Where are all the scrapbooks?

Hmmm, I have been toying with making one.....

I had seriously considered it and have some beautiful photos (according to me) of the My Way Alpine 2019 trip but thought you would probably have to be a web designer to make a scrapbook. Also, unless I won the grand prize, I would not give up the rights to my photos for as little as $100-$250 - and 2nd prize in 2018 was already a My Way Alpine so I don't know if the judges would chose the same trip this year.

I had seriously considered it and have some beautiful photos
(according to me)

That's my thoughts on my photos as we'll 😁. Anyone know how much time it actually takes for someone who has never done it? It would purely be an ego thing for me because the prizes just aren't that great for the work I think I'd have to put into it.

I considered entering a scrapbook the years we took RS tours, but after seeing the technological components of the winners, I knew I didn't stand a chance. I enjoy seeing quality pictures, but it seems like many of the scrapbooks required one to be patient in developing, very creative in writing, and extremely knowledgeable about web-development. Another factor was that I didn't think my pictures, no matter how good some might be, could complete against the pictures of the travelers who were semi-professional photographers. Kudos to those that win.

There are two sites called Weebly and Wix to develop an online scrapbook. They are fairly easy to use, drag and drop type, but it still took me 2 full days to do my first one. I also had to make a few calls to their customer support.

Hmmm, besides the fact that lots of people wait til the last minute to do things, I think that maybe the folks at Rick Steves have to read through all of them and then get them online and working properly? I remember that last year as soon as the deadline passed, tons of the scrapbooks finally appeared. Last year I was also thinking that they did this so people wouldn't be discouraged from submitting a "less than professional" scrapbook. Whoa, one year the first submission was so professional that I thought-no way can I compete with that. We'll see what happens next week, eh?

I'll just add that although I've never done a scrapbook I enjoy looking at the submissions. I don't really care whether they are pro-level photography, I just want lovely shots of the things I would see on that tour! I want to know you had a fun time!

In fact, one of the scrapbooks from 2015 encouraged me to take the GAS tour. It was not the winner that year but I'll always be thankful to Tamara and David for going to the trouble to put theirs together! Yes, I even started in Paris like they did, lol!!

If you want a place to keep your memories that can be shared by your friends and family, then doing a RS scrapbook is a good idea. Then, if you win, then it's icing on the cake.

I don't think they always pick the ones that are the best designed (graphically and functionally) but rather it seems to me they have other parameters that factor into picking a winner, as well. For example, they want a winner that is done by younger travelers. Or one that showcases the MyWay trips. Or one that showcases any tours that need some promoting.

I just checked out a couple of the scrapbooks that cover the tour we're taking this year. One of them stood out, not for professional photography, or dazzling web design, but for her vivid but personal descriptions and a series of "Pro Tips." Reminds me of one from many years ago, one that won, I believe, that had the theme "Thanks, Rick."

As in "Thanks, Rick, for suggesting we pack light..." or whatever. I need to find that one again.

I did a scrapbook last year. It was labor intensive. I work full time and trying to get it completed for a deadline nearly made me crazy. The website platforms are easy enough to navigate but it does take “some” technical ability. And if you are using the free versions, be careful because you can accidentally delete a page and there is no easy recovery (don’t ask me how I know),

If I was creating a scrapbook for just me and my family, I would not include all the Rick Steves links and references. To be honest, I was “entering a contest“ so my approach was to follow the guidelines and to guide future tour members, not just share personal memories. I never imagined I would win (and I did not) but I would have structured it differently if the intent was just to showcase photos and to document the trip for myself.

I’m glad I did it for the experience but would be reluctant to so again ... especially since a graphic designer won the big prize. Very hard to complete with someone who does it for a living. It’s not bitter grapes but a realistic view. I’d rather spend my time in the comfort of my living room with a slideshow and some great homemade regional food (which is more in line with my talents).

Good luck to those who do enter. I am anxiously looking forward to seeing your scrapbooks especially knowing what goes into creating one.

Glad we agree Allan - my photos are my pride and joy, the result of countless hours and thousands of dollars of expense both in travel, experience, and equipment - I will not surrender them easily.

Wow! Just checked and there are now 15 scrapbooks. Just in time to escape the bad news of the Coronavirus hitting Northern Italy. And I'm supposed to travel to Venice/Florence in late April. Hope this thing is contained by then. Sorry for the folks who are sick now...hope they all recover soon.

Now there are 32!

I have done 2 scrapbooks. The first one in 2017 and one this year. The first one took me a long time, a lot of which was dealing with wrestling with the technology. It was a simple design, but I still enjoy looking at it once in awhile. I sent links to friends and family. I also have gotten quite a few private messages about it from posters on the forum. That is really the pay off for me. I learn a lot here, and if I can be helpful to someone else it is rewarding.
The scrapbook I did this year was easier, both because of experience and because the platform is easier. I started it about the 5th of February. I worked on it in the evening with the TV or music in the background. Then, I stayed away from it for a week, came back and made a few changes and then submitted it last night. I would say 10-12 hours. But during that time I was reliving my trip, laughing out loud, telling stories to my husband and reminiscing with my son. So, it is like getting more value out of the trip. I even reconnected with 2 tour mates via email because I used some of his marvelous photos. I don't have the experiential, emotional writing style that the winners have, but it will give you some idea of what a tour is like. It was fun to do.

To those of you willing to take the time to do scrapbooks. - a huge “thanks”. I use the scrapbooks for more than just perusing someone else’s trip. Since the tour review format changed, I find them much less helpful in deciding which tour to take and what exactly you’ll see. The scrapbooks have filled a real void in being able to get a feel for what a particular tour includes. I’ll even go back in the archives to research previous tours.

So, thanks.

Many more have appeared. Looking forward to seeing all of them. I hope they include lots of details about the hotels, group meals etc. I can see Google generic photos of main sites, but my real interest is seeing/ hearing details about the actual tour. Thanks to all who took time to create these!

Vandrabrud, which tour were you on?

After deciding I thought it would be too much work to do one, I decided on Saturday last week to give it a try. I was right, it's a lot of work. I've never built a website before so that didn't help but I estimate I put about 25 hours into it. Sorry TravelingMom, everything you hope for in a scrapbook isn't in mine. I hope you'll enjoy it anyway. I was really impressed with myself until I started comparing it to the competition. Oh well, it was a good experience. Mine is the only one so far for Loire Valley to the South of France.

Allan! I loved your scrapbook! I particularly enjoyed your personal reflections on the things you experienced. Your comments on Oradour-Sur-Glane brought tears to my eyes.

This is a tour I've been wanting to take. I had it earmarked for 2021, but my DH is lobbying hard for Poland, instead. No worries, I'll get there yet.

Thank you so much for this lovely scrapbook. It's very special. And what a great chance this is to get to know some of our Forum buddies better.

Thank you Jane. I nominate you to be head of the scrapbook contest committee.

Yes Alan, your scrapbook was super! This tour is almost at the top of my list and even more so now. Many thanks!

Allan, just looked at your scrapbook. Nice job! Pictures are lovely. Nice to have a picture with your name. I know you are going to Scotland this summer. We went in 2018, you will love It!

Here is my scrapbook of our trip that summer.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/RhHm7QfVd5vZ5Vn6A

Tammy, I'm going to show my wife your scrapbook. She used to be a hard-copy scrapbooker but we hardly even print photos anymore. She may be interested in doing it his way. We're excited about Scotland only 92 days away.

Jane,
My scrapbook is Best of Turkey.

Vandrabrud, Thank you! Wow. I hadn't given much thought to Turkey, but your photos and notes are making me rethink our plans. And how nice that you shared the tour with your son and learned to appreciate him on a whole new level.

[Sighs.] Too many tours, too little time...

Enjoy Paris. Have you been there before? We spent some time there last year before the Paris and the Heart of France tour, and loved it. As always.

Too many wonderful places, too little time...

Hello Allan,
I just want to tell you how much I enjoyed your scrapbook with your fabulous photos and interesting narrative. We took this tour in 2013 and loved it, so it was wonderful to relive it thru your scrapbook. We also did a scrapbook in case you are interested in looking at it (William and Theresa Barr).
Thanks, Teri
P.S. We used to live near Spokane (Cheney) and spent our vacation in Banff several years. How lucky you are to live near such an incredibly beautiful place. We always enjoyed our trips into Calgary too, especially the fabulous museums.

Thanks for the compliment Teri, I just looked at your scrapbook from 2013, it was fun seeing similar photos but from somone elses perspective. I laughed at your photo of your guide and driver. Phillipe was our driver as well. He's visiting the US this Spring. He and some friends are renting motorcycles in Chicago and riding route 66 from there to LA.

Allan, if you're in touch with Phillipe, tell him to wave as he passes through Sapulpa OK. We live one block off Rte 66, and enjoy sitting on our front porch watching all the Europeans on motorcycles drive past. My brother's an auto mechanic, with a shop right on 66, and he gets lots of folks stopping by when they have a problem. Mostly Germans, he says, but other Europeans, as well.

I know I spent a lot of time working on mine and was trying to get it finished up until the deadline! I got it submitted on the 28th and was excited that it was accepted because my first draft had way too many slideshows in it, so I had to rework all of those sections. Working full time and other life responsibilities slowed me down, but I got it finished! It was the first time I've ever built a website, so I learned a lot in the process. I hope you enjoy my scrapbook! :)

Kerri,

I liked the organization of your scrapbook. You said your first draft had too many slideshows, was that an issue with RS or with the memory you were using on the website? Also, yours seems to stay well organized when I look at on my tablet, unlike mine which is fine on my laptop but a mess on tablet and phone. Did you have any technical issues like that?

I'm wondering when we can see all those posted on the last day! There were 37 before that and I'm guessing a whole lot were posted on Saturday the 29th. I know of at least one! I enjoy looking at current and past scrapbooks.

Allan, I really enjoyed your scrapbook. I liked that it wasn't too big. I thought it also reflected the personality you've shown on the Boards.

There are now 60 scrapbooks posted.

My daughter did one last year. It was quite the time consuming process. We were on the very last tour of 2018. Actually only two days were in 2018 the rest 2019 so we had the least amount of time to do a scrapbook. My daughter was 17 & a high school senior.

Quite the story to get it done. We had flown to NYC for a college visit. The last night she worked on it while not feeling well till the deadline of I believe 2 am EST in our hotel room while I proofed it. . We got it in under the wire. Found out later she actually had the flu & spent the rest of our trip holed up in that hotel room.

She had interviewed the people on the tour & I thought had a great piece with their insight on why to take a tour as a short video in the scrapbook. Because she is a teen she had little video montages for each day. It is how that generation rolls included with each day of pics & events. .

While she didn’t win or place and honestly it took up way too much of her time it helped her decide what to study in College. After she was finished I said you know this is PR work. That is a career. I thought she did a great insightful job of how a teen sees a Rick Steves tour. Of course I am the mom so just a little biased And she is now studying PR. In College. So thanks Rick for helping her decide on a major & hopefully a career.

After the contest and when she didn’t place she did make the scrapbook private. So not sure you can see it on line. If you want to see Rome from a teen’s outlook just let me know.

It was a wonderful trip.

SA, it's not available. It's posted, but clicking on the link results in the dreaded "Error 404" message.

Bummer.

I would like to review the Scrapbooks. Where are they located? I cannot find them?

Robin, a link toward the bottom of the Tour home page takes you to https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/scrapbooks.