Do I need the actual RS book if on a tour or can I improvise?

Diane,

You can with your system. ; ) Rick recommends actually tearing out the pages of his book and I did just that when I went on the Berlin, Prague and Vienna tour. I did take the whole book and left it on the bus tearing out the pages that I needed for the day. Your system sounds much more organized. Have a great time on your tour.

Pam

I had my France book unbound for a tour last year, selected the pages I wanted, and then had them spiral-bound. I think there was one time during the tour where our guide said, "And if you'll look at page 31, you'll see ..." I had not kept page 31, but it wasn't a big deal. There was also one map page that I vaguely regretted not keeping. In the end, I was so glad that I only took select pages and not the whole France book. Also, it sounds like your method is pretty darned organized, and it obviously works for you. So, from my perspective, the short answer is: Nah, you really don't need the whole guidebook.

So it is about receiving the RS discounts if you have the book?

In Germany I showed the merchants the pages or they asked how I found their shop or restaurnat, etc. With the appropriate "RS" answer they honored the disocunt. I also found it helpful to just tell the merchant after the greeting, that "Mr Steves recommended you".

I do have pre and post tour days added to my Belgium and Netherlands Tour. Hopefully, I will get the same positive response like I did in Germany.

My goodness is Diane to be admired for her organization. Me, I am too lazy to do all that work and on 8 RS tours, plus pre-tour and post-tour travel, I have always just taken the whole book. Yes, I read it a couple of time before leaving home, but I have learned to pack so little that I can easily carry the added weight. I really SHOULD try Diane's way just one time.

Diane, I am so impressed with your method. I will attempt to do that myself. Wish me luck...

Diane,

The method you're presently using seems to work well for you, so I don't see any reason to change it.

However, as Charlie mentioned that's a lot of work and not something I'd be comfortable with. I usually take one or two Guidebooks for the countries that I'll be spending the most time in.

If there are any specific details to note (ie: a particular Museum is closed on Monday, train times & details, which attractions I plan to tour on that trip, etc.), these are listed on my very detailed Itinerary using information from the Guidebooks; this works well as a quick reference source. I keep the Itinerary in an 8.5" x 11" plastic sleeve (along with other documents). I also carry a backup of that information in a WORD document that's stored on a USB Memory stick.

Happy travels!

Diane, you are very prepared, I bow in awe (I have been accused of being organized, but your method is amazing!!).

To answer your question, it depends on where you're going. I've done two RS tours (my third starts next week!) to Italy and Ireland. In both cases, at least 2/3 of the book covered places the tour was heading, so I opted to take the whole thing. If you're doing Best of Europe, I can see how you might want to slim down the load.

I will say that sometimes the tour will make long unscheduled stops - more than just bathroom breaks - and having the whole book is handy so you can find things to do. I learned a painful lesson in Italy early in the trip and had left my guide book at the hotel. No maps and no ideas what to do in a place I didn't know we were going. But that was only one time out of many stops on two trips.

Really, do what works for you. You can always borrow a tourmate's book. Bon voyage!!

Diane, I'm as obsessive about planning as you are and, rather than being a lot of work, I think the planning is half the fun! I've been on eight RS tours and, after the first one, I've only taken the relevant parts of the books. I have the pages I want spiral bound and I end up with surprisingly small books. Then, as I go, I tear out pages I've used (putting some maps & info in my journal), so the books only get lighter. Showing the cover of my spiral bound book has worked fine for getting any discounts - no one quibbles about it being in a different form. Also, when the book is spiral bound, it's much easier to use the maps and other info as I'm walking along. Bon Voyage!

I think it depends on you and the tour. I've taken the entire book both times, but they were city tours and we stayed pretty much in one spot. If I was going to need multiple books, I would probably go the photocopy/tear out pages (oh it hurts just to type that!) route. When we went to Orvieto on our own for two days, I photocopied the relevant pages from RS' Italy book.

In Rome and Florence, it was worth having the entire book along so I could figure out what I wanted to do in the free hours. There were also one or two spots, I specifically remember Ostia Antica being one, that our tour guide said 'bring your book along!' He turned us loose to explore the ruins and I was really happy I had the book with me.

But 1) we already knew we were going there, so you'd probably have that section with you (there were others who had torn the pages out) and 2) other tour members are happy to share with those who didn't bring the book. My real concern would be for the free time and I think your uber-organized method would serve you just fine.

I'll try to place a spiral into the binder using the book cover as you suggested.
I also have a tiny journal but I like the way your idea works with a place for maps, etc into your journal.

I agree about the planning. For me it always has been a part of the whole experience: Plan-Travel-Share Experience.

How do you keep pages dry? Using the clear sheet protector my pages stay dry & fairly clean.

Diane, I am in awe. Enjoy your travels!