He's just a young guy from Seattle who found a way to live full time the way we can only dream about part time. He probably has done more good persuading Americans to do the right thing than anyone of his generation. I like his off-hand approach, his plain language, and his thrifty ways. He's a winner, and I salute him...although he's young enough to be my son.

I admire Rick Steeves for encouraging those who would otherwise be quite timid to go to Europe, and do it on their own and make an adventure of it. I am constantly amused when watching his shows, however. My favorite was the day he was going to take a bicycle tour in Ireland. He rented a bike, then rode to here and there. Suddenly, the bike was gone and he was somewhere else! No mention of how he got there or what he did with the bike!

Perhaps Rick had to go to the bathroom and was polite enough to buy something as a token of appreciation.

Recently in Switzerland we needed to stop. We saw a McDonalds and wheeled in. Fortunately it had American type design and facilities. (Much to our relief!!) But the menu was different.
We found what we wanted to drink and continued toward Visp.

It would take much more than that for me to lose respect for his work.... maybe if I see him going there again the next day...

Truth is we all welcome a familiar sight once in a while when abroad. I remembered going to a McDonalds in Prague just to witness the frenzy and the excitement of the Czech kids and teens. Totally cool experience with another perspective of modern life in Prague!

Naaaaahhh... He's just human I also think the title of the original post was a *bit* tongue-in-cheek. I too have relied on the plumbing of McDonald's, especially in Eastern Europe.

So . . . are you still a "traveler" if you use the restroom at McDonald's but don't actually eat the food?

Wow, talk about stereotyping ! Does this mean that if I'm in Prague and choose to have a BigMac instead of roast duck and potato dumplings that I have to turn in my "qualified" status as European traveler.Hope not, because the last time I was in France I had a Big Mac and fries...didn't feel the least bit guilty because I was in France and ate the decadent American fast food. Thought it tasted good and was a great break from hgh sauce, high cost food. By the way, I never eat at McDonalds in the US. I sincerely hope that I don't have to fit inot a particular slot to enjoy Europe, i.e. acceptable foods, acceptable clothing, etc.Because if I don't fit someone's criteria, oh well such is life!

Wow, talk about stereotyping ! Does this mean that if I'm in Prague and choose to have a BigMac instead of roast duck and potato dumplings that I have to turn in my "qualified" status as European traveler.Hope not, because the last time I was in France I had a Big Mac and fries...didn't feel the least bit guilty because I was in France and ate the decadent American fast food. Thought it tasted good and was a great break from hgh sauce, high cost food. By the way, I never eat at McDonalds in the US. I sincerely hope that I don't have to fit inot a particular slot to enjoy Europe, i.e. acceptable foods, acceptable clothing, etc.Because if I don't fit someone's criteria, oh well such is life!

Yes! The title of this post was totally "tongue in cheek." If you think that I was sterotyping: relax and lighten up.

The story is absolutely true, but it did not bother me in the slightest. It was pretty funny though. LONG LIVE RICK STEVES! +

Actually, in his book Europe through the Back Door he specifically states that a burger and fries are a nice change halfway through your trip.
I think he's a phony because after three decades of travelling to Europe, he still only speaks English. To me, that's Ugly Americanism, against which he preaches.

Ah, c'mon. Give poor Rick a break. He is frequently shown in his travel segments trying out his pidgeon French or Italian to order or ask directions. He's so very far from an Ugly American that it isn't even funny. But, perhaps the previous post was a jest?!

Wendy: I have to say on Rick Steves' behalf that I did see one of his shows once where he visited a village in the mountains of Andalucia (southern Spain) and he spoke very fluent Spanish with a local man. It was actually very good Spanish (I should know as it is my main/first language...)

Sometimes a Whopper is just what you need to hit the spot! It's hot and you know exactly what you're getting.

I'm a big fan of Rick Steves. I have used his guideboooks and have sometimes doubted what he recommended, but nonetheless, he travels the right way.

To the other Fan of RS: "pidgeon" Italian are the birds you find in San Marco. FYI, you mean "pidgin."

While we don't get Rick's show on TV in Australian (though I don't know about cable as I don't have it), I have seen his books for sale. I think it's a bit mean to complain about him not speaking the foreign languages. After all, if he travels to so many places, which language to learn? And not everyone has a gift for languages. I know I don't, though I try to learn the odd words and phrases before going abroad.

Nonsense, Rick Steves is not a phoney for eating at a Burger king in the UK. BK is, after all, a British company!

I know that Rick butchers the language sometimes on his shows, but I wouldn't be surprised if that is somewhat on purpose. I think Rick likes to show how anyone, even if they are not fluent in the language, can communicate with a few basic phrases. I am sure that he has picked up quite a bit of some languages during his travels, but wouldn't it be a little intimidating to the viewer if Rick gave the impression that you have to have a great command of the local language to get around? He has also published language guides, you know. I don't always agree with some of his recommendations either, but the guy has done a lot for travel and for preparing people to travel with the right attitude. I solute him, and I really, really want his job!!

Do you wonder if Rick is eavesdropping on this thread? Rick was in our city recently for a mini seminar...he was cool in person!

Just returned from France where we stayed with friends and their two teenagers. After 4 days of foie gras, duck, cheeses and everything wonderful, Mom and the two of us returned from an all day trip to Carcassonne. We were exhausted and when she went into the kitchen, I said what we would do in the U.S. would be order pizza to be delivered. THey did--Pizza Hut--very similar to ours and the adults drank good wine with it and the kids were thrilled!! The world's pretty small afterall!

When I'm home, in the US, I usually eat Asian, or Mexican, or Italian, or African---"American" food is seldom on my plate. So when I was in Zurich, and I came across an "American" restaurant, I certainly didn't see it as selling out on the European experience. It was fun seeing a Swiss interpretation of American food---it was like nothing I'd ever had.

Now I will stop short of MacDonalds or Burger King. If I don't eat that stuff here, why eat it there? But that's just a matter of personal tastes.

I say, "RICK STEVES FOR PRESIDENT!"

We have taken several of Rick's tours, and had the pleasure of him being with us on 2 of them. He is very personable and is able to communicate with the local people even though he is not fluent in their language. As one of the above posts mentioned he lets you know you don't have to be fluent in the local language to get around. He is a great guy and fun to be around. It was certainly an added bonus having him on our tours.

I recommend that everyone who travels abroad should stop at a Burger King or MacDonalds. Even if just for a beer. The food, after all, is not the same as in the US... it's worse! And your stories of not-full Cokes with two cubes of ice will make even your most skittish travel-bound friends think twice about rejoicing in the glories of thrice removed cow flesh (covered with faded onions and wallpaper paste).

Maybe the BKs and Mds have a role in our culture after all, like a wanna-be pub.

I will have to throw my support to Rick. We traveled to Germany and Austria the first time using his guidebooks and his videos. It was great. He gave many helpful tips and I will have to admit after three weeks of local cuisine, a Big Mac was pretty tasty.

Please have an open mind regarding Rick Steves' visit to Burger King. I've travelled around France and Italy for the past ten years. When I'm tired, thirsty and have need for the toilet, the only places where I've consistenly found a clean rest room, fresh water and a place where I can sit without spending a fortune has been a McDonalds or a Burger King. As has been mentioned previously, it seems proper to make
a token purchase, even though a hamburger or a milk shake is a good quick on-the-fly meal you can have and continue your sightseeing.

I hate McDonald, but in Rome and Paris they have great free city maps.

I haven't been a McDonald's in the States in about 10 years, but the Micky D's in Rome was a real haven: in 1992 it was the only smoke-free restaurant we ate in during a 2-week trip to Rome, Florence and Venice. And if RS was eating a burger in Bath, after a week or so of pub food, who can blame him? There's only so much beef, mashed potatoes and peas and carrots a body can take!

Our first trip to Europe was to Switzerland with a couple who had been there previously a dozen or so times. The first night, they asked if we would like to join them at their favorite Italian restaurant. Italian? The next night, they were off to a Chinese restaurant. I was dumbfounded! I wanted Veal Zurich, rosti, raclette! However, after many nights of the smell of melted cheese (believe me, it's disgusting after the first night) and struggling with German menus (and, you have to look up each and every SYLLABLE in your menu translator), we were totally relieved to fall into an Italian restaurant where we recognized Spaghetti Carbonara on the menu! BEWARE, there is a LOT of INACCURATE information in Rick Steeves' guidebooks. And, he could at least provide up to date information. Imagine all the poor folks going to Paris looking forward to a visit to the Pompidou Center - which is CLOSED for renovations...

Our first trip to Europe was to Switzerland with a couple who had been there previously a dozen or so times. The first night, they asked if we would like to join them at their favorite Italian restaurant. Italian? The next night, they were off to a Chinese restaurant. I was dumbfounded! I wanted Veal Zurich, rosti, raclette! However, after many nights of the smell of melted cheese (believe me, it's disgusting after the first night) and struggling with German menus (and, you have to look up each and every SYLLABLE in your menu translator), we were totally relieved to fall into an Italian restaurant where we recognized Spaghetti Carbonara on the menu! BEWARE, there is a LOT of INACCURATE information in Rick Steeves' guidebooks. And, he could at least provide up to date information. Imagine all the poor folks going to Paris looking forward to a visit to the Pompidou Center - which is CLOSED for renovations...

All this over a burger! I love this forum. In defence of McDonald's (Rick needs no defending), the one in Rome at the bottom of the Spanish Steps is a trip! Mosaics, fountains, antipasto salad bar, a zillion TV's, and the best souveniers for your nieces & nephews--Happy Meals with Italian writing!!! Micky D's saved me once in Paris. The bathrooms in Gard du Nord require a franc to use la toilette. I only had pounds. McDonald's not only let me use the restrooms without first buying a mouth blistering hot apple pie, I didn't even have to crawl under the stall door!

The nicest McDonald's I saw [well... bought a coke and used the WC ] was in Pecs, Hungary. It is right on the main town square, where it replaced an old coffee house. The locals were up in arms, you bet! But McDonalds did a good job. The outside doesn't BLARE, and inside the decorative tiles are made by the local ceramics producer, Zsolnay. [Different from Herend, but more interesting my my opinion]

Rick does a great job. Sometimes fast food places become a "must see." Who can go to Beijing and not see the McDonalds where the "revolution" started to ferment? Or in Delhi, to try the Big Mac Veggie Burgers. I'm afraid they are part of all cultures. When I was in Nairobi, the burger at Planet Hollywood was the best. After weeks of the unusual, the usual can look pretty good.

I have seen several of Rick Steve's shows and have enjoyed them immensely. I have recently also picked up one of his books "Mona Winks" about the major art museums and have found that he is very knowledgeable about art and even puts a humorous spin on it. His books are very refreshing!
Let him eat burgers if he likes, who doesn't every once in awhile?

Rick Steves is amazing. One would think he knows what he's talking about if you've seen a show or two of his on PBS. One day, he rented a bike in Ireland and proclaimed his "route". Later in the show, he was somewhere else entirely with no mention of the bike. Some of his advice and recommendations (based upon our personal experiences) are positively ridiculous! Utterly astonishing that anyone would consider him an EXPERT in touring Europe. Is he actually touring he same places?

I like Rick Steve's books. At least he gives an opinion unlike so many other guide books. The only thing is, if you travel exclusively with his books, everywhere you go, every hotel you stay at and every restaurant you eat at, will be full of Americans with his books.

Well, I'll say this about Rick Steves. His basic point is "you can do it" when it comes to independent travel in Europe. And for this former Iowa farm boy, his philosophy gave me the courage to step out big time and go to Europe this summer. Because of his advice, we:
* had the trip of our lifetime (our three teens will never forget it)
* got behind the tourist veil and DID experience Europe (we also had a Royale with Cheese at McDonalds in Paris and fried bean sticks at Burger King for breakfast in York)
* Saved tons of money
* won admiration of friends and family who said "you did this yourself?
* will never go on a tour bus again.

Rick's books are accurate, fun to read and easy to carry. Most other travel books are accurate.

We have used Ricks books on two driving tours of Europe in 1997 and 1999, we would not go any other way!
Yes he is opinionated (thank goodness). He explains WHY he is up or not so up on locations, hotels, historical sites, etc. This lets you decide if you agree or disagree and devise your own itinerary. Yes occasionally there is a minor difference (price increase, a block off) but with everything that changes it is extremely minor in comparison to the value of all the information he provides. Yes, there are alot of his readers in many places you visit, but there are alot of others as well. And lets face it, at a lodge/hotel you really do not expect to see the locals. His tips help you plan ahead for small things that polish off the trip (i.e. suggesting bringing crackers to the wine caves since they are not provided). He is really big on walking tours, which we really enjoy doing at our own pace.
I just wish he did Australia and New Zealand. We are planning that trip and really miss his opinions, suggestions and perspectives.

Who is making all those purchases at McDonald's and Burger King in Europe? Do we call those people "Ugly Europeans"? The food served at fast food restaurants in Europe is now part of (some) Europeans' diets. Get over it. Would we label a Parisian an "Ugly Frenchman" if he ate at the new Alain Ducasse restaurant in New York?

At least you know that when you eat McDonalds overseas you're getting real beef!!! Unlike the contaminated Genetically modified crap they sell here. Furthermore, the portions there in McDonalds are the right size..no supersizes in England!! I had one of the best Big Macs in Bath last month!!!

Hey, the McD around the corner on the Via del Corso came in pretty handy. My kids could wander in for a soda and fries pickmeup in the late afternoon, while my husband and I grabbed an espresso or even stronger drink at the bar in the front for a reasonable price; I'd like to see the fast food joints in this country have the same set up!

Paris 1993 Saturday: 4 girls bar-hopping, from jazz clubs to cafes until 3am.

Paris 1993 Sunday noon: shopping bag full of MickeyD's burgers and fries brought back to the room, followed by litres of water and Advil. Good as new by, oh, sundown. Little altar and lit candles to Ray Krock.

Every time I go to a McDonalds overseas they are always backed with locals, (Even at 9:30 PM on a rainy night, in downtown Belfast) so I guess eating there is kind of like a global, pop-culture, culinary experience anyway.
Just a cautionary note to add though, I ate at McDonalds in Vienna *read "Worst Meal I Ever Ate " thread. Got food poisoning so bad I nearly had to go to the hospital. Felt fine before eating it, and even took the chicken meat OFF the bun since I am a vegetarian, but I guess the mayo was tainted. I posted it on this site and right after me another person wrote in to say she also got food poisoning at the Mc D's in Vienna!!!

Now, what could be better on a hot day than than a cold Coke with ICE CUBES.!

I second the ice cubes. Getting a drink full of ice on a hot day in Rome was a godsend!! And the fries were not half-bad either!!!

I am willing to wager that nobody complaining about McEuros here ever found themselves on the business end of a Wimpey burger in the UK before they got bought out by Burger King (now Grand Metropolitan - also British) in the '80s. Anyway, now that Ben & Jerry's is owned by Unilever, thereby completing the UK dominance of the food chain, I say we stop bitching and supersize it, chaps!

Agree. His Ireland trip sucks and is a rip off. Overpriced.Lousy resturant selections. Dublin area was a zoo!

You have to admit Rick Steves is one of the biggest dorks that presently walks the earth. I'm always surprised, though, that he pushes so many buttons. He looks pretty harmless to me and a bearer of much good information, no doubt. In other words, I like him alright.

Inaccuracies are another thing and I was a little surprised to hear here that his books contain them.

Let's Go, of couse, is legendary for inaccuracies. Do you know that a couple of weeks ago, this was actually a joke on Saturday Night Live? Ana Gastner was a TV show guest whose husband worked as "a typesetter for Let's Go guidebooks" and she was "writing a book on how to expereince Europe germ-free".

To show you how bad Let's Go is last Feb. I checked a 2000 ed. of Let's Go Germany, Switzerland and Austria out from my library. On the cover it claimed "Now includes Prauge and Bedapest". This info. was nowhere to be found inside the covers. I emailed the website and they emailed me back telling me I could now read the missing info. on their website as compensation. Can you believe that? It has to be one of the worst editing mistakes of the year. Here I thought those Harvard students were so much smarter than we dummies at the state schools. BTW, I still like this guidebook a lot.

Sidetracked a bit from the big dorky one, but still another reminder to us all that we shouldn't just grab these guidebooks and commence to drone...take me to your leader.

We just returned from a month in Spain, and it was fantastic. I certainly loved the paella, and even tried squid in its black ink, but by the third week, my husband, 16-year-old daughter and I were thrilled to have some American food in a Hard Rock Cafe in Barcelona. And, late one night, instead of tapas, my husband wanted a cheeseburger from Burger King. I don't think these 2 transgressions negate our entire Iberian experience. I think the food break kept us going when we were lagging a bit.
As for Rick Steves, I don't agree with everything he preaches, but he helped give us the courage to do Spain on our own instead of on a tour and it was wonderful. However, my husband hated driving in the cities like Cordoba and Granada--so you really have to consider everything you are getting into when you plan an independent trip.

Speaking of mistakes Rick makes, he gave the wrong street number for a hotel I stayed at in Rome. It was at the opposite end of the long street where the good-natured taxi driver and I were looking. Fortunately, he got directions from another driver and we were on our way. Thank goodness I wasn't on foot with my luggage.
I agree with the dork comment, much as I've used his books in the past. But he has persuaded many to try independent travel. Odd that his tours are so expensive.

Awww, c'mon people!! Sure...for all of us seasoned travellers, ol' Ricky might be a bit tooo simplistic. But can you imagine the words of wisdom he dispenses to viewers from white-bread American suburbia--you know, the folks who consider Branson Missouri or Las Vegas to be the ultimate exotic trip? Rick's books and TV shows can offer a really good starting point for these "world" travellers. Keep up the good work, Rick...but ditch the Bobby Sherman haircut & those gold-frame quasi-aviator glasses: They look soooo 70's.

Elvira, I'm down with that MickyD's hangover cure thang! Works a right treat . . .

I think we've reached consensus here that Slick Rick is great for those unconfident sorts of travelers who need major hand-holding.

And let's face it, he's done the rest of us a major service by sending clueless Americans to the 7th arondissement, leaving the hipper areas of Paris Yank-free!

We're surrounded by Americans at home - the *last* thing I want is Americans around me when I'm traveling overseas. Last time in Brugge I saw dozens of the white tennis shoe brigade using Slick Rick's books - guaranteed American immersion! Off the beaten track, yeah right. Slick Rick sucks IMHO.

I think that Rick means well. I used to like his programs though I can't find them on any of our channels any more. But do I take his travel advice? Not after going to one of his highly recommended restaurants in Paris. I felt like I was in NY with all of the americans around me. To be honest, the last trip that I planned I went to the library to check out his book and found all of the places that he said to go and didn't go to any of them in order to stay away from the tourist crowds. I always think of those poor people in the small town in Italy (the name escapes me but is in Umbria or southern Tuscany) where he tells everyone is a back door. The town with a population of 50, I have heard, is now flooded with tourists. I think that he is responsible for the disappearing of the small and quaint untouristed towns.

It is interesting that so many people can pan someone that is fairly successful (enough to have books, tapes, tours and a PBS show, etc). Lets face it there isn't a book out that does not have errors, (sorry Fodors), but with everchanging places who could be 100% correct and sell affordable books? Who only uses 1 book without internet research, a second book or fodors forums comments and help? Lets face it all of us independent travelers are responsible in the end for all of our own touring! As far as too many Americans have you really looked at travelers? Everbody is traveling and it is not just the tennis shoed Americans (how about the open toe shoe Japenese visiting the Alps at 30 degrees without jackets and seeing Europe through video cameras, or the cigar smoking spainards?) Yes all stereo typing not seeing everyone else who really blends in or is just out there enjoying their trip. And then there is poor Dawn who doesn't go anywhere Rick talks about? There may not be much of Europe left! It is interesting that panning Rick for some of the reasons mentioned above, is like going to a highly rated movie and someone walks away disappointed because there were too many swear words. They may have missed the value/entertainment of the story and acting because they could not get past the language. Information is there for us to use however we choose, I'm just grateful for the variety of options by travel books so we can avoid the travel agents!

Rick's latest book "Postcards from Europe" deals extensively with the "Rick Steves" phenomena, and he admits that it is an unsolvable problem.

On a smaller scale, we all commit the same offense here with every post we place here. Either we add to the tourist burden in a a place (and help its touristic infrastructure) - - or we stingily keep our best tips and ideas to ourselves. Each has its downside.

Best wishes,

Rex

Minimal sharing of crucial travel tips on this board helps us out in the short term -- then Fodors checks out our tips for inclusion in their books -- so everyone wins (as long as we indie travelers act on the essential info before the books go into print a year later)!

Rick is so totally the bottom feeder in the travel guide stratosphere. Why oh why oh why oh why would you do the ETBD thing when you could strike out on your own? I agree with the major hand-holding comment.

Keeps the not-our-kind-dear types in Bloomsbury and Victoria and away from the nicer parts, heh heh heh heh heh heh!
Let's hear it for the internet for planning foreign jaunts!

who knew?!!!

I am reminded of the time I read an article on Colorado, and the sense residents had of the state becoming overrun with new arrivals. The article stressed that often the loudest dissenters to the increasing population were those who had immigrated to Colorado themselves.

Reading the comments about how RS has 'ruined' certain places in Europe, because they are now too 'touristy' - hmmn, am I the only one to smile and see a touch of irony here?

do not forget the most important function of burger king or mcDonalds-they have clean,accessable and free wc avaible. especially in prague where there is one on every other block

Oh, OK I have to weigh in here: I'm getting ready to take my second tour with Rick Steves' company. I am also an independent traveler, but when I'm going to a very new place - this time Turkey - I, as a single woman, feel better going with a group. Next time, I'll be familiar with the customs and territory and I can strike out on my own. Plus, ETBD's groups are small, open-minded non-ugly Americans, for the most part. I would never take a tour with another company. Perhaps some of you would be pleased to know that Steves gives quite a bit of money to Bread for the World, which I, for one think is cool. When I traveled thru France on my own, his guidebook never led me to a bad hotel, and they were all reasonably priced.

Do you feel if someone comes to America to travel and they eat at an Italian, Chinese, Mexican, etc restaurant that they have not really been a traveler in America. Get a life. Do as you want and leave others alone. You are jealous of what Rick Steves has managed to do, so you are trying to make him look bad. He's very smart and a great assest to travlers.

Geez.

I've held my tongue as long as I could at all the Rick bashing. While I agree his tours are more expensive than doing it yourself, not everyone enjoys the research and planning. I have not taken an ETBD tour, but Rick's books and shows have taken me to many places I never knew existed (Varenna, Vernazza, he even mentioned Lucca on a progam and this was my home base for a week). He readily admits that his travel books are opinionated. Rick is not perfect, but he deserves a lot of credit for educating travellers.

So what's wrong with eating a McDonalds or a Burger King? You are in the culture of the country. In Rome you could not hardy get in the McDonalds at the Spanish steps. Let's get off the high horses folks. Everyone spends their money and time to suit themselve. Rick Steves has done a great job in openning up the world to travel. Without him, frommer, fodors,and the rest we might not have the resourses or the bug to travel.

Wow! for 3 years now this thread has ran. I gotta weigh in. I too have taken ETBD tours. I get so mad at people on this board that think unless you are compeletely independent and on your own, you're not a traveler. Bull! I wouldn'travel with any other company, and I may not take one of ETBD's tours again, but only 'cause I know where I want to go back to not because I was dissatisfied. Traveling alone is invigorating, but its also nice to have the company of people a tour offers and frankly its nice to have someone else sweat the details. ETBD tours include cities, but also wonderful small towns with locals I may not have met otherwise. Best of all they are small and never have I felt herded or had to follow somone's colorful umbrella to keep up.