS for my bicycle, after 20 years of cycling in foreign countries! As a lifelong resident of the area around Bormio (and serious cyclist) told me (after the carabinieri politely told me to stay out of the tunnels), the locals are also confused by bad road signage! Don't feel you need to buy a GPS just to cycle in northern Italy, but it IS a big help.
All in all, Rick is head and shoulders above most in his European guides. Highest recommendation.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.3 out of 5 stars
65 reviews
74 of 75 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome Guide filled with Secrets!
Nov 22 2010
By J. Rivera
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
I went on my honeymoon to Italy and this book was the only thing I used to guide me around Rome. Rick Steves is simply AWESOME! One example I remember was following his tip about buying the Colosseum tickets on the Colina Palatina booth, in order to skip the HUGE lines on the Colosseum! I did just that and me and my wife went laughing ALL the way from the back of a 200 person line to the entrance and into the Colosseum! AMAZING! This book is filled with MANY, MANY secrets like this and I couldn't find any situation on which Mr. Steves was wrong. If you are going to Italy, take this book with you and SAVE a TON of money! Highly Recommended!
89 of 93 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars
Kindle version not complete!
Mar 20 2011
By Rachel Cohen
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I don't know how to rate this, since I can't find a place to review only the Kindle version.
I've been using Rick Steves' guidebooks for many years, and feel as if he's one of my favorite travel companions. So as I'm planning a trip with some friends, I bought them the "dead tree book" version of the 2011 guide. I bought myself the kindle version. And the books are not the same! There are big hunks of restaurant and sleeping versions that are missing in the Kindle version. And unlike the Frommer's kindle versions of travel guides, there's no place to go online that allows you to print out the maps.
Quite a disappointment.
I've been using Rick Steves' guidebooks for many years, and feel as if he's one of my favorite travel companions. So as I'm planning a trip with some friends, I bought them the "dead tree book" version of the 2011 guide. I bought myself the kindle version. And the books are not the same! There are big hunks of restaurant and sleeping versions that are missing in the Kindle version. And unlike the Frommer's kindle versions of travel guides, there's no place to go online that allows you to print out the maps.
Quite a disappointment.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cyclists: take this book with you!
Mar 10 2011
By Dennis Ketterling
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
I took this book (and "Let's Go-Italy") on my 3-week solo cycling tour of Northern Italy and Tuscany. Rick has so much useful information for the independent traveller.
My itinerary was from Florence to Siena, then back up to San Gimignano, Volterra, back through Siena to Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano. I then rode down to Orvieto and the short ride to Civita di Bagnoregio. A train to Venice, then my ride through the Dolomites and Alto Adige from Cortina d'Ampezzo to Brunico,Bressanone, and Bolzano. From there I went west to Passo di Tonale, the Gavia Pass (a couple of days before the Giro d'Italia), then to Bormio, Tirano, and over to Lake Como. I wrapped things up in Milano.
Rick's guide was invaluable, not only for the information about these places, but also for the fact that he opens up the wonders of the hill towns that most guidebooks ignore (you can't enjoy "discovering" places that you can't find in other guides!). The hill towns were definitely a highlight of the trip.
Rick's sensitivity to the more adventurous, independent tourist results in the feeling that you're travelling with a friend who knows the place.
Cyclists: don't buy a map in the States. Get situated in whatever country you're going to, and chances are the book stores in the foreign airport, and even service stations, will have a much better selection, which you can tailor to your itinerary. One personal caveat about riding in the Italian Alps and Dolomites is to be prepared to skirt tunnels. Unlike France, many tunnels in Italy are off-limits to cyclists. It was so confusing trying to find alternate routes around the tunnels, that I finally saw the need for a Garmin GPS for my bicycle, after 20 years of cycling in foreign countries! As a lifelong resident of the area around Bormio (and serious cyclist) told me (after the carabinieri politely told me to stay out of the tunnels), the locals are also confused by bad road signage! Don't feel you need to buy a GPS just to cycle in northern Italy, but it IS a big help.
All in all, Rick is head and shoulders above most in his European guides. Highest recommendation.
My itinerary was from Florence to Siena, then back up to San Gimignano, Volterra, back through Siena to Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano. I then rode down to Orvieto and the short ride to Civita di Bagnoregio. A train to Venice, then my ride through the Dolomites and Alto Adige from Cortina d'Ampezzo to Brunico,Bressanone, and Bolzano. From there I went west to Passo di Tonale, the Gavia Pass (a couple of days before the Giro d'Italia), then to Bormio, Tirano, and over to Lake Como. I wrapped things up in Milano.
Rick's guide was invaluable, not only for the information about these places, but also for the fact that he opens up the wonders of the hill towns that most guidebooks ignore (you can't enjoy "discovering" places that you can't find in other guides!). The hill towns were definitely a highlight of the trip.
Rick's sensitivity to the more adventurous, independent tourist results in the feeling that you're travelling with a friend who knows the place.
Cyclists: don't buy a map in the States. Get situated in whatever country you're going to, and chances are the book stores in the foreign airport, and even service stations, will have a much better selection, which you can tailor to your itinerary. One personal caveat about riding in the Italian Alps and Dolomites is to be prepared to skirt tunnels. Unlike France, many tunnels in Italy are off-limits to cyclists. It was so confusing trying to find alternate routes around the tunnels, that I finally saw the need for a Garmin GPS for my bicycle, after 20 years of cycling in foreign countries! As a lifelong resident of the area around Bormio (and serious cyclist) told me (after the carabinieri politely told me to stay out of the tunnels), the locals are also confused by bad road signage! Don't feel you need to buy a GPS just to cycle in northern Italy, but it IS a big help.
All in all, Rick is head and shoulders above most in his European guides. Highest recommendation.
›
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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