Chin Up, "Ricknicks"
 

No one ever said life in "Rick Nation" would be all milk and honey (Or should I say cannoli and cappucino?). No, you're bound to receive a few lumps along the way, especially after your Main Man receives a big serving of free publicity, courtesy of the recent New York Times Magazine ("Rick Steves's Not So Lonely Planet").

Steves takes more than a few lumps on this site. (see "The NYTimes.com profiles our man..." most recent on 7/7/04). It's too bad, however, that many of those jabs are unjustified, or at least petty. Consider less-than-flattering comments about Steves' haircut (not everyone can mimic the stylings of Kerry & Edwards), or when he struggles with the linguistic demands of masculine/feminine concerning a piece of Sicilian pastry (Imagine the critic's fury had Steves botched an order of, say, foie gras, rather than humble cannoli - or is it connolo?)

Naturally, some criticisms aimed at the driving force behind the "Ricknicks" is justified. For instance, he can be way too restless a vagabond for some tastes ("Leave no more than an hour for Pisa." Also, it's unfortunate that the quirky, quotable qualities of his early to mid-90s videos has given way in recent years to a more perfunctory, middle-of-the-road quality. Whatever became of the "Back Door", Rick?). Still, you can't be too hard on a guy who's trying to keep the Fodor's travel guide empire on its toes (Steves describes the writing in Fodor's guides as "so dry they make your lips chap.") . It's this kind of frank, spot-on commentary, combined with Steves' remarkable success in the travel guide sweepstakes, that'll spur the likes of Fodor's and Frommers to strive to do better, and that'll be a positive development for all globetrotters.

Like so many travelers to Europe, I've dervied a great deal of enjoyment - and practical travel advice - from Steves. His up-beat, glass-is-half-full outlook is quite infectious, and it is that attitude, no doubt, that has long made his seemingly countless travel guides and TV productions such a hit. Thanks to Rick, countless Americans have ventured east, beyond the Atlantic, rather than limiting their holidays to the likes of Disney, Branson, and the nearest Six Flags. In addition, many folks, myself included, have learned from Rick more than a bit of European history (art and political). In short, Steves' "small world" philosophy has been good for America, good for its too often smug, culturally isolationist leanings.

The guy from Edmonds sometimes takes a few below-the-belt criticisms for his average guy appearance. But this is part Steves' appeal, Another part is his on-the-road observations. For example, consider his mid-90s trip to Italy's Hill Towns, when he observes, "Florence wows you with its art treasures, while Siena has soul." Or, while advocating the need to travel lightly, close to the ground, he says, "There are two types of travelers: those who travel light, and those who wish they did." As to his outlook regarding travel in general, Steves is most respectful and generous in spirit, stating, "Bring your good nature. Be culturally sensitive. I find my travels go better when I watch my manners, not the cut of my pants."

So take heart, "Ricknicks." Steves will continue, no doubt, to receive his fair share of jabs, but you well know the "Back Door" is the place to be. After all, any guy who has "made a fortune" in the travel industry, yet is still willing to pose for a photo in front of a road sign labeled "Severe dip," with the caption "Insulting British road signs", can't be all bad.

How long did it take to put this together and what was the fee?

Great article David!

It was Rick Steves Guides and videos that really gave me the travel bug and helped me learn to put my own trips together. His accomodations are not usually my cup of tea but he gives very good advice on many other aspects of traveling independently. When I put a trip together I don't only use one source. I take info from the net and various travel guides including RS and I love his videos :o)

I never could understand why some people give him such a hardtime. All travellers are not the same. I think he has been a real asset to the traveler.

Is there a point to this post?

I dolike Rick, but I don't see the point here, maybe it's just me.

There are many posts that one could ask the same question. I think it was just something to share with people who are interested in travel and things related to it. Nothing deep or ulterior.

It could just be the Rick Steves troll of the month. It was about due.

I would most certainly rather read this post instead of why Americans must root for Lance Crow (I mean Armstrong) or "Can I wear white tennis shoes in Paris". David has thrown out some very useful info previously on this board, so I don't see any "trolling" here (by the way, it seems people who disagree with a viewpoint here often jump to fast to the troll card). David has even had some criticism od Steves' guides in the past.

As for the Rickster and his books; like most guides, some of his stuff is useful, other info (especially restaurant and hotel recommendations) fall short for me. But say what you will about the guy, he is successful and a lot of us wish we had the idea to do what he did 20 - 25 years ago. More power to him.
((H))

I'll take RS's haircut over Donald Trumps that looks like a dead racoon.

Can anybody say that after watching one of his PBS shows, of a destination that you have not already visited, you aren't thinking about a visit soon?

Ah, to be as hated and loved as Rick Steves! No wonder the green monster comes out in some people when you look at a man who gets to travel for a living, and a good living at that.

I don't care for Rick Steves one way or the other, I like to watch some of his videos to see the areas he goes to. However, I wouldn't travel with his tour group, because I don't want to share a room with a stranger which you have to do. However, I think the man is very lucky to do what he loves for a living, and that alone will make a lot of people angry.

I feel the same way as you do, lyb. Remember my Patricia Wells post, it got nasty and got plugged. The trouble is, some posters are "it's my way and no other is correct." The truth is it's what you want to see, simple or fancy, local sights or hidden gems. Plush hotels or simple digs, foret churches , etc, go clubbing. There is no one way.
Go travel, be happy :)

>I wouldn't travel with his tour group, because I don't want to share a room with a stranger which you have to do.<

My wife and I were thinking of an RS tour, but now she won't go because she doesn't want us being split up and sharing rooms with strangers.

Well said, lyb. I disagree with Steves about quite a few things (like, for example, his passion for Rue Cler) and, like you, wouldn't travel with his tours, but I've also found some great accommodations in his books, like this wonderful locanda we stayed at in Siena two years ago and my favorite (family-run) hotel in Europe, in Nice.

It doesn't bother me when people don't like his recommendations, or his travel style.

What does irk me, however, is when people claim he says things he has not said, or misrepresent what he says. A common claim, for instance, is that he &quot;says&quot; people <i>should not</i> learn a foreign language and that's rubbish. He says people do not <i>need</i> to learn a foreign language in order to travel in Europe, and that's true. But he also encourages people to learn at least some of the language in countries they are planning to visit.

<i>Steves takes more than a few lumps on this site. (see &quot;The NYTimes.com profiles our man...&quot; most recent on 7/7/04). It's too bad, however, that many of those jabs are unjustified, or at least petty.</i>

I agree, David. Pehaps a good name for those people who delight in the petty jabs -- a good counterpart to &quot;Ricknicks&quot; -- would be &quot;Ricknitpickers.&quot;

IRA,
&gt;&gt;My wife and I were thinking of an RS tour, but now she won't go because she doesn't want us being split up and sharing rooms with strangers.&lt;&lt;

Hey that could be a new different kind of vacation! :)

My opinion of Rick Steve's style is irrelevant to what I wanted to say here, and that is that David is certainly no troll. He's extended a lot of well considered and well stated information, especially in the area of Ireland travels.

I've found his contributions valuable for future trips and they are stored among my notes and bookmarks. The troll thing is entirely off-base.

Ira tell your wife not to worry. You won't be sharing a room with strangers. We have been on Rick Steve tours and if you are a couple you have your own room. Singles have to share with other singles as he doesn't have a single supplement.

We've enjoyed Rick's videos and bought his books, been to his free seminars and bought many pieces of his travel equipment. We've met the man and he's down to earth and it really all started because he loves travel.

He's said you don't need to go on his tours, expensive for us, just use his books or any others. We've gotten a lot of good advice from his books about what to see and what to skip.

My only problem with is books is that you're likely to travel half way around the world and up a mountain top to some remote hostel or hotel and find most of the other guests are following R.S. books also.

Inspite of that, we've just been to an Eastern Europe seminar and bought his book! Meeting other R.S. people isn't all that bad. They are usually very nice people who love to travel.

I don't subscribe to any cult of personality, Rick's included. But, I would be the first to state that he has been good for those that want to travel and just don't know how to start. I have used his travel guides for years (since our first trip to England) and find them to be great for planning an outline for a pending trip. When used with one or two additional guides, they are very useful.
I, also, don't often use his recommendations on Hotels or restaurants (anymore) and yet, I remeber a B&amp;B in Bath that was wonderful and a Bistro in Paris that was fantastic.
It was Rick that induced me to go to Paestum and Aquileia.
One thing he did instill in me was the contention that the more you spend on lodging, the further you place yourself from the people of the country you are visiting. We can afford to stay wherever we want, but I can't began to tell you the experiences we have encountered because we were staying in a more modest hotel (typically three star and even an occaisional well recommended two star).
Rick &quot;found a nitch and filled it&quot;. More power to him. And, thank you Rick for the contributions you have made to my travels.

joegri, You are expressing what I feel. After trying a few Chateaus and upscale hotels through the years, we have found our stays at B&amp;Bs and Auberge-Fermes more interesting and have made friends with the French. One couple living in HauteProvence we met at a farm in the Auvergne. Our hosts in Normandy are now true friends but we insist on paying because it's their livelyhood. My best frind in France I met at the post office in provence while trying to ask where a particular B&amp;B was in my inept French. She came to my rescue, invited us back for a pastis. The rest is history.

I recently saw some interesting comments about Steves on another forum. A person who obviously loathes him wrote &quot;they actually
seem to like him better because he can't speak foreign languages.&quot; which is a complete misunderstanding of what Steves is all about vis-a-vis European languages. Because Steves uses one wrong word in a TV program that means he &quot;can't speak foreign languages.&quot; Fascinating logic, that.

For one thing, he publishes phrasebooks for five languages: French, Italian, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. For another, on his &quot;Hurdling the Language Barrier&quot; page, he talks about how the &quot;notorious&quot; language barrier is really only &quot;about two feet tall,&quot; how, although it &quot;keeps many people from traveling,&quot; it shouldn't, how with a &quot;few words, communication tricks, <i>and a polite approach</i>, you can leap right over it.&quot;