Rick Graffiti excerpts

Best: Colosseum
Why: It is even more spectacular than described. Probably couldn't be truly described. Must be seen to be believed. Guides are not as useful as the rented info players. The crowds make it hard to hear the guides most of the time. The player allows you to grasp as much as you desire. This is true in most of the attractions like the vatican museum, etc. Frank Carriglitto in Rockford, IL USA 10/31/2005

Correction: Yes, to reach the Borgese Gallery, it is much easier to get off at the Barberini Metro Stop on line A rather than the Spanish Steps. Via Veneto is off of Pza. Barberini. It is very simple to just walk up Veneto until you reach the city wall, walk under the arch, turn right, and then it is about a 5 minute( well marked) walk through the park to the Gallery. I've lived here for 3 months and I never would have been able to find my way there using the directions in the guidebook.  Devin in Pittsburgh, PA USA 11/20/2005

Correction:  If you plan to visit the Roman Ruins (Forum, Palatine Hill, etc.) in the afternoon, you must go AFTER 1:30 p.m. (not 1 p.m.) in order to receive a ticket that will permit you to return free of charge on the next day. James in Marion, AR USA 11/16/2005

Best "secret" in the book: The advice about going to Palatine Hill ticket booth to buy my Colosseum ticket. Even on a winter Sunday, this saved a good hour of waiting in line and made the book easily worth the price. I loved sharing this secret with others as no one like to wait in line :-)   Scott Laramee in Odenton, MD USA 12/20/2005

Listen to Rick! I thought I was too busy to go find a money bag to hang around my neck. I was pick-pocketed twice. All of the recommended restaurants were excellent. Frederick Kellers in Franklin, TN USA 11/09/2005

Ristorante Lo Zodiaco on Monte Mario in Rome. The food was very well prepared and the view was worth the trip, especialy being able to see Roma at night. I never knew that there was such a place so high above the city. What a pleasant surprise! We went there with some friends who live in Rome. It is definitely not a touristy place.  Ron Gralewski in Palatine, IL USA 11/09/2005

Favorite Restaurant not listed in the book...La Grotta in Rome. It is located near Hotel Columbia (which is recommended). The hotel recommended this and the food was excellent and very authentic!!  Ryan Evans in Kennesaw, GA USA 09/12/2005

On page 11 of  ITALY 2005, Rick gives a clear warning about unscrupulous merchants passing off old 500-lire coins (worthless) as change instead of similar looking gold rimmed 2 Euro coins (worth $2.40).   Travelers, if you find yourself with a worthless 500-lire coin, ... keep that 500-lire coin aside until you visit the Trevi Fountain in Rome. Then with your back to the fountain, say out loud "Here's to La Dolce Vita!" and toss that worthless piece of metal over your shoulder and into the fountain. The  benefit is knowing that you are taking that worthless coin (theoretically) out of circulation by giving it back to the Italian Government. The Authorities who maintain the fountains with the tossed coins won't be thrilled with receiving this obsolete coin... but then again, I don't think the ripped off travelers are all that thrilled with the coin either.   Azmmet CA USA 09/01/2005

For entering the Vatican, it would be helpful to note in the guidebook that pocketknifes are not allowed. It seems obvious once you state it, but quite a hassle after being in line for 20 minutes to be turned away for a Swiss Army knife (and rather ironic considering its the Swiss Guard turning you away). I was carrying the knife for its corkscrew (for opening bottles of wine during lunch picnics) - very handy for the rest of the trip. Mike in Rome, NY USA 08/17/2005

Best: Miscellanea (Eating Cheap and Colorful near the Pantheon), Rome
Why: The meals were exactly as described by Rick - cheap pasta, hearty sandwiches, and lots of salads. I carry "Italy 2005" around as though it were my bible, and so had it in my hand when we arrived at Miscellanea. I continued to read from it while waiting for our meal, and then laid it on the table when the meal arrived. To our surprise, at the end of the meal our family of 5 was treated to gelato on the house, and after that my husband and I were each served a glass of Prosecco. We know this was only because of the book.  Melanie (American living and traveling in Italy) in Cordenons, PN Italy 11/28/2005

last update 01/01/06