Which Rick Steve's Travel Books and Bags?

Michael,

As you're going to be covering a number of different areas in the country, the Italy 2014 book would probably be the best choice as it covers all the areas you'll be visiting. AFAIK, it has more information than the "Pocket" books but not as much detail as the "City" books. However in my experience, the amount of detail provided in the larger Guidebook is MORE than adequate.

The Planning Map is somewhat "basic" and doesn't show much detail. I'm not sure which map comes with the book, but all of the Maps are available separately.

On the topic of luggage, I'll preface my comments with the disclaimer that I don't use Wheelie Bags. I prefer a properly fitted Backpack. If I was going to buy one of the RS bags, the Rolling Carry-On would be my choice. The combined Rolling Bags/Backpacks have some "issues" which make them less desirable. For example:

• The extra weight of the wheels and handle mechanism will add to the weight being carried.
• Some people have reported that the wheels or frame "dig into" their back, making them uncomfortable to use as a Backpack.
• That type of bag usually doesn't have a waist belt, nor does it provide any means for torso length adjustment. That means ALL of the weight will be carried on the shoulders instead of being partially being carried by the hips as it should be. There certainly could be some bags of that type that address the problems I've mentioned, but I haven't seen one yet.

To summarize, the combined Rolling Bag/Backpack is a GOOFY IDEA (IMO) and I'm surprised that RS is marketing something like that.

Good luck with your choice!

The maps sold separately are not the same as what comes with the book. They are bigger and more detailed, but also the paper is coated so it won't tear and may be waterproof. However, I prefer the Streetwise Maps as more useful for larger cities. But then I am a map person. Truthfully, you can get by with the small tourist maps they hand out at hotels. They were the ones handiest to use when out on the town, and the Venice vaparetto map..

Don't know if you're going to be driving or not, but just FYI, we have an inexpensive Garmin that suction cups to the windshield. We bring it to Europe every time we're going to drive. Load the country's maps before we leave (so voice instructions are in English). Has worked great in France and Spain and Italy.

Additionally, Michelin Maps are a great backup. You can order them online and print.

RS does a great job, but maps are not their strong suit.

Re suitcases, after owning many, many bags, before I took my last 3 week trip with three women (we're all 60) and agreed we couldn't carry each other's bags, I found a nylon Nautica (can you believe it) duffle with a handle and rollers that fit all U.S. Airlines carry-on restrictions -- and I found it at a discounter, Tuesday Morning. I paid $80. I took the airlines carry-on measurements with me when I went suitcase shopping. Went to all of the deep discounters, TJMax, Marshalls and Tuesday Morning. After all of my Travel Pro suitcase purchases, didn't want to dump another bundle on a suitcase that was heavy when EMPTY!

Worked well. The handle was long enough to roll it down the streets, and I could pick it up by the "carry straps" when I needed to get it on/off trains. Rolled all of my clothes to avoid wrinkling, and packed the clothes in like sardines. Did one laundry in three weeks, not bad for a woman! There are pockets on the side and in the front where I crammed in extra shoes. I was very frugal with the shoe packing. Only brought sandals, because we went in September and it was hot, and only sandals with cork foot=beds. The shoes I wore on the airplane were my "dressy" ones.

Hi Michael, I do have the RS rolling backpack and I do like it. I had a hard time mentally going to a wheelie after having a convertible carryon for many years, but I got tired of long hallways in airports so two years ago I switched. I do have to say that it is smaller but that's a good thing so I don't take too much stuff. The one thing that is annoying is that it will not stay upright with the handle extended. It always tips over. So I prop it on a wall or whatever. I like all the pockets. I have used it for trips of 17 days. It's probably not for everyone, but it does the trick for me. I use the straps for schlepping up staircases or other short distances. If you have a wide body (no offense) the wheels might touch your sides, but it's not like you're going to use it for trekking anyway. It is my bag of choice. (I also think all the Rs bags went on sale today on the website).

As far as the travel guide, buy the Italy 2014 (also on sale) and rip out the pages that apply to your travel areas. I have them spiral bound in small sets at staples. Pretty cheap and I like the spiral binding for opening them up.

Have a great trip!!!
Ciao

I didn't use either rolling bag, but I used Rick's Convertible Backpack last month and loved it. It made me pack light with it on my back. My girlfriend had a regular rolling suitcase and I preferred going hands free while navigating to and from the stations and following some of Rick's walking tours that we did from the station with our bag. Rick has good advice, if you can still carry your bag do that instead of wheels and save the extra weight of the wheels and frame for more items.

I was only going to use Rick's Italy book which I purchased last year the 2013 edition. While at the library I noticed both the Rome and Florence books had more walking tours and more information on smaller sights like Santa Croce in Florence which we wanted to see. I picked up an older version of Rick's Rome, Florence and Venice books just for some of the sights. Most of the hotel and food sections were already in my latest Italy book so I didn't need those. I ripped out the pages from each for the tours.

I'm planning a return trip next year with some family and think i'm going to go the iPad route and use electronic versions of Rick's book. Less weight in my bag.

I've been considering a rolling/backpack convertible hybrid as well. I'm not sure which way to go yet. Sometimes I use a backpack and sometimes I use a wheeled carry on. Anyway, you may want to look at the Osprey Ozone Convertible carry on and Osprey Meridian Convertible carry on. The Meridian also has a larger size. You could also look into the REI Stratocruiser. They're all pretty expensive, but Osprey has a lifetime warranty. They'll fix nearly anything on the bag for its entire life for free (you have to pay to ship it to them though....). I don't work for any of these companies, I've just been researching my options.

Here's my two cents after traveling to Europe the last few years;
Luggage - 1) Ebags.com is a good site to research and purchase luggage. RS luggage is good. Go to a discount store like Ross or Marshalls with a tape ruler. Sometimes, you can find the correct size luggage at a good price. Generally, the luggage at discount places is fine for a few trips, but will not last forever. Depends on how much you are going to use it. Eagle Creek luggage costs more, but lasts and has a good warranty. 2) Check with your airline(s) first for luggage dimensions/weight. Most international airlines allow one piece of checked-in luggage for free. So, if you want to take a larger bag - that's just fine. Then, take a flight bag or small backpack with things for the flight over. 3)Packing cubes can help quite a bit. Just measure the suitcase inside first. Then, purchase the appropriate packing cubes based on size and need.
Travel Info: RS books are great. You will probably only need a Streetwise map for Rome (available at any big-box bookstore). You can get travel info. from hotels.com, booking.com, and tripadvisor. Information can come from many sources. Just read the reviews.

Personally, I like rolling luggage over backpacks. Some backpacks get large and unwieldy to carry. Hard to turn around in a crowd without whacking someone. My favorite is one carry-on size, rolling luggage bag and a small backpack that doubles as a daypack. Neck pouch for under shirt security for important documents.
BEST TO YOU!

I own the Rome guide book and it is very detailed. However if you are travelling elsewhere in the country you may prefer to use the Italy guidebook. For maps I use the city maps to go App on my iPad and iPhone. It works off line and you can download maps for locations as you need them.

Luggage, we had the same questions for our trip. My husband and I decided to purchase the RS convertible backpack. He really liked it, me, not so much. It is a great bag for pockets, fabric and weight. If you want to travel with a backpack, it is probably better to get an actual fitted backpack. I found that it was easy to overfill and it was just too heavy for me to carry on my back, and, it was too heavy and awkward to carry by the handle. It would be great if there was a shoulder strap, there are loops for one so I will make sure that I buy one and use for future trips. My husband was fine with the bag because he packed lighter and he is stronger and not such a princess.
I had intended to carry on but the bag is quite soft and once it was packed it never fit the carry on size. To summarize, I wish I had taken a rolling bag. My husband liked his bag but for a backpack, he would purchase a fitted one next time.

We have several RS bags; the older rolling carry on, the new "European" size rolling carry on and several day packs. We like them BUT the zipper heads on the smaller rolling bag and the newer day pack do not have holes so they CANNOT BE LOCKED.