ira

>'we really want to visit the Third Reich. Please can you show us where it is on the map?'<

I find that smart alecky remark by the "guide" very improper, rude and offensive. After all, the questioner did say "please".

Christina

I have a suspicion that if you really had such a business and advertised it, you could possibly be sued by Rick Steves. After all, how would you get business? You'd have to advertise that you are running tours following R Steves guidebooks and itineraries and staying in his places. Even I could see how that could be confusing and businesses have been sued for much much less. My BIL was actually sued by some big chain music store in the Boston area because his store name was fairly similar, and he waqs runing a small family business in a small town in Ohio. In fact, I'm not sure how that company even heard of him. I don't know if he would have won or not, but my BIL could not afford the legal fees and it really caused him a lot of problems.

I presume you are kidding, but I'm not sure. If so, get a good lawyer (a really good one) and float the idea by him or her first.

ParisAmsterdam

... and never change your shirt or trousers.

... always pronounce liquer liKOOR

... ever notice when he speaks English to a person
of a different language he has a funny accent?

... last time I thumbed through a Steves book in a store
I couldn't believe how poor the maps were...

spaarne

<i>
ParisAmsterdam on May 30, 11 at 7:25pm
... last time I thumbed through a Steves book in a store
I couldn't believe how poor the maps were...</i>

But every map of Amsterdam, seven by my count in his Holland books, prominently highlights the red light district. I wonder if he gets a commission from the painted ladies.

Jomackenzie

Follow Rick Steves? You MUST be intoxicated or half-witted or totally lacking in imagination or all three.

Aduchamp1

I think the tour should be there the same time as the real Rick Steve's tours and shout rude things to them. And with everyone dressed up in blue shirts and nerd glasses, it will totally confuse them.

J62

I really don't have a problem with RS's own model. He's done a lot to show how accessible many destinations can be, and opened up travelers eyes to places not already on everyone's top 3 list. He's also helped many travelers realize they can arrange their own travels rather than just sign up for tours like Perillo's Italy tours that used to be the only way to travel for many people.

I don't like how he's turned travel into a step by step procedure rather than a discovery, but that's not necessarily his fault.

My main issue is with the lemmings who seem to follow his every move & word as gospel. The ones would follow blue footsteps painted on the cobblestones if they could, and couldn't find the Eiffel tower without a RS guide if it were right in front of them.

His guides do contain some good, practical info...as a resource or starting point.

spaarne

<i>J62 on May 31, 11 at 11:02am
I really don't have a problem with RS's own model.</i>

I don't either. He copied it from Arthur Frommer, author of the Mother of all Guide Books -- *Europe on $5 a Day*. Steves was still in diapers when Frommer published his book. It helped millions of Americans see Europe independently on a budget, including me. Steves is still a juvenile in comparison with Frommer.