Name: Italian Cuisine Culture I - Audio Europe: Italy by Rick Steves Audio Europe
Duration: 47 min 12 s
Description: Fred Plotkin, expert on Italian food and author of Italy for the Gourmet Traveler, teaches how to travel with an informed palate and where to look for great Italian food on a budget. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.

Michelangelo's frescoes.
     The Sistine Chapel is the personal chapel of the pope and the place where new popes are elected. But its claim to fame is its paint job: colorful frescoes by Michelangelo, depicting the entire Christian history from the Creation to the Last Judgment. We'll start with Michelangelo's frescoes on the ceiling, painted in his younger days. We'll end with the work he completed nearly three decades later on the altar wall — the Last Judgment. These works are huge, and we'll talk about the monumental task of plastering and painting they entailed. On this 30-minute visit, we'll stand under dramatic episodes from the Bible, including one of the most iconic images of Western art — the touching fingers of the Creation of Man. Don't forget to download the handy PDF companion maps.
     Sightseeing nitty-gritty: The Sistine Chapel is part of a visit to the sprawling Vatican Museum, which has erratic hours (observing Christian holidays), a dress code (basically no shorts or bare shoulders), and can have very long lines to get in. Get my guidebook and plan ahead, and check the latest information at www.vatican.va or tel. 06-6988-3860 or 06-6988-1662.
     Normal hours are Mon–Sat 9:00–18:00, last entry at 16:00. The cost is €14, except on the last Sun of each month when it's free. Avoid lines with an online reservation at http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va, €4 booking fee. The always-crowded museum is most crowded mornings, Sat-Mon, rainy days, and any day before or after a holiday closure. The nearest Metro stops are Cipro and Ottaviano. Taxis are reasonable (hop in and say, "moo-ZAY-ee vah-tee-KAH-nee"). No photos are allowed in the Sistine Chapel. Elsewhere in the museum, photos without a flash are permitted.
     The Sistine Chapel is located at the far end of the museum. Signs everywhere direct you to it. Either sightsee your way to the Sistine, or go directly there while you're still fresh. The rest of the Vatican Museum is a virtual catalog of world history, featuring Egyptian mummies, Greek statues, Roman sarcophagi, Raphael frescoes, and the magnificent palace they're housed in.
     [This audio tour was updated in 2023]
     For more specifics, consult my guidebook. This was excerpted from Rick Steves' Rome 2010. Copyright 2009 Avalon Travel. Related information at www.ricksteves.com.

Rome: Sistine Chapel Audio Tour - Audio Europe: Italy (Venice, Florence, Rome)

Ruins of ancient "downtown."
     "Friends, Romans, Travelers, lend me your earbuds." For a thousand years, Rome ruled the known world, and the political, religious, and social center of this vast empire was a 5-acre patch of land known as the Forum. This guided walk takes you through what was once "downtown Rome," with the city's most important temples, triumphal arches, and halls of justice. On this hour-long walk we'll resurrect the rubble of the Forum, recreating the ancient world of Vestal Virgins, passionate orators, conquering generals, and sleazy emperors. Don't forget to download the handy PDF companion map.
     Sightseeing nitty-gritty: The €12 combo-ticket includes the Colosseum and Palatine Hill. It's also covered by the €23 Roma Sightseeing Pass. Hours: The Roman Forum, Colosseum, and Palatine Hill are all open daily 8:30 until one hour before sunset: April–Sept until 19:15, Oct until 18:30, off-season closes as early as 16:30; last entry one hour before closing. Info office tel. 06-3996-7700. The closest Metro stop is Colosseo. The Forum has entrances on Via dei Fori Imperiali and at the Palatine Hill ticket office on Via di San Gregorio. From either entrance, it's a walk of several hundred yards to the Arch of Titus, where our tour begins. There's a Tourist Information near the Via dei Fori Imperiali entrance (near Basilica Aemilia). There are WC's at the entrances and another near the Temple of the Vesta. Wear sturdy shoes and carry a water bottle to refill it at the Forum's public drinking fountains.
     [This audio tour was updated in 2023]
     For more specifics, consult my guidebook. This was excerpted from Rick Steves' Rome 2010. Copyright 2009 Avalon Travel. Related information at www.ricksteves.com.

Rome: Roman Forum Audio Tour - Audio Europe: Italy (Venice, Florence, Rome)

From the Duomo to the Arno.  
     As the home of the Renaissance and birthplace of the modern, urban lifestyle, Florence is Europe's cultural capital. This 90-minute walk through the heart of Renaissance Florence starts at the soaring church dome that symbolizes the proud Renaissance spirit. We'll also see the bronze doors that opened the Renaissance, and walk the same narrow streets as Michelangelo and the Medicis. As we walk from the Duomo to the Arno River — about a mile altogether — we'll see the Florence of yesterday, but also the vibrant, trendy city that is Florence today. Don't forget to download the handy PDF companion maps.
     Sightseeing nitty-gritty: The bulk of this walk's sights are enjoyable any time of day, whether the sight is open or not. But if you choose to go inside, be aware that many of Florence's sights have erratic opening hours, some others require a reservation, and still others have long lines where reservations are strongly recommended. The Duomo (Cathedral) is free, open Mon–Wed and Fri 10:00–17:00, Thu 10:00–15:30, Sat 10:00–16:45 except first Sat of the month 10:00–15:30, Sun 13:30–16:45. Climbing the Dome costs €8, open Mon–Fri 8:30–19:00, Sat 8:30–17:40, last entry 40 min before closing, closed Sun. The Campanile (Giotto's Tower) costs €6, open daily 8:30–19:30, last entry 40 min before closing. The Baptistery interior costs €4, open Mon–Sat 12:15–19:00 except first Sat of month 8:30–14:00, Sun 8:30–14:00, last entry 30 min before closing. The famous bronze doors are on the outside so they're always "open" (viewable) and free. Orsanmichele Church is free, open Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00, closed Mon. The niche sculptures are always viewable from the outside. WCs are in cafés along the walk. In churches and other sights along this walk, photos without a flash are generally OK.
     [This audio tour was updated in 2023]
     For more specifics, consult my guidebook. This is excerpted from Rick Steves' Florence and Tuscany 2010. Copyright 2009 Avalon Travel. Related information at www.ricksteves.com.

Florence: Renaissance Walk Audio Tour - Audio Europe: Italy (Venice, Florence, Rome)

Two Italian food experts offer advice on how to eat well in Italy, discuss the country's regional cuisines, and introduce American listeners to culinary customs the Italians bring to the table. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.

Italian Cuisine Culture II - Audio Europe: Italy

Fred Plotkin, expert on Italian food and author of Italy for the Gourmet Traveler, teaches how to travel with an informed palate and where to look for great Italian food on a budget. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.

Italian Cuisine Culture I - Audio Europe: Italy

Vintner and tour guide Cecilia Bottai shares tips for planning a getaway to the relaxed "green heart" of central Italy.

Heart of Italy

American Stacy Gibboni fell in love with Venice (and with a Venetian chef), and now guides visitors around her adopted home. She gives advice for avoiding the crowds while enjoying a city like no other.

Venice: Avoiding the Crowds - Audio Europe: Italy (Venice, Florence, Rome)

Set in an immense and lavish papal palace decorated by the likes of Michelangelo and Raphael, the Vatican Museums are a treasure chest of the ancient world, holding some of the greatest art anywhere. This tour leads you right up to the Sistine Chapel, covered in a separate audio tour. Don't forget to download the handy PDF companion map.

Rome: Vatican Museums Audio Tour - Audio Europe: Italy (Venice, Florence, Rome)

This walk winds through an urban village of narrow lanes, panoramic piazzas, fanciful fountains, and some of Europe’s best people-watching. Don't forget to download the handy PDF companion map.

Rome: Heart of Rome Walk Audio Tour - Audio Europe: Italy (Venice, Florence, Rome)

Tour guide Francesca Caruso shares advice on how to navigate Rome's ancient sights, where viewing more than 2,000 years of history can teach us a few things about our own civilization.

Italian Cuisine Culture I - Audio Europe: Italy

Rick Steves Audio Europe

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