You should be able to climb stairs with your suitcase and get around town walking on tours for several hours. Crazy as that sounds, if all you have is a day, it's one of the most exciting days Europe has to offer. After a quick lunch, taxi to the Vatican Museums, then head to St. Peter's Basilica (open until 19:00 April–Sept). Rome Travel Guide by Rick Steves For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, see our FAQ . Be sure to enable Notifications for this app to get the latest updates. We reserved her online and she told us the time and the place to meet. Rome we downloaded 4 podcasts.. the Trastevere. Stephano kept us moving, but would not hesitate to stop and answer any questions. Self-guided tours are excerpted from Rick Steves country and city guidebooks. Buy your Europe's Top 100 Masterpieces: Art for the Traveler Book: Quantity: Add To Cart What's Included. Has anyone used the tour company recommended by Rick called Roman Odyssey for the Vatican tour. For me, touring wi Note: This busy plan is possible only if you reserve entry times for the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum in advance. Just returned from a 24 day tour around Rome, the Italian and French Revieras, Barcelona and Seville,Spain and ending in Paris. Do you do tours in cities other than Rome? Its sights can keep even the most fidgety traveler well entertained for a week. It all worked out great. Communication was timely and perfect English. Unless you mean that TA doesn't allow those sorts of tours (day/few hours, etc) to have a review page - but, I'm talking about a forum, not review pages. Request a CD from them on their tour experience. ©2021 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | With smart planning you can pack a lot of sightseeing into your Roman visit, but there's no point in overloading your trip — with any luck, you'll keep coming back to Rome. The tour was very professional and interesting. For other cities in Italy, I suggest the guides recommended in the Rick Steves… Loved the old ancient sites of Rome & the tour guides' expert opinions, knowledge, & insights of the ancient sites, art, buildings, areas. They all went off without a hitch, incidentially. And, she has a cute sense of humor, with … He (Stephano) met us where we had been instructed to meet at the time appointed. Italy's three … (Full disclosure: While many travel bloggers do “sponsored posts,” we at Rick Steves’ Europe are never paid for our endorsements. Ditto the recommendation for Francesca Caruso. The “Rick Steves way” is something really special. My boyfriend downloaded the podcasts and I downloaded the Rick Stevens Europe. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. Ditto the recommendation for Francesca Caruso. In the evening you might enjoy a sound-and-light show at the Forum and/or a colorful evening in Trastevere or the Monti district. In Vatican City, visit St. Peter's Basilica, dome climb, and tour the Vatican Museums. It was a great tour and I would have hated to try to see the Vatican without a guide. Our guide was Francesca Pagliaro (francesca.pagliaro@gmail.com). Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series and a public radio show and organises small-group tours that take over 30,000 travellers to Europe annually. We had a tour with her of the Colliseum, Forum and Palatine Hill We did use The Roman Odyssey Tour for the Vatican. We contacted Francesca Pagliago and made arrangements. His mission: to empower Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening. With more than 600 Rick Steves tours a year, we have guides working all over Europe all the time. This colorful, compact 220-page book includes Rick's advice for prioritizing your time, whether you're spending 1 or 7 days in a city. Version History. Terms of Service | Privacy. Rick Steves Pocket guidebooks truly are a "tour guide in your pocket." Each winter, we celebrate Rick Steves’ Europe Tours with tour alum reunion parties, a tour guide summit, and a series of travel talks called “Test Drive a Tour Guide.” It’s all-hands-on-deck during this weeklong series of overlapping events, and I was just too busy to post — but I’m still thinking about all the fun we had, and I’d like to share some of it with you now. audio app for my iPhone. I cannot tell you how pleased we were with Francesca P. She is a Art major which was great at the Vatican but her knowledge of the Roman ruins was excellent. Of course, we bypassed all the lines, and she had a running commentary of historical facts and explanations that helped make sense out of what we saw. The Pantheon, Colosseum, and the forum. Spend the late afternoon doing my guidebooks' Heart of Rome Walk (also available as a free audio tour). She makes all the ancient ruins come alive in a very engaging and interesting way. Mar 2, 2020. Start at 8:30 at the Colosseum. She was worth every penny we spent. Best tour I have ever had. Like our other Pocket guides, Pocket Rome is smaller than the complete guidebook (and in full color), but still offers our best sightseeing advice, a handful of self-guided city walks and museum tours, and a foldout map. We're planning to use Francesca Caruso. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. In the afternoon do my Jewish Ghetto Walk, followed immediately by my Trastevere Walk (both walks are outlined in my Rome guidebooks and available as a free audio tour). Note: Not all of our guides are listed here. The hotel raves below are all 100% unsolicited…I just geek out on awesome accommodations.) They have their own digital communication portal and are constantly rendezvousing, sharing ideas, lessons, and having fun. They have 50 different walking tours and the group size is limited to 6. It would make less sense to supplement Rick Steves Italy with one of the smaller Pocket guides for Rome, Venice, or Florence. Side-trip to Ostia Antica (closed Mon). She gets amazing reviews here. Each does have one or two walks and museum tours that aren't included in the related chapters of Rick Steves Italy , but otherwise they offer far more limited coverage of each city's sights, hotels, and restaurants. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. Rick Steves' 100 favorite European works of art; Unique insights and vivid, full-color photos ; Inspire future travels — read it before you go! You'll learn how to navigate the Rome Metro and which sights are worth your time and money. You can find more info here. We downloaded ones for Paris, Florence, and Rome. Even other tour guides hold her in the highest regard. The tour groups were small (never more than 10 people in any group we were in). Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on Rome. If someone can post this thread about the Rick Steves tour, why not have a forum in which different tours in different countries are discussed. For travelers who want to delve deep into Rome, the full-size Rick Steves Rome guidebook is a … She did it in 3.5 hours for 180 euros. Gene Openshaw is the co-author of the Rick Steves Rome guidebook. Rome is a great one-week getaway. The Rick Steves Best of Venice, Florence & Rome tour begins with Venice's timeless St. Mark's Square and Basilica, continues on to Michelangelo's stunning David and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, and ends with Rome's ancient Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon, Vatican Museums, and Sistine Chapel. What’s New. With smart planning you can pack a lot of sightseeing into your Roman visit, but there's no point in overloading your trip — with any luck, you'll keep coming back to Rome. You'll also enjoy guided neighborhood walks, memorable meals, and full-bodied Italian wines. We hired Francesca Pagliaro and her email address is (francesca.pagliaro@gmail.com). Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 30,000 travelers to Europe annually. Yes, I’ve appeared on several of Rick Steves’ public television and radio shows. We're thinking about using them as well. In every tour, there has been plenty of time allocated for exploring on one's own, so you are not tethered to the group all day every day. I contacted the highly rated Francesca, and since she was busy she gave me the names of some of her recommended tour guides. She makes all the ancient ruins come alive in a very engaging and interesting way. For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, Unfortunately, we were half-way thru the tour before she lightened up, but was still never very friendly. With a third day, add the Borghese Gallery (reservations required) and more sights. It’s an amazing pool of talent, passion, and travel savvy. I highly recommend this tour and Rick Steve's. • Rick Steves Audio Europe is a work in progress. She was there on time looking for us and guided us wonderfully for about 4 hours. We did private tours in Rome and then group tours in Florence and we got much more out of the private tour than the group tour, even though the group guides were good. It took an emergency phone call back to Steves Tours offices in the U.S. to get the tour leader to improve her attitude. Rick Steves' European tours are led by dozens of energetic, hand-picked guides — all of whom share Rick's passion for Europe, travel and teaching. Please support local businesses in your community by picking up a copy from your favorite bookstore, or you can find it at my online Travel Store . Answer 1 of 5: Is there anyone in their 50's who has taken a tour with Rick Steves Tours to Italy (Florence, Rome, and Venice) in the past two years--want to know if it was really strenuous as advertized? She seemed burned out on leading tours. Rick Steves Pocket Rome works best for people taking a short trip, or perhaps a return trip, to Rome. On the first day, do the "Caesar Shuffle" from the Colosseum (book ahead) to the Forum, then over Capitoline Hill (visiting the Capitoline Museums), and on to the Pantheon. Happy travels. She is not only knowledgeable about her work but she obviously enjoys her job. (one carry on size bag and a back pack). No but the tour guide Francesca is fabulous. We found the Italians very willing and capable in carrying out their businesses in English as well as many other languages. In October, when we used her, she was charging 50 euro per hour, figured by 15 minute increments. Emory. Best part of the tour for me was Rome. She has a master's in art history, perfect English and great personality. We used Marta Marsili for two private tours, one of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel and the next day the Colliseum and Roman Forum. But, book early, as she fills up quickly. Spend the early evening shopping and enjoying the local passeggiata by doing what I call the "Dolce Vita Stroll" along Via del Corso (start at Piazza del Popolo and end up at Piazza Venezia for great sunset views). My group of 4 would love to return to Rome just to see Francesca again and use her skills at another site or two. More than just reviews and directions, a Rick Steves guidebook is a tour guide in your pocket. Answer 1 of 141: I know that escorted tours are frowned upon here, but the stress of a DIY vacation is starting to wear on us. By Rick Steves and Gene Openshaw. His mission: to empower Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening. Like our other Pocket guides, Pocket Rome is smaller than the complete guidebook and in full color (but still offers our best sightseeing advice and a handful of self-guided city walks and museum tours, plus a … With that in mind, here are my recommended priorities: Rome in a Day. Roman Odyssey worked for us. With Rick's tours you carry your own bag and must travel light. Here's an interview with her: http://www.ricksteves.com/news/tournews/guides/francesca_08.htm See http://www.justgirlsjustitaly.com/rome.htm for a video clip of her in action. Many have also appeared as guests on Rick's radio show, Travel with Rick Steves. Someone recommended Jason and Walks of Italy to us and we are so glad!! Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 30,000 travelers to Europe annually. She's the "rock star" among Rome tour guides. Even other tour guides hold her in the highest regard. see our FAQ. A great highligt of Rome was our guided tour through the Colloseum, Forum, Palatine Hill and the Pantheon. I would highly recommend Marta. Try her at francescainroma@gmail.com. And, she has a cute sense of humor, with perfect English. After several dozen visits, I still have a healthy list of excuses to return. : No, I focus on Rome and the surrounding area (Ostia Antica, Hadrian’s Villa) exclusively. New audio tracks will be added and existing tracks updated as necessary. Visit the Borghese Gallery (reservation required) and the churches I group as the key elements of "Pilgrims' Rome": San Giovanni in Laterano, Santa Maria Maggiore, and San Clemente. Do the "Caesar Shuffle" from the Colosseum to the Forum, Capitoline Museums, Victor Emmanuel Monument viewpoint, and Pantheon. I have been on two Rick Steves tours, and I both admired and envied the guides on each (Ben in Rome, Rolinka in Paris). We've interviewed a number of Rick's guides for our monthly Tour News. Will use them again if we go back. We started with a Rick Steves 7 day tour of Rome then spent 20 more days touring Italy on our own with a Rick Steves Italy book. All in all, I would highly recommend Rick Steves tours for European travel for those who prefer group travel to independent travel. You choose — Hadrian's Villa near Tivoli, Appian Way with catacombs, E.U.R., Testaccio sights, a food tour, shopping, Galleria Doria Pamphilj, Castel Sant'Angelo, or more time at the Vatican. This art moment — a sampling of how we share our love of art in our tours — is an excerpt from the full-color coffee-table book Europe’s Top 100 Masterpieces by Rick Steves and Gene Openshaw. Rick's candid, humorous advice will guide you to good-value hotels and restaurants. Reserved a day and time online; paid for half the cost via credit card and paid the rest when we met the guide at the appointed place. This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity. After several dozen visits, I still have a healthy list of excuses to return. We did 3 tours and I cannot imagine doing this any other way. Marta can be reached at martamarsili@hotmail.com. Stephano passed the lines and purchased our tickets without a wait. Have dinner near the atmospheric Campo de' Fiori, and then walk to the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps (following my guidebooks' Heart of Rome Walk — also available as a free audio tour). Taxi back to Campo de' Fiori for dinner, then finish your day lacing together all the famous floodlit spots (following my guidebooks' Heart of Rome Walk — also available as a free audio tour). Enjoy dinner in Trastevere. Local expert guides are frequently used as well. Where I’m going with this is, I’m available. In the morning, visit the National Museum of Rome and the nearby Baths of Diocletian. She is knowlegeable with an art history background, had a lovely personality, and made our trip so much more memorable. She was punctual, pleasant, patience, and just fun to be with. We hope you enjoy getting to know them! After a siesta, add some sightseeing to suit your interest. In the evening, you could repeat my guidebooks' "Heart of Rome" walk from Campo de' Fiori to the Spanish Steps to enjoy the after-dark scene. We just got back & had a wonderful time with Federica D'Orazio info@touristinrome.com It was just the four of us. Rick Steves Pocket Rome works best for people taking a short trip, or perhaps a return trip, to Rome. With that in mind, here are my recommended priorities: Some people actually "do" Rome in a day. My husband & i had less than 3 days in Rome as part of a two week trip to Italy to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary. Then explore the Forum, hike over Capitoline Hill, and cap your "Caesar Shuffle" with a Pantheon visit. Rick Steves' group tours use her as the local Rome guide, which is how we met her. ©2021 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy, http://www.ricksteves.com/news/tournews/guides/francesca_08.htm, http://www.justgirlsjustitaly.com/rome.htm. Additionally, Rick, I have organized three of my own European adventures. Rick Steves Rome 2020 (Rick Steves Travel Guide): Amazon.de: Steves, Rick, Openshaw, Gene: Fremdsprachige Bücher Wählen Sie Ihre Cookie-Einstellungen Wir verwenden Cookies und ähnliche Tools, um Ihr Einkaufserlebnis zu verbessern, um unsere Dienste anzubieten, um zu verstehen, wie die Kunden unsere Dienste nutzen, damit wir Verbesserungen vornehmen können, und um Werbung anzuzeigen. On my recent trip to Paris, I added another hotel to my list of all-stars. Compared to the corresponding chapters of the Rick Steves Best of Italy guidebook, our full-size guidebooks for Rome, Venice, and Florence & Tuscany offer much more in-depth sightseeing information, several additional self-guided city walks and museum/sight tours, more detail on day-trip options, and more specifics on shopping and nightlife, plus suggestions for kids. Another couple on the tour had taken previous Steves tours and said they'd never had such a negative experience. Also, Context Travel gets great reviews here. Take a chronological tour of Europe's greatest paintings, sculptures, and historic buildings. I just wanted to give my thoughts on the Rick Stevens walking tours podcasts. Rick Steves' group tours use her as the local Rome guide, which is how we met her. She's the "rock star" among Rome tour guides. But, book early, as she fills up quickly. She was a wonderful guide: very knowledge in the arts and history and very personable, a joy to be around. 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