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Home > Rick Steves' Florence and Tuscany 2009
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Rick Steves' Florence and Tuscany 2009
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By Rick Steves and Gene Openshaw
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 (23 Reviews)
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Publisher:
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Avalon Travel Publishing
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Published:
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December 31, 1969 |
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Binding:
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Paperback
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Pages:
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472
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Rick Steves? Florence & Tuscany 2009 is the definitive guide to Europe?s cultural capital and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. Rick includes expert advice on exploring the endless cultural sights of Florence, from the Bargello, the prison-turned-museum that houses works by Michelangelo and Donatello, to the Duomo, the Gothic cathedral complete with the first Renaissance dome. Rick also covers the quant hill towns of Tuscany, where travelers can enjoy Etruscan art and some of Italy?s finest wine. With self-guided tours of all the major museums and tips on transportation, accommodations, and dining, Rick Steves? Florence & Tuscany 2009 allows any traveler to experience everything that this remarkable region has to offer.
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Customer Reviews:
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 Where's the beef?, July 2, 2007
By John Knutsen (Berkeley, CA USA)
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On my honeymoon to Italy, I brought three guidebooks: Rick Steves, Eyewitness Guide, and Blue Guide. It made for a lot of extra weight, but I wanted to field-test them and see which were the most useful. Rick's books are meant for the traveler who wants to hit the highlights and doesn't care about excess detail, and he often leaves out sights (even whole areas of cities, as in Rome) that are well-worth seeing even on a short trip. Rick is very good when it comes to practical travel tips such as packing, avoiding thieves, and choosing rail passes (he also sells some great travel gear), but I prefer a more comprehensive guide that lays it all out and lets me decide what I want to see, even if it means sacrificing detail. Also, I find Rick's writing style silly and his historical commentary not always accurate (especially when dealing with Christian history, a not unimportant thing in Italy!). Unless you plan to stick to Rick's itineraries exactly and like the experience of having a very American type of tourguide in your hand, consider looking elsewhere. For my money, the colorful and user-friendly Eyewitness guides provide a good broad overview of a place and have detailed city maps. For those who like a lot of historical, artistic, and architectural detail, Blue Guides are a great choice. Get Rick's travel tips on his website and buy one of his travel bags, but pass his book by. I left mine behind in a Florence hotel lobby.
32 of 35 people found the above review helpful.
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 Required for any trip to Tuscany, December 26, 2006
By Dan K. McCoy (Corsicana, Texas United States)
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My wife and I just returned from a Fall trip to Tuscany. This little book never left my back pack the whole trip. We read and followed it from cover to cover all over the Tuscan countryside. From museums (we literally read the book from art to art throught the Uffizi) to places to eat -- it was perfect. The tips included (like ordering tickets to David by phone in advance and picking them up at will call -- phone numbers included) are literally worth the price of the book. Rick Steves makes traveling abroad enjoyable and educational. This book and the fact that it is annually updated is perfect.
20 of 21 people found the above review helpful.
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 Buy the Rough Guide instead!, July 14, 2007
By stevejw2 (Leeds, West Yorkshire United Kingdom)
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I came across this in an apartment in Florence, wisely jettisoned by a traveler who had more useful things to carry in their luggage.
Steves' book IS quite good at the very practical nitty gritty of Florence: for example precisely how one collects pre-reserved Uffizi tickets, but his comments on cultural aspects are at best token and often stupid. Not everyone will want, like me, to know all about as much of the art as possible in a book about Florence, but for a travel guide to cover, say, Santa Croce and make reference to only one painting when the place is full of the most glorious and important fresco cycles by major figures is inexcusable. If the information is there, one can ignore it, but if it isn't, you might return to the US (the prime market, I imagine) and realise that you have been within yards of great paintings but the guide book didn't GUIDE you to go and look at them. Instead, in Santa Croce, he refers to admittedly interesting monuments, but fails to refer to the finest (Bruni's), he's only interested in the famous names.
His grasp of the art is very poor and he seems to address his readers as though they are 12 year olds needing asinine jokes to keep their attention. For him medieval painting is a world of never-neverland (his phrase) where the poor painters are struggling desperately to paint realistically but just can't do it! Simone Martine's Uffizi Annunciation is patronised: he can't see its beauty and sees it as a mere stone on the pathway to realism. Mary 'doesn't look too impressed': a good point if he only had the wit to see that perhaps the responsibility of her role is frightening and overwhelming - it's a very moving and human piece, but his approach seems to be,'Why try to elucidate when you can be folksy and jocular'. An early crucifixion is mocked for having Christ's head raised as on a wedge as though this is a pathetic effort at three-dimensionality when it is pretty obvious that the angle would enable viewers to see Christ's face (and suffering) more clearly from ground level and has little to do with aspiring to realism. He also says that the Siena Pinacoteca (a gallery full of wonderful Sienese painting) would tempt him in only if there was a downpour! (I dread to think what nonsense Steves writes about, say, Picasso, if REALISM is the criterion by which all is judged.)
A cardinal sin, for me, is the advice to 'leave this guide face up' in a number of restaurants to gain a reduction. When I travel I like to try to be as little like a tourist as possible, while still obviously being one. I know I stand out like a sore thumb, but Steves seems happy to be as obvious as an amputated leg. And what sort of arrangement leads a guide book writer to 'negotiate' deals for his readers? All very sad, especially as Steves seems to be the Guru of European travel for Americans. Perhaps he suits those, like the previous reviewer who praises Steves for enabling him to 'do' Pisa in 45 minutes and not miss anything, though how he would know he hadn't missed anything is beyond me.
The Rough Guide does everything Steves does well just as effectively, while the cultural stuff, whether great art, architecture etc or jazz clubs, bars, cinemas, clubs - is in another league. If you want a detailed guide to the art and history of the city, see American art historian Eve Borsook's Companion Guide: it has the art, the history and is a really good unfussy read.
And if you want to get a guide to the UK, PLEASE don't buy Steves': I dread to think what rubbish he writes, on the basis of this offering.
Not even worth the one star the site requires me to give!
17 of 22 people found the above review helpful.
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Tour like a local, April 10, 2007
By Mr. Research (Wheaton, IL)
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We split our time in Rome with two days in Florence. We had Rick Steve's Rome for the Rome portion of our 10 days but we found ourselves in Florence without his Florence and Tuscany book. While standing in line to see the David, we slipped into a bookstore and purchased this book. It was every bit as helpful as Rick's book on Rome and I have a personal resolution to never vacation in another European city without a Rick Steve's guide book in my hand. Every recommendation... from where to get gellato, where to eat dinner, what to see, what to miss, when to visit specific attractions and how to avoid the lines was right on target.
This book allowed us to walk Florence as if we were locals and made our trip that much more enjoyable.
I recommend this book for any first or second time visitor to Florence.
9 of 10 people found the above review helpful.
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Great Guide! Extrememly Helpful, January 16, 2007
By mark twain
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This was a great guidebook and I was thoroughly glad i purchased it. I thought the Rome one was a little better, and was a little disappointed in the content in the Florence edition. If you aren't planning on spending your time in Florence in all the museums, it's a little dry on the history of everything else. The museum tours are sparse but very knowledgeable on what they do talk about. Though if you get out of the city, this book is great, because it is everything you need for day trips. (except cinque terre which would have been helpful) The guide to Pisa was indispensable-it helped us get through there in 45 minutes, wasting no time. Definitely worth it to buy and at least pull out the sections you need.
5 of 6 people found the above review helpful.
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1/2+ Florence, January 18, 2007
By Constance T (Seattle, WA USA)
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Rick Steves always gives good advice. His information is accurate and down-to-earth. We've traveled with his books before and are never disappointed. I was surprised that more than half of this book is about Florence. It provides just the highlights of Tuscany. If you want detailed information on the rest of Tuscany, you may need another book.
4 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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Great giude for the traveler. Not a museum guidebook., July 15, 2007
By R. Ortiz (Weston, FL)
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This book does not have pretty pictures or in-depth historical information about the sights, but there are plenty of books that do that.
This book's strength is that it makes your trip easy, painless and enjoyable. In my recent trip to Florence (June 26-29) I did not have to wait in line at any of the museums/cathedrals/domes etc. which made the trip much more relaxing and enjoyable.
4 of 5 people found the above review helpful.
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very focused on Florence, February 9, 2007
By Mike DiNovi (Baltimore)
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Even though Florence is in the title, I was a little surprised by how little the rest of Tuscany was covered. Still a very nice guide.
4 of 5 people found the above review helpful.
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The old standby to start planning a vacation in Europe, April 6, 2007
By PharmDoc (Colorado, USA)
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I usually find Rick Steves' books the best way to start planning a vacation to Europe. His suggestions for sleeping accomodations and transportation I use to narrow my search for a hotel. Using his books on Paris and Rome I found quaint hotels with wonderful staff near sights I wanted to see and close to public transporation. Although I do not always take all his tours, I read about them and take from them sights of interest to me and leave out some of his. I often coordinate the maps in his books with a more detailed map which would also include public transportation stops. His tips are usually invaluable about transporation and museums. I am only in the planning stages with my Florence and Tuscany vacation, but I am already excited about traveling to Tuscany next spring. I wish he would have added a section on cooking classes of which there are many. He mentioned only one tour company which did the cooking classes. On the whole, I find his books very valuable.
3 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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Excellent Guide, May 24, 2007
By www.michaelpalmer.net (Dallas, TX United States)
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I bought this 2007 book a few months ago and have been studying it in preparation of visiting Florence in October of 2007. I have found it to have been extremely helpful in aiding my itinerary, especially in Florence and Sienna. Though most of my time will be spent at a villa in the Chaniti region (actually between both cities), this book has helped me map out a good plan of the area directing me to other source. Most importantly to me were the recommedations of nice restaurants. Rick gives you a great run down on menus, prices, and how dressing to get. I would recommend it for anyone interested in visiting Florence or Tuscany - especially if you have never been.
3 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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going to Italy, February 6, 2007
By Paul G. White
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This book is great!! All the planning is done for you. Places to go..what to make sure you see there...where and what to eat...etc. etc. No one should leave on a trip to Europe without the Rick Steves book under his arm.
3 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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Great walks, food and info, September 1, 2007
By Neal P. Cohen (Gainesville FL USA)
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This is the type of tourist guide we like...lots of walking tours with information on what you are seeing. Excellent information on the major museums to assure you see all the great items, and some lesser items. The food guide was also excellent and included two that will become favorites with us. The humor is fun.
1 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Rick Steves' Florence & Tuscany 2007, August 1, 2007
By M. E. Sedgwick
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This book is packed with the kind of information that would be nearly impossible to find elsewhere and is essential for anyone wishing to visit Florence and Tuscany, even if they have been there before. The information and tips provided enable a tourist not to be obviously a tourist and to get the most out of the visit. This guide is "A Must".
Mike Sedgwick, Tucson AZ
1 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Rick Steves' Florence and Tuscany 2007, May 26, 2007
By fay (SCOTLAND)
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Absolutely BRILLIANT!
I would reccommend this book to anyone who is going to Firenze for the first time*
I myself lived in Firenze in the late 70's but was too young to appreciate it - and now want to go back and revisit. But my husband has never been and I wanted a book which he would benifit from also. We have read through it and it is superb. I looked at many books for Italy and this one shone through the rest. So if you're going to Italia - go for this one!
Fay from Scotland
1 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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I live in Tuscany- love the book, March 19, 2007
By MKN (Vecchiano)
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I live outside of Pisa (Vecchiano) and bought the book to help me better explore the area. The book is great.
1 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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It's Like Carrying a Brick Around Italy, October 27, 2009
By The Traveling Professor (New York)
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I'm going through this book in anticipation of my trip to Italy next year. I think when people write books like this they try to be all things to all people and the book comes out being an overblown mess. He probably could scale this book down by about 80% and give me a book that I could easily reference. I found it difficult to navigate through this book and find the essential info I need for my trip.
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Already Outdated, October 19, 2009
By Amy L. Swisher (VA)
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Book is great. Prices in October 2009 were already outdated. Would have been better to use 2010 edition.
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great help, August 9, 2009
By Dick (Santa Barbara. CA)
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Book is very well written, easy to follow and extremely informative. We plan a trip to Italy next year and as far as Florence, I feel we can follow the tours and tips in the book and cover easily the important museums, churches, etc. Also, Rick gives you some background and history of the places and treasures you are looking at.
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Just not enough, July 7, 2009
By Susan Black (Texas)
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I'm a big Steves fan and enjoyed the book, but it fell short on the kind of info I was wanting concerning the little hill towns of Tuscany. I used another travel book which also fell short in some areas but had more info on the hill towns. With the two, I had a successful trip.
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A Great Guidebook for self-tour, April 13, 2009
By Kidult in Batman
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A very written book with budget travellers in mind.
This books covers many arts description for different museums, you will save alot by not having to buy those Museum guide books. And the descriptions of art paitings are described interestingly as well. Great for Art-ignorant like me.
And Amazon ships this book amazingly fast as well.
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Wisecracks Get Tiresome, December 1, 2009
By N. Hamerman (Reston, VA)
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Rick Steves could aim a little higher for the audience of his commentaries on cultural sights. Although we found the travel information mostly very useful, we gagged at his snickering description of the Donatello "David" in the Bargello--as the excellent description on the site points out, the femininity of the adolescent figure evokes David's humility, rather than being as Steves implies, a covert appeal to homosexual prurience, which is historically impossible in that period. Similarly, his dismissal of the early three-dimensional crucifix in the Uffizi as "crude" and cavalier attitude about the Cimabue and Duccio paintings of the Madonna in Majesty in the same room imply that the earlier artists are incompetent, which is hardly how they would have been regarded by contemporaries, rather than seeing these efforts as having their own artistic appeal and also as steps in a continuum toward greater realism. We think this juvenile attitude is destructive given Steves' huge influence and the fact that for many, his words will be the ones that stick in the minds of those just getting to know this art.
0 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Do not leave home without this book, March 26, 2009
By Watch Collector (Houston, TX)
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My wife and I just got back from Florence. This book was invaluable. We had another guide book from another author. It was practically worthless, so get Rick Steves' book.
0 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Very helpful and practical book, September 23, 2007
By rattiegirls (Hastings, MN United States)
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Good information with a sense of humor. Well organized and clearly written. Rick Steves knows his stuff.
0 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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