First time using Rick Steves for trip planning — what did you find most helpful?

If you have an idea of which cities and locations you want to visit, then the guidebooks are a very good jumping off point. The audio guides are good but more of an airplane an activity. The travel forum works best when asking specific questions--you'll get the best answers. If you're not sure of the itinerary, Google Maps is a great place to figure out travel distances and times.

The RS website and guidebooks are useful tools, but probably not the only thing you'll need. Watch a few travel shows (we went to Helsinki based on a tv show called "Somebody Feed Phil."), look on Lonely Planet, go to Google Maps and click on the picture icons, etc. Visit websites of museums and other to get the best information. Once you've done background research, search the travel forum using the search bar at the top of the page, while on the page of the country you're visiting. It could be someone has already asked the question. The information can be filtered by date (look for little box that pops up). Really, asking specific questions is probably the best way to get what you need.

When planning, we each make a list of 'must sees', 'want to see', and 'would be ok.' A lot of times our lists don't overlap. When that happens, we prioritize our 'must sees' and skip the rest. It's unrealistic to think we can see and do everything. Having a solid plan keeps us on track at our destination. Having said that, when there's a disruption or issue, we are able to pivot and keep travel stress low (haha!).

Good luck!

Agree with prior poster. First, I think about places I want to go. Then, I think about places that might be combined with a train or plane to the first place. I think about which destinations require a week and for which destinations a week would be too long. I look up safety, State Dept., warnings. I think about weather/time of year.

The RS guidebooks are the best ones out there. Definitely buy/borrow an up-to-date one.

But publication lags mean even the newest ones are out of date. So it is necessary to supplement.
I check online about visa requirements well in advance. I check my passport will be valid for six months after my return date…also well in advance.

I do watch short travel videos. I agree that Somebody Feed Phil offers great food tips. I check hotel reviews on TripAdvisor and hotels’ numeric scores on booking.com. I relish friends’ suggestions. Websites are mandatory for museums.

Walking tours are another resource. Early on in a trip, tips-only walk offers a good overview. Specialty walks with price tags are also good: Context, Culinary Backstreets, etc. Free walks with greeters are wonderful: check online for Greeters four weeks’ ahead.

For flights, I check online for which airlines fly to a destination. I aim for nonstop when possible.

And I pack lightly! Carry-on is the way to go even if you check them.

Now for a first trip in a long time or a trip that is complex due to language or anything else, you might consider a group tour. Most include free time, too, or you can add some time at the end. Someone else worries about most details. You just enjoy and learn more about how you’d like to travel.