Rick Steves' Florence & Tuscany 2013

by Rick Steves, Gene Openshaw

You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling through Florence and Tuscany.

With the self-guided tours in this book, you'll discover the geographic heart of Italy. Take the Renaissance Walk and tour the Uffizi Gallery to learn how Florence taught civilized living to the rest of Europe. Wander through the medieval city of Siena and find out what Pisa has to offer beyond the Leaning Tower. Relax in sunny Tuscan hill towns where you'll enjoy full-bodied wine, the world's best gelato, and the company of friendly locals.

Rick's candid, humorous advice will guide you to good-value hotels and restaurants. You'll learn how to get around by train, bus, or rental car and get up-to-date advice on what's worth your time and money. More than just reviews and directions, a Rick Steves guidebook is a tour guide in your pocket.

Genres: Travel, Italy, Nonfiction, Reference, History, Art

636 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

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

[Negin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy Rick’s writing style and humor. I don’t usually read so many Rick Steves books before a trip, but I felt the need to read some specific ones because of the destinations that we’re headed to. Italy seems to have so much to offer and Tuscany is one place that I’m especially looking forward to visiting soon.



I'm reading a lot, but I seem to have a problem retaining all that info! My husband reminds me to relax and just enjoy it all - enjoy the reading and enjoy the trip. Who cares if it's not all planned? I tend to agree.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I only read the portions related to Florence proper. The usual Rick Steves product: clear descriptions, nice maps, nice itineraries of the major museums. I noticed a bit more humor in this book than in the others I have read; some may find it annoying (I didn't).

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best traveling book series. Download his free podcasts for walking tours and other tourist sites.

I particularly appreciated the information on Siena, Italy which was one of my day trips outside of Florence. The maps were helpful, too.

[Jim Robles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am still surprised at how much our daughter, a mathematician at Duke University, has to travel on business. She will have to be in Italy in late June. I am plotting out a week to take another look at Florence and Tuscany with her.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was indispensable for me. There is SO MUCH information online, so much to read and research and review – this guide clearly cuts through the noise, pointing you in the right direction. And when your agroturismo in Tuscany has spotty wifi, the book does not fail.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess the real review would have to wait until after I travel here, but the book seems a useful starting point for such a trip. I was a little put off by the constant mentions of gelato, but my real concern are the discounts he offers, which makes me question Steeves’ objectivity.

[Danilo DiPietro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rick's guides are the best: just the right level of practical detail, never miss restaurant recommendations.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the 2017 version, great advice about where to go outside of the usual touristy must sees. Good for someone looking to get off the beaten track.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly learned SO much from this book, not just about where to go but also so much about the culture and what to do
And not to do!

[Stacey Chillemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

He lets you know exactly what to expect when traveling to these destinations. He shares tips and advice and he's always right on the ball.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great information on how to get to everything you want to see and do.

[Cindy Ambrosius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative, just what we wanted! I love that it reads like I'm listening to Rick.

[Sienna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. In-depth. Helpful.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great dining options and good analytics on places to visit.

[Jenni Antosca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoping this information will come in handy on our trip abroad next month! Easy read with lots of good information!!

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steves' guides are practical if a tad formulaic -- the basic travel advice that he prefaces the each book with is more or less interchangeable. The strengths here are his cut-through-the-b.s. approach to sacred cows -- if something is a tourist trap, he'll tell you. (In this case, he was right on the money about San Gimignano, a lovely place that has been overrun by tourists.) I also find his forthright recommendations about things he likes to be helpful -- his thumbs-up vote for Volterra made me curious about why he liked it so much, and when we went there, I found Steves' appraisal of the place jived with my own.

Indeed, if there's a real flaw in using these guides it's that practically every other traveler is toting one. Most of the sights are of the "Top Ten" sort, so if you're looking to get off the beaten path, then look elsewhere. But for straightforward, easy-to-digest advice on the major destinations, Rick Steves and his team do a solid job.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am glad Rick gives my favorite Italian city- Florence- its own book. It is included in his Italy book but this book gives much more detail about the sights, museums, tours, transportation, and other info about this glorious art haven. Florence is where you will find Michelangelo's David in all of his glory. I am always left awestruck that he could take a piece of marble and just with hammer and chisel create this life like wonder. He includes all of the details you need to know from which coffee drinks to order to secrets on how not to stand in line at museums. Just avoid his where to stay suggestions and you will do well.

[Ashley Lambert-Maberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, friendly, chatty introduction to the place, if you haven't been. I'm not sure the extent to which these kinds of books are necessary now: I tend to introduce myself to new places by watching youtube videos, delving through Google Maps reviews, etc. But at the time, very helpful.

(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rick Steves writes terrific European guide books, especially if you are on a budget and like to do nerdly things, like visiting small and odd museums. The Roman amphitheater at Volterra is quite a find. He has never steered me wrong on accommodations. His writing is not aimed at those well-versed in history or art history, but he can certainly help most Americans learn to better appreciate Europe's treasures.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, a lot better than I'd expected. I felt over-saturated with Rick Steves from NPR before giving in and purchasing this book... but the man sure knows how to write a friendly, info-packed travel guide. A footnoted scan of the nearly-incomprehensible Italian train tickets was especially appreciated. Walking tours and sight-seeing details were written with ease, warmth and humor. I can't speak to the food and lodging sections, but for general info, I was pleasantly surprised.

[JG (Introverted Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this to plan our six days in Tuscany. If we missed anything, I don't know what it is! I found out about places I didn't know existed and learned how to skip a lot of lines. I personally enjoyed the guy's sense of humor also, but I can see how it wouldn't appeal to everyone. He's kind of corny, but I can be too. Anyway, highly recommended.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sure, this is a guidebook, but it's also a pretty interesting and humorous travel chronicle and history book. I learned more history from this book and walking around Florence than I ever did in high school. I'm gonna read his other books even if I don't have a trip planned just to satisfy my curiosity.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book cover-to-cover for my recent trip. Overall, I don't think I find Steves as funny as he finds himself, and the majority of restaurants were disappointments, however, he has a great way of cutting to the chase on what to do in a city and his self-guided tours are really good if you can get past the jokes.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is worth reading in addition to Rick Steves' Italy if you are going to spend more than a few days in the area and want more detailed information on specific sights. Gives more complete walk throughs (room by room highlights) on most of the major sights in Florence. We used Rick's tips for our day trip to Pisa and it was amazingly smooth.

[Katya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another hit from Rick Steves. Most helpful were the driving directions around Tuscany and in-depth parking and exploratory suggestions for the Tuscan hill towns. There's so much to see in the region and while it'd take weeks if not months to explore it fully to one's satisfaction, RS is invaluable in helping the traveler narrow down their itinerary.

[Mitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you know that most countries will not let you in if your passport expires in 6 months? I did not. This book basically paid for itself with that one tip alone and saved our honeymoon from potential disaster.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it cover to cover in preparation for a trip. Interesting and well organized, not overwhelming, helpful for trip planning. Don't know how the recommendations pan out, yet, but have found Rick Steves to be very reliable.

[Rotem · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a MUST if you have an upcoming trip planned. We got SO many tips from this book and saved at least $100 on tours just by following Rick Steve's suggestions. Do not walk, RUN to get this book!

[Bart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good travel guide with some nice walks (though each is very short), museum guides and good background. It is clearly written for an American audience. The NPR podcasts are a nice compliment to the book.

[Thediplobad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 'must have' if you're touring Tuscany. The restaurant recommendations are outstanding!