Opinion of Rick Steves
 

I would imagine that half of the Americans who venture on the Fodors board knows of TV's Rick Steves. My opinion- 1) He has a lot of important but mundane knowledge. Recently, he told his audience that European drink-and-drive laws are much more strict than America's. That's good to know and a good reason not to rent cars for European jaunts. 2) He almost wants you to do exactly what he does in Europe. A degree of spontaneity is important in getting the most out of travel. I'd never do what he says word-for-word. 3) He's very left-wing and it shows. He just worships the Scandanavian welfare states in a way reminiscent of Garrison Keillor. Of course, he doesn't tell you that the Scandanavian nations have very high rates of illegitimate births (ie. Sweden's is over 50%), divorce, suicide, alcoholism and very low birth rates (incidentally a sign of a society no longer confident in itself and a sad fact of life in most of Western Europe). That said, he is more respectful to historical sites than most lefties. 4) He's highly opinionated and I respect and value it. But I'd value it with a grain of salt. For instance, he just hates the Spanish Steps in Rome. Now I would agree that the Spanish Steps is not particularly notable but I valued one thing by visiting. At the top of the steps one can see how many Italians have adapted their rooftops into pleasant little family outdoor lounges much in the same way Americans love their patios in the summer and early fall. That said, I just would like to read the opinions of others regarding Rick Steves.

Roger <BR> <BR>I think Rick's covererage of the basics of do-it-yourself travel is excellent, particularly for first time travelers to Europe. His website (www.ricksteves.com) is basic, comprehensive and useful. Not to bite the hand that feeds us, this Fodors site is awesome, and I'm totally addicted. <BR>No, I'm not affiliated with Rick's operation in any way.

I use his books to plan my trips. I trust but verify his tips on where to stay before I leave home. Sometimes I have trouble with his directions but he gets me where I want to go. I use his site, this site & others to ensure I have planned the best vacation that I can afford. I don't believe you should follow any guide book 100% but he has never steered me wrong yet. <BR> <BR>It's kinda like having a map & being shown which is the right way to go but then you see this little road and you follow it. Sometimes you get lost & know you should have followed the map, sometimes you find a really nice detour & your happy you tossed the map.

I disagree that Rick Steve's books are comprehensive. If you are traveling to a place that he covers (e.g., Brugge or Rothenburg), there is a lot of useful information. But there are many tourist destinations such as Heidelberg and Delft that he doesn't cover at all. <BR> <BR>I do agree that he over-romanticizes many aspects of European life, but for someone that is in the business of selling Americans on Europe, it is understandable that comes across as an unabashed Europhile. <BR> <BR>I enjoy his television series.

I wish he would learn another damn language instead of bits and pieces of some. I remember reading on his website or something that he monolingual. For some reason that particularly irritates me about him. <BR>I have to agree with Roger that he lets his own personal politics slip in occasionaly and it's really inappropriate. <BR>Over all, though, I like his TV show and his website has pretty good basic info. Nothing can beat that rail map he has that estimates how much a train ticket will cost.

Mr.Nasal has got to be the nerdiest cheapskate around! I'm surprised that he doesn't get beat up. I just can't believe he's as popular as he is. I guess maybe there are alot of geeky travelers out there who think his youth hostel recommendations for grown adults is cool?

I've never seen his show, but I have one of his books and have browsed a couple others. If you don't know anything about the place you're going to, he leads you through a nice out-of-the-ordinary itinerary. Not at all comprehensive, but that's his style. <BR> <BR>What's all this whining about his politics? I don't see it in his books. And you don't have to be a "lefty"(!) to think that the Scandanavian society is saner in a lot of ways than the U.S. I happen to like living in the US, but I'm ALWAYS impressed by ways the Dutch and Scandanavians have tried to make their societies more humane. Maybe Roger should stay home and fondle his automatic weapons. <BR> <BR>And what's wrong with sleeping cheap (so long as it's nice)? A lot of travel books are oriented to those who don't have a lot of surplus funds.

Come on guys. His whole premise is travel through the back door. To travel like a local. I have found if I take his suggestions I don't pay the jacked up tourist price for meals & lodging.

I'm a semi-fan. <BR>Much of what he preaches is sound. <BR> <BR>Unfortunately he also peddles more than a meager share of hypocrisy, and occasionally seems to have oatmeal for brains. <BR> <BR>It's hard to tell a prospective reader which is which, so it becomes increasingly difficult for me to recommend his books. <BR> <BR>His guidebooks are not, repeat not, comprehensive. They build up places his tours take people and completely avoid places the tours don't go. <BR> <BR>His overviews (ETBD, Europe 101 and Mona Winks) are quite good and overall pretty sound. I do recommend them, as opposed to the Best Of guidebooks. <BR> <BR>Ed

I don't know that he necessarily promotes the places his tour covers. I think the books came first, and the tours just included those places he liked best. I have a feeling he is not as genuine as he used to be, since his business has given him the means to travel a lot differently than the way he used to. I do think his popularity has been a double-edged sword. He has added crowds to those back door spots. I do wish he would cover more places. Even on his tv shows, he seems to hit the same spots too much. As far as politics go, I kind of like his opinions. I have seen him be pretty opinionated on some occasions, but he has every right. He is a businessman, not a newsman, so it is up to him how to present Europe to his viewers/readers/customers. He usually tells it like it is, and you know it is opinion. Yeah, he seems like a wimp, and he mutilates the languages, but I like him.

Sounds like Roger is a little bit Republican. I, for one, despise Rick Steves because he is exactly why people in Europe do not like Americans: he displays cheap, obnoxious, and badly dressed qualities which one should leave at home. My idea of a vacation does not include Members-Only attire and bad language skills.

I have seen his TV show only twice, and haven't read his books at all, but it does seem to me that his approach to art and history is a bit shallow. <BR> <BR>I know that two TV shows isn't a lot base my opinion on, but it was enough to make me want to avoid his books in favor of those that delve a bit into what it is that makes a great site great. <BR> <BR>

Anyone age 45 who has been able to spend 100 days of each of his last 20 years in Europe is pretty cool in my book. He had a love, saw a niche then worked very hard to establish himself and those that work for him as best-in-class. Although I personally have a very different 'travelus operandi' than he and am by no means close to being one of his groupies, his zeal has to be admired. I agree that his overview books are the best. The translation phrases he publishes represent very pertinent aid in real world situations - I like them a lot. In closing, the thought that Rick Steves has a subliminal political agenda has never crossed my mind. Also, if the original poster is insinuating that the right-wing is more in tune with historic preservation, then that is just plain laughable.

Roger~ <BR> <BR>One word about the illegitimate children. They don't really see it as that. There are far more couples who just live together permeantly and have children, than get married. I know that this is America's definition of illegitimate, but to them it isn't the same horror, as what many Americans see it to be. Thier rate of teenagers with babies is very very low, I am sure - no way could it be anywhere equal of this country or many other industrialized nations. Maybe this fact doesn't matter to you, but I just don't want someone to come to this message and see "illegitimate" and think of tons of irresponsible teenagers or some such thing. :) <BR> <BR>One reason they have this mindset might be because religion is not nearly as prevelant as it is here or in other countries. <BR> <BR>Also, scandanavians are perfectly self-confident in themselves, especially Finns. They are very proud of their accomplishments (one of the highest, if not the highest per capita of engineers anywhere in the world, the excellent technology that they possess, great schools with children that speak many langauges and do well in their post-education jobs, to name just a few.) <BR> <BR>The largest reason why Finns and other Scandanavians don't have many children is that they live in an extremely expensive country. I feel it has nothing to do with their confidence levels; probably anyone from that region would laugh at such a comment! <BR> <BR>Have you ever been to Scandanavia or met people of that descent? I was exchange student there and my host family and I talked a lot about these issues and they explained just about everything I have told you to me. Ironically my host family had four children, so it's not like they all have the views that you think they do. <BR> <BR>Just wanted to share another persepective. :) <BR> <BR>Becca <BR>

My wife and I have taken two tours with <BR>Rick Steves - the first to France which was wonderful and the second to Ireland - which was a disaster. <BR> <BR>The guide in France was extraordinary. He had lived in France previously, was very well informed on French history, customs, food, wine, etc. He was also a nice guy with a sense of humor. He made the tour interesting and fun. <BR> <BR>The guide in Ireland wasa dud! She read <BR>passages from guide books aloud as we drove along in a bus. She was cheap and <BR>pennypinching. <BR> <BR>Never again will we take a Steves tour! <BR> <BR>Upon our return from Ireland, we wrote <BR>to the Steves organization and asked for <BR>a partial refund. FAT CHANCE!!! <BR> <BR>It took about three months to get a <BR>response which was negative. We did'nt get a refund. <BR> <BR>By the way, between the time of our tour <BR>through France and our tour through <BR>Ireland (about 10 months later) we spent a week in Paris which we had arranged ourselves via the internet and we happened to be staying at a hotel frequented by guess who? You guessed it - Rick. We shared a <BR>breakfast table and found him to be as warm and friendly as a Parisian waiter. <BR> <BR>I agree with most of the comments made <BR>by the previous posters. I would not <BR>recommend the tours. The guide books <BR>are helpfull and good for the novice visitor. <BR> <BR>Some of the hotels he recommends are <BR>borderline and I am sure that he negotiates very good rates. If you compare his prices to some similar <BR>competitors he is however not passing the savings on to his customers. <BR>

I expect the man to be what he is - a man, not a saint. <BR> <BR>His mission was to make Europe accessible for many people who might otherwise have been afraid to try it on their own, or for fear that they couldn't afford it. Thanks to him, we now think nothing of using public transportation in a country where we know 50 words of the local language. <BR> <BR>I agree that he doesn't cover many places but that is what makes his books stand out from others; he is selective, which is a must for a first time visit to a country. His itineraries are starting points - I think he'd be the first to endorse the idea of branching out and trying new 'back doors.' <BR> <BR>Yes, his accomodations tend to the low end, but it's a lot easier to find places that cost more, as opposed to costing less. <BR> <BR>I don't agree with many of his opinions, but it is refreshing to find someone in the travel business who actually offers them. <BR> <BR>As for his being as warm as a Parisian waiter, I suspect that he never intended to become a celebrity, and he may find the constant barrage of attention a bit tough to take at times. <BR> <BR>

I must admit that the few times I've browsed through Rick Steves travel books I've immediately put the books back on the shelf. I guess the hand drawn road maps seemed a little confusing to me compared to other travel books. I do love his travel episodes. After hearing about some of the positives - I just may give one of his books a try.

In a way, I like Rick's books. When I'm looking for a budget place he usually tells it straight. I bought a few Rough Guides and had to wonder who the h*ll was writing the damn things! I mean hotels and restaraunts in Amsterdam utterly horrible! <BR>I stayed at a place in Rome that was recommended elsewhere, but not in Rough Guide book- really great place too. <BR>If it sounds like I've an axe to grind with RG, well, I probably do. But hey, it's tough to find just the right book thats going to be tailored to your personality and needs. I think Rick Steves fills a niche- and grudgingly, Im sure Rough Guide does too.

Bought his Germany/Austria/Switzerland book in preparation for our trip this summer, but ended up not taking much of his advice. I suspect if I were 20 years younger, I might be on the bandwagon more. On the other hand, I bought his German language phrase book, and it's excellent. The handiest and most practical such book I've ever seen. <BR> <BR>On the subject of Northern European social trends, I'd like to second Becca's observations. I haven't been to Scandanavia, but I have been to the Netherlands and spoke to a number of people in their 30s and 40s who are quite comfortable with their stable unmarried domestic relationships. With the high rate of divorce in the U.S., we can't exactly brag about our supposed superiority. And Becca is correct about teen pregnacy being much higher in the U.S.

Roger thinks tough drunk driving laws in Europe are a good reason not to rent a car in Europe. Seems like a better idea would be not to drive drunk in Europe (or the US for that matter).

funny, I met him once and thought he was warm, funny, and approachable. maybe he was just having a bad day. humans do have those, on occasion... <BR> <BR>

He's got very good travel strategy advice on packing, getting around, and meeting locals, for those who will listen to him. And I think most of his destinations are quite good. I think he's extremely up front -- although he sells train passes such as the Eurodomino in the Netherlands, he indicates that the pass can be had more cheaply over there. The guy is clever and witty in his TV productions, but in person, he's far sharper. <BR> <BR>I suppose I'm bugged by the following he has -- it's been described as a cult and he as a guru -- but I guess that's what happens to people with good ideas. His recommendations are often full up in summer with people that carry his books and sing his praises, and it's hard to meet locals when you're sharing a tabe with Ruth and Frank from Des Moines -- might as well have taken a tour. <BR> <BR>He needs to expane his "back doors" so that his disciples aren't always tripping over each other. Also, he needs to do something about the fact that his recommendations end up raising their prices, lowering their service, and losing their charm because of the hordes of travelers he sends their way -- automatically boot them out of his book after 3 years, then reinstate them if they are favorably reviewed. I stayed in a place in Haarlem that could only be described as a pricey flophouse. <BR> <BR>Needs to work on his language, too. I don't care if he's trying to prove that any moron can travel Europe with English only -- he can still learn to pronounce a few words correctly (and spell them correctly in his videos, for God's sake.)

I am gratified with the response to my post and am thankful for all the responses especially the ones critical of mine. I do have a few counterpoints. As for the comprehensiveness of Rick Steves' books, I agree they can be sparse. His books should be used in conjunction with the more detailed Let's Go series of books. One of the most pleasant eating experiences in my life was due to following the restaurant recommendations in Let's Go, Italy. To answer jwalter, I am not a Republican and have not voted for a Republican for president since 1984. Moreover, I despise the Bush family from secretly arrogant George I and the equally arrogant Barbara Bug-eyes on down to sissy Jeb, corrupt Neil and the phony, crybaby with a fake Texas accent Dubya. (Why is Dubya the only Bush with a Texas accent?). James has a somewhat valid point regarding historic preservation. There are many on the so-called Right, especially libertarians, Gates-worshippers and neo-conservatives, who don't give a hang about historic preservation or culture. On the other hand, liberal Richard Moe of the Nat. Trust for Historic Preservation is doing fine work. That said, it is my experience that leftiest hate almost everything pre-1960s and that the righties hate about everything (except Ronald Reagan) that has happened in the last forty years. Whether Becca likes it or not, illegitmacy is a sign of a dysfunctional society. Though I am far from a religious fanatic, marriage is a Holy covenant. A coupling without a covenant is as dispensible as a tin can. As for Becca's correct noting of teenage births being higher in the US than in Scandanavia, it is apparent that teenage birth rates correlate to the number of Third World people in a Western nation. The USA has high numbers of Third Worlders and Scandanavia has low numbers of Third Worlders. On another point, the de-Christianization of Scandanavia that Becca seems to laud often leads to moral squalor. Becca also tells us that it is expensive to live in Scandanavia and that is why the birth rate is so low. And why is it so expensive in Scandanavia? It just might be because the tax rate in Scandanavia is 60%++. The governments of Scandanavia are too expensive and are a leading cause of the low birth rates. To answer xxx on drunk driving laws, let me be clear that Rick Steves maintains that you don't have to be anywhere near intoxicated to get in legal trouble in much of Europe. A couple of beers might get you in trouble. Finally, Mike's proposition that I "stay home and fondle" my automatic weapons is a childish non-sequitar.

I bought his ETBD book in 1988, and back then he really touted independent travel and looked down on tour groups. That book actually gave me the courage to travel to Europe alone, and I'm grateful for that. <BR> <BR>I have noticed however, that like many of us middle aged people, he's changed from traveling hippie to business-savvy yuppie. My friend owns a copy of his 1994 ETBD book, and he performed a 180 degree about face on his opinions of tour groups since 1988 -- coincidentally, right about the time he started his own tour company. <BR> <BR>His overall tone also became much whinier in his later books -- he complains a great deal in the 1994 book (and now on his web site and subscription e-mails), while in the 1988 version he just shrugs off a lot of the discomforts and advises travelers to do the same. Yes, we can all tolerate a bit more discomfort when we're younger, can't we? <BR> <BR>And yes, those businesses he recommends take full advantage of the publicity and raise their prices. I avoided his hotel and restaurant suggestions like the plague because of that. They will claim that the prices Rick quotes in his book are incorrect and try to gouge you if you let them.

Interesting thread. <BR> <BR>In fairness to Rick Steves, and also to his recommended hotels, businesses do tend to charge the price the market will bear. Demand drives price. Such research as I have done on the subject seems to suggest that the hotels in question are not disproportionately priced, relative to others in the area, which indicates that demand is rising in general for European travel services. <BR> <BR>With or without Rick Steves, I suspect European tourism would have increased, thus driving up prices. The usual demographic factors are at work; we baby boomers constitute a big crowd. <BR> <BR>One chief disagreement I have with Rick, and that is that one can understand complex cultural issues after a two week vacation in a country. Or even twenty two week vacations! I've been married for 18 years to someone and I still have trouble understanding them sometimes --- so I sure as heck doubt that I could generalize about millions of people based on a few casual observations made whilst travelling. <BR>

I've been familiar with Rick Steves' and his "back door" concept of European travel since the early '80s when I moved to Seattle (Steves is based out of Edmonds, a northern Seattle suburb), have purchased his books, bought railpasses through his company, and enjoy watching his travel series on PBS. When his operation was smaller, in the early '80s, his "back-door" recommendations were, IMO, more "back door". But, inevitably, the more successful and well-known he became, the more people were going to be passing through those "back doors." <BR> <BR>If I'm indebted to Rick for one thing, it's for a recommendation of a hotel in Nice that I've now stayed at five times and absolutely love.

I threw away my Rick Steve's book when I read his advice to avoid Berchtesgaden because of the traffic!!!! <BR> <BR>Having been fortunate enough to visit this area yearly for the last 20 years, I nearly has a stroke when I read those words!!!!

<BR>Roger - <BR>Childish my comment might have been, but hardly a non-sequitur. You struck me as a right-wing blow-hard who couldn't stand Scandanavians because they had governments that try to be fair to everyone, not just the rich. And as to your hang-up on traditional marriage, it may wiser not to try imposing your religion on others. My comment was based on the assumption that you were a gun nut, since that seems to go with calling people "lefties".

Roger~ <BR> <BR>About the third-worlders haivng more children illegitimately: In the US I think the largest problem with teenagers having children isn't that they come from a third-world family, it is lack of communication. I'm in college now, but all of the people I knew who had children in high school (i grew up in a small place, so everyone knew everyone) didn't have them because there families were third-world they had them because of bad choices and lack of communication with the people who should matter most - the parents. The teens didn't feel like they could go to their parents when they were beginning to make such decisions. <BR> <BR>It can also be argued that the parents didn't do the greatest job of instilling the kinds of values they wanted promoted; it works both ways. <BR> <BR>What I'm trying to say is that it has little to do with economic issues; it has to do with the relationships that the teens have with the people who should give them their guidance. <BR> <BR>In Finland, I use this as the example because I am most familiar with Suomi, but I'm sure it is the same with the rest of Scandanavia, people communicate openly. Parents and children have relationships that promote open talking, so any issue can be brought to the table. <BR> <BR>Expense: Yes, the taxes in Scandanavia are high, but it truly is hard to find anything negative with it once you see it up close. No one suffers due to lack of health insurance or too high costs of prescription drugs. Everyone gets an excellent education. My best friends in Finland all spoke four langauges by the time I met them at age 16. <BR> <BR>Just another person's opinion. :) <BR>Becca

I hate to get off-subject, but referring to racial minorities in the United States as "Third Worlders" is rather offensive. I'm sure Roger wasn't speaking just of people who have immigrated from another country, but rather to non-whites (most of whose ancesters came to the U.S. a century or so before my ancestors did). As to recent immigrants from Third World countries, most that I come into contact with are from Korea and tend to be extremely socially responsible.

I am in love with Rick Steves. Any time he wants to leave his wife, I'm available. I'd love to bear his children and tour Europe every year with him. I would follow him to the North Pole, the South Pole and any pole in between.

Mercy, Cynth, are you sure you want to see this dude with his clothes off!!! What's next? Arthur Frommer in a hot tub?

Emily, <BR> <BR>You must be an expert on Berchtesgaden. <BR>Can you recommend a lakeside hotel for mid-July?

Well, some of you would have enjoyed the episode on the Black Forest that I saw last week. Rick was at a Baden Baden spa au natural, in a co-ed bath at one point with his wife. Who says the guy is a fud? He made a point of showing how the lady giving the massage ended with a spank near the derriere. Of course Rick was wearing a towel on camera (not a washcloth).

I think Rick Steves is a good resource for inexperienced travelers who don't know how to do or don't want to do in-depth research. He has opened up European travel to a lot of people. <BR> <BR>That said, I can't watch him without bursting into laughter. And I think he ought to own up to the fact that he was born without tastebuds. And he needs to do just a tad bit more research on architecture - if it's in Europe it must be medieval seems to be his slogan.

I use Rick Steves as a reference for areas covered by his books (as others have pointed out, his books are not comprehensive). I think his advice is very helpful, and even more helpful to those visiting Europe for the first time. I also make good use of "Mona Winks." <BR> <BR>He's generally right on the money on what's worth seeing (or not seeing). Luckily, I can afford to spend more on dining and lodging, so I generally disregard his advice in those areas. <BR> <BR>Regarding Rick's linguistic ability, I think it's more than he lets on in his shows (which I love to watch, primarily for the scenary). He is trying to encourage first-time European travelers to visit independently, even if they don't know any (or much) of the foreign language at hand. But if you watch and listen, often he will communicate in fluent, complete sentences to others in the show, in whichever country he's in for that show. <BR> <BR>Regarding marriage and children, it's only a "holy covenant" if you're a believer in those religions that feel that way. Regarding "third worlders," without studying statistics, I'm sure that it's been demonstrated that lower birth rates are more correlated to higher educational levels of women & economic prosperity (both of which, I assume, are prevelant in Scandanavian countries). That has been demonstrated in countries such as India; as those factors go up, the birth rate decreases.

I agree with many of the comments,pro & con toward Rick S.I think his greatest value has been encouraging people to try vacationing in Europe.Many Foderites are experienced travelers and may be unaware of how intimidated many people are by the idea of traveling to Europe

OK, no opinion on Rick Steves (do have friends who think he's great) but really relieved with Roger's clarification that he is not a Republican. The would be association of a few loud party champions -- ouch! For the record (and this is from a former professional GOP'er), I'm all about the live and let live. Scandanavians (and others) most likely think parts of our culture are over the edge -- and they are probably right, but we like it (mostly) so who cares? Isn't that why they have horseraces (and elections)?? And what's up with the whole Third-world deal?? Like most everyone (clearly excluding Native Americans) who has joined the ranks of US Citizenry wasn't decended from some sort of boat/plane/train/walking/swimming/driving people from somewhere else (and I include my own Mayflower people from forever ago as the very original boat people -- what a trip for drammamine would that have been!). Lighten up --might make your travel more enligtening (and fun!).

My husband and I enjoy watching Rick Steve's on tape or TV. He's a nerd but he's *proud* of being a nerd so he's okay in our book. It's a laugh riot when he pronounces foreign words or names as he just slaughters the proper pronunciation. I don't think it's an act. He's just himself and he could give a damn about what people think. People like it that he's so nerdish and Midwestern American. He's not threatening to mid-America (despite his web site that includes message boards with subject heads on where to get pot in Europe.)

I have to laugh at Roger's complaints about illegitimate children. Most of the Scandinavian couples I have known are very settled in their domestic arrangements. They may not be officially married, but in most U.S. states, they'd be considered common-law spouses. <BR>I don't think confidence levels have anything to do with it. Where is your proof of that? More likely it's due to much easier access to birth control and family planning, along with higher education opportunities that keep you in school rather than out having babies. Those skyrocketing birth rates in places like Mexico and Africa have pretty darn little to do with confidence levels and a lot to do with lack of family planning. <BR>Finally, a doctor I know examined the birth and marriage records of several early New England towns. About two-thirds of the births occurred within 6 months of the marriages and it wasn't due to a rash of premature babies! Without all those shotgun or hasty weddings, our own "illegitimacy" rate in those so-called Puritan days would have been pretty high. <BR>Btilke <BR>