Travel panning conservatism x "the back door" - how it goes?

Read the "back door" philosophy page in the intro to all the RS guides. It has nothing at all to do with location. It is unfortunate that people on either side of the travel spectrum keep making that connection. Think about it for a second; Where does the back door lead?... essentially to the same place as the front door. The front door is formal. The back door is casual. Get it? Go ahead and rip THAT travel philosophy if you are so inclined, but it has nothing to do with location. As for location; The key factor here is how frequently does a person expect to visit Europe. For some it's a truly once-in-a-lifetime thing. For some it can happen a few times, but not frequently. Call those group "A". Some people can go frequently. Some people even live there (an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT approach to travel is then possible). Call those group "B". The people in group B should cut the folks in group A a break. Of course they are going to want to see the main sights. And if they have some inclination to see a "small" site, of course they are going to want confirmation from a travel expert that it's worth seeing (like Rick's smaller sites). Whether those sites are "secret" or not is both absurd and largely beside the point. When we were in Czech Rep. in 2010 we spent a night in Cesksy Krumlov and loved it. For RS fans, that's no "secret" find. Lots of people visiting Prague take that side trip. But for Americans as a whole, Cesky Krumlov is completely off the radar. I am thankful for the RS guide telling me that was a good option. It was certainly a better option than closing my eyes and pointing to a Czech village at random. And it was a far better experience than doing Prague alone, which is the typical thing. Bottom line: People should do BOTH - the big popular stuff and exploring.

Let me elaborate a bit further. Many people come here to Helpline asking tips and hints about "special" things to do, or "special" places to go. And many helplines do contribute with suggestions. Yet, most of the time I feel most, in fact the overwhelming majority among those who give feedback, will at the end just settle for that has been officially recommended in the RS guide book. So it feel rather strange a travel writer recommending "going your own way" and "finding your own experiences" ends up being followed by many who are not willing to take any risk. Risk, be understood, not as something concerning safety or health or else, but just departing from the extremely well known RS picks to try something different. A similar thing happens with transportation, some people are made feel they will enter a gladiator's arena if, God forbid, they decide to take a car in Rome and not in Orvieto for their Tuscan drive. But that is another issue :) I cited the specific cases of Rothenburg and Varenna because they are both cities that, while being interesting in their own merits, are part of larger regions that are often ignored because people want not to "spend too much time seeing the same city-by-the-lake-with-mountains" for more than a couple nights.

Yes, sometimes it reminds me of Monty Python's "Life of Brian". Brian says to the crowd, "You're all individuals." The crowd responds in unison, "We're all individuals." When I see a blue book in Europe, I could probably convince the travelers I'm a mind-reader - because I know their itinerary exactly. My wife and I used to own a restaurant, based on our own concept and recipes. We did okay, but never experienced wild success, even though our product, ambiance and service were much better than similarly priced "chain" alternatives. Our growth was dependent on people bringing in friends to introduce them to our place. American consumers are driven, at least somewhat, by safe choices. They choose McDonald's while on vacation - not because they expect it to be good, but because they know what to expect. Rick's itineraries aren't back doors, they're "best of" tours for people with limited time to explore. Following his recommendations to the letter is a safe alternative for novice travelers.

Some thoughts on US travelers... Many Americans have pioneer fantasies and a built-in cultural aversion to being led around by the nose, whether a tour guide or guidebook author is has the rope. Those who seek help here from individuals are often newbie travelers who have limited experience with, understanding of, and confidence about European travel. They may seem to want unique experiences and may ask questions that make them seem eager to unchain themselves from the tourist horde, but in the end they just suspect that they'll be wasting their travel $ if there is no consensus about destination X. They wouldn't buy a TV or even a pocket knife without reading an online review from the experts, and they mistakenly treat travel like just another consumer purchase. They just don't have the experience yet to understand that a more original trip has the potential to be much better. It's also possible that they want to share their experiences abroad with those back home and are willing to pick only those places that most Americans may have heard of. And these places tend to be found in the movies or referred to in some other visible vehicle of American culture (Disneyland - Neuschwanstein Castle, for example.) Unlike most Europeans, who are routinely exposed to other languages, Americans are rarely immersed in anything but English. Their foreign language skills are generally pretty weak and they have little experience with the total ambiguity one experiences in a place where English isn't spoken. Rothenburg and other major tourist destinations are a safe bet.

I've been on this Helpline for about 6-7 years, and from what I've seen, the "contradiction", as you put in, Andre, peaked about two years ago. There were a lot of posters who proudly announced that they were "travelers, not tourists", they desired to experience "local culture", "authentic blah, blah, blah", go "off the beaten path" and any number of other pretensious clichés. Inevitably, their proposed itineraries were full of London, Paris, Rome, Rothenburg, etc. I got the impression that they just wanted to see the same things as everyone else, but wanted to feel superior about it. These sort of posts have been much less frequent lately. Must have been something in the air a few years ago. I kind of realize now, after years of posting, that the overwhelming majority of visitors to Europe just want to see the well known sites that have been extensively written about. Oh, well, nothing wrong with that at all. But if they insist they really want to leave explore that mythical territory "off the beaten path", hopefully I can oblige them with some recommendations.

I see the Rick Steves brand as appealing to beginners in European travel. It is very comforting to Americans who have never been outside their own continent tonsee this nerdy guy telling them they can get by all over Europe without knowing any language but English. And then he gives detailed instructions on where to go and how to get there. It is very helpfulmto newbies but most people " graduate" from Rs and come here to answer questions, not ask them. The Europe through the Back Door name is very clever, but was intended, I believe, simply to suggest a lower key approach to the same destinations promoted by tour groups and other guidebooks, using small family hotels instead of chain hotels or 5 star. Still going to the biggies like Rome, Paris, London, etc., but for a first-time traveler to Europe these cultural icons have a lot to offer. As for "find your own back door," I suppose that is meant to encourage people to take the skills they have learned and apply them to finding new places. I'd say that is where this Helpline falls down, as most suggestions for new places not mentioned in Rick books get buried in an avalanche of RS-endorsed recommendations. Maybe Rothenburg and Varenna are examples of that. But the worst example is Gimmelwald. Every time someone suggests a new place in Switzerland, off the RS path, lots of people jump on and say the Berner Oberland is the " best" in Switzerland. Turns out it is the ONLY place they have been in the Swiss Alps, so how cannthey say it is " best"?

The Back Door "program" is training-wheels for American, Canadian and other travelers. It's European Travel 101. I love having the basic info about navigating airports, getting into cities, suggestions about neighborhoods, transportation connections between cities, etc. Many of us will travel to Europe for the first time and need every bit of info we can get. And, vacation time is often limited. A trend I've noticed in the past few years is that more travelers are renting cars and hitting the roads of Europe. It's possible that some of them will find new Back Doors as they drive. For me, the most memorable experiences I bring back with me from Europe are the connections with people I make while I'm there. I've made friends, had numerous interesting conversations, eaten meals with newly-met travelers, and even shared rooms with them. For this, I recommend traveling solo, using trains for transportation, and staying at smaller hotels or B&Bs. Sometimes, the owner or manager of your lodging is the interesting person to meet.

"But the worst example is Gimmelwald. Every time someone suggests a new place in Switzerland, off the RS path, lots of people jump on and say the Berner Oberland is the " best" in Switzerland." Or worse, when someone mentions they want to see the "Alps", and the flood of recommendations for the Berner Oberland comes pouring in, no matter if it makes sense for the proposed itinerary or not. For the record, I like the Berner Oberland and I find it stunningly beautiful... on a clear day. But it's also relatively isolated from most of the major touring routes on the continent There are many suitable alternatives that are much easier to reach. I'm of the opinion that you're not doing a poster any favors to recommend something so isolated, when they'll pass many good options on the way.

I agree with Randy. Many people in the U.S.A. and Canada, going on their first trip to Europe, decided to go to places that are well known. Many people, going on their first trip to Europe, flew to London and Paris and Rome. Some of them were at those countries a total of 9 days. They were satisfied with their trip, as a sample of Europe. That kind of trip is simple and easy. They had overnight accomodation at one hotel in each of the three cities. They did not travel in Railroad trains (other than in an express train going from an airport to a city center). They did not travel a long distance in a bus. And some travelers did not ride in undergound trains in a city. They went in Taxi cars. In my recent trip to London, I went across London in underground trains ("LONDON UNDERGROUND"). I liked doing that, because in the LONDON UNDERGROUND stations I saw many people who are residents in England (English people, and British people). At the sites that I went to, including Windsor castle, most of the people I saw there were tourists from other countries. My first trip to Europe was to Germany and Austria. In that trip, I went to places that are in the list of "Sightseeing Priorities" in the Introduction chapter in the book "Rick Steves' GERMANY, AUSTRIA & SWITZERLAND, 1998". I am glad I did that.
(Edit) Some people from the U.S.A. or Canada went to places that are well known, in all of their many trips to Europe.

Back doors are everywhere: in Venice it's Cannareggio instead of San Marco, Torcello instead of Murano. In Rome it might be hiking the Aventine instead of the HopOn-HopOff bus between sites. As mentioned by Swan, ETBD is training: gets you started, provides basic survival and philosophical info. The rest is up to the traveler. I think the Back Door philosophy also embraces taking your time, becoming a temporary local, versus the 2-nights-gotta-move approach, as well as respect for the culture, not looking for the North American standard in everything. If you stay in a Hilton in Europe, you are getting an Americanized view of Europe instead fo meeting a small proprietor that can tell you about their city or country. Accepting coffee doesn't come in 20 ounce cups to go, not every building has an elevator, and kids are kids everywhere, flattens the world.

Ton's of great responses here ... kudos. From my experience, Americans (myself included) tend to be rushed and plan too hard (call us the anti-Aussies). They want to see the biggies, but it is what happens after that where travel really gets interesting. Or even better, getting lost en route. Few people are going to miss Notre Dame on their first visit to Paris, nor should. But that crazy ass drunken dinner, starring on a honeymoon video with a couple from Sardinia right behind it makes a better story :). One thing that does bother me is the necessity to be right (or preach), I know I'm in the minority but don't care that much for Florence (renaissance art isn't my thing). Somehow I've still been there three times, and though my wife hasn't I fight going back. Some day I'll cave, and go back to that cool ass science museum for a day and let her do the majors. Just because I think Chartes is the best church in Europe, doesn't mean it is. Personal preference and experience, a really nice cassoulet just outside the doors say, are a big deal. It's not about finding the right pace and place, it is about finding your right pace and place.

Andre brings up an interesting point. I've been on this Helpline for about a year and a half and I've noticed that maybe 90% of new posters who tell us their itineraries go to southern Germany, for example. Some go to Berlin. Very few go to northern Germany. I don't know if that's due to influence from RS or to something else. I think RS is very valuable for first-time travelers, and even for those of us who are experienced travelers but who also visit new places (I'm planning to go to England next year and will read his England book). But I also think if people have a real passion for travel, they will eventually branch out from the RS-recommended itineraries and find places they want to visit that he doesn't discuss.

I also think the 'back door travel' as being a travel philosophy more than the locations. I agree that travel off the beaten path can allow you a different experience. It is the mix of the 'must-see' sights as well as the little known locations that make a trip for me. I am definitely a car person and a wanderer and am frequently lost, but I always end up with wonderful experiences. I am a photographer so I tend to want to find my own locations to photograph versus the well known sights. I don't need another photograph of the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame, but the little side streets of Bayeaux or a beautiful winding road in the countryside is what makes me happy. I think a number of people travel the way I do, maybe a lot of them just are not on this forum, but I know there are a few. There are lots of different ways to travel and my way would drive a lot of people crazy.... but I would rather stay home than follow some hour by hour itinerary. Its fine for some people, but not for me.

Getting through the back door isn't easy. When American friends of mine finally come to Israel as tourists, of course we go to the major sites (there's a reason why everyone goes to them, after all). But I have found over the years that many of their strongest memories are of the true back door experiences: spending an afternoon with a family on a kibbutz, having a float in the Dead Sea at a beach that no one else goes to, meeting a 19-year old soldier and hearing about her typical day in the navy, getting great pix from viewpoints that aren't on the tourist maps. But if they didn't have a "local" like me, how would they ever find the back door, let alone be welcomed through it? In the 3-4 years I've been on this site, I have received wonderful advice about both the major sights (and how best to see them) and a lot of lesser known places that I would never have known about. While perhaps most people who come here are planning their first European trip, or their first trip to a different country, there are also a goodly number of off-the-beaten-path questions AND answers. Think of it not as a contradiction, but a marriage of opposites.

It all depends on attitude and beliefs. Do you see Rick Steves and his writings as "guides" or "gospels." There are people here who subscribe to both. Last Night, Anthony Bourdain's new TV show was in Rome. As I was watching I realized that his travel philosophy and Rick's are totally different. Bourdain's main purpose of travel is for the food. Except for gelato, RS never really talks about food except giving suggestions for places in his guidebooks. It's really not important to him. In return, Bourdain doesn't really care much for cathedrals or art museusmtwo things Rick relishes. Bourdain took the train from the airport into Rome and then suggested people take a taxi instead. How many RS people were yelling at the screen because he was 'wrong?" In another scene, he's dining and there's a basket of bread on the table. Doesn't he know he's supposed to insist they take it back so he's not charged? Or perhaps he either doesn't care of might want to partake in some if it's freshly made. In yet another scene he's talking about tipping and he reads where Italians don't really tip waitiers. Bourdain said, "Nah, I leave 20%" Both travel in a way that makes them happy. They are not following someone else's rules. Unfortunately that doesn't ring true on this forum. There are a lot of people who get nasty is someone dares travel different from them. Their way is the right way.

(con't) What is important to one may be unimportant to another. I don't shop. I see it as a big waste of time. I'd rather spend my time doing something else like exploring true residential areas away from the tourist zones. There are some now, I'll guess, who want to jump down my throat to say there is nothing wrong with shopping. Notice, I didn't say there was....but just the idea that I don't do like others gets them made. So where am I going with this? I wish I knew....only kidding.....I'm going to say that once person's back door may be another person's front door. If someone travels different from you, and they are happy, have the decency to respect it. No one is forcing you to change.

I agree with Randy about different people having their own ways of doing things. There are a lot of repeat questions, repeat answers, people who for some reason dig up old posts, and some who answer off-the-wall as if they never read the question. But it takes all kinds. Live and let live. I don't think there is much preaching about genuine experiences on this hotline. Many readers go to the same places, which kind of baffled me, but that's okay. On the other hand, many people are saved from rip-offs and get tips to save time. And when someone asks for info on special experiences, people come up with some real gems. I still write them down although I've been going back and forth and living abroad for the past forty years. Yep, sometimes newbies make discoveries and have plenty of tips and information. Finally, the posts from people jumping with excitement about their first trips, or those who just got back and are longing to return bring out a desire to help and empathy. I don't think people preach a RS ideology here and I don't think there is a contradiction. Very few people here have attitude problems.

Ditto on the great responses. I must say that my wife and I have outgrown Rick Steves now, but we will forever hold a huge amount of affection for this goofy guy, in Costco glasses, with his Bill Gates haircut, who cannot speak more than 27 foreign words correctly. We could not believe that someone would give out, for free, so much information, tips, tricks, guidance, without charging for it. What a great guy. Our first trip, in 1998, was so filled with trepidation and reticence, that it was almost palpable. Then someone hooked us up with an old RS guide book, and his web address, and it was off to the races. We made hundreds of mistakes when we went, overpacked, got ripped off, backtracked, didn't properly know the customs, but without Rick's knowledge, it would of been a hundred times worse. I have to brag that we have rarely stood in a line! This year, we rented a car in Venice and drove the entire east coast of Italy, making forays into the interior. We then met friends at the heel, traveled around the entire island of Sicily, and even went to some of the offshore islands. We found over a half dozen of our own "backdoor" places, where we will return. But these experiences would never would have occurred, without the early training wheels, that were provided by the Rickster, his employees, and the helpline people! And for that we thank you.

My husband and I have been talking a lot about travel styles lately. I like to focus on experiences and the beauty of different land or cityscapes. I'm not all that into history. And, while I used to scoff at my in-laws trip (one and only) to Europe, I realized a few months ago that it was just what my father-in-law enjoys. They saw Paris, Rome, and Florence, Versailles, the Eiffel Tower, David, etc. They didn't get beyond the major sites, and I thought it was a tragedy that they had missed what I view as one of the most enjoyable parts of Europe: small towns and open countryside. But, my FIL loves history and museums. It was a great trip for them. And now that they have been, they don't (well, at least he doesn't) feel the need to return. So sad. Except that it meets their needs. I would die. We've decided that we're still working on the travel style that will bring us both the most satisfaction, but we have only one trip to Europe together under our belts. I think it's a learning curve and I like what another poster said about ETBD is training wheels. Since everyone is different, it takes practice to identify what you will like the best in travel. All the questions posed here are just efforts at working towards that. This has been a really interesting thread!

Andre, I love threads like this one. What a great topic. I agree with so many responses here - especially the idea that Rick started us on "training wheels" with his philosophy of travelling through the back door to seek out our own little treasures and come away from every trip that we take feeling empowered to make the next one just as much fun and exciting as the last. Sure, there are many newbies on this Helpline asking the same questions over and over, but there is almost always excellent advice given to those newbies... I am one of them, proud of it and am very greatful for the tips and advice I have received. Thank you and happy travels. Linda

A great thread.... thanks Andre. A few hundred posts ago a couple of folk spoke about recommending the Berner Oberland when it is so remote, and why not suggest places easier to get to. Now I've been around the Dolomites, the Austrian Alps over much of their length (not yet the Grossglockner but that will come), all along the German Alps, and to most of the Swiss Alps. In Switzerland I am familiar with all the Cantons along the high Alps, as well as lower down, from 10 years of trips once or twice a year to Switzerland. Yes, Rigi, the other mountains around Luzern, the various high passes, Kandersteg, Andermatt and Graubunden, Ticino, etc. I still gravitate to the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Walking from Allmenhubel along the trails looking over to the 3 mountains, and their several friends, being able to fell as is I could just lean over and touch them, hiking all around that area calls to me more than any other. I don't suggest it because RS says to. I do it because I love it more than elsewhere. And I thank RS for getting me there in the first place. And I also thank those various folk on this magnificent Helpline who have also turned me on to other special places I hadn't stumbled upon. I could mention names but then I would leave some out. Thanks all.

"I did my part to take that down a notch, and today that smugness is harder to find on this forum." It also helped the overall civility of the forum now that YouKnowWho seems to have permanently left. Actually, come to think about it, one of the advantages of a forum like this where everybody goes to the same handful of destinations is that the few posters who travel more in fantasy than reality, like YouKnowWho, are easy to pick out.

This is one topic that refuses to die, but I am thankful to see this particular discussion, unlike past ones that start badly and go downhill from there. The original post offers the best description I have seen of the image that some on the east side of the pond hold of those of us on the other side. For those it describes, that image is accurate. But it is still a stereotype, describing a subset, and I do not believe it fairly represents the majority of the people who regularly post on this site. The responses here seem to bear that out. Every travel writer since Mark Twain has offered observations about cities on the Grand Tour, and Rick Steves is among the better writers about those places, but no one here claims he is alone in that regard. RS does have a special claim to places like Rothenburg, Colmar, CT, and Paris' Rue Cler. There are a lot of questions about these places from first-timers for that reason. Usually, those answering the questions have a lot of travel experience in other places, as well, and often on the same trip. For my part, I will visit one of these places if I am in the area, but I would never build a vacation around it. I may be wrong, but I think that is pretty standard among those who post here on a regular basis. One final thought: Beware accusations of smugness, for they can be a symptom of the same mindset. Of course, I would never make such an accusation, so forget I said it. :)

Wonderful thread and great discussion! Let me bring in the Indian perspective. Most in India haven't heard of RS( he is rather well-known amongst Americans and Europeans, I guess). I learned about him while searching the Internet, of a 'back-door' method of touring Europe, and needless to add, I have already learnt a lot from this website. Indians love travelling in groups, and organized tours by Thomas Cook/ SOTC/ Cox & Kings, etc are popular with them. These tours are hectic, almost touch and go. My own 'back-door' approach is to break this pattern and execute a tour for myself, my wife and daughter on my own...paper-work. nitty-gritties, hassles and all. For most Indians, Europe tour is almost a 'once in a lifetime' experience and they prefer to sweep extensively across Europe, more the merrier. In my 'back-door' approach, I would still visit the biggies like London, Paris & Rome, give them optimum time( 3 days min) and then weave around a route which is not very popular in India and yet exotic, like the Bernese Oberland, South Germany, Austria, etc, ending up in Italy. ...contd

...contd from above...
Staying in B & Bs, venturing into the country-side at the first available window of opportunity, are all, part of the 'back-door' approach. My aim is to have a longer tour( 30 days), while giving more time to the destinations at a cost which is the same or less than that of the organized tours of far lesser tenure. I have also noticed here and a few other Europe-forums that the seasoned experts do not like a tour with too many destinations and a lot of travelling. I too agree with them. Infact I suggest people to take it easy, in an Indian travel forum, where I am a member myself. But here in Europe, travelling by train, isn't really a bad idea. One gets to cover a lot of ground, that way and appreciate the fast changing scenery. Travelling isn't always about destinations. It is also about the path. This is the 'back-door' approach that RS may be suggesting, but couldn't quite pin-point.

......contd...............or may be RS could pin-point but avoided doing so, keeping in mind the popular opinion/taste of his readers/ fans/ clients. Regards

I too think this is a great post. Many American's such as my husband and I have to work hard to get one week off at the same time. We dream of one day doing 2 weeks. So it has made more sence for us to go to the big sites (London, Rome, Paris and Florence). We did go to Bath and Warwick and those have been some of the most memorable times for us. Now that we have done the biggies we are ready to broaden our horizons. I think without Rick's show and books we wouldn't have made it to this point.

This has been a very interesting discussion, and I've really been enjoying all the different points-of-view. I haven't formulated a reply on the main subject yet - still thinking about it. @ Subrata, "Indians love travelling in groups, and organized tours by Thomas Cook/ SOTC/ Cox & Kings, etc are popular with them." I discovered this year that Indians really like travelling on organized tours. There were two couples from Pune on the Rick Steves Holland & Belgium tour that I took in September. It was really interesting to have them on the tour, as I learned something about India as well. Cheers!

In this discussion thread, some of the replies include a critique or perception of Rick Steves' travel guide books. For information of places in England, or Switzerland, I prefer to read the travel guide books from Lonely Planet. (In some of Rick steves' travel guide books, he recommended reading travel guide books from Lonely Planet). Rick Steves (to his credit), in his books "Rick Steves' ENGLAND" and "Rick Steves' GREAT BRITAIN", in the INTRODUCTION chapter, "Sightseeing priorities" includes a mix of cities and small towns and quaint villages, and some places that are not at a city or town or village, and are not very well known. For example, rick Steves puts a priority on going to the small villages Chipping Campden, Snows Hill, Stow in the Wold, located in the "Cotswolds" region (in Gloucestershire). And Rick put a priority on walking through the Blenheim palace, located at the side of the small town Woodstock. (located 3 miles west from Oxford). (Woodstock is mentioned and seen in one of Rudy Maxa's video travelogues made for public Television). During the past few years, some persons, at the Traveler's Helpline, asking for advice and information for planning their first trip to England, said they intended to go to "Cotswolds" villages, and to Blenheim palace (at the town Woodstock). I liked being at the small town Woodstock. I did not perceive Woodstock as being "touristy". (I was there in June, 2003). Do the persons who posted many replies at the Traveler's Helpline think Woodstock and Chipping Campden and Snows Hill and Stow in the Wold are included in the "extremely well known RS picks" alluded to by Andre L. ? What do you think, Andre L. ?

A big part of the 'back-door' policy is to search and visit places that are less crowded, lesser known...and frequently cheaper.....and yet beautiful. The first-time visitors cannot avoid the big names, the conservative choices through ages, like London, Paris, Rome, etc. But increasingly nowadays...and thanks to great travel-guides like RS, they are learning to mix and match. RS has only given a hint...........one has to learn from it, avoid falling in a predictable loop.........and keep finding newer places to visit.

I was reflecting upon some of the answers. Maybe what is playing out is the association effect. I have never taken a RS tour (but have a friend who have, with her family) to Europe, or anywhere for that matter (short of school/college and church trips). Here is my hypothesis. RS is a person the average tour-goer can relate to: he would be a person living in their subdivision with wife and kids, not an exotic adventurer who dropped off college, lived in 12 countries, has 3 children each in a different continent and writes guide books (which is more or less the story behind most famous tour guide franchise authors). So, maybe it is the case people new to trips to Europe, or people who only have the opportunity to travel to Europe every 3/4 years for no more than 15-18 days each time, will feel confident to follow RS when he writes "I've been to Bologna - believe me there is nothing much to see there, it is a so so city" (opinion I fiercely disagree with) or "Varenna is the place you must go if visiting the Italian Lakes, the best one" (IMO Varena is nice, but not that unique or above all other lakeside cities). Meanwhile, because Varenna, Rotthenburg-ob-Tauer or Haarlem are relatively small places, it is easy to feel that one is visiting a "gem", because these places generally lack the massive presence of tours arriving in 2 buses etc., or a large "souvenir boulevard". So maybe people could excuse RS if an activity or destination he recommended were not so nice or interesting to them, and they'd try to get most of it regardless, while being not keen of self-forgiveness if they chose by themselves a hotel they dislike, a village they found uninspiring, a transportation alternative that turns cumbersome etc.

Rothenburg odT is a gem to be sure, but it's hardly devoid of tourists. Haven't you ever seen all of those buses in the lots outside of the wall? And what about all of those cheesy souvenir shops? At any rate, Randy's reply is excellent. For someone who may have an opportunity to visit Germany, as an example, just once in their lifetime, the RS guide is sufficient (perfect really) IMO for experiencing the major sites and a few minor ones that will leave excellent memories for the tourist. Rothenburg is overrun, and many experienced travelers here recommend other similar towns far from the tourist crowds. But honestly, who hasn't visited Rothenburg on their first trip to Germany and thought that it was marvelous and exactly what they had pictured in their mind's eye prior to their vacation? And I'm sure that tourists in this situation go home thinking they've experienced something special.

I understand and agree with the reply by Tom, dated December 6 at 9:56 A.M. Tom said going to the Berner Oberland (the Lauterbrunnen Valley and village Gimmelwald) in Switzerland would be inconvenient for some people travelling in Europe. In the travel guide book "Rick Steves' Germany, Austria & Switzerland, 1998" he talked about only one place in Switzerland for seeing Alps mountains. That place is the Berner Oberland. In the book "Rick Steves' Switzerland", published later, he barely mentioned the top of mount Titlis. Going on a day trip from the city Lucerne to the top of mount Titlis (and returning to Lucern) can be enjoyable. Swiss people think going to the top of mount Titlis is something special. (Edit) And there are places for good views of Alps mountains in Austria and Slovenia and Germany and France.