Rick Steves Italy

by Rick Steves

Now more than ever, you can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling through Italy.  From the Mediterranean to the Alps, from fine art to fine pasta, experience it all with Rick Steves! Inside Rick Steves Italy you'll Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves Italy .

Planning a one- to two-week trip? Check out Rick Steves Best of Italy .

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Italy

1280 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2022

About the author

Rick Steves is an American travel writer, television personality, and activist known for encouraging meaningful travel that emphasizes cultural immersion and thoughtful global citizenship. Born in California and raised in Edmonds, Washington, he began traveling in his teens, inspired by a family trip to Europe. After graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in European history and business, Steves started teaching travel classes, which led to his first guidebook, Europe Through the Back Door, self-published in 1980.
Steves built his Edmonds-based travel company on the idea that travelers should explore less-touristy areas and engage with local cultures. He gained national prominence as host and producer of Rick Steves' Europe, which has aired on public television since 2000. He also hosts a weekly public radio show, Travel with Rick Steves, and has authored dozens of popular guidebooks, including bestselling titles on Italy and Europe at large.
Beyond travel, Steves is an outspoken advocate for drug policy reform, environmental sustainability, and social justice. He supports marijuana legalization and chairs the board of NORML. He has funded housing for homeless families and donates to anti-hunger and arts organizations. In 2019, he pledged $1 million annually to offset the carbon emissions of his tour groups.
Steves is a practicing Lutheran with Norwegian ancestry and continues to live in Edmonds. He has two adult children and is in a relationship with Reverend Shelley Bryan Wee. Despite health challenges, including a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2024, Steves remains committed to his mission of helping Americans travel with greater purpose, empathy, and understanding of the world. His work reflects a belief that travel, done right, can be both transformative and a force for peace.

Reviews

[Steven Tentacion · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't wait to try Italian McDonald's.

[Brigid · Rating 5 out of 5]

It hurts to finally mark this book as "read" because it means my vacation had officially come to a close.

I 100% recommend Rick Steves as your travel guidebook go-to. I read, re-read, and brought this book everywhere with me as I traveled. His books are humorous, informative, and exceedingly helpful. It was great to use for long-term planning as well as figuring out what to do to on the spot in between tours.

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

i will never fully read this book because it’s 1000 pages but very helpful ☝️🤓

[Lyvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have done a fair amount of travelling in my life, but I discovered Rick Steves only 3 years ago. While visiting my mother in the US I discovered his travel programs on the local public TV station. The monthly program was mailed out and I started watching his travel programs. Slowly I discovered that Rick Steves was an industry, publishing travel books for destinations all over Europe, producing weekly TV shows and many podcasts, selling travel gear, and pursuing a particular philosophy and agenda about travel in Europe.
I have since found his travel guides to be in line with my own tastes and priorities in travel and I admire his generosity in making so much excellent material available at no cost. The Italy guide shows his love and enthusiasm for Italy and it is contagious.

[Michelle Helms · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book twice! Read every page the first time and only the cities that we will be visiting the second. . So much of what he says helped me plan the most incredible trip to Italy. I would suggest getting the most current copy. I bought my copy in 2022, when I thought I would be coming in 2023. On the trip now in April 2025! Some of the prices have changed as well as some of the skip the lines for Rome attractions. Highly recommend reading this book first to decide where you want to go and how you want to explore Italy. Then, read just the cities you decide to visit again and do a deep dive!

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this thinking I was being clever off a Book Prompt Challenge. 1k pages plus later, I know more about Italy than if I had gone there myself. I read it all, too - every word about Stephania and her family running a boutique hotel in Florence and Giuseppe and his Canadian girlfriend that give tours in Palermo.

I'd rec this book to someone planning a trip, but not to someone looking to read a book that takes place during a holiday. :P

[Yesh Godse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was very helpful during a two-week visit to Italy. The advice on structuring time and daily activities while in each place on the trip was very valuable, as were the self-guided walks of different attractions.

It was a bit alarming to me that Bologna wasn’t included at all in the book. After going there and seeing it I thought it for sure deserved an entire chapter. At times the self-guided walks were hard to follow.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

After more than twenty trips to Europe, I can honestly recommend Rick Steves’ guidebooks as the best for most travelers. I used this new Italy guidebook to prepare for our recent visit. I appreciate his detailed advice prioritizing precious travel time.

[Sienna · Rating 5 out of 5]

My partner didn't understand how this book could skip the South. Read the introduction. Half of Rick's value is that he follows & shares his bias. He's giving you tips on all kinds of specific things but what he's teaching is the attitude of travel.

A high value guide book.

[Simone · Rating 1 out of 5]

I discovered many careless errors from lack of sufficient research, and recommendations that were invalid in real life. Read with a grain of salt for general info... but do not use it for accurate information traveling to Italy

[Jay D]

A great help when traveling in Italy. Rick Steves provides all the info on select cities and regions.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always useful travel guides.

[Stormy · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are indispensable for the traveler. And they are fun to read.

[Beth Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Travel book--used extensively for travel planning

[John Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very detail info for Italy. Very useful in Cinque Terra

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very detailed and helpful.

[Bob Gumaer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource. Although the book is key, I highly recommend Rick's free audio tours, too.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only complaint is that he called Trastevere “crusty”.

[Lani Kockler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned quite a bit and went to some of the recommended restaurants.

[David Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book, with associated walking tours (via the app.)

We used the guide as our go to resource in Rome, Naples, and Amalfi on our last trip. The book is full of great advice on things to do and see, with a focus on region-specific opportunities and contrasts.

[Bill Pritchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting myself ready for a trip to Italy - no one is better than Rick Steves to make sure you see what you need to as well as get behind the skin of a place. Highly recommended.