Greetings,
There was a fun thread a while back in which people described how they used their $100 RS store credit. We got our email with the credit a couple of months ago, but I'd been waiting for the 2017 Italy guidebook to be available, which was Dec. 1. Happily, everything in the store is also on sale right now, so unless you're looking to buy a bag or backpack, you can pick up quite a lot of "stuff" for 100 bucks. Here's what I got:
-- The 2017 Italy guidebook, plus a couple of the page-binder sets, as I do plan to "slice up" the book and only carry the relevant sections on our Venice-Florence-Rome tour next May. While part of me shudders at the idea of cutting up a book, it's a very practical idea when you're planning to travel as lightly as possible.
-- Hanging toiletries kit. We found out last year in London and Paris that bathroom counter space can be at a premium, if it exists at all.
-- Hidden pocket and neck wallet. My wife and I are sold on the need for money belts and used the ones provided with our tour last year, but neither of us was wild about having them strapped around our waists. They just weren't especially comfortable and kind of a pain if you needed to access something from the belt. I thought I'd try the hidden pocket, instead, while my wife will give the neck wallet a shot.
-- The 40x20" micronet towel. Last year I took along a "Sham-Wow" to use for wringing out sink laundry. Figured I'd get a little spiffier this time.
-- The "Don't Tell Rick" hideaway tote. Because you never know when you might haul wine and olive oil back from Italy!
-- A few extra electrical adapters. Hey, they're a buck apiece.
-- And, just because I've become a total Rick Steves geek, I ordered the complete box set of DVDs, which includes the new season. It's $24.95 for the whole batch. I couldn't resist.
We would have been just under $100 without the DVDs. With those, the total was $119, minus the $100 credit. I'm eagerly awaiting delivery of my big box of stuff Friday.
Cheers!