Thank you Rick Steves!!! You Rock!

Sounds like she is enjoying herself!

You're welcome - that is why we are all here. We can vicariously enjoy each other's trips while knowing we helped someone with a good tip or avoid a problem. It is a great site and the posts have helped me plan my trips. Certainly there are a lot of great ideas on the site. Now when you get back you can help the next person plan a trip to Rome. Have a Gelato for me!

It is fun to meet all the other Rick Steves folks by spotting his books!!! We met a great couple in Montepulciano - laughing over the fact we were all looking for the restrooms - and using his guide to find them!!!

Enjoy your trip and yes, have a gelato for me too!!!!

Daniela, isn't Rome wonderful!!! Have a great time, and as the previous post said, have a Gelato for us.

You'll see "Ricknics" (I think that's the term that was used on a KIRO News special about Rick?) ALL OVER EUROPE. It's not hard to spot those distinctive blue and gold books just about anywhere!

I had to smile to myself everytime I saw someone leafing through the same guidebook as mine, Rick Steves' Italy 2008. At the duomo in Siena someone was actually reading out loud from the same text that I was reading. At first I looked over my shoulder expecting to see someone peering at my book, but she was reading from hers!

Yes I agree Rick Steves is the best guidebook author. How he is so accurate is incredible. Thank goodness for all his guidbks the best $20 spent no question.

I love Rick Steves. He takes the BS out of traveling and gives readers what they really need: the best sights to see and the best way to get from Point A to Point B. I don't need to know where the Gucci shops are or where to find a Michelin rated restaurant.

Hey everyone,

Also, one of the most vital tools for us while here has been his Italian translation book. It's been great to have while trying to converse with all my cousins that I've just met, most of which do not speak any english. Buy one if you're going. The locals will appreciate it. Also, went to Porta Portese and no one even attempted to pick my pocket!

Glad you are having a good time Daniela...makes me want to go back ...mmmm the gelato...I also agree and thank everyone for their help when we went in May and I am so addicted to the web site I can't stay off..love reading everyones travels I guess...
also agree seeing someone with " the book" felt like seeing a friend.

"Salute" to Rick, his staff, and everyone here. I relied on Rick's guides and all the experience, wisdom, and advice shared on these pages. Now that I've planned, tripped, and returned, I hope to join the ranks of Italy travel enthusiasts by sharing what I learned. Mostly that I want to go back . . . again, and again and again!

I agree, cross pollinate is a great site and have used it many times!!!!!!

Daniela, I certainly agree that Rick deserves all the compliments he gets. His travel information, travel philosophy and Guide books have provided me with lots of "smart travels" in Europe so far (and hopefully many more in future). I've also been on two RS tours (Ireland and South Italy) and I can't imagine any other tour company providing such a fantastic experience. Rick's Guides are awesome!!! I'm looking forward to the next one (wherever that might be?).

I'm also aware of the apartment building (Lynwood, as I recall?) that he provided to the YWCA for single mothers. I saw the report on KIRO (Seattle) news last year, and he certainly deserves compliments for that as well.

I've spoken with a few people at RS travel festivals that didn't agree with Rick's "social commentary", but I find it quite refreshing and often thought provoking.

Who the dickens is Samantha Brown???

I adore Rick Steves. In fact, I have a My Space page, and I put him down as my hero! He housed 24 single Mothers at the YWCA, and used his money to do this. What a guy!
I'm going to Milan in November. I heard Milan is an overwhelming city to get around in, and his 2008 guide book answered all my questions in detail!
It makes me sad on Samantha Brown's message board, so many people say mean things about him, and even start rumors. Luckily, their moderator deleted the nasty rumors. Rick Steves is so much more experienced than Sam, and he is so much above her!
RICKNICS FOREVER!!!

"RICKNICS FOREVER!!!"

we should make tee shirts...

Ken,
Was the Ireland trip as much fun as the feedback suggests? That's where we would like to go on our next RS tour, we think. It just seems like so much fun.
And Samantha Brown travels around for the Travel Channel. I've never looked at her site. Can't imagine it offers anything to compare with this one.

Sharon,

YES, the RS Ireland tour was absolutely wonderful! There's no way I could have visited as many sites as we did, and learned as much about Irish history by travelling on my own. Travelling around the entire island in 14 days provided a great view of the slightly different cultures in the various parts of Ireland, and of course the scenery was beautiful. After observing the "challenges" faced by those who chose rental cars, I'm convinced that using a tour was the right choice for me (I'll quite readily drive in England, but felt that in Ireland I'd rather relax, enjoy the scenery, take photos and visit with the group).

It would be difficult to single out just one "highlight" of the trip, but I found Dingle to be one of the most memorable stops. Our Guide found out that an Irish music concert was taking place in a local Church, and several of us decided to attend that (it was an "extra" that wasn't included in the tour). What a wonderful time that was, and the first time I've heard the Uilleann Pipes. There were other memorable locations also, and some fantastic group dinners (we had quite a "lively" group).

Our Lead Guide (Declan) and Driver (Peter) were incredible, and each of the local Guides that we used were excellent (I'm running out of superlatives here!).

I'd definitely recommend the RS Ireland tour to anyone.

Cheers!

Daniela,
Ggggrrrrr - I'm so jealous right now. I really loved Rome but only got to enjoy it
for four days of our trip. It is certainly a city I will visit again and again. It was so much more than what I was expecting. Sounds like you're having a great time! :)

Ken, Samantha Brown has been a travel host on the Travel Channel for nearly ten years. She has a Passport to Europe Series, and her brand new show that starts next week is Passport to China. She is a funny perky lady, and is not nearly as experiences as Rick Steves.
Sally, love the idea of Ricknics Forever tee shirts!
My son prints tee shirts, and I should have him make up some!

Lisa,

Thanks for the info on Samantha Brown. It seems rather odd that people on her message board would make derogatory comments about Rick (based on what you said in your earlier post)?

I'm a big fan of Rick's travel methods and philosophy, so don't think I'll be using Guidebooks or whatever from any other travel writers in the near future. However, I do use one other European travel message board quite extensively, but it's very civilized and no "flaming" is permitted!

*EDIT - LISA, I also have the "travel bug" badly! I'm always planning my next trip, and have so many places and so many RS Tours on "my list". So far I have NO desire to travel anywhere but Europe, although if we get another bad winter, I'll likely head back to Hawaii to get some sunshine!

Thanks!

I'm with you Ken. I ONLY buy Rick's guide books. I'll stick to the best!
I do however, watch many travel TV shows, because I have the travel bug badly! LOL!

Ken, thanks for the info. I am now even more interested in the Ireland trip. Sounds so wonderful. We believe that RS tours are hard to beat.