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Title: Rick Steves' Rome 2004 by Rick Steves, Gene Openshaw ISBN: 1-56691-523-6 Publisher: Avalon Travel Publishing Pub. Date: October, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.33 (6 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: A must read for those traveling to Rome
Comment: I very much enjoyed this must read before setting foot on Roman soil. This book is riddled with all sorts of hints and tips to fully enjoy the experience of traveling to Rome.
Rating: 1
Summary: Utterly infantile!
Comment: I bought this book because I had seen (and suffered through) Steves' amateurish and infantile videos on visiting Italy. I was curious to see if his books were as bad as his videos. The verdict: they are equally as bad. The problem is, Steves isn't an innate or talented traveler, though he apparently has performed a miracle and makes money fooling others that he *is* a great traveler. The Arthur Frommer Guides are much better than these Steves offerings.
Problems abound. Steves concentrates most of his time on typical tourist destinations in Rome. Of course it's interesting to read about the Coliseum, but does he provide information on how to catch a taxi or streetcar? Of course not. What about hotels? His advice is universally bad. He hasn't a clue on how to locate a low-cost Pensions and opts for dingy tents on the outskirts of town. His suggestions on eating are obtuse. Snacking in Italy is a cinch: go to a bakery in the morning, buy your rolls, cheese and coffee and be on your way. His suggestions of hanging around railway stations and saving a few pennies are insulting and poorly rendered.
Similarly wretched is his advice on getting about the city and Rome's environs. Forget the railway, you can rent an econo car for about $150 a week. Yes, gas is expensive, but driving is the only way to see this beautiful country, though I would not recommend driving within the city limits. Another weakness is Steves' opinions of Rome, which basically consists of 10 pages advising you to frequent the cheapest and most touris-ridden spots. If that's all there is to see and do in Rome, then we're in trouble. Truly, this is a terrible book written in plodding, patronizing style, guaranteed to set your nerves a-jangle. Rome is a sublime place: the people, the food, the sights and sounds are fantastic! This book will steer you to the worst tourist traps. Avoid it.
Rating: 5
Summary: Excellent Guidebook for Some Tastes
Comment: Rick Steves concentrates on seeing the sights in Rome & travel survival fundamentals. His coverage on what to see at various sites, and his focus on walking tours and seeing what is in a specific locale is excellent. We walked everywhere and wanted to see the sights - not shop. Excellent for this purpose.
He does not focus on shopping, restaurants or hotels (there is limited coverage). He has clear opinions. He gives the facts, but also his opinion of the place and his specific recommendations. If you want book with lots of shopping and restuarant info, or just want an "opinion free" description buy something else.
If you have a week or less, are willing to use your feet, are interested in walking tours, or are focusing on seeing a lot of what Rome has to offer with limited time - the book is for you. We read (not skimmed) 5 guidebooks. His was the best.
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Title: Rick Steves' Florence and Tuscany 2004 by Rick Steves, Gene Openshaw ISBN: 1566915384 Publisher: Avalon Travel Publishing Pub. Date: October, 2003 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: Rick Steves' Italian Phrase Book and Dictionary by Rick Steves ISBN: 1566915201 Publisher: Avalon Travel Publishing Pub. Date: May, 2003 List Price(USD): $7.95 |
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Title: Rick Steves' Italy 2004 by Rick Steves ISBN: 1566915333 Publisher: Avalon Travel Publishing Pub. Date: December, 2003 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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Title: Rick Steves' Venice 2004 by Rick Steves, Gene Openshaw ISBN: 1566915376 Publisher: Avalon Travel Publishing Pub. Date: September, 2003 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: Streetwise Rome by Michael Brown, Streetwise Maps ISBN: 0935039678 Publisher: Streetwise Maps Pub. Date: 01 October, 1993 List Price(USD): $7.95 |
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