Ron in Rome updated?

If you look at his posting dates, you can see that he updates it all the time. It is indeed an outstanding resource. Here's the link, in case others are interested: http://www.roninrome.com/

Otariidae, thanks for your comments and Michael for your support. To answer your question... yes, RinR is changed almost daily! Whenever I get a notification or read about a change, I do an up-date . Many changes I get right here from this helpline! Part of the challenge is verifying the info before changing. Currently, l am working back through ALL the postings, making some corrections, changes, and appearance upgrades. I have about 25 more posts to go - out of 150. Most of the change notifications come from personal experience and research... or emails and comments from readers. Once I finish these latest changes, I'll return to adding MORE posts - I have about ten to fifteen half-written articles as we speak. Many suggestions again come from readers. When in Rome, I'm constantly framing "shots" that I plan to add to existing posts. Pictures seem to help everyone more. I'll be back again in Rome in October for 8-10 days so I hope to gather more info - and I'm sure I'll have to do more changes. I probably need to "change" article dates as I make adjustments, but I seem to always be making changes? For me, part of the challenge is just learning HTML code - the website is a self-taught (sometimes painful) exercise. Certainly as I get more skilled, the website will continue to evolve. I unfortunately don't have an RS staff - or an RS budget! As you suggest, blogs don't really earn much money. I get by on donations, coaching, and sponsorships! Certainly if there's an item that needs to be changed, I welcome you to drop me an email on the site. With over 1,500 written pages, photos, maps, and links, keeping the site up-to-date is a constant battle! Thanks for your interest. Ron

My hat is off to you, sir. All the pictures on your sight are soooo helpful at demystifying the whole process of going to Italy. You're a rock star.

Ron, I love your site and your information is top notch. Thank you for taking the time to supply us with this invaluable source of information. Donna

Thanks Michael and Donna. As established contributors, I get an incredible amount of information from your postings - that makes writing an article much easier!

Ron - See my response today to Shane's question about train strikes for more kudos. Thanks!

Thanks RinR for the update regarding updates. Of course, we expect HTML5, with a 3D video feed, along with your 24/7/365 availabilty on a Google hangout. Looking forward to all of the above. Real time traffic reports would be nice too.

Ron you rock!! The information you provide is incredibly helpful. I have sent you emails with questions and you get back to me pronto. Grazie Mille!!

Ron - you're working back through all your postings? Wow - that's dedication! Thank you so much for a fantastic resource.

Yes, Audrey, I'm working my way steadily through the all posts - only 10 more to go! As I worked on multiple posts, we just finished watching the South Carolina/UGA game. I attended USC and my wife, son, and daughter-in-law have multiple UGA diplomas, so a lot of interest in the game. Now the Michigan-Notre Dame game has started... We have a US-Embassy friend in Rome certainly staying up to watch this game on the Armed Forces network. We're fortunate to have a slingbox in my son's house in ATL...so we can see ALL the games! Unfortunately, this game is starting at 02:00 AM our time here in Europe - maybe that's why I need a better spell-checker! Rome is the Eternal City, yet travel options and opportunities seem to change almost daily. Thanks for the helpful emails, comments, suggestions, support, $ contributions, and feedback that RS readers provide the blog. Many experienced veterans send me helpful info... and first-time visitors ask great questions that help me recall my first trip to Rome! If I knew then what I know now... Helplines and websites help educate many travelers and thus you will probably avoid ALL the mistakes I made! After years living there and years writing about Rome, it's like an old friend... Hopefully, the website will make Rome easier and more enjoyable for you on your visit.

My hat is always doffed to you sir. Many thanks for a spectacular planning tool. Cheers...

Ron, I will add my thanks for your wonderful work. The Michigan game was worth losing sleep over, even for a Buckeye.

I think a reason Rome is one of my favorite cities is directly a result of Ron in Rome. I usually travel alone and his instructions combined with photos help make me comfortable trying new things by myself. I especially remember using his directions to go out to see the aquaducts. When I exited the metro and saw the exact scene as the photo he had provided and knew exactly which way to turn, I knew I was in safe hands.

Nigel, Brenda, and Laurie - thank for your comments and support! Fortunately, I've finished the revisions and I am currently trying to catch up on a few posts. Brenda, after the excitement of the SC game (at least for me!), I have to admit I fell asleep in QTR 3 of the Michigan game. It was about 04:00 AM here in Europe. But with my slingbox, I was able to replay the 25 minutes I dozed. An incredible finish to that game. Laurie, glad the pictures helped. I took about 1,000 "blog-oriented" pictures a few weeks ago in Rome and hopefully can find the time to add some to the site. I agree with you... it's comforting to match your map up with the "pictures." I've helped many people with the logistics of travel in Rome and Italy and it seems there's no substitute for a good picture or video. A picture is worth a thousand words!

I, too, have used RIR and referred it to my friends a lot! Even though we are French heritage, Rome is our favorite city, partly because it is so comfortable and easy to enjoy.
Thanks to RIR and the helpline for this! And is there a Ron in Copenhagen site?

Ron in Rome is awesome. I have already emailed him and had questions answered immediately, and also have printed out his post on "Arriving at Fiumicino" in preparation for landing in Rome on October 8! Thanks Ron for providing an excellent, incredibly helpful site for all of us!

I had the privilege of having a personal walking tour with RIR in April '09. It was the most informative and must-do thing we did while in Rome. We had our tour on our first day in Rome and it made the entire visit there amazing! I am now planning a trip for my sister to Italy and looked up RIR website to book another tour, sadly to find out he is no longer there. But, I will be using his blog and still recommending him to other travelers.

Ron in Rome is THE man. Kudos for sharing his wealth of information about the inner workings of Roma. Commendable If you intend to visit The Eternal City..tweaking a phrase from American Express, "Don't leave home without RIR." An invaluable resource.

Thanks Mimi, Kyli, Linda, and Claudia! We are headed back to Italy tomorrow morning. My oldest son is visiting us in Europe for the first time and we are eager to show him our old neighborhoods. I'll be checking out the "tourist" sites of Rome with him and again updating the site - Hopefully with more pictures! Unfortunately, I probably won't be posting "new" stories for the next 10-12 days as we'll be traveling. Again, thanks for the support!

thanks to Ron for everything. our italian trip is almost over. wish I had gotten more info about the Palatine before our visit. Roma passes were unavailable 2 wks ago, but we got to Colliseum when it opens, quickly got a combo ticket, and spent almost 2.5 hrs in Colliseum, Palatine, and Forum. Great place, esp in the a.m. Best advice for EVERYTHING in this high season: go early or late to avoid the hordes of tourists everywhere. best way to enjoy major sights. thanks again to Ron and to all you posters on this sight, as well.

This is a little obvious, but if you plan on going late, make sure you find out the last time that they let people in. Made that mistake in Venice with St. Mark's which stops letting people in earlier than I had anticipated. Fortunately I had seen it twice before on previous trips, but I was bummed out nonetheless.

Just adding my kudos. RIR is the best!! Look forward to his posts, even when I'm not planning a Roman holiday! Keep them coming, Ron.

Michael is right and makes a good point about checking closing times. Prices and opening times keep changing, too. Stay loose and don't let it ruin your time! We found several things were different than noted in the Rick Steve's 2011 Italy book, but not yet d on his website. Our favorite was when the major site (Duomo?) in Siena charged us twice the rate we expected. when we inquired at the entry door, we were told it was because now "all the marble floors are uncovered." Still roped off, but "uncovered." At that point, a combo ticket would have been a better deal, but time was short and we didn't want to run back to ticket place and attempt to switch, so we just toured the church and Piccolomini Library in it (spectacular). You won't get any kind of brochure or guide with your entry ticket,, so look for the sign near the entrance/exit that shows layout and major art works by artist. I didn't see it until almost done touring. Also note that 2 interesting churches in Trastevere (Rome) are closed for hrs in afternoon. We were too tired to hang around and missed them entirely.
Not too surprisingly, we got into LOTS of other churches!