Praise for Rome Made Easy and the Made Easy series

“If you want to have as authentic an experience as possible while visiting Rome, look no further than Rome Made Easy. This book really does make it easy for you to have a great time in the Eternal City.”

~ Zaza Pachulia, 2-time NBA Champion, Golden State Warriors; Director, Shoot360.

“Raised in Italy, Morris has the perspective of an insider, but the sensibility of an American traveler. An unbeatable combination.”

- Alice Leccese Powers, Editor, Italy in Mind and Tuscany in Mind

“Follow Rome Made Easy away from the tourist sites and into the authentic heart of the Eternal City.”

~ Ambassador Kelly C. Degnan, former U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, and former U.S. Deputy Ambassador to Italy

“Doug Morris’ Rome Made Easy should be on everyone’s ‘must read’ list if planning to visit The Eternal City.”

~ Roberto “Guido” Gombar, Director of Security, AS Roma, professional football club in Rome

“I have played pro basketball in Europe for 12 years (4 in Italy) and I have yet to find a guidebook that is as informative, simple, easy and straightforward as Rome Made Easy”

~ Nick Neal, Professional Basketball Player in Italy, Georgia, Croatia, Poland, Serbia, Portugal, Czech Republic, and Egypt

“If you ever dreamed about going to the Eternal City or keep on returning to discover new places and visit favorite spots … Rome Made Easy should be your go-to guide.”

~ Ambassador Kathleen Doherty, former U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus, and former U.S. Deputy Ambassador to Italy

“Whether you are a first-time visitor to Rome or have made repeat trips to the Eternal City, Doug Morris’ Rome Made Easy is your guarantee to a good time and a great trip.”

~ Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, former U.S. Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, and Ukraine;  best-selling author of Lessons from the Edge

“Rome Made Easy is an indispensable companion to anyone making a trip to Rome.”

~ Brian F. McArthur, Vice President, Enterprise Communications, American Red Cross, Retired

“Mr. Morris has written a guide that can be used by budget and luxury travelers alike. This is the only guidebook you will ever need.”

~ Andy Herbach, author, Eating & Drinking in Italy

“With detailed maps and relevant photos, Rome Made Easy is an essential companion for anyone wanting to really get to know Rome.”

~ Kevin M. Flesher, Senior Fellow, Michelin Group

“Rome Made Easy is both informative and delightful, taking you off the beaten path to Rome’s hidden treasures.”

~ Alex Finley, former officer of the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, journalist, and author of the Victor Caro series of novels.

“If you only use one guide to experience Rome, it should be Rome Made Easy.”

~ Luke and Nick Grady, Co-Founders of PreVue Technologies

“Using Morris’ travel books is like having your own personal tour guide. Don’t leave home without them.”

~ MaryAnn Puglisi, Director, All Out for Change

“Mr. Morris’ in-depth knowledge of Rome ... let us experience the city intimately, off the beaten path.”

~ J. Craig McArthur, NASA Deputy CFO for Strategic Insights and Budget, Retired

“In Rome Made Easy … Mr. Morris shares his extensive experiences with reliable descriptions and great tips for every explorer.”

~ Christine Grady, recipient of the Department of the Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award

“A reliable, fun and delicious volume, packed with insights and suggestions that will ensure your trip to Italy is unforgettable.”

~ Marsha Weiner, Board of Governors, Slow Food USA

About the Author

Douglas E. Morris has had 16 books published, many about traveling in Italy, was the editor of two award-winning weekly U.S Embassy newsletters – the Veneto Views in Rome and the Brussels Weekly in Brussels – had a monthly travel column about Italy in Primo magazine, and has penned articles for a variety of periodicals around the world, including The Washington Post, The Washington Times, Flanders Today, National Geographic Georgia, Smoke, Transitions Abroad, Foreign Service Journal, and State Magazine.

The author has had the privilege of living on 3 continents, in 12 countries, over more than 30 years. He has visited the pyramids in Egypt, trekked Alpine peaks in Switzerland and Austria, savored the libertine culture of Denmark, hiked Hadrian’s Wall in northern England, unearthed ancient Roman ruins in Caesarea Israel, climbed the pyramids of Chichen Itza in the Yucatan, traversed the Great Wall in China, sailed the Fjords of Norway, scaled the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and bar hopped down Hooker Hill in Seoul; as well as many other acts of wild abandon far removed from the realm of everyday life.

As a result of these and many other cross-cultural explorations, Mr. Morris has developed a keen sense of what makes for an authentic, local experience. He has put that insight into each of the Made Easy guides, all to help ensure that you have the most enjoyable travel experience possible while in Rome, Florence or Venice. 

To contact the author, send him an email at douglas.e.morris@gmail.com.

Where to Buy Rome Made Easy

Paperback version
Dear Reader, please consider buying direct from the publisher, Lulu. Why, you may ask? If you purchase your Paperback or eBook from the Lulu Bookstore, not only will it arrive faster, but as Amazon takes a huge bite out of every sale, your purchase from Lulu will more completely help support the author.

Why does the Paperback price seem so high? Again, because Amazon charges so much for access to their platform and the distribution of each book, this is the lowest price that could be listed. If you buy the Paperback version from Amazon, for example, the author will only receive $1 from the sale. 

So, if possible, please consider ordering your copies through Lulu.

Lulu Bookstore – www.lulu.com/shop/douglas-morris/rome-made-easy/paperback/product-kvk7n5r.html – USD $19.99

Amazon – www.amazon.com/Rome-Made-Easy-Guides-Italy-ebook/dp/B00BW32MWI/ref=sr_1_2 – USD $19.99

eBook version
Lulu Bookstore – www.lulu.com/shop/douglas-morris/rome-made-easy/ebook/product-656k25z.html – USD $6.99

Amazon – www.amazon.com/Rome-Made-Easy-Insider-Authentic-ebook/dp/B0F7L483KG/ref=sr_1_1  – USD $6.99

The eBook version of Rome Made Easy is an ePUB file, which can be used on any electronic device, even Kindle devices as Kindle has recently updated its software to be able to read ePUB files. 

PDF version
USD $4.99 – To order a PDF copy of Rome Made Easy, which is a PDF file of the printed book, and can be used on any electronic device, simply send $4.99 to the author at either his Paypal account (douglas.e.morris@gmail.com) or Venmo account (@Douglas-E-Morris). Those services should then send the author a note letting him know that he has received payment for a PDF version of Rome Made Easy. Even so, if you would be so kind as to also send the author an email to douglas.e.morris@gmail.com letting him know that you just bought a copy of the PDF, that will help make doubly sure that you receive your PDF in a timely fashion. Thank you.

Florence Made Easy

Florence Made Easy introduces you to the magnificence that is Florence, while also including information about Lucca, Siena, Pisa, and San Gimignano. Florence in many ways is the cradle of modern civilization. The city was home to the Renaissance starting at the end of the 15th century, acting as a crucible for change in banking, politics, knowledge, literature, painting, and sculpture, all leading to the world we live in today. As a result of that flowering of creativity, experts estimate that 60 percent of the world's classic artistic masterpieces reside in Tuscany, half of which are in Florence alone. 

The author, Douglas E. Morris, lived in Italy for over 15 years, and called Florence home for 3 of those years; and has distilled this local knowledge into this acclaimed travel guide that offers insider tips that help make your visit to Florence more authentic, enjoyable and rewarding. Florence Made Easy guides you through the array of stunning art and architecture found throughout this amazing city, takes you on guided walking tours through the best neighborhoods to some stunning locations, and features delicious, local places to eat and drink – charming enoteche, authentic trattorie, delightful cafés, upscale ristorante, mouth-watering gelaterie, superlative pizzerie, as well as other authentic eateries. Florence Made Easy also highlights the best hotels in each star rating, featuring places of the highest quality and comfort at the most reasonable prices. So, if you want to experience true Florentine life, stay in comfortable accommodations, find unique shopping experiences, and venture off the beaten tourist path to see the most memorable sights the city has to offer, Florence Made Easy is the eBook for you.

Only available as an eBook. To order a copy of Florence Made Easy visit one of the following sites:

Lulu Bookstore – www.lulu.com/shop/douglas-morris/florence-made-easy/ebook/product-20972372.html

Amazon – www.amazon.com/Florence-Travel-Guides-Italy-ebook/dp/B00CCO6SUS/

Venice Made Easy

Venice is one of the world’s magical places. No other city on earth is even remotely similar to it. Because of that, it is one of the most frequented cultural centers in Europe, attracting over 20 million tourists each year. As a result of that tourist inundation, most visitors have a difficult time finding an authentic, local experience while in Venice, and end up surrounded by other tourists, missing out on the heart and soul of this most incredible of cities.

Venice Made Easy solves that dilemma by offering you a guidebook that will take you on walking tours off the beaten tourist path, introducing you to local restaurants, cafes, artisan shops, piazzas and neighborhoods. Venice Made Easy also offers the best hotels in each price range in the most authentic siestieri, sections, of Venice, allowing readers to become a part of the natural flow of life in this island city. Along with the main sights, Venice Made Easy also features some "out of the way" locations such as Murano – where glass blowing is the major industry – and Burano – an idyllic local island chain replete with colorful houses, offering an insight into the way Venice used to be decades ago, before the massive influx of international tourism.

There is no better guidebook if you are interested in seeing the best that Venice has to offer, along with the :off the beaten path" places the locals frequent, allowing youhave the most authentic experience in La Serenissima possible.

Only available as an eBook. To order a copy of Venice Made Easy visit one of the following sites:

Lulu Bookstore – www.lulu.com/shop/douglas-morris/venice-made-easy/ebook/product-21056335.html

Amazon – www.amazon.com/dp/B00D8AJ6QI

Ordering PDF Copies of Florence Made Easy and Venice Made Easy

USD $4.99 each – To order a PDF copy of Florence Made Easy or Venice Made Easy, which are PDF files of the printed book, and can be used on any electronic device, simply send $4.99 to the author at either his Paypal account (douglas.e.morris@gmail.com) or Venmo account (@Douglas-E-Morris). Those services should then send the author a note letting him know that he has received payment for a PDF version of Florence Made Easy or Venice Made Easy. Even so, if you would be so kind as to also send the author an email to douglas.e.morris@gmail.com letting him know that you just bought a copy of the PDF, that will help make doubly sure that you receive your PDF in a timely fashion. Thank you.

Series Summary

Rome Made Easy – as well as its brethren Florence Made Easy and Venice Made Easy – were all initially published to widespread acclaim as part of the Open Road stable of travel titles. Since those heady days the travel industry has changed dramatically, as has the travel writing business, and publishing and book selling in general. Bookstore chains have closed, and the survivors have been increasingly more selective as to the titles they shelve. Combine that reality with the impact that the internet has had on making travel information more readily available, and free (despite the dubious quality of many sources), so that despite quality of the Made Easy series, there simply was no room for the titles on bookstore shelves. 

However, every challenge also offers an opportunity. After Open Road decided to table the Made Easy series, not wanting their information to languish in obscurity I chose to continue publishing the books; and now the Made Easy guides are better than ever. Currently, there is less lag time between research, writing and publication allowing for the most up-to-date information to be made available to readers. Freed from the constraints of traditional brick and mortar publishing, the Made Easy series now has more information, prepared for travelers in a much timelier manner, all designed to make your next trip that much easier and more rewarding.

The Made Easy series will guide you to the most authentic places, offering you the opportunity of having a truly local experience in three amazing cities that are becoming ever more overrun with tourists. The Made Easy series features all the traditional sights as well as some even locals do not even know are there. Each sight listing does not overwhelm you with information but gives you an overview of what you are seeing, while also presenting you with links to websites where you can dig deeper if you are so inclined. All of which allows you to be able to focus on being fully present in these truly amazing cities during the time you to explore them.