Buongiorno, Quilters and Travelers!
Should I really cut up my Rick Steves guide book? Rick Steves recommends cutting apart the book to make mini guides to the cities you will be visiting.
But cutting up any book seems so wrong!
I’m off to Italy! Last month, several readers of LKQ recommended Rick Steves Italy 2019 and videos. Thank YOU! His books and videos are fabulous!
I’ve been reading, watching videos and practicing Italian phrases for weeks!
Now my bags (and my packing cubes) are packed and we are ready to go!
Rick Steves Guide Book Meets OLFA!
While it is against my nature cut up my Rick Steves guide book, I’m really making an effort to travel light.
And since Rick Steves says it’s a good idea….
I used my OLFA Art Knife–-(it always comes in handy!) to cut the spine of the book and make mini-guide books!
(Noticed there’s no doodling on them–yet!)
Reinforcing with Washi Tape
The Rick Steves guide book chapters stayed together quite well after cutting the binding.
Next, I added a little washi tape along the spine for reinforcement. (Would it surprise you to know I have a small collection of washi tape–LOL!)
By removing the chapters on all the cities we are not visiting, I reduced the weight by half! (oh…it should always be that easy!)
I will save all those other chapters for another year…
After I use my right hand to throw coins over my left shoulder in the Trevi Fountain!
Camera or No Camera?
As YOU all know, I LOVE photography and I LOVE my Canon DSLR.
However, I’ve made the hard choice to leave my camera home this time.
The camera and all the gear is just too heavy. I think I would be a slave to it.
Sometimes it’s just better to “be in the moment” (and rely on my iPhone!?!)
Reading Material for the Plane Ride
In addition to my Rick Steves Italy 2019, I am reading A Month of Italy by Chris Brady. It is a hilarious account of the author’s family trip to Italy. I highly recommend it!
and I am saving Roman Fever by Edith Wharton for the plane. Edith Wharton is one of my favorite authors and this book was highly recommended by my SIL.
YOUR Recommendations
Do YOU have any podcasts, movies or books about Italy that YOU recommend?
Have YOU traveled to Italy? Do YOU live in Italy?
What restaurants would you choose in Florence, Venice or Rome?
What Italian words or phrases are important to know?
Are YOU planning a special jaunt?
We’d LOVE to hear!
Arrivederci!
Lori
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58 comments
Jill Katzung
I love traveling “through the back door” with Rick Steves!! His recommendations are the best!! I do remove the pages I need for any day or for getting settled as I arrive in a town or city and I have always found it easy to open the spine and neatly pull out the pages I want. But I never thought of Washi tape!
My daughter and I had the loveliest of dinners in Florence at the Cipolla Rossa (the purple onion). The hydrangea outside were stunning. It was cozy, food divine and we visited with the sweetest, older couple sharing their stories with us. We later had a wonderful dinner at the restaurant right in the shadow of the Duomo. Glorious!
We loved Sorrento and had fabuous meals at Inn Bufalito, especially their bufalo mozarella caprese! Oh how I wish I could get that here!! Just sitting at a restaurant, sipping wine, watching the evening stroll–lovely memories!!
You’ll have a wonderful time!! I’ll be thinking of you!!
Jill
Elizabeth E.
Lots of great tips here–have a blast, and hopefully you’ll slip in photos and memories for us when you return.
PS: I never cut up my Rick Steve’s books, but bravo to you for doing it.
PPS. I gave up big cameras when the iPhone camera became so great–it’s easier and always handy!
Sham Selva
Dear Lori,
I just returned from a week in the Sorrento (Amalfi coast) and absolutely loved. Despite having being there a few times before, i never cease to find something new with each trip.
I’m not sure about which cities you are traveling, but will list some of the experiences I have loved in the major cities.
1) Venice
a) Trip to Murano and watching a glass blowing demonstration. There are lots of opportunities to buy earrings, bracelets, etc in Murano; I would suggest this over trying to purchase anything in Venice as you have to be quite wary of products ‘made in China’ and sold for cheaper to unsuspecting tourists.
b) Chichetti – these are side dishes or small plates (similar to tapas) sold in traditional bacari (bars) that you can enjoy in the afternoon with some wine or aperol
c) trip to Burano – to see lace making (a dying art form); this island is also not over run by tourists
d) a walk around the Piazza San Marco at 7am in the morning. I know that most people want to sleep in when they are on vacation. But my husband and I once got up early and took the opportunity to catch the rising sun and a deserted Piazzo San Marco to take pictures. It was surreal as there were literally less than 10 people walking around that area. It gave us the opportunity to take in the architecture without the sea of humanity that springs up at 9am when the cruise ships pull in. I would also sneak in a cappuccino at a small cafe.
e) Get advance tickets to the Doge’s palace so that you don’t have to wait in line (which will be incredibly long during the August high season)
f) Go up the Campanile (bell tower) close to the time they ring the bell; fun experience with the view
g) A visit to Rivoaltus (on the Rialto bridge); they sell leather bound books and stationery
2) Florence
a) Uffizi gallery and Accademia Gallery (home of the David statue); again, advance tickets can shave off hours wasted standing in line
b) the Mercato Centrale – Open-air market that has a cast-iron structure dating to 19th century. It has a variety of food shops that is enjoyed by locals as well tourists. I believe that it also caters to restaurants. It is in the old town, so it’s conveniently located.
c) Some sort of leather good as Florence is well known for that. I was backpacking with my husband and so did not have much room in the luggage; but I still scored a nice wallet.
d) San Miniato church – this is a bit of a walking to the outskirts of Florence (about an hour at a leisurely stroll); great view from there and beautiful interior
e) We spent a few days in Cortona (about 1.5 hours outside Florence) and drove around to some of the hilltop towns such as San Gimignano, Montepulciano and Sienna
Rome and Vatican City
1) Loved visiting the catacombs (via Scavi office) under St. Peter’s Basilica and also climbing to the dome; the catacombs require getting tickets ahead of time either through tours or directly contacting the Scavi office
2) Borghese gallery – home to some beautiful sculptures; need to get advance tickets
3) A stroll through Trastevere neighbourhood – a quieter area of Rome (compared to the central area)
Amalfi Coast (would suggest taking the ferry from Naples as the train is extremely unreliable and abounds with pickpockets)
1) We stayed in Sorrento and used it as a base to visit Capri, Amalfi, Positano and Ravello
2) trip to Pompeii; considering the time of the year, it will be sweltering so going there first thing in the morning (9am opening) would be advisable
3) Visiting and eating at some of the restaurants in the Marina Grande (10 min stroll from the central Piazza Tasso in Sorrento)
And as always, we try to learn a few basic words to be able to greet people as it just seems like the civil thing to do. After all, you are visiting another country and any effort seems to go a long way to breaking down barriers.
Have a wonderful and safe trip!
Sham
Nick
The rose gardens in roma (dont call it rome while there) is not open that time of year but if you go through the street between it and keep following the road up the hill there’s a little park by a church which gives one of the best views over part of the city.
And as pointed out tourist areas are ripe with pickpockets so don’t believe in your back pocket and if you keep it in your front pocket keep your shirt hanging over them. And don’t take anything from the guys with the big smiles that hand you trinkets they’ll expect money.
Tara
My husband and l hoped to go to Europe next year. If you are taking an android phone with a good international phone plan and battery charger you can download Rick Steves’ walking tours from playstation for free. The walking tours dont discuss everything but use it as a supplement to the book. Not sure if it works with an iphone. Tara
Keysha
Wear your compression socks on the plane and take comfortable walking shoes. Some days we walked upwards of 10 miles per day. I just returned 3 weeks ago from Rome, Florence, and Venice. I’m ready to go back to Italy. Drink a cappuccino for me while you’re over there. 😀
Paola Gemelli
I’m Italian and I live in Milano. I agree with the words “per favore” (please) and “grazie” or “grazie mille” – a little stronger thanks you. Be always aware of your luggage and your purse, Italy is not so plenty of pickpockets, but tourist attract them all! Enjoy your trip
Leslie
Take the scavi tour underneath St Peter’s if you can and aren’t claustrophobic
Sheila
I would suggest that if you are only going to rely on your phone for photographs that you try and back up your photos to a cloud account each evening in case, god forbid, your phone gets stolen or lost. This happened to a friend of mine and she was devastated that she lost all her holiday pictures.
verveine et lin
Bonjour Lori,
Couper un livre… Eeek, je crois que je ne pourrais pas !
Je vous recommande “an enchanted april” de Elizabeth von Armid, qui est un adorable roman et aussi un film charmant.
Et un peu de Asti Spumante pour accompagner !
Bon voyage Lori,
Muriel la Française
bauersal
We have been to Italy 3 times and I yearn to return. On our first trip we used RS book to choose B & B’s and places to eat. Take his advice to board the bus in Florence and go to the park (wish I had the book to be more specific) that overlooks the city. We have met and dined with locals and always felt safe. We plan to go back with our daughter and her family next year. We will use his book again. I agree with a previous comment that your hotel or residence will point you to wonderful places to eat.
I also used a language program from our library for some language preparation and find that Italian was much easier than other languages to comprehend.
Have a wonderful time.
nurseeg
I’ve been to Italy numerous times. You won’t regret the cut-up guide book. I’ve done it and it works GREAT! Also, you will NOT regret just using your iPhone for pictures. Just last winter, I took only my iPhone on a river cruise (I also love photography). When I returned, I made a fabulous, professional photo book with only iPhone pictures that I edited in Lightroom. You would NEVER KNOW that they were made with a phone camera; that is not just my opinion, but from another photographer. It is going to be HOT at this time of year, by the way. The last thing you want is a heavy camera with a large lens and sticky neck strap hanging around your neck. Just sayin’…..
We always enjoy eating at Alfredo’s in Rome, very near the Pantheon and not too far from Trevi Fountain. It is where Fettuccini Alfredo originated. They make it table side with the thinnest fettuccini noodles you can imagine. At this time of year, Ensalata Mista is the name for a simple mixed side salad at most every restaurant and is SO FRESH and delicious with just oil and some Balsamic vinegar. Great gelato in Rome is at Old Bridge Gelateria just steps from the entrance to the Vatican Museum. There are other locations in Rome but none as good as that location.
If you don’t already have/use Uber, get the app ASAP. Here’s the main reason…..it is very easy to get ripped off by taxi drivers (It’s happened to us getting incorrect change). If you use Uber, no money changes hands. You are charged through the app and are able to add on the tip, have the drivers name, watch the map as they come to get you, and it works flawlessly with no money involved. Also, our Uber driver when we landed at the airport in Rome met us inside the airport and helped us with our luggage out to his car. Nice, since it can be confusing leaving the airport.
As for the Vatican, buy your tickets in advance (in fact, do that for Uffizzi and Academia in Florence and any other place possible) Be at the Vatican Museum when the Museum opens; Wait lines are very minimal if you already have a ticket. One thing we always do once we enter is go straight to the Sistine Chapel, which is normally where you end the tour. If you do this, you will see the Sistine Chapel with a minimal number of people there early in the morning. The downside is that you then have to back track through the museum, or sort of view the museum in reverse. Typically at the end of our time at the Museum, we go back to the Sistine; here’s why…….. If you make it there about 12:30 PM or later, the door on the RIGHT side of the Sistine (facing the back of the chapel) is open. There is a short outside flight of stairs you take down and BOOM, you are on the portico of St Peter’s. Since you love photography, don’t miss the usual exit spiral ramp from the Vatican museum (it’s actually near the entrance to the museum). I’m sure there is a way to see and photograph without having to exit.
Get advance tickets to Coliseum FOR SURE and with a guide is probably best. We stood in line 2 hours in May waiting to get in. I got sunburned. I’m sure you know this, but just in case, some places are not air-conditioned and a packable hat or tiny umbrella are a relief from the sun when standing in lines. Tivoli Gardens is not far from Rome and is amazing. Italy is AMAZING! Definitely have gelato everyday and enjoy a great trip! Rick Steves will not lead you wrong. Bon voyage!
As for movies, I really enjoyed The Agony and The Ecstasy. Charlton Heston plays Michelangelo as he paints the Sistine Chapel. It’s an old movie, but good. Also, if the line at the Duomo is insane in Florence, skip the inside. The outside is much more spectacular than the inside; to me, it was not impressive. Don’t miss a gondola ride in Venice, even though it is expensive. In Florence, I love crossing over the river and making a stop at Michelangelo Plaza; it overlooks Florence and sometimes you can catch great sunset photos from there.
If by chance you decide not to use Uber, have some Euros with you before you leave the US (get them through your bank). Dealing in Euros is easier and safer than US dollars. The less times you have to pull out a credit card, the better and safer you are. Always stay cognizant of your surroundings; not to scare you, but just to be smart. I think it’s also smart to enter the name, address and phone number of your hotel into your phone as soon as you arrive and/or place a pin on your Google map. Makes it much easier to communicate with taxi or Uber drivers who sometimes are not too great at English. Take a washcloth or two with you; some hotels have no washcloths. The microfiber ones dry fast and are good for washing your face, too.
Lori Kennedy Quilts
Thank YOU so much for all of your tips! This was extremely helpful! Didn’t know that about UBER!
And Alfredos! and all of your other tips!
Suzanne
As much as cutting up a book seems like heresy, do it, really. Carrying that whole book will be too much weight. You can always tuck your “excerpts” back in it after and still use them for reference.
Someone said don’t take your camera as it marks you as a tourist – good advice.
Don’t carry a purse with a long slim strap that can be sliced with a razor and yanked away from you. A purse with a chain rather than a strap is a bit better. Don’t let it hang loosely and keep it in front of you if possible.
Unless you put them in a hotel safe, keep anything important; passport, extra cash, a spare credit card, etc., attached somewhere under your clothing in a flat pouch – you could make a sturdy one in a jiffy – and safety pins are useful for more than just stabilizing quilts.
Any sudden commotion surrounding you is very probably a deliberate distraction – get away from it as quickly as possible.
Now for the good stuff:
We were in Italy many years ago and had a fabulous time.
When we were hungry we walked into any restaurant we saw. We spoke no Italian but enjoyed some incredible meals. The language barrier was no problem.
The scenery is beyond exquisite. Many of the older hotels are grand and beautiful; they’re like entering a different era and we had some incredible accommodations. We ate lots of fresh fruit and yummy cheese, tons of pasta, fatty sausage meats and sweet goodies. Again, just as someone else said, we came home having lost weight because exploring Italian cities and towns is best done on foot. One of the most fascinating places we went was a glass-blowing factory in Venice. They create magnificent art that gleams like rare jewels. Venice itself was beautiful but I’ve heard it’s gone downhill since we were there. I hope that’s not true because I loved it. We also visited Rome, Florence, Milan and Assisi and enjoyed every minute.
Italy is a warm and friendly country; I wish you a marvelous time and a safe trip there and back.
p.s. A cute story. When we where there, a pair of young women in our group were having dinner with us one evening and commented on the “unusual” bathroom facilities. They were sharing a room and were in a hurry to get ready for dinner so while one of them showered, the other decided to make use of the “little sink near the floor”. She had no idea what a bidet was. We tried, but couldn’t help chuckling and she demanded to know why. When we gave in and told her, she squealed, “a-g-g-h-h-h!! I washed my hair in that!!!” and literally ran from the table to go back upstairs to shower. I think she lost her dinner too. Poor girl, she didn’t hear the end of it for the rest of the trip.
Bette
We’ve been on 12 RS tours and have LOVED every single one. Twice in Italy, once to Sicily. Yes, cut up your guide book! Before we leave, I label each section I’ve cut out with a post it note that has the dates I’ll be needing that section. I bought the little RS binder and insert the needed section and take that with us in our day pack. I also bring a small highlighter to mark places we’re visiting. Take a collapsible water bottle and refill as needed from the fountains in Rome. Absolutely heed Rick’s advice about wearing your money belt under your clothes. I keep my ATM card, credit cards, passport, hotel list, and big money in it and never, ever worry about pickpockets. You really do forget it’s there. Just keep money for the day in a little cross body bag or your husband’s front pockets and you’re good to go. To be honest, I didn’t find pickpockets especially threatening in Rome, but I’m in NYC a few times a month, so I’m used to practicing situational awareness. Food is great everywhere. Best pizza in Rome at Pizzeria da Baffetto, via del Governo Vecchio. If staying near Trastevere in Rome, try La Piazzetta. (Can’t find the address). In Venice, sit at a bar on Piazza San Marco, order a Bellini or an Aperol spritz and some bar snacks and just people watch. Drinks will be pricy, but so worth it. And do spring for a gondola ride on the Grand Canal just before sunset. Phrases to learn—buongiorno, buona sera, and of course, grazie and prego, but honestly, every single person we met spoke some English. Buon viaggio!
Becky
I just photo copy the pages I need and throw them away. You could also scan the important pages into your phone or buy the ebook.
Gabrielle
I never cut mine up because I might want to use it again, it is always a great reference book.
Lynn
Silk scarves in Florence and definitely beautiful leather gloves—or a jacket! Have your hotel mAke dinner reservations for you. Most restaurants are small and the table is topically yours for the evening. Close your menu to let the waiter know you are ready to order. Enjoy!
jan christine
As a bookbinder I have cut up guidebooks and maps for customers and then bound them into a journal. My suggestion is that you quilt a 2 pocket fabric piece with button/loop to close and put these into one pocket and a small blank journal and map into the other with a pen.
nurseeg
GREAT IDEA!
annieofbluegables
Movies I love: A Little Romance is a darling movie to do with Italy. Another movie I loved was called If it’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium. Dealing with a group of travelers on a bus tour.
Evelyn
break the RS book into chapters and take what you want. BTW – it is not really a book – It’s manual. It could also have holes punched in it and be in a notebook.. You wouldn’t do that to Crime and Punishment, would you. So, rip away guilt free
Karen
Be sure to find the food market in Florence. Booths with amazing food, including souvenirs. Upstairs a multitude of restaurants and communal seating. Also, don’t miss the Florentine steak and Eataly.
Meg G
YES! CUT THEM UP! We have been doing family “Rick Reads” for years. Our now more-adult children groan, but we all love him.
Patti Godwin
Children do not carry newspapers. If you see a kid with one be on high alert. They shove it in your face and rob you. Leave camera at home. It screams tourist.
Also, unlike much of Europe, dinner is very early in Venice. Plan ahead do you don’t miss it. If you do miss dinner (speaking from experience) there is always wine. One more thing, find out where the door bell is at your hotel in Venice. If you come back late, the door will be locked. You need to ring to get in.
Enjoy. Can’t wait to hear of your adventures
😘😘😘
Barbara M
Yes, cut up the RS books. We do for all our travels w his tours. We have loved all 12 group tours. We will be in Budapest and Prague early fall. Cannot emphasize enough to use a money belt, starting at the airport. Hope to see your photos! Bon Voyage
Marta
Say Hello to Prague (Praha). for me..Husband born there in a hospital by a bridge… LOLOL…. lots of bridges in the city!
Maureen B. in B.C.
Colour me jealously yellow. We’re now planning a return to Italy in October 2020 for my 70th birthday. Spent my 60th there, and it was amazing.
RESTAURANT: Rick Steeve’s book recommended a tiny whole-in-the-wall restaurant in Florence that was behind some statue of a man on a horse. The horse’s tail points down the alley where the little restaurant is. “Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori” It has minimal opening times, seats 16 at a pinch, and the customers flow out onto the sidewalk from the doorway. Reservations are a must. The food was amazing, the house wine tremendous, and after dinner they gave us glasses of limoncello, which they kept refilling, and wouldn’t let us pay for. A fabulous evening. Wonderful hospitality.
PHRASES: “per favoré” and “grazie” take you a long way. “scusi signor or signora” for ‘excuse me’ to get their attention, is polite.”Dové si trova” for where ‘do I find …’ is helpful. Hitting bathrooms at restaurants is always better than the street kiosks. And as Rick Steeves often says “when travelling, never pass up an opportunity to pee”. I’ve found this useful.
BOOKS: there are several out there, including those by Francis Mayes of course, but one series written by Ferenc Máté was really good, especially The Hills of Tuscany, a slice of life in Tuscany, and a later one in Umbria. Just hilarious. A great travel read as well.
And one thing we did that was sooo good for the soul … we brought along CDs of Andrea Bocelli and played them loudly in the car as we drove through the Tuscan hills … his homeland. They never sounded more “right..
Have a ball and enjoy a lot of Prosecco …CinCin!
Carol Millman
What a great idea to cut up the books. I’m going on a knitting trip to Portugal and Spain in October and I’ve ordered Portugal book with new Spain book to be published in September. Now to order some cool tape.
Laurie Love
I don’t cut it up….but that’s because I donate my copy to the local library when I get back. They always need
new travel guides. I’ve bought older ones at book sales though and cut those up.
Cheri Barker
Take your camera and one all purpose lens! You won’t regret it. When traveling in Europe, we did cut up our Rick Steve’s books. We also left them in our hotel as we left a region for others to use, and found other travelers did the same. Different years, different books yielded even more must do, and must see info. Forget a book to read, you’ll be so busy, and those left behind treasures will be waiting for reading. Besides, after all that adventure, by the time you have time to read, you’ll be so exhausted you won’t even get through the first page.
Lucy Blum
If this is your first trip to Italy I would take the DSLR! Get a shoulder bag for the camera and lenses. It will hold your passport and money too. Be selective on how much gear you take. A zoom lens and a telephoto. Enjoy!!
Katherine K Tucker
As others have said, eat Gelato–daily! Do get audio guides anywhere you can (Rick Steve’s podcast or as offered in museums and churches). Try to get a guided tour of the Vatican. Well worth the extra attention and cutting the huge wait line.
Most of all, enjoy!
Trish Nicholson
Yes, cut it up! You bought it as a useful reference. Use it. What would you do with it afterward? Let it collect dust on a shelf? Keep it until the next trip to the same part of the world — by which time the information would be outdated?
I too used to balk at the idea of cutting up books, but my husband traveled on business for quite a few years, and he was always cutting up paperbacks to discard the parts he’d already read and reduce weight in his carry-on. Eventually I became inured to such “destruction” of paperbacks, many of which would have ended up in recycling anyway.
In May I did a hiking tour of the Amalfi Coast (fabulous!). I bought a guidebook specific to that region of Italy and just yesterday put it in a pile to donate to the local library. But I live in a densely populated area (a Virginia suburb of Washington DC), and chances are my library has plenty of Italian travel books on its shelves already.
On a whole ‘nother subject, I’m looking forward to your lecture and workshop for our guild in March 2020!
Jeanne Phillips
Our kids live in Italy…loved Steves’ Rome walking tour!!!! The best, esp in the old part of town through the piazzas…His walking tour of Pompeii was great also
All food recommendations he made were exceptional!!! We tried coffee and ate snacks and meals at his pick spots in Rome!
Pizza cannot be missed if you are near Naples/Amalfi coast
Angelin Nicholson
“Basta” (like pasta) to indicate you’ve had enough to eat. The previous commenter was right about the water; if you don’t specifically ask for still, you get the bubbly kind. And find an agritourismo for a filling dinner- they are soooo good and everything is sourced from the local farms. Have a wonderful time!
Susan Major
I do that all the time. Saves space & weight.
Kathy Dittmaier
Italy, love it. Gelato fantastic. Pickpockets never had a problem. Found great wool in Florence. The best chianti wine, if you drink wine. Best bruschetta ever. Be prepared to squat when you got to the restroom 😉 The words we heard the most from the wait staff was prego prego and still or gas. The later refers to your water. Have a blast!
Beverly Sensabaugh
We were in Italy in July (celebrating our almost 40th wedding anniversary) and stayed in Florence (my first trip overseas since college which was a long time ago!). You will love it! You really don’t need as much stuff as you think you do. Travel light! Take excellent walking shoes – you will walk a lot!! Best restaurant – Brandolino – outstanding. Pizza is wonderful. Eat gelato everyday! Camera on your phone will be great. Have a glorious time! Hopefully it will be much cooler than it was for our trip. I am so excited you are going!
Mary Griffiths
Do tour the coliseum with a guide… so much history and info… like it was finished in 60 ad… but how long did it take to build, and what can’t we build buildings that last 2000 years! My husband bought a Panama hat, and we became near pick pocket victims… they will distract you with crying children, or tap your should to change your attention… it’s a beautiful country… just be prepared!
Ciao
Terry Bridgham
I would love to travel to Italy! My husband is half Italian. His grandparents came over separately from Italy and met and married in the States.
Norma
I was just in Italy in May. Loved it!!! Be sure to find Venchi in Florence for gelato and chocolate. The best!
eileenbest2013
I didn’t (couldn’t) do it. Also download walking tours for free. We shared our earpods and had a great tour of Florence and one of the Uffizi Gallery. Enjoy your trip!
Patricia Stein
Eat everything you want. You will walk it off, for sure! I found I was constantly hungry and actually lost weight in Italy. It is heavy tourist time so be prepared. Have a wonderful time and go with an open mind.
teresa sue seltenreich boyes
We used Rick Steve’s books for our trip to Denmark, France, and Greece in May. We also have a Rick Steve’s office in my area. I paid to meet with someone and they went over my plans and tweaked them a bit. Well worth my 45 minute meeting and 2 hour car ride up to their offices. I also cut up the books. HUGE help! Would recommend that to anyone traveling.
backporchstitcher
LOVE the washi tape binding on the booklets, and I think that was the perfect thing to do. There’s no point in lugging the whole big book around; these are easy to tuck in your bag for each city. Bravo! Same for the camera. Phone photos are so easy to keep and share, and you’re saving the wonderful memories – you don’t need camera and lenses weighing you down. Take lots of photos, we’re all living vicariously through you! Happy travels!!
Marta
Amen!! Stay safe too….How about a diary or journal to go along with doodles….? Blessings..
KEK
Happy Trails! Looking ok for mosaics! Quilts done in precious stones!
Judy Monaghan
I’ve been to Italy and you’ve picked some great cities to visit. I only use my cell phone camera to take pics. So much easier. Hope you packed comfortable shoes. Those cobblestone sidewalks are hard on your feet. Have an awesome trip.
Amanda Schnabel
We are die-hard Rick Steves travelers, having used his guidebooks to plan and go on over 12+ vacations–he’s just great at what he does–getting you out in it, usually in a less-expensive manner with more “real” traveling, all with a great dose of humor. While downloading his podcasts to accompany you on many of the sites you’ll see, our family also loves having one family member read the others along a particular site. ENJOY your trip and great first step packing lightly–you will not regret it in any way!
Lorraine Doyno Evans
Enjoy, Enjoy!!!! Been there twice. The food is wonderful…so good! Florence is a gem for old art and doors! I bet you will see some quilt patterns in the doors. When in Florence visit the Ponte Vecchio bridge for some great deals in gold jewlry. Also, get to a glove shop and treat yourself to some beautiful leather gloves for the winter. Oh, I am salivating at the memories of my italy trip.
Kate
Have a wonderful time, find some much-needed rest, fun, and peace. I am making plans for a trip to the holy lands next year. When I get the itinerary I will definitely use your idea about cutting up the tour book. Enjoy your adventure!
lva407
You can get washi tape at craft stores and even Office Depot.
Barbara Despen
How cool! Love your mini guide books! (I might have to get some washi tape…never heard of it before. Where do I get it?) Have a great trip!
Holly Ann
I just noticed a large selection of decorative tapes in Menards.
Lorraine
Washi tape is available in almost any stationary section. It is like a decorative light duct tape. Often used for scrapbooking.
Helen Johnston
Be very careful in Rome. The pickpocket thieves are especially prevalent there.
Leslie
Agreed, don’t carry a purse.
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