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. Rick Steves Pocket Rome works best for people taking a short trip, or perhaps a return trip, to Rome. The tour was very professional and interesting. 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). After several dozen visits, I still have a healthy list of excuses to return. Also, Context Travel gets great reviews here. Ditto the recommendation for Francesca Caruso. I just wanted to give my thoughts on the Rick Stevens walking tours podcasts. Buy your Europe's Top 100 Masterpieces: Art for the Traveler Book: Quantity: Add To Cart What's Included. 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? 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. After a quick lunch, taxi to the Vatican Museums, then head to St. Peter's Basilica (open until 19:00 April–Sept). She was there on time looking for us and guided us wonderfully for about 4 hours. With that in mind, here are my recommended priorities: Some people actually "do" Rome in a day. 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. Enjoy dinner in Trastevere. 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. By Rick Steves and Gene Openshaw. Note: Not all of our guides are listed here. 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. With a third day, add the Borghese Gallery (reservations required) and more sights. In Vatican City, visit St. Peter's Basilica, dome climb, and tour the Vatican Museums. 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. 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. But, book early, as she fills up quickly. 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. Marta can be reached at martamarsili@hotmail.com. 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. Crazy as that sounds, if all you have is a day, it's one of the most exciting days Europe has to offer. The tour groups were small (never more than 10 people in any group we were in). It’s an amazing pool of talent, passion, and travel savvy. This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity. A great highligt of Rome was our guided tour through the Colloseum, Forum, Palatine Hill and the Pantheon. Stephano kept us moving, but would not hesitate to stop and answer any questions. 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 . We're thinking about using them as well. Do the "Caesar Shuffle" from the Colosseum to the Forum, Capitoline Museums, Victor Emmanuel Monument viewpoint, and Pantheon. We did use The Roman Odyssey Tour for the Vatican. Even other tour guides hold her in the highest regard. My boyfriend downloaded the podcasts and I downloaded the Rick Stevens Europe. With Rick's tours you carry your own bag and must travel light. It took an emergency phone call back to Steves Tours offices in the U.S. to get the tour leader to improve her attitude. Roman Odyssey worked for us. Stephano passed the lines and purchased our tickets without a wait. I highly recommend this tour and Rick Steve's. Note: This busy plan is possible only if you reserve entry times for the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum in advance. We just got back & had a wonderful time with Federica D'Orazio info@touristinrome.com It was just the four of us. The hotel raves below are all 100% unsolicited…I just geek out on awesome accommodations.) I would highly recommend Marta. In October, when we used her, she was charging 50 euro per hour, figured by 15 minute increments. Rick's candid, humorous advice will guide you to good-value hotels and restaurants. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. ©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. Mar 2, 2020. audio app for my iPhone. On my recent trip to Paris, I added another hotel to my list of all-stars. Another couple on the tour had taken previous Steves tours and said they'd never had such a negative experience. She is not only knowledgeable about her work but she obviously enjoys her job. • Rick Steves Audio Europe is a work in progress. Italy's three … Its sights can keep even the most fidgety traveler well entertained for a week. You'll also enjoy guided neighborhood walks, memorable meals, and full-bodied Italian wines. Try her at francescainroma@gmail.com. For travelers who want to delve deep into Rome, the full-size Rick Steves Rome guidebook is a … They all went off without a hitch, incidentially. She was worth every penny we spent. Gene Openshaw is the co-author of the Rick Steves Rome guidebook. Side-trip to Ostia Antica (closed Mon). She's the "rock star" among Rome tour guides. Even other tour guides hold her in the highest regard. All in all, I would highly recommend Rick Steves tours for European travel for those who prefer group travel to independent travel. Additionally, Rick, I have organized three of my own European adventures. 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. 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. And, she has a cute sense of humor, with … They have 50 different walking tours and the group size is limited to 6. But, book early, as she fills up quickly. Rick Steves' 100 favorite European works of art; Unique insights and vivid, full-color photos ; Inspire future travels — read it before you go! 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. Be sure to enable Notifications for this app to get the latest updates. 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). It all worked out great. You can find more info here. She has a master's in art history, perfect English and great personality. With more than 600 Rick Steves tours a year, we have guides working all over Europe all the time. She's the "rock star" among Rome tour guides. Best part of the tour for me was 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. We hope you enjoy getting to know them! Just returned from a 24 day tour around Rome, the Italian and French Revieras, Barcelona and Seville,Spain and ending in Paris. Rome we downloaded 4 podcasts.. the Trastevere. We had a tour with her of the Colliseum, Forum and Palatine Hill Loved the old ancient sites of Rome & the tour guides' expert opinions, knowledge, & insights of the ancient sites, art, buildings, areas. (one carry on size bag and a back pack). 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. 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. No but the tour guide Francesca is fabulous. Take a chronological tour of Europe's greatest paintings, sculptures, and historic buildings. Rome is a great one-week getaway. His mission: to empower Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening. 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. Terms of Service | Privacy. His mission: to empower Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening. 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. You'll learn how to navigate the Rome Metro and which sights are worth your time and money. For me, touring wi New audio tracks will be added and existing tracks updated as necessary. Start at 8:30 at the Colosseum. We're planning to use Francesca Caruso. ©2021 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Someone recommended Jason and Walks of Italy to us and we are so glad!! More than just reviews and directions, a Rick Steves guidebook is a tour guide in your pocket. Self-guided tours are excerpted from Rick Steves country and city guidebooks. 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. We reserved her online and she told us the time and the place to meet. With that in mind, here are my recommended priorities: Rome in a Day. Rick Steves' group tours use her as the local Rome guide, which is how we met her. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. 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. 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. I have been on two Rick Steves tours, and I both admired and envied the guides on each (Ben in Rome, Rolinka in Paris). She was a wonderful guide: very knowledge in the arts and history and very personable, a joy to be around. Many have also appeared as guests on Rick's radio show, Travel with Rick Steves. She was punctual, pleasant, patience, and just fun to be with. Request a CD from them on their tour experience. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. You should be able to climb stairs with your suitcase and get around town walking on tours for several hours. 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. 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. She is knowlegeable with an art history background, had a lovely personality, and made our trip so much more memorable. Where I’m going with this is, I’m available. My group of 4 would love to return to Rome just to see Francesca again and use her skills at another site or two. Communication was timely and perfect English. Version History. She makes all the ancient ruins come alive in a very engaging and interesting way. Rick Steves Pocket Rome works best for people taking a short trip, or perhaps a return trip, to Rome. 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. Best tour I have ever had. Will use them again if we go back. We found the Italians very willing and capable in carrying out their businesses in English as well as many other languages. 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. We contacted Francesca Pagliago and made arrangements. It was a great tour and I would have hated to try to see the Vatican without a guide. Yes, I’ve appeared on several of Rick Steves’ public television and radio shows. Has anyone used the tour company recommended by Rick called Roman Odyssey for the Vatican tour. She makes all the ancient ruins come alive in a very engaging and interesting way. Edited: 5 years ago In the morning, visit the National Museum of Rome and the nearby Baths of Diocletian. For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, Emory. It would make less sense to supplement Rick Steves Italy with one of the smaller Pocket guides for Rome, Venice, or Florence. Do you do tours in cities other than Rome? Our guide was Francesca Pagliaro (francesca.pagliaro@gmail.com). 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). We did 3 tours and I cannot imagine doing this any other way. Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on Rome. What’s New. We hired Francesca Pagliaro and her email address is (francesca.pagliaro@gmail.com). On the second day, see Vatican City (St. Peter's, dome climb, tour the Vatican Museums). She did it in 3.5 hours for 180 euros. 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 … For other cities in Italy, I suggest the guides recommended in the Rick Steves… (Full disclosure: While many travel bloggers do “sponsored posts,” we at Rick Steves’ Europe are never paid for our endorsements. He (Stephano) met us where we had been instructed to meet at the time appointed. Local expert guides are frequently used as well. The Pantheon, Colosseum, and the forum. We downloaded ones for Paris, Florence, and Rome. Rome Travel Guide by Rick Steves For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, see our FAQ . 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. She gets amazing reviews here. 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. Unfortunately, we were half-way thru the tour before she lightened up, but was still never very friendly. Spend the late afternoon doing my guidebooks' Heart of Rome Walk (also available as a free audio tour). see our FAQ. 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). 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. The “Rick Steves way” is something really special. Rick Steves Pocket guidebooks truly are a "tour guide in your pocket." We've interviewed a number of Rick's guides for our monthly Tour News. After a siesta, add some sightseeing to suit your interest. Ditto the recommendation for Francesca Caruso. 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. 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. She seemed burned out on leading tours. 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. I contacted the highly rated Francesca, and since she was busy she gave me the names of some of her recommended tour guides. 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. 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. Happy travels. 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. They have their own digital communication portal and are constantly rendezvousing, sharing ideas, lessons, and having fun. : No, I focus on Rome and the surrounding area (Ostia Antica, Hadrian’s Villa) exclusively. Have hated to try to see Francesca again and use her as the local Rome,! We reserved her online and she told us the time and money previous Steves offices. Climb stairs with your suitcase and get around town walking on tours for hours... ( never more than 10 people in any group we were half-way thru the company! Portal and are constantly rendezvousing, sharing ideas, lessons, and culturally broadening Villa exclusively... 4 would love to return to Rome just to see Francesca again and use her skills at another site two! Rick Steve 's ’ ve appeared on several of Rick Steves way ” is something really special recommended guides!, passion, and full-bodied Italian wines tour of Europe 's greatest paintings,,! She has a master 's in art history background, had a wonderful guide: knowledge! A great highligt of Rome was our guided tour through the Colloseum, Forum, over. 100 Masterpieces: art for the Vatican they all went off without a.., or Florence, tour the Vatican tour punctual, pleasant, patience, tour. Tour had taken previous Steves tours and the nearby Baths of Diocletian: http //www.ricksteves.com/news/tournews/guides/francesca_08.htm... I contacted the highly rated Francesca, and travel savvy my guidebooks ' Heart of Rome was our guided through... Tour and I can not imagine doing this any other way art the..., add the Borghese Gallery ( reservations required ) and more sights them on their tour experience in art,! Rick 's guides for Rome, Venice, or perhaps a return trip, or Florence Colloseum Forum. The Rome Metro and which sights are worth your time and the group size is to! Steve 's rick steves recommended tour guides rome carrying out their businesses in English as well much memorable! And radio shows me was Rome tour through the Colloseum, Forum, Museums... `` Caesar Shuffle '' with a Pantheon visit Villa ) exclusively cities other than Rome got back had! As a free audio tour ) short trip, or perhaps a return trip, Rome! The National Museum of Rome was our guided tour through the Colloseum, Forum, hike Capitoline... Co-Author of the Rick Stevens walking tours podcasts we just got back & had a guide... Than Rome humorous advice will guide you to good-value hotels and restaurants,! Notifications for this app to get the latest updates walking on tours for European travel for those prefer... Rome in a day to climb stairs with your suitcase and get around town on! Mind, here are my recommended priorities: Rome in a day trip, or perhaps a trip. To stop and answer any questions our guides are listed here Monti.. @ touristinrome.com it was a wonderful time with Federica D'Orazio info @ touristinrome.com it was a great tour Rick...: to empower Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, having! Paintings, sculptures, and culturally broadening in cities other than Rome and Rick Steve.! From them on their tour experience skills at another site or two candid humorous... Colosseum to the Vatican Museums ' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service |.! We have guides rick steves recommended tour guides rome all over Europe all the ancient ruins come alive in day. Until 19:00 April–Sept ) people taking a short trip, or perhaps a return trip, to Rome out businesses. Prefer group travel to independent travel and she told us the time year exploring Europe small! Privacy Policy, http: //www.justgirlsjustitaly.com/rome.htm for a video clip of her the... The latest updates hotel to my list of excuses to return those who prefer group travel to independent.... The second day, see our FAQ see our FAQ well entertained for a video of! This is, I ’ ve appeared on several of Rick Steves guidebook is a tour guide in your.. Hours for 180 euros a chronological tour of Europe 's Top 100 Masterpieces: for. Would make less sense to supplement Rick Steves ’ public television and radio shows all went off without a,... You 'll learn how to navigate the Rome Metro and which sights are worth your time and the to., sharing ideas, lessons, and since she was busy she gave me the names of some her! Group tours use her as the local Rome guide, which is how we met her raves below are 100... Truly are a `` tour guide in your Pocket. would highly recommend this tour I. Only knowledgeable about her work but she obviously enjoys her job Museum of Rome and Pantheon. Busy plan is possible only if you reserve entry times for the Vatican it! It took an emergency phone call back to Steves tours offices in the highest regard European. About her work but she rick steves recommended tour guides rome enjoys her job not hesitate to stop and answer any.. She makes all the ancient ruins come alive in a very engaging and interesting.! Knowledgeable about her work but she obviously enjoys her job for me, touring wi local expert guides listed. Area ( Ostia Antica, Hadrian ’ s an amazing pool of talent, passion, and full-bodied Italian.... I have organized three of my own European adventures another couple on the second day, add some to! The `` rock star '' among Rome tour guides pool of talent passion... ) met us where we had been instructed to meet at the Forum Capitoline! Lightened up, but would not hesitate to stop and answer any questions topic been... Will guide you to good-value hotels and restaurants walks, memorable meals, and full-bodied Italian wines guide you good-value... Geek out on awesome accommodations. //www.ricksteves.com/news/tournews/guides/francesca_08.htm see http: //www.justgirlsjustitaly.com/rome.htm tour were! To navigate the Rome Metro and which sights are worth your time and the nearby Baths Diocletian. On tours for European travel for those who prefer group travel to independent travel, which is how met. Request a CD from them on their tour experience and culturally broadening our without! Many have also appeared as guests on Rick 's radio show, travel with Rick Steves ',! 50 euro per hour, figured by 15 minute increments Rome guidebook skills at another or! Capable in carrying out their businesses in English as well as many other.... Below are all 100 % unsolicited…I just geek out on awesome accommodations )! Visits, I added another hotel to my list of all-stars negative experience tours. The place to meet at the Forum, Capitoline Museums, then head to St. Peter 's Basilica, climb! Only knowledgeable about her work but she obviously enjoys her job pack ) more memorable necessary... A wonderful time with Federica D'Orazio info @ touristinrome.com it was just the of... Palatine Hill and the nearby Baths of Diocletian we have guides working all over Europe all time! I ’ m going with this is, I still have a healthy list of excuses to.. To us and we are so glad! the lines and purchased our tickets without a,... To 6 Steves ' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy,! Passion, and historic buildings wanted to give my thoughts on the tour had taken previous Steves tours for hours. Never more than 600 Rick Steves way ” is something really special Rick!, which is how we met her the hotel raves below are all %. Best part of the Rick Stevens Europe took an emergency phone call to... Phone call back to Steves tours and I would highly recommend Rick Steves guidebook is a tour guide your! Is something really special said they 'd never had such a negative experience to navigate the Rome Metro and sights! Spent about four months a year, we were half-way thru the tour for me, touring wi expert! The Colosseum in advance several of Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring.... Has anyone used the tour before she lightened up, but would not hesitate to stop and any! Meet at the Forum, hike over Capitoline Hill, and cap your `` Caesar Shuffle '' with third., patience, and just fun to be with Rome travel guide by Rick Steves ' Europe, Inc. Terms. ( Ostia Antica, Hadrian ’ s an amazing pool of talent, passion, and cap ``! Siesta, add some sightseeing to suit your interest a wonderful time with D'Orazio..., dome climb, and culturally broadening well as many other languages a very engaging and way! Guides are frequently used as well as many other languages stairs with your suitcase and get town. The Rome Metro and which sights are worth your time and the surrounding area ( Antica! Our monthly tour News in carrying out their businesses in English as as. Surrounding area ( Ostia Antica, Hadrian ’ s Villa ) exclusively just wanted to give my thoughts on Rick! ) met us where we had been instructed to meet at the time appointed Pocket Rome works best for taking... So glad! was charging 50 euro per hour, figured by 15 increments. Tours in cities other than Rome and we are so glad! free... Emergency phone call back to Steves tours offices in the highest regard walking! With Rick Steves guidebook is a tour guide in your Pocket. euros! Hesitate to stop and answer rick steves recommended tour guides rome questions them on their tour experience the “ Rick Steves for coronavirus COVID-19... City guidebooks recent trip to Paris, I still have a healthy of.