Not all of Rick's recommended accomodations are cheap, budget, and/or inconvenient. Some are, some aren't. When we went to Germany two years ago, I had never heard of Rick Steves, but it turns out we selected two of his recommended places to stay on our own.

One was a dump, the other was excellent in every way--service, rooms, decor, location, and restaurant.

I agree that RS gives good recommendations to use to PLAN YOUR OWN itinerary and stops. He makes some good finds for off-the-beaten path things (whether they stay that way or not).

However, I've noticed one thing...

How many of us (all obviously travel fans, otherwise we wouldn't be here) are jealous of the fact that he gets to travel and gets paid for it??? I AM!!!

Yeh Rick has great trips no doubts and his books are full of great tips - if only he wasn't so full of hubris that makes him hard to stomach for some. Great products no doubt. More power to him - if only he could chip away at that chip on his shoulder; some of his book tips, at least in earlier editions were repulsive and sure to create anti-americanism, sucvh as putting his driving others out of his train compartment by purposefully taking off his shoes and letting his stinking feet permeate into the compartment. May not be exactly what he wrote but something repulsive like that. When travelling abroad i always try to be polite to Europeans, after all it's their train i'm riding so why be so obnoxious?

my favourite RS suggestion is to loudly announce the amount that you are paying when you give the money to the waiter in a restaurant. this is so that all the people around you can hear and come to your aid if you end up getting ripped off on the change. is this guy serious???

secondly, anyone who requires hotels and restaurants to provide a benefit (ie discounts to readers) in exchange for a recommendation will have bad recommendations as most good places in europe would never participate in such gimmics.

anyway, like all travelbeach posts this is meant to stir controversy. here's a tip...there's no such thing as "downtown" in europe.

I watch his programs but never read any book of his because I know his places suggested,will have only Americans there. We love you guys but in france, rather meet the French.