RS Travel Consultation

Yes but without taking away from this service that RS offers, from past experience you may get any question answered by the knowledgeable posters on these forums.

debs,

Yes, I've used the Travel Consultation in the past. It's good value if you have complicated travel arrangements to make. However as the previous Post mentioned, the group here could probably answer most questions.

When I used the Consultation service, this Helpline didn't exist.

Good luck!

I agree. However I have one very specific request. That any person posting a question about "good hotels, good restaurants, etc." at least review Rick's books before posting. "anyone know of a good hotel in.... Paris, Riomaggiore, Rome" c'mon, Rick lists many, and with a little creativity, one can find others. I really enjoy helping people find their way, but some really basic advice (that everybody can use) can be found in "Europe Through the Back Door" or one of Rick's city or country guides.

I have definitely read Rick's book on Italy as well as Frommer's, Fodor's, Lonely Planet, etc. The forum provides a link to real people with current information, and perhaps a more in-depth view. Thanks everyone for your input so far. When I get back from my 3 week trip, I hope to add my "expertise" as well!

I used the service just over twelve months ago - for our first trip. I liked being able to actually talk to someone. I had been reading the graffiti wall, I had the consult and then I started posting here asking more specific questions. If/when we go again I may use them again if we're going to a different area, but my knowledge base grew so much from our trip and then since with my almost daily reading of this site that I might not have to, but at the time I found it well worth the money - even the cost of the international phone call.

Well, I can now answer my own question. For me it was worth the money. Yes, with a lot of time and energy I could have found much of the information. However, I enjoyed one-on-one real time conversation. Julie was knowledgeable; helped me refine my itinerary, pointed me in some new directions, offered a few money (and time) saving tips. She summed up my train and car concerns, which was a stumbling block and area of stress for me.
It was definitely worthwhile. If you have gobs of time and love to surf the net all day, go for it! This was a de-stressor, now I can focus on finding rooms and starting to pack! Cheers everyone and thanks for the tips.

While I have never used the phone service, I have gone to his headquarters in Edmonds, Washington, many, many, many times and always found his staff to helpful, courteous, kind, etc. I do so agree with Tony's (?) post that mentioned that folks should get a copy of the appropriate RS book to answer so many of the questions I see here. A good reading of one of his books will provide a traveler with so much more than is ever going to be had here.