Comments for Rick Steves: Blog Gone Europe

Comment on A Revealing Peek at a Skinny-Man Shower in Venice by Judy

Judy — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:14:19 +0000

A few years ago we stayed in a hotel in St Gore Germany and the same kind of thing. The shower was so small. My husband and I aren’t large people at all. We actually had to put our soap and shampoo on the floor of the shower and when I went to bend down to pick up the shampoo some body part hit the hot water lever and I almost killed myself jumping out of that shower not to get burned. We always check out the bathroom first because it is always a surprise.

Comment on A Revealing Peek at a Skinny-Man Shower in Venice by Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:44:47 +0000

What a great solution!

Comment on Casinos and Small Change in Venice by Jeff Griggs

Jeff Griggs — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:55:54 +0000

Rick sure gets around quickly.

It seems like only a few weeks ago he was is Florida.

I enjoy reading Ricks updates as he wanders around the world.

Der Doppelganger
WEDU Tampa

Comment on Casinos and Small Change in Venice by Ben

Ben — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:13:04 +0000

I was just in Venice 3 days ago! My wife and I are both huge fans of your work, and your information has really helped us to make the most of this trip. Too bad we missed you!

Comment on Casinos and Small Change in Venice by Maureen

Maureen — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:13:22 +0000

We’ll be there on the 26th for 4 nights! I enjoyed Venice so much last year while traveling with my daughter, but it’s a city best enjoyed with your significant other! So this will be the last stop of our 2-week trip to Italy to celebrate our 25th anniversary.

Comment on Casinos and Small Change in Venice by janet

janet — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:42:20 +0000

Too many immigrants moving into an area? How about too many TOURISTS.

Comment on Casinos and Small Change in Venice by Judy

Judy — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:58:23 +0000

Very interesting to hear about all the changes. I have been to Venice once in 2002 and bought some beautiful Murano glass then. The weather wasn’t very good and I wasn’t feeling good on those few days, so we always said we would like a redo. It is hard when so many other imigrants move in to an area. I know the last trip to Italy I felt like we where in a country like Turkey where you are followed around by people begging for you to buy something. And last year in Barcelona the police where chasing street merchants constantly. They would set up and the minute they saw or somehow got word they had blankets that would fold right up and off they would run. It seemed so crazy, and they obviously had a system for this.

Comment on The World’s Most Appreciated Breast (in Verona) by Lindsay

Lindsay — Mon, 14 May 2012 08:24:57 +0000

When you’re not getting pushed out of the way by a small Japanese woman with a bag twice her size and a killer elbow, Juliet’s courtyard can be really beautiful. While many people probably haven’t read Shakespeare’s play, she’s still one of the best known female characters of all time.

I think the most beautiful part of Juliet’s courtyard is the endless scribbles and letters, which cover most of the walls of the entryway. It’s graffiti in the name of love, and it has the stamp of youthfulness all over it. While it’s mostly adults clamoring to fondle Juliet, it’s the teenagers who huddle in corners with sharpies, leaving more lasting marks on the place, for better or for worse.

For me, Juliet’s courtyard is as much a tourist site as it is a pilgrimage site. For tourists, it’s the perfect photo-op. For the young and young-at-heart, it is hope made tangible that someday love will find them.

-PS: Come to Bologna!

Comment on Pulling Into Corniglia by Susan Moretto

Susan Moretto — Sun, 13 May 2012 07:05:35 +0000

Just returned from Riomaggiore yesterday and found the only 2 walks available are. The Amore Walk from Riomaggiore to Manarola and the last one from Monterossa to Vernazza. All the rest are closed due to washouts from Oct storms. Good to note on your site as well as your other great update on their restoration progress. Thanks for the great info on the area.

Comment on The World’s Most Appreciated Breast (in Verona) by Valeria

Valeria — Sat, 12 May 2012 16:42:01 +0000

As a local guide in Verona I can say that in 17 years only once I was asked “Please don’t take us to Juliet’s house”: it’s a good story, it’s an incredibly good story… and, indeed, what a woman! Mr William Shakespeare has bene an effective marketing man for my city, but once travelers are here, I’m sure we are able to show we have much more than a breast to polish, caress or grope :) #thecityyoudontexpect

Comment on The World’s Most Appreciated Breast (in Verona) by janet

janet — Sat, 12 May 2012 16:16:22 +0000

Every single one of these people posing looks stupid.

Comment on The World’s Most Appreciated Breast (in Verona) by Jerry

Jerry — Sat, 12 May 2012 02:04:47 +0000

I have been to Verona 2 or 3 times and I have always enjoyed doing this ritual, especially for good luck. It is unusual for a tourist site to do this ritual, but it is also fun and you can feel like part of the crowd. I love Verona any how, because it is so easy to walk around in and to observe the people, especially around Piazza Bra. No Pun intended. Rick, enjoy the rest of your time in Verona. I am half Italian and I will always love and enjoy being in Italy and sharing in the fabulous art, food, and social living that the Italians enjoy. Take care.

Comment on The World’s Most Appreciated Breast (in Verona) by Judy

Judy — Fri, 11 May 2012 22:37:58 +0000

Seriously??? With all the great things to do in Italy!

Comment on The World’s Most Appreciated Breast (in Verona) by Joan Schmelzle

Joan Schmelzle — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:21:13 +0000

I must admit to a surprise while watching this video. I have been to Verona for sure three times and maybe four (I’d have to get out 12 journals to find out for sure). The last time was in 2007. Never once have I seen a woman touch Juliet’s breast and I’ve never heard it will make them lucky in love. I have only seen either half embarrassed or maybe trying-to-leer men do it. I suppose it might be because I have never been there with a guide or group and most recently it’s been in the fall/late fall. Ah well!

Comment on The World’s Most Appreciated Breast (in Verona) by Joshua

Joshua — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:09:46 +0000

I believe that this “ritual” is composed of too many reasons to list. For those seeking love it is an opportunity make a little magic happen. The same way that people toss a coins into a wishing well. There is no magic down there and everyone knows this. The magic is in your own hope and optimism. The bright future you envision as you delicately caress, or roughly grope, this world famous breast is up to you to create. The magic boob will not grant your wishes. You must make that happen.

Comment on Hit the Ground Running in Verona by susan sayre

susan sayre — Thu, 10 May 2012 01:10:59 +0000

I so enjoy your program on PBS! You are particularly good at summarizing a great deal of information in a way that is precise and interesting.

Verona…..”Two households both alike in dignity/In fair Verona where we lay our scene….” Forgive me….I’m a retired English teacher.

Maybe one of these days I can sign up on one of your trips for “seniors”. I’m almost 65 but young for my age.

Meanwhile, keep on traveling.
Susan Sayre

P.S. Like the beard, which you are not sporting in the PBS episodes I have seen.

Comment on Hit the Ground Running in Verona by Judy

Judy — Wed, 09 May 2012 23:53:28 +0000

Hope you spend a little more time on Verona. It is an Italian city that we have not been to and is on our list for our next visit to Italy!

Comment on It’s Police Yearbook Season in Italy by Tony

Tony — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:41:28 +0000

Italians, and most Europeans do not like credit. Italians do not want to pay the fees associated with credit cards. Some will actually charge you the fee to use it.
The cash has less to do with taxes than profit. As in Italy they are required to give you a receipt for every transaction for example.

Comment on It’s Police Yearbook Season in Italy by Roger Musser

Roger Musser — Tue, 08 May 2012 18:55:18 +0000

First the organized crime families, now the police making the population pay for protection. But then again maybe it’s fitting. I’ve been in Italy for the past week and all of the places that I have slept at had either insisted on, or encouraged cash payments. I suppose they keep it off the books to evade taxes. Given all of the problems of storing and transporting cash I think that credit cards provide a nice service for honest merchants.

Comment on Vernazza’s Permitted Pastels by Rawhide Papritz

Rawhide Papritz — Tue, 08 May 2012 02:53:08 +0000

Thanks for the posting entitled, “Vernazza’s Permitted Pastels. Last Fall while visiting
Vernazza, I spent 6 hrs making a cityscape drawing of Vernazza in black ink. So I
wouldn’t forget the exact color combinations, I took a series of digital camera images
of the buildings down along the waterfront. As I began to paint the vibrant colors and
began to notice that each building’s color was different that the adjacent one, but that
the colors complemented each other for a total visual effect. As per your recent blog
I now can understand that color matching was by “design”. Thanks for the new
perspective. Rawhide of Auburn, WA