Buy the Book!

I think it's amazing, too, though I don't limit myself to the Rick Steves books. I just can't imagine why you wouldn't do some reading first before going somewhere new, if only to have some idea of what you would like to see there. And there are many who post here who say something like "I have two weeks -- where should I go?"

A lot of us work long hrs whether at home or in the office. If we’re not working we’re taking care of our kids or studying for the next exam. Some of us have bosses who tell us that w/in the month a vacation needs to be taken. Panic sets in! What to do, where to go? Don’t have time to read. Having a hard time navigating RS website! Where do I start? Some of us accidentally found this helpline and read the various postings discovering that people are very knowledgeable and friendly. And why not! There’s nothing controversial about traveling and people like to share their wonderful & not so wonderful experiences. For the book, I have been traveling on and off for the past 20 yrs, I have never heard of Rick Steves. Is he a West Coast phenomenon? Also, would I trust his opinions on hotels, restaurants, walking tours, transportation, etc? I don’t know but it’s nice to hear other people’s opinions on who actually followed his advice on these matters from the helpine. It’s like checking for accuracy.

Most importantly, we must all remember this is a "Travelers' Helpline". We should not judge each other.

We rely on Rick Steves' books when traveling. However, we do want other people's opinions.

Jeannine, Rick Steves has a nationally syndicated radio program as well as a public television program, probably available to you on WLIW on Sat & Sun or WNET on Tues & Sat. Check it out.

I do agree that there are situations where people are new or whatever (nice list Jeannine). I don't know about others here, but I've been using Rick's books since the 80s when he was much less know and have run into people in Europe who know him every time. I enjoy traveling vicariously and helping others whether they are my best friends or people who just love to travel as I do. I also like the expertise of those here who have traveled more or to places I haven't. Rick is good, but I can't ask him questions.

Furnace, I have been thinking the same thing. Having a guide book written by a professional is a must. You don't have to buy it - get one from your local library. Do a bit of research, find out what interests you. Then, using this site is very helpful. Use the search function, I bet someone has asked a similar question and voila - there's your answer. Go to tripadvisor for a second opinion/validation.

And if you are too, too busy (I can relate to that sometimes), the suggestion on catching a radio or TV program is a great idea. You can even get travel videos at the library.

It's all good.

I have Rick Steves book and another travel book and I have learned a lot from them. However, I just decided to look up Rick's website one day and accidentally found the tipline. I have become hooked on it now, because I have found so many wonderful opinion's and great advice that I never would have read in any of the guide books. I think I could have almost studied for my whole trip now without the guide books if I had to. So I agree with JB and say we should not judge each other for our differences. This helpline is fantastic and it is a wonderful way to learn about your trip whether you have read the books or not. I have found that some of the info. in the books can be limiting as well, so it is nice to learn even more here.

Jeanine, yes, Rick Steves is very much a west coast phenomen, although he has gone national now, he startedprks( and is still based) in the Seattle( Wash.) area many of us have watched him for years on Public Broadcasting Stations , and when he put his first guide out,years ago, Europe through the Back Door" it became very popular as it espoused a different sort of travel. It wasn't quite like the "Lets Go 25 $ a Day" type books, but it was also alot different then many other glossy guide books that seemed to promote chain hotels or more expensivie places, and who you often felt may be getting kick backs for promoting certain services etc( not that they were, but just that feeling)
So to some of us Rick is a household name, and to others they are just hearing about him now.
There are so many travel forums on the internet now,one could if so inclined spend hours sifting for information and opinions. I am of the opinion that choosing 2 or 3 sites and getting to know them works best.

Agreed about using multiple sources. Although I trust Rick's judgement probably more than any other travel writer, Rick doesn't cover every destination.

Not trying to offend anyone here. It just seems easier to me to anchor the trip with a quality guidebook like Ricks. Without the book I'd have notes reaching manuscript size. There is something I did not take into consideration when I wrote the thread however. In some minds print is dead. More and more people are getting their information from the fancy thinking boxes (computers). For the good of all, Rick does not limit cybermembership to proof of purchase. "Though the back door" is authored by a non-greedy benefactor.

" fancy thinking boxes " and " print is dead" LOL oh come on, things have changed,, but not as much as you think.
" print is dead" well , perhaps if you only mean marks on paper, but ,if you are referring to the act of "reading" in of itself, I still have to read the script on the "fancy thinking boxes" .

As for " fancy thinking boxes" doesn't quite work out that way either, still have to do the searches, read the material , reject and/or accept and follow through to correlate information provided.

The internet has made travel so much easier to research and plan independent travel, years ago we all know that one was most likely to have to go to a TA and look at brochures put out by big tour companies or fancy high priced resorts,, the little family run hotel in Paris with 25 rooms would most likely not be listed anywhere, unless they were lucky enough to be in a "Lets Go " book,, LOL

Id agree - the helpline is great to verify or get help with items not covered in the books. But (not trying to sell for rick) Rick is right when he says a $30 investment in a $3000-5000 trip pays for itself in the first day if you find out something is closed on MONDAY or the season you planned to go!

Also - libraries may be fine but dont realy on 3 year old copies (1 year maybe!)... but Amazon is cheaper by 20-30% - so try that for the latest. Good information is NOT the place to be penny pinching in my opinion. I feel ive been succefull looking here, the book and also another book like Lonley Planet and/or Rough guide (or both - which ever is newer)... While its easy to go overboard and info-over-load from so many web sites... keep it simple and pick what works for you - but make sure its current/accurate/reliable (or else just have more "adventure" in your travel and go without - might be fun too!) :)

I always wondered why more people didn't read the books too. I also wonder if RS is a West Coast phenomen (based out of Edmonds Washington and luckily just down the road from me) where did you buy his books? I must be one of the lucky ones, if at any given moment someone tells me I have to take a vacation I know where I want to go.

Isn't this a great site? And not just for the information..but for the circus

I'm with you, Laurel. I always know where I want to go next! And I have the same issues as anyone else -- work, second job, bosses who rule the vacation schedule, etc. -- but I love to do my own research and planning.

Love RS's down-to-earth information. On my 1st trip to Paris about 20 yrs ago, I stayed in a hotel near Ecole Militaire. I was already familiar w/RS thru his TV shows. On a walk thru rue Cler, I saw him sitting at a cafe outside Hotel Leveque. I was happy to see that he actually did what he espoused & I've been a fan ever since. On any trip to Europe, look for the blue book & you'll see lots of followers. I always buy his most current book & tear out what I need to take with me.

I always purchase a Steves book.I have checked various other guidebooks at Barnes and Noble but like Ricks best because he gives you only the info you need.Other books tend to give you too much info.