Ricks Steves Italy Audio Tours t1m1e

Venice's center is a gathering spot for the whole world. ire the one-of-a-kind basilica, the Doges Palace, the shops, the music-filled cafes… and the magical piazza they enclose. Don't forget to the handy PDF companion map at http://www.ricksteves.com/audiotours.

Venice's center is a gathering spot for the whole world. ire the one-of-a-kind basilica, the Doges Palace, the shops, the music-filled cafes… and the magical piazza they enclose. Don't forget to the handy PDF companion map at http://www.ricksteves.com/audiotours.

On this walk through the hometown of Italy's beloved Saint Francis, we'll cover the town from top to bottom — literally. We'll start at the modern piazza at the uphill end of town, work our way down through the medieval heart, and end at the Basilica of St. Francis. Allow about an hour for this walk. Don't forget to the handy PDF companion map at http://www.ricksteves.com/audiotours.

On this walk through the hometown of Italy's beloved Saint Francis, we'll cover the town from top to bottom — literally. We'll start at the modern piazza at the uphill end of town, work our way down through the medieval heart, and end at the Basilica of St. Francis. Allow about an hour for this walk. Don't forget to the handy PDF companion map at http://www.ricksteves.com/audiotours.

The huge church honors Assisi's most famous citizen. It has Francis' remains, some personal possessions, and frescoes by Giotto, who chronicled the remarkable life of this most human of saints. Don't forget to the handy PDF companion map at http://www.ricksteves.com/audiotours.

The huge church honors Assisi's most famous citizen. It has Francis' remains, some personal possessions, and frescoes by Giotto, who chronicled the remarkable life of this most human of saints. Don't forget to the handy PDF companion map at http://www.ricksteves.com/audiotours.

This short but culturally rich stroll through Italy’s most modern city takes us from atop the statue-studded cathedral, through the elegant Galleria arcade — ing opulent window displays and well-dressed locals — to the famous La Scala Opera House. Don't forget to the handy PDF companion map at http://www.ricksteves.com/audiotours.

This short but culturally rich stroll through Italy’s most modern city takes us from atop the statue-studded cathedral, through the elegant Galleria arcade — ing opulent window displays and well-dressed locals — to the famous La Scala Opera House. Don't forget to the handy PDF companion map at http://www.ricksteves.com/audiotours.

This walk winds through an urban village of narrow lanes, panoramic piazzas, fanciful fountains, and some of Europe’s best people-watching. Allow about 2 hours for this mile-long walk. If you're going to visit the Pantheon, the companion audio tour available in this playlist. And don't forget to the handy PDF companion map.

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 the handy PDF companion map.

On this two-hour tour, we'll see the best collection anywhere of Italian Renaissance painting, with masterpieces by Botticelli (including his Birth of Venus), Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Titian. Don't forget to the handy PDF companion map.

On this one-hour tour, we'll see the symbol of the Renaissance — Michelangelo's David. We'll also see a number of other sculptures by Michelangelo and other sculptors, a few paintings, and early musical instruments. Don't forget to the handy PDF companion map.

We'll take a 90-minute walk through the heart of Renaissance Florence to see the soaring church dome and the bronze doors that opened the Renaissance, and to walk the same narrow streets as Michelangelo and the Medicis. Don't forget to the handy PDF companion map.

On this half-hour visit, we'll marvel at the magnificent dome, learn how it was built, see where Romans paid homage to their pagan gods, and visit the tombs of some famous people buried here. Don't forget to the handy PDF companion map.

On this 30-minute visit, we'll start with Michelangelo's frescoes on the ceiling, painted in his younger days, stand under one of the most iconic images of Western art — the touching fingers of the Creation of Man, and end with the work Michelangelo completed nearly three decades later — the Last Judgment. Don't forget to the handy PDF companion map.

On this 90-minute walk, we'll see the cavernous interior, the spacious square, the places where Peter was crucified and buried, and Michelangelo's Pieta. We'll also take a peek at where the pope lives, and talk about the Vatican today. Don't forget to the handy PDF companion map.

On this hour-long walk we'll resurrect the rubble of the Forum, recreating the ancient world of Vestal Virgins, ionate orators, conquering generals, and sleazy emperors. Don't forget to the handy PDF companion map.

Tour ancient Rome's most enduring monument, seeing where emperors sat, gladiators warmed up, and thousands cheered. Allow about an hour to see the Colosseum and experience the grandeur that was Rome. Don't forget to the PDF companion map.

Colossal gladiator arena. When we think of ancient Rome, we think of Caesars, gladiators, lions and Christians, thumbs-up, thumbs-down....and of the Colosseum, Rome's most enduring monument. As we tour the Colosseum inside and out, we'll stand where the emperors did, and catch the view from the nose-bleed seats. We'll talk about how this massive structure was built, and explore some of the Colosseum's surrounding. We'll also get a peek backstage at the gladiator games, where trained warriors squared off "mano y mano" in a battle to the death. Allow about an hour to see the Colosseum and experience the grandeur that was Rome. Don't forget to the handy PDF companion map. Sightseeing nitty-gritty: There are often long lines to buy tickets to the Colosseum, so consult my guidebook about how to maximize your sightseeing time. The Colosseum's cost of €12 is part of a combo-ticket that also includes the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. It's also covered by the Roma . Hours: The Colosseum, Roman Forum, 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. Tel. 06-3996-7700. The Colosseo Metro stop on line B is just across the street from the monument. Avoid ticket-buying lines by buying your combo-ticket at the less-crowded Palatine Hill entrance on Via di San Gregorio (facing the Forum, with Colosseum at your back, go left down the street). Or buy and print your combo-ticket online (€1.50 booking fee, www.ticketclic.it, same-day only). Or buy a Roma Sightseeing (€23) at the "tabacchi" shop in the Colosseo Metro station, at the entrance to Palatine Hill, or at the entrance to the Roman Forum. Around the Colosseum, be on guard for pickpockets and the goofy gladiators who pose for pictures, then aggressively demand money. Tiny, crowded WCs are inside; the better, bigger, and cleaner WC is behind the Colosseum (facing ticket entrance, go right; WC is under stairway). For more specifics, consult my guidebook. This is excerpted from Rick Steves' Rome 2010. Copyright 2009 Avalon Travel. Related information at www.ricksteves.com.

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, ionate orators, conquering generals, and sleazy emperors. Don't forget to 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 . 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. For more specifics, consult my guidebook. This is excerpted from Rick Steves' Rome 2010. Copyright 2009 Avalon Travel. Related information at www.ricksteves.com.