Virginia Agostinelli
To update his four books on Italy, Rick relied on the help of...
Virginia was born and raised in Abruzzo, in central Italy. After graduation, she moved to Seattle where she teaches Italian at the University of Washington while continuing her studies. Besides travel and teaching, Virginia has a passion for Italian cinema and detective fiction. When not leading a Rick Steves tour, she spends time in the Pacific Northwest swimming, reading, and sipping a cappuccino at the nearest coffeehouse.
Ben experienced his first taste of European travel when he was three, exploring medieval castles with his parents. Returning after graduation, he was hooked and has spent much of his time since exploring Europe independently and leading tours for Rick Steves. When not living out of his backpack, Ben splits his time between Rome and Seattle.
As a high-school Spanish teacher, Trish enjoyed taking her students on summer trips to Europe, sharing her passion for language, history, culture, and cuisine. She later earned a degree in French and now uses her language and teaching skills as a travel blogger, tour guide, and guidebook researcher. She and her partner enjoy traveling together, barbecuing on their deck, and playing pétanque in their hometown of Edmonds.
Cameron writes and edits guidebooks for Rick Steves, specializing in Eastern Europe. For this book, he comparison-shopped leather jackets in Florence, dodged Vespas on “pedestrianized” Roman lanes, and dug deep into the Tuscan countryside—unearthing welcoming wineries, mysterious monasteries, and postcard-perfect panoramas. When he’s not traveling, Cameron lives in Seattle with his wife, Shawna.
Ian has worked with Rick’s guidebooks since 1993, after starting out with Let’s Go and Frommer’s guides. Originally from upstate New York, Ian speaks several European languages, including Italian, and makes his home in Reykjavík, Iceland.
Gene is a writer, composer, and lecturer on art and history. Specializing in writing tours of Europe’s cultural sights, Gene has co-authored a dozen of Rick’s books and contributes to Rick’s public television series. As a composer, Gene has written a full-length opera (Matter), a violin sonata, and dozens of songs. He lives near Seattle with his daughter, and roots for the Mariners in good times and bad.