My wife and I are planning a trip to Ireland or Italy next fall and had Rick Steves travel guides recommended to us for trip planning purposes. Planning to purchase from Amazon but was unsure if the 2025 version is out yet. Looking at the info on Amazon, shows the latest publish paperback will be released in June 2025. If purchased and delivered this week, would the June delivery supersede what would be received this week by significant amounts or would differences be minimal?
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2745 posts
Each guidebook here has info about when they are released, which may be more accurate than what Amazon says.
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/guidebooks
BTW, they aren't usually updated yearly.
Posted by
Ithaca, NY, USA
760 posts
Check both the titles for each destination. For example “Ireland” was just updated November 2024 whereas “Best of Ireland” is older.
A lot of stuff is the same. You’ll get a good sense of the major attractions and neighborhoods in any given city. The information on hours of operation and ticket prices won’t be accurate, but that’s the case even with the newly published Ireland book. I choose the things I’m interested in based on what’s in the book and then go on line to get updated information on ticket prices, hours of operation, etc.
If you want to plan ahead, I’d buy what’s available now. If you are relying on the books to help choose hotels, June will be much too late to book anything for the fall. You’ll get the best prices and maximum availability the earlier you book.
I always cross check Rick’s restaurant and hotel recommendations with the most recent on line reviews. A hotel can change ownership or a restaurant can go downhill quickly.