Rick Steves' Snapshot: Italy's Cinque Terre

by Rick Steves

Rick Steves' Snapshot guides consist of excerpted chapters from Rick Steves’ European country guidebooks. Snapshot guides are a great choice for travelers visiting a specific city or region, rather than multiple European destinations. These slim guides offer all of Rick's up–to–date advice on what sights are worth your time and money. They include good–value hotel and restaurant recommendations, with no introductory information (such as overall trip planning, when to go, and travel practicalities) and no indexes. With most priced between $7.95 and $9.95, Rick Steves' Snapshot guides guarantee that travelers will get the most out of every day and every dollar.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

189 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 6, 2009

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

[Kimberly Frøiland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually didn’t think I would like this book because on our trip to Cinque Terre we overheard some of the most annoying people quoting Rick Steves. I was actually thinking about sending him a very angry letter. Starting with “Why are you polluting Cinque Terre with huge numbers of American travelers, Italy is a big country – spread them out!” But when I saw this little book in the CinqueTerre Residence take one – leave one bookshelf I had to see why his advice was so revered.

After reading the book, I am afraid that I really like Rick Steves because he seems like a respectful traveler. He loves the places he goes and honors their culture. The hotel owner where I got the book was not so crazy about all of his reviews and felt many of the good restaurants in these five pearls were overlooked. Having read the book after we had left Cinque Terre was an unusual approach to a travel guide reading but actually reinforced my travel experience and confirmed what I saw and there was little I didn’t agree with.

He portrays the atmosphere of each village well and gives you a glimpse of their history. The advice for the walking paths seemed to make sense but make sure you check when you arrive what is open since trails fall into the sea at an alarming rate. I ended up really liking Rick Steves his love for Italy and its people seems genuine. Too bad I can’t say that about all the readers of his books!

[Mindy Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Rick Steves--super practical advice, kind to the people and culture, tips for those of us looking to save a dollar and great tips. Can't wait to actually be there! Too bad we decided to stay in La Spezia and travel into the Cinque Terre--he says we will regret it! Ha! Guess we will see!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friends groan or give looks of pity when I mention good ole Rick. But put the PBS personality aside and READ and USE one of his guides. They're remarkable. The guide to Cinque Terre was excellent. I couldn't have been happier with my stay. The only thing lacking might be an update of preferred stay locations. Riomaggiore is quiter and perhaps preferable to the now more touristy Vernazza. Vernazza isn't tacky, but the amount of traffic is noticeably higher than expected.

The restaurant recommendations are spot on. My only quibble is that the Il Pirata has superior items to that fried doughy thing Rick and they boast about. Try the sfogliatella, when available. It's better than you'll find in most Napoli bakeries.

Anyway, this is a great guide to an Italian fairytale. I hear the newest version debuts in November 2011. Keep your eyes open.

[Briana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great suggestions and you can "hear" his voice in his commentary.

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Manarola self guided walk alone was worth the price of the book!