Bring Rick Steve's Travel Book?

I have the same "don't mutilate the perfect" problem, but I found a balance. First, I have purchased used copies of older guidebooks to rip out pages on museums and sights. Usually the content on these is very similar (except entry hours/costs - I just hand wrote in the notable changes). I carefully sliced them out of the books and used a heavy duty stapler to "rebind" them. Very handy to take into a museum and then toss out after you're done (no worries because your full guide book has the same thing, right?).

If you're going to multiple countries that comprise more than 50% of the book, take the whole book. Or, consider a small investment at your local copy center - have them slice off the binding, take out the pages you don't want, and have a spiral binding put on.

Some (including Rick I think) suggest ripping the relevant sections you'll need out of the book and "reconfiguring" it into sections that can be tossed as you go/don't need them anymore.

If, like me, the thought of tearing a book apart makes you hyperventilate, just photocopy the necessary pages. It'll be easier to find the information you want and your suitcase will thank you for it!

I agree, ripping pages out would probably cause me to hyperventilate. I was thinking of photocopying too. . .might be a good idea. My suitcase or carry-on will thank me.

I went to europe last year and spent a couple hours photocopying pages, because there was no way I was gonna tear up Rick's book. When I got to europe however I had missing pages and I just didn't really like the photocopys. I am already planning another trip for next year and last years guide books are out of date. Just remember you will probably never use the guidebook again, and if you do visit the same country again you will need an updated guidebook, for exmaple I won't be able to use Italy 2006 in 2008, well I can but many of the places maybe closed and the prices different. Last year I just wish I brought the book, so for next year I'm cutting my book in half and ripping out the sections.

Right -- cut up the guidebook if you have to. They are made to be used. Rick updates them each year anyway, and some of the information is update/added to. They are not the type of books you need to preserve in pristine condition in your library for years. They are tools.

It seems that many people take Rick's advice- I've stayed at many of his recommended establishments, and without exception, there are inevtabley a few dog-eared copies of his books lying around the lounge. I myself have only returned from Europe with one of his books completely intact.

I am going to rip the chapters out of the Best of Europe book. And to supplement it, I got all the individual country books from the library for the walking tours not included in the Best of Europe book, and I photocopied those. :)

I rip. I know that if I go back I will want the "latest version" so ripping is fine with me.

I think we need to start a movement to urge Rick to publish his books in electronic format so we can print what we need.

Buy the latest edition - RIP out what you need and take it with you if you do not want to take the whole book. I am going on my 5th yearly RS tour and I have always taken the whole book with me - three books this year! - but I have also learned to pack LIGHT for a one month stay so taking the whole book(s) is no problem!

Like Rick says himself - its only good for a year - so buy your 2-3 books - carfully remove the cover and carefully slice off the chapters with a sharp exacto blade. The chapters keep their binding glue intact and you can use a binder clip to keep them in their nice cover! Then just toss them as you go. I take a LP and RoughGuide along with my RS book - and thats like 3-4 lbs of library! But after chopping out the half of each I dont need - im down to less than 2-lbs (about the size of 1-1/2 books! Since I have three books, I put the 2-3 chapters from one city together. Then toss them on the way out to the next destination. I never liked writing in my university books - so I understand the hesitation - but these are only good for 1 year (or 2 from other brands). $50 for books is cheap for a $5000 trip (like RS says!)

Honestly, taking the travel book along with you shouldn't really be a big deal. Though I suppose the philosophy of "ripping out pages" makes sense, I (along with a few others it seems) hate the thought of tearing a perfectly good guide book to shreds. I carry the guidebook in my day pack and compensate by simply not overpacking on the other items. It really isn't that bulky or heavy at all. Also, if your going out in the evening for dinner or entertainment (other than sightseeing) the guidebook proably wouldn't be nescessary, thus you can leave it in your hotel.

I like the idea of pulling the pages you like and then having them spiral bound into an easy to flip through guide with either the orginal cover or something plain to go incognito. I understand you can do it at Kinko's for about $5.

I never cut books before but this time I think I purchased 7 books for our trip and there is no way I want to carry all of them. I don't care how light I pack on everything else:)

photo copy or scan what you need

Given that the information contained in Rick's general Europe book is probably a lot more static than the individual countries/cities/regions, I'd still be more inclined to photocopy rather than tear that book apart.

I do like the spiral bound notebook idea though.

One more item to remember: Photo-copy paper can often be heavier than the book pages - so either cut them down or try to put multiple pages front and back. Id you only need a few pages it makes sense - but more than a chapter - just rip it out and clip it - much easier and no need to waste more paper if you can avoid it!

Let 'er rip! I put the relevant pages for each city/area in a separate ziplock, along w/ maps, reservations, tickets, etc for that city/area; toss the pages, save the ziplocks 'cause you can never have too many extra baggies.

Why doesn't Rick start making these books in spiral bound form? They would rip out easier, and also be easier to use if you decide to bring the entire thing. I put covers on my two travel books when we traveled. I used a brown paper bag for my Florence one and a fancy, green and white, pretty striped cover (from a Marshall Fields shopping bag) on my Paris book. Not that I was ashamed to carry Rick's books, but I didn't want to look like a tourist. I also like the idea of them publishing the books in electronic form so we could print only what we needed. I agree about using them in Ziploc bags. Some good ideas here!

I have scanned pages from guide books and load them into iPaq Pocket PC, smaller and more convienient than computer.

Have also scanned and printed, cant stand to destroy book even if only using once, then bound them or glued them into Moleskine journal.

Will be printing 5x8 size "guide book" showing web shots of hotels etc and maps for the group leaving in a couple of weeks, then I have them spiral bound at Kinkos. each person has thier own copy that way

Rick Steves has had a major positive influence on the way I travel. I embraced his philsophy on packing light and carrying-on. It's made my travel easier and saved me from major inconvenience on one occasion. I also concur with his philosophy that spending more only separates you from what you came to see, although I would prefer to word it as, "small, family run Pensions and B&Bs provide the richest cultural experiences while also saving money”. However, I have learned from Rick and moved on. I have learned how to use the internet to find my own backdoors, like the Allgäu, Schwäbisch Alps, and the northern Black Forest. I have also parlayed a mediocre understanding of German into being able to find and stay at places where Rick wouldn't dare to venture. So, I don't take his guidebooks with me, because I don't need them. I go to places other than the few he describes. I don’t need his book along for accommodations because I find and reserve places myself before I go.