Europe for dummies 4ed

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Europe
FOR

DUMmIES

‰

s

4TH

EDITION


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Europe

FOR

DUMmIES

‰

s

4TH

EDITION


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Europe For Dummies®, 4th Edition
Published by
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
111 River St.
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
www.wiley.com
Copyright © 2007 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or

by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written
permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the
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Rest of Us!, The Dummies Way, Dummies Daily, The Fun and Easy Way, Dummies.com and related trade
dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc., and/or its affiliates in the
United States and other countries, and may not be used without written permission. Frommer’s is a trademark or registered trademark of Arthur Frommer. Used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Wiley Publishing, Inc., is not associated with any product or vendor
mentioned in this book.
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About the Authors
Donald Olson (Chapters 1–11 and 15) is a novelist, playwright,
and travel writer. His newest novel, Confessions of a Pregnant
Princess, was published in 2005 under the pen name Swan
Adamson. His travel stories have appeared in The New York Times,
Travel & Leisure, Sunset, National Geographic books, and many
other publications. His guidebooks London For Dummies,
Frommer’s Best Day Trips from London, Frommer’s Irreverent
London, Germany For Dummies, and Frommer’s Vancouver &
Victoria are all published by Wiley. He also writes England For
Dummies, which won a 2002 Lowell Thomas Travel Writing Award
for best guidebook.

Liz Albertson (Chapter 12) worked as an editor for Frommer’s
Travel Guides for four years before making the leap to the other
side of the computer as the author of Ireland For Dummies. When
she isn’t researching and writing, Liz spends much of her time in
Ireland sitting in on traditional music sessions, fiddle in hand. She
currently teaches fifth and sixth grade in New Haven, Connecticut.
Cheryl A. Pientka (Chapter 13) is a freelance journalist and a literary scout. She is the author of Paris For Dummies and co-author of
France For Dummies. A graduate of Columbia University Graduate
School of Journalism and the University of Delaware, she lives in
New York when she can’t be in Paris.
George McDonald (Chapter 14) is a former deputy editor of and
currently contributing writer for Holland Herald, the in-flight magazine for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. He has written extensively about
Amsterdam and the Netherlands for international magazines and
travel books such as Frommer’s Belgium, Holland & Luxembourg
and Frommer’s Europe.
Darwin Porter and Danforth Prince (Chapters 16 and 17) have
written numerous best-selling Frommer’s guides and are coauthors of Frommer’s Europe. Porter is a former bureau chief for
the Miami Herald, and Prince, who began writing with Porter in
1982, worked for the Paris bureau of the New York Times.
Hana Mastrini (Chapter 18) is a native of the western Czech spa
town of Karlovy Vary who became a veteran of the “Velvet
Revolution” as a student in Prague in 1989. She is the author of
Frommer’s Prague & the Best of the Czech Republic and co-author
of Frommer’s Europe and Frommer’s Europe by Rail.
Bruce Murphy and Alessandra de Rosa (Chapters 19–21) are parttime residents of Rome. Murphy’s work has appeared in magazines
ranging from Cruising World to Critical Inquiry. An avid traveler


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since her first cross-Europe trip at the age of 2, de Rosa was born
in Rome and has lived and worked in Rome, Paris, and New York
City. They are the authors of Italy For Dummies and Rome For
Dummies.
Neil Schlecht (Chapters 22 and 23) is a writer and cycling aficionado who has lived in Spain, Brazil, and Ecuador. He has
worked in Spain as an English teacher, a consultant on social and
economic development projects for the European Union, and as a
contributing writer for a Spanish art and antiques magazine. He is
the author of a dozen travel guides, including Spain For Dummies.
Vancouver-born Tania Kollias (Chapter 24) longed to travel since
a teen trip to England to meet the relatives, and used a Frommer’s
guide for her first solo journey to Europe. A degree, four continents, and many journals later, she now lives in her father’s native
Athens, Greece, where she wrote the country’s first comprehensive listings book for expats, edited the Now in Athens monthly for
the 2004 Olympics, and still works as a journalist and writer. She
travels in and out of Greece whenever she gets the chance.


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Publisher’s Acknowledgments
We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our Dummies
online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/.
Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:
Editorial
Editors: Michael Brumitt, Production
Editor; Michael Kelly,
Development Editor
Copy Editor: Anne Owen
Cartographer: Guy Ruggiero
Editorial Assistant: Melinda Quintero
Senior Photo Editor: Richard Fox
Cover Photos: Front: © Larry Fisher/
Masterfile; back: © John Lawrence/
Getty Images
Cartoons: Rich Tennant
(www.the5thwave.com)

Composition Services
Project Coordinator: Kristie Rees

Layout and Graphics:
Stephanie D. Jumper,
Barry Offringa,
Alicia B. South, Julie Trippetti
Special Art: Anniversary Logo
Design: Richard Pacifico
Proofreaders: David Faust, Techbooks
Indexer: Techbooks

Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies
Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies
Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director, Consumer Dummies
Kristin A. Cocks, Product Development Director, Consumer Dummies
Michael Spring, Vice President and Publisher, Travel
Kelly Regan, Editorial Director, Travel
Publishing for Technology Dummies
Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher, Dummies
Technology/General User
Composition Services
Gerry Fahey, Vice President of Production Services
Debbie Stailey, Director of Composition Services


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Contents at a Glance
Introduction .......................................................1
Part I: Introducing Europe...................................7
Chapter 1: Discovering the Best of Europe ....................................9
Chapter 2: Deciding When and Where to Go ..............................17
Chapter 3: Presenting Five Great Itineraries................................31

Part II: Planning Your Trip to Europe .................41
Chapter 4: Managing Your Money ................................................43
Chapter 5: Getting to Europe ........................................................61
Chapter 6: Getting Around Europe................................................68
Chapter 7: Booking Your Accommodations ................................86
Chapter 8: Catering to Special Travel Needs or Interests ..........97
Chapter 9: Taking Care of the Remaining Details ......................102

Part III: The British Isles.................................119
Chapter 10: London and the Best of England ............................121
Chapter 11: Edinburgh and the Best of Scotland ......................159
Chapter 12: Dublin and the Best of Ireland ................................183

Part IV: Central Europe ...................................211
Chapter 13: Paris and Environs ..................................................213
Chapter 14: Amsterdam and Environs........................................252
Chapter 15: Munich and Bavaria ................................................279
Chapter 16: Vienna and the Best of Austria ..............................302
Chapter 17: Bern and the Swiss Alps ..........................................326
Chapter 18: Prague and Environs ................................................353

Part V: Mediterranean Europe..........................379

Chapter 19: Rome and Southern Italy ........................................381
Chapter 20: Florence and Tuscany..............................................416
Chapter 21: Venice and Environs ................................................449
Chapter 22: Madrid and the Best of Castile ..............................479
Chapter 23: The Best of Barcelona..............................................507
Chapter 24: Athens and the Greek Islands ................................529

Part VI: The Part of Tens .................................561
Chapter 25: The Ten Most Overrated Sights and
Attractions in Europe ............................................................563
Chapter 26: Ten Overlooked Gems ............................................566
Chapter 27: Ten Ways to Break Out of the Tourist Mold..........571

Appendix: Quick Concierge..............................575
Index .............................................................587


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Maps at a Glance
Europe ........................................................................................................10
Europe’s Primary Train Routes................................................................70
England ....................................................................................................122
Accommodations, Dining, and Attractions in Central London..........130
Scotland ....................................................................................................160
Accommodations, Dining, and Attractions in Edinburgh ..................164
Ireland ......................................................................................................185
Accommodations, Dining, and Attractions in Dublin ........................190
County Kerry............................................................................................207
France........................................................................................................215
Paris Neighborhoods ..............................................................................218
Accommodations, Dining, and Attractions in Paris ............................226
Holland (The Netherlands) ....................................................................254
Accommodations, Dining, and Attractions
in Central Amsterdam ......................................................................260
Germany....................................................................................................280
Accommodations, Dining, and Attractions in Munich........................284
Austria ......................................................................................................303
Accommodations, Dining, and Attractions in Vienna ........................308
Switzerland ..............................................................................................327
Accommodations, Dining, and Attractions in Bern ............................330
The Bernese Oberland ............................................................................343
The Czech Republic ................................................................................355
Accommodations, Dining, and Attractions in Prague ........................360
Side Trips from Prague ..........................................................................373

Italy............................................................................................................382
Accommodations, Dining, and Attractions in Rome ..........................386
Accommodations, Dining, and Attractions in Florence......................420
Tuscany ....................................................................................................439
Accommodations, Dining, and Attractions in Venice ........................454
Spain..........................................................................................................481
Accommodations, Dining, and Attractions in Madrid ........................484
Accommodations, Dining, and Attractions in Barcelona ..................512
Greece ......................................................................................................531
Accommodations, Dining, and Attractions in Athens ........................538
Santoríni....................................................................................................554


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Table of Contents
Introduction ......................................................1
About This Book......................................................................1
Conventions Used in This Book ............................................1
Foolish Assumptions ..............................................................3
How This Book Is Organized..................................................3
Part I: Introducing Europe ...........................................3
Part II: Planning Your Trip to Europe .........................4
Part III: The British Isles...............................................4
Part IV: Central Europe ................................................4
Part V: Mediterranean Europe.....................................4
Part VI: The Part of Tens..............................................5
Icons Used in This Book.........................................................5
Where to Go from Here...........................................................6

Part I: Introducing Europe ..................................7
Chapter 1: Discovering the Best of Europe....................9
The Top Museums.................................................................12
The Top Historic Sights........................................................13
The Top Culinary Delights ...................................................14
The Architectural Highlights ...............................................15

Chapter 2: Deciding When and Where to Go ..............17
Going Everywhere You Want to Be .....................................17
The splendors of the British Isles.............................17
The heart of the Continent ........................................18
The charms of the Mediterranean ............................20
The Secret of the Seasons ....................................................21
Europe’s Calendar of Events................................................23
Tips for Successful Trip Planning .......................................26

Seeing it all without going nuts .................................26
Staying sane on the museum trail ............................27
Dealing with cultural overload..................................28
How to Schedule Your Time ................................................29

Chapter 3: Presenting Five Great Itineraries...............31
The Everything-but-the-Kitchen-Sink-in-Two-Weeks
Tour.....................................................................................32
The Three-Week Grand Tour of Europe..............................34
Two Weeks in Europe for Lovers of Art..............................35
A Week of Romance, European Style ..................................37
A Week in Europe the Kids Will Love..................................38


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Europe For Dummies, 4th Edition

Part II: Planning Your Trip to Europe.................41
Chapter 4: Managing Your Money .................................43
Planning Your Budget ...........................................................43
Keeping a Lid on Hidden Expenses.....................................46

Cutting Costs — but Not the Fun ........................................47
Planning ahead for discounts....................................47
Trimming transportation expenses..........................48
Lowering your lodging bill.........................................48
Digging for dining bargains........................................49
Shaving off sightseeing and shopping costs ...........50
Handling Money ....................................................................50
Using your ATM card ..................................................51
Pulling out the plastic ................................................51
Cashing traveler’s checks ..........................................52
Exchanging Money at the Best Rate ...................................53
Buying Currency Before You Leave ....................................54
Paying and Redeeming the VAT...........................................55
Avoiding Theft .......................................................................56
Hazard #1: The pickpocket ........................................56
Hazard #2: The scam artist........................................57
Keeping valuables safe on trains ..............................58
Coping with a stolen wallet .......................................59

Chapter 5: Getting to Europe...........................................61
Seeking a Travel Agent’s Advice..........................................61
Exploring Package-Tour Possibilities .................................62
Comparing packages ..................................................62
Hunting down the deals .............................................62
Joining an Escorted Tour .....................................................64
Making Your Own Arrangements ........................................65
Booking your flight .....................................................65
Shopping for the best airfare.....................................65
Booking your flight online .........................................66

Chapter 6: Getting Around Europe.................................68
Flying Around Europe...........................................................68
Taking the Train ....................................................................69
Figuring out the basics of train travel......................69
Saving time and money with rail passes..................74
Navigating the train station .......................................78
Floating to Your Destination by Ferry ................................80
Getting Around by Bus .........................................................80
Driving in Europe ..................................................................80
Obtaining an International Driver’s Permit .............81
Knowing when to rent a car.......................................81


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Table of Contents
Saving time and money on rental cars .....................81
Understanding European road rules ........................84

Chapter 7: Booking Your Accommodations .................86
Understanding European Hotels .........................................86
The bathroom: The big culture shock......................87
The shower: Another new adventure.......................87
That extra thing: Not a toilet .....................................88

Finding the Best Room at the Best Rate.............................88
Comparing room rates and ratings...........................88
Making reservations ...................................................89
Using a hotel booking service ...................................90
Surfing the Web for hotel deals.................................91
Finding deals at the last minute................................92
Discovering Other Options ..................................................94
The most popular alternatives..................................94
Hostels and other bargain options ...........................95

Chapter 8: Catering to Special Travel
Needs or Interests.........................................................97
Traveling with the Brood: Advice for Families ..................97
Making Age Work for You: Advice for Seniors ...................98
Accessing Europe: Advice for Travelers
with Disabilities .................................................................99
Following the Rainbow: Advice for Gay and
Lesbian Travelers............................................................100

Chapter 9: Taking Care of the Remaining Details.....102
Getting a Passport...............................................................102
Applying for a U.S. passport....................................103
Applying for other passports ..................................103
Playing It Safe with Travel and Medical Insurance .........104
Staying Healthy when You Travel .....................................106
Dealing with European Healthcare ...................................107
Making Reservations for Popular Restaurants,
Events, and Sights ...........................................................107
Packing It Up........................................................................108
Dressing like the locals ............................................109

Sporting money belts ...............................................109
Traveling without electronics .................................110
Mastering Communication.................................................110
Calling Europe from the United States ...................110
Calling home from Europe .......................................111
Using European pay phones....................................111
Staying connected by cellphone.............................112
Accessing the Internet in Europe............................113

xv


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Europe For Dummies, 4th Edition
Keeping Up with Airline Security Measures ....................115
Bringing Your Goodies Back Home ...................................116

Part III: The British Isles................................119
Chapter 10: London and the Best of England.............121
Getting There.......................................................................121
Arriving by air ...........................................................121

Arriving by rail ..........................................................123
Orienting Yourself in London ............................................123
Introducing the neighborhoods ..............................124
Finding information after you arrive ......................125
Getting Around London......................................................125
By Tube (subway).....................................................126
By bus.........................................................................126
By taxi.........................................................................127
By foot ........................................................................127
Staying in London ...............................................................127
London’s top hotels and B&Bs................................128
London’s runner-up accommodations...................134
Dining in London .................................................................134
Exploring London................................................................138
London’s top sights ..................................................138
More cool things to see and do...............................144
Guided tours..............................................................147
Suggested itineraries ................................................147
Traveling Beyond London..................................................149
Bath: Ancient Rome in Georgian clothing..............150
Salisbury and Stonehenge: Gothic splendor
and prehistoric mysteries....................................151
Oxford: The original college town ..........................153
Fast Facts: London ..............................................................156

Chapter 11: Edinburgh and the Best of Scotland ......159
Getting There.......................................................................159
Arriving by air ...........................................................160
Arriving by train or bus ...........................................161
Orienting Yourself in Edinburgh........................................161

Introducing the neighborhoods ..............................161
Finding information after you arrive ......................161
Getting Around Edinburgh .................................................161
By bus.........................................................................162
By taxi.........................................................................162
By foot ........................................................................162


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Table of Contents

xvii

Staying in Edinburgh...........................................................162
Edinburgh’s top hotels and B&Bs...........................163
Edinburgh’s runner-up accommodations ..............167
Dining in Edinburgh ............................................................168
Exploring Edinburgh ...........................................................170
Edinburgh’s top sights .............................................170
More cool things to see and do...............................173
Guided tours..............................................................174
Suggested itineraries ................................................175
Traveling Beyond Edinburgh .............................................175

On Nessie’s trail: Inverness and Loch Ness...........176
Glasgow: A Victorian industrial city
discovers culture ..................................................178
Fast Facts: Edinburgh .........................................................181

Chapter 12: Dublin and the Best of Ireland................183
Getting There.......................................................................184
Arriving by air ...........................................................184
Arriving by land ........................................................184
Arriving by sea ..........................................................184
Orienting Yourself in Dublin ..............................................185
Introducing the neighborhoods ..............................185
Finding information after you arrive ......................186
Getting around Dublin by foot ................................186
Getting around Dublin by bus .................................186
Getting around Dublin by DART (light rail)...........187
Getting around Dublin by taxi .................................187
Staying in Dublin .................................................................187
Dublin’s top hotels....................................................188
Dublin’s runner-up accommodations.....................192
Dining in Dublin...................................................................193
Exploring Dublin..................................................................196
Dublin’s top sights ....................................................196
More cool things to see and do...............................200
Guided tours..............................................................202
Suggested itineraries ................................................203
Traveling the Irish Countryside ........................................204
North of Dublin to passage tombs and ruined
medieval abbeys ...................................................204
South of Dublin: Mansions and monasteries

in County Wicklow ................................................205
Driving rings around County Kerry ........................206
Fast Facts: Dublin................................................................208


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xviii Europe For Dummies, 4th Edition
Part IV: Central Europe ..................................211
Chapter 13: Paris and Environs ....................................213
Getting There.......................................................................214
Arriving by air ...........................................................214
Arriving by rail ..........................................................216
Orienting Yourself in Paris .................................................216
Introducing the neighborhoods ..............................216
Finding information after you arrive ......................220
Getting Around Paris ..........................................................220
By Métro (subway) and RER ...................................221
By bus.........................................................................222
By taxi.........................................................................222
By foot ........................................................................222
Staying in Paris ....................................................................223
Paris’s top hotels ......................................................224
Paris’s runner-up accommodations .......................228

Dining in Paris .....................................................................230
Exploring Paris ....................................................................234
Paris’s top sights.......................................................234
More cool things to see and do...............................239
Guided tours..............................................................243
Suggested itineraries ................................................244
Traveling Beyond Paris ......................................................245
Versailles: Palace of the Sun King ...........................245
Chartres Cathedral: A Gothic masterpiece............247
Fast Facts: Paris...................................................................248

Chapter 14: Amsterdam and Environs.........................252
Getting There.......................................................................253
Arriving by air ...........................................................253
Arriving by rail ..........................................................254
Orienting Yourself in Amsterdam......................................255
Introducing the neighborhoods ..............................255
Finding information after you arrive ......................256
Getting Around Amsterdam...............................................256
By tram, bus, and subway .......................................256
By taxi.........................................................................258
By tram.......................................................................258
By foot ........................................................................258
By bike........................................................................258
Staying in Amsterdam.........................................................258
Amsterdam’s top hotels and B&Bs.........................259
Amsterdam’s runner-up accommodations ............263
Dining in Amsterdam ..........................................................263

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Table of Contents

xix

Exploring Amsterdam.........................................................266
Amsterdam’s top sights ...........................................266
More cool things to see and do...............................269
Guided tours..............................................................271
Suggested itineraries ................................................272
Traveling Beyond Amsterdam ...........................................273
Discovering the other Haarlem...............................273
Stopping to admire the tulips..................................274
Tilting at windmills ...................................................275
Biking to the Kröller-Müller Museum .....................276
Fast Facts: Amsterdam .......................................................277

Chapter 15: Munich and Bavaria .................................279
Getting There.......................................................................279
Arriving by air ...........................................................279
Arriving by train........................................................281
Orienting Yourself in Munich.............................................281
Introducing the neighborhoods ..............................281

Finding information after you arrive ......................282
Getting around Munich ............................................282
Staying in Munich................................................................283
Munich’s top hotels ..................................................283
Munich’s runner-up accommodations ...................287
Dining in Munich .................................................................288
Exploring Munich ................................................................290
Munich’s top sights ..................................................291
More cool things to see and do...............................294
Guided tours..............................................................294
Suggested itineraries ................................................295
Traveling Beyond Munich ..................................................296
Neuschwanstein: Mad King Ludwig’s
fairy-tale castle ......................................................296
The Nazi concentration camp at Dachau ..............298
Fast Facts: Munich ..............................................................300

Chapter 16: Vienna and the Best of Austria ...............302
Getting to Vienna.................................................................302
Arriving by air ...........................................................302
Arriving by rail ..........................................................303
Orienting Yourself in Vienna..............................................304
Introducing the neighborhoods ..............................304
Finding information after you arrive ......................304
Getting Around Vienna .......................................................305
By U-Bahn (subway) .................................................305
By tram or bus...........................................................305
By taxi.........................................................................305

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Staying in Vienna.................................................................306
Vienna’s top hotels ...................................................306
Vienna’s runner-up accommodations ....................310
Dining in Vienna ..................................................................311
Exploring Vienna .................................................................314
Vienna’s top sights....................................................314
More cool things to see and do...............................318
Guided tours..............................................................320
Suggested itineraries ................................................320
Traveling Beyond Vienna: Innsbruck................................321
Getting there..............................................................322
Seeing the sights .......................................................322
Where to stay and dine ............................................323
Fast Facts: Vienna ...............................................................323

Chapter 17: Bern and the Swiss Alps .........................326
Getting There.......................................................................326
Arriving by air ...........................................................326
Arriving by rail ..........................................................327

Orienting Yourself in Bern .................................................328
Introducing the neighborhoods ..............................328
Finding information after you arrive ......................328
Getting Around Bern...........................................................328
By tram and bus........................................................328
By taxi.........................................................................329
By foot ........................................................................329
Staying in Bern ....................................................................329
Bern’s top hotels.......................................................329
Bern’s runner-up accommodations ........................331
Dining in Bern ......................................................................332
Exploring Bern.....................................................................334
Bern’s top sights .......................................................334
More cool things to see and do...............................336
Guided tours..............................................................337
Suggested itineraries ................................................338
Traveling Beyond Bern.......................................................339
Zurich: Swiss counterculture meets
high finance ...........................................................339
Basel: Three, three, three countries in one! ..........340
Visiting the Bernese Oberland ..........................................342
Getting there..............................................................342
Finding information after you arrive ......................342
Learning the lay of the land.....................................343
Getting around the Bernese Oberland ...................344
Staying in the Bernese Oberland ............................344


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Dining in the Bernese Oberland..............................346
Exploring the Bernese Oberland.............................347
Fast Facts: Bern ...................................................................350

Chapter 18: Prague and Environs.................................353
Arriving by air ...........................................................354
Arriving by rail ..........................................................354
Orienting Yourself in Prague..............................................354
Introducing the neighborhoods ..............................355
Finding information after you arrive ......................356
Getting Around Prague .......................................................356
By Metro (subway) ...................................................357
By tram and bus........................................................357
By taxi.........................................................................357
Staying in Prague.................................................................358
Prague’s top hotels ...................................................358
Prague’s runner-up accommodations ....................362
Dining in Prague ..................................................................362
Exploring Prague .................................................................364
Prague’s top sights ...................................................365

More cool things to see and do...............................369
Guided tours..............................................................370
Suggested itineraries ................................................371
Traveling Beyond Prague ...................................................372
Medieval Karlstejn Castle ........................................372
The Nazi camp at Terezín ........................................374
Fast Facts: Prague ...............................................................376

Part V: Mediterranean Europe.........................379
Chapter 19: Rome and Southern Italy..........................381
Getting There.......................................................................381
Arriving by air ...........................................................382
Arriving by rail ..........................................................383
Finding information after you arrive ......................383
Getting Around Rome .........................................................383
By taxi.........................................................................383
By subway, tram, and bus........................................384
Staying in Rome...................................................................385
Rome’s top hotels .....................................................385
Rome’s runner-up accommodations ......................389
Dining in Rome ....................................................................390
Exploring Rome ...................................................................395
Rome’s top attractions.............................................396
More cool things to see and do...............................404


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Guided tours..............................................................406
Suggested itineraries ................................................407
Traveling Beyond Rome .....................................................408
Naples: A splendid art city welcoming
visitors once again................................................408
Herculaneum and Pompeii: The world’s
most famous ancient Roman
archaeological areas.............................................410
Fast Facts: Rome .................................................................413

Chapter 20: Florence and Tuscany...............................416
Getting There.......................................................................416
Arriving by air ...........................................................416
Arriving by rail ..........................................................417
Finding information after you arrive ......................417
Getting Around Florence ....................................................418
On foot........................................................................418
By bus.........................................................................418
Staying in Florence..............................................................419
The top hotels ...........................................................419
Runner-up hotels ......................................................423
Dining in Florence ...............................................................424
Exploring Florence ..............................................................430

Florence’s top attractions........................................430
More cool things to see and do...............................436
Guided tours..............................................................437
Suggested itineraries ................................................437
Traveling Beyond Florence ................................................438
Pisa: The Leaning Tower and more ........................438
Siena: A departure from the Renaissance..............442
San Gimignano: Hills and towers ............................445
Fast Facts: Florence ............................................................446

Chapter 21: Venice and Environs .................................449
Getting There.......................................................................449
Arriving by air ...........................................................449
Arriving by rail ..........................................................450
Finding information after you arrive ......................450
Getting Around Venice........................................................451
By foot ........................................................................451
By vaporetto (water bus).........................................451
By traghetto (ferry skiff)..........................................452
By taxi.........................................................................452
Staying in Venice .................................................................452
Venice’s top hotels....................................................453
Venice’s runner-up accommodations.....................457