I was listening to Wait Wait Don't Tell Me last week on which Rick Steves was the featured guest and horrified to hear him brag about how he had punished the entire city of Vicenza (the home of Palladio, the home of Palladian archietecture, one of my favourite cities in Italy, half way between Verona and Padova) by deleting it from his guidebook. Why? Because the city could not find anywhere for him to leave his bag.
Thoughts?
p.s. anybody else notice that the "chime in" button is gone?
Thanks for posting, Nigel. Vicenza is now on my itinerary for 2015.
I thought the Vicenza treatment was to be forced to eat some local "gatto" dish.
Actually his choices of "best" places in Italy rarely matches what Italians (who know their country best) would choose. Castelrotto the best place in the Dolomites? Pleaaaze! It's not even in the Dolomites.
I'll keep my thoughts on the idea of "punishing" a town to myself!
I am not near as well traveled as many here but learned a few years back that altho RS books are terrific in most respects, they are his opinion, his likes and dislikes. (We found a few of his must dos in Paris to be underwhelming and unimpressive).
For this trip I used his Italy books then did a whole lot of my own research. He brushes off Pienza and for some reason that town appealed to me. I think it was Roberto who sang Pienza's praises here on forums so we included Pienza in our itinerary. We absolutely loved the town, had a very delightful visit- it was charming, friendly and beautiful. We decided that is where we will move to - if/when we ever move to Italy!
I was also so sure I would love Siena- we gave it 2 nights. One would have been enough. We just didn't get any warm and fuzzies there. The Duomo was fabulous, probably most impressive church we saw in Italy- so for that it was worth it. But I do wish we had given that 2nd night to somewhere else.
You have to do your research and make your own decisions as far as itinerary- what to see, what to skip.
As far as Vicenza- have not been but we have new neighbors who just moved here from Vicenza, they had lived there for 5 years, bought a home, etc. Loved it and shared their photos, experiences there- if we could have altered our itinerary we would have stopped there just on their advice. And I did wonder why it was not even mentioned in RS books!
It was strange how that came up during the recording of the show. Peter asked Rick if he had ever "gotten back" at a place that treated him badly. That was how Vicenza came up---the tourist board would not provide a place for Rickniks to store their bags on a quick day visit, despite his requests, so he took the whole town out of the book! So he says, anyway.
I looked back at my 2009 Italy book and he describes Vicenza as a "pilgrimage site" for architects ( and presumably others who are interested in architecture), but only worth a "quick stop" for the casual visitor. He does warn that Vicenza has "no baggage check" but that edition included recommendations for sleeping in Vicenza. He also notes that Vicenza is "easy to visit from Venice or Padua". Those visitors would not need baggage storage; their bags would be back at the hotel in Venice or Padua. So it is strange that he put such emphasis on the needs of the few who would be visiting Vicenza on a quick stop between other cities.
In the 2013 Venice book he still includes Vicenza in the "day trips from Venice " section, without any recommendations for overnight stays. He states that Vicenza merits a "quick day trip" by "architecture buff[s]". But then he says, "But because you can't store bags at the train station, it's not worth stopping if you have lots of luggage." Kind of a non sequitur after listing it as place to visit on a daytrip from Venice.
I think our next stay in Venice will have to include a daytrip to Vecenza---without luggage, of course.
The 2012 edition has all of 3.5 pages dedicated to Vicenza. Under helpful hints it mentions that TI's might be willing to store bags while you walk around town.
Now I'm intrigued, and may just pop into town while I'm in Venice this November. I LOVE architecture!
Angela, many examples of the best villas are in the areas out of town, best with a car or with a tour.
Well, Rick's never made much of a secret of the fact that these books are based on his opinions. I do think it's interesting that so many people that come to this website gripe about how Rick "ruined" one of their favorite destinations by featuring it in his books. So how about thinking of this as a favor that he's doing to Vicenza by dropping it? (^_^)
All the more reason to never rely on just one guidebook.
Happy travels.
Actually, Mr Steves has a new book in the developmental stage. The working title: United States Military Bases Worldwide from A to Z -- Minus Q, X, Z.
Just saying....might be worth noting that the show in question is known somewhat for sarcasm with a bit of irreverence. I think I might be inclined to take any comments with a grain of salt as an attempt at humor.
Was at the bookstore today, browsing the 2015 edition of RS Great Britain book. Wonder what Oxford has done to get dropped.
JG, good to have you back here.
"Actually, Mr Steves has a new book in the developmental stage. The working title: United States Military Bases Worldwide from A to Z -- Minus Q, X, Z."
Thanks, Ed ; I've preordered my copy at Amazon.com!
And yes, Nigel, I didn't notice a 'chime in' button when I started a thread a couple of weeks ago...hmmm...so if it's there it ain't easy to spot.
I certainly do not miss the "chime in" button.
Perhaps they decided it put too much pressure on staffers to answer questions. Or perhaps they tired of the criticism (very just in my opinion) for answers which were incorrect.
As for Oxford, believe it went missing from the Great Britain years ago (or maybe it was never in there). It is still in the England book, as far as I know.
Guide books require editing. It's impossible to include everything. So, I believe the RS staffers do their best to create a "best of ..." approach. Also, traveling to Europe for many can be a once in a lifetime or only a few times in a life time experience. Plus, logistics can be an issue. I am sure many filters/criteria are used when adding or subtracting a place or recommendation. Example, I love birds and nature. I stumbled upon a great bird watching experience on my own in Oban, Scotland. RS says nothing about it in his books. Yet, it's one of my favorite Scotland memories. I also drank a nice bottle of wine from Volpaia, Italy. So, that's now on my to-do list. If you really want a "back door" vacation - find some places on your own.
I was hesitant to reply any further, but I totally agree with Barb. I have trouble with the idea of going on ad nauseum about how this town is not included, other lesser towns are, that site is not mentioned...etc. Many of the same who decry the exclusion of a place, incessently complain how towns that are included are "over run with Rikniks" and that the locale is ruined. Not sure in that scenario what is desired for an outcome.
The Rick Steves organization makes no secret that they do not strive to include every town or site, or even every country in it's books. They also freely state (as actually Rick does in the radio show that started this thread) that they prioritize and include or exclude, based on opinion, much content. They also often state that the sites included are intended to be a "highlight", where to spend minimal time available for maximum return. The triage of sightseeing may not be pretty, but it seems to have been effective.
Coupled with that, my main complement of Rick Steves is in the publishing of "Europe Through The Back Door" in that it is rare to find a guide on 'how' to travel as opposed to 'where' to travel. I have benefited greatly from it, many other have as well. To Barbs point, I believe the message is: "here are some examples and lessons learned in the most popular spots; now go explore on your own" I have, in many places in Europe not covered in the books, Mexico, even the US, I take the information in the books as input, but explore on my own.
