Shane

Has anyone who posts at this site ever take a Rick Steves guided tour? How was it? Was it worth while?

WillTravel

Some people have posted they have, and as far as I can remember all reviews have been positive. If it seems like the sort of thing for you, I think it would work out well.

TexasAggie

There is a feedback link on each of his tour webpages (the ones with the description and itinerary). Most of the feedback is very good. My sister is not the "plan your own trip" sort and she is going on his 7 day Paris tour this summer.

Mimar

Like most of the people on this forum, I prefer individual travel. But we have friends who took his tours and they all liked them and would go with "him" again.

wanderlust5

I've taken lots of group tours, and I've traveled on my own. I have never taken a RS tour, but considering how expensive they are, and the fact that you stay in 2-3 star hotels and get no porterage, and many of the meals are not included, I think they are exorbitantly expensive. I think the main draw is the groups are small, and the "prestige" of his popularity, is why people fork over that kind of dough. In my opinion after traveling out of the country over 20 times, I'd go with someone else where you get more for your money. But that's is only my opinion. I'd rather have more cash to spend in the country(ies) I visit and not have to carry my own luggage, personally. Not to mention staying at nicer hotels. I'm just saying for the price. There is nothing wrong with 2 and 3 star hotels -- don't misunderstand me. I am simply saying for the same price, you can go with Trafalgar or another company and get another star, have porterage, and have a few more meals along the way. Dollar for dollar. Again, just my opinion. I've considered going on his tours, because they look like a blast, and we live in Seattle and go to his travel seminars, buy all his books and lots of his travel accessories. But his trips are little pricey for what you get, compared to others I have taken.

Shane

I would never consider traveling in a group myself, but I am interested in other points-of-view and experiences. Whatever may be said of the Steves tour, he operates one whale of a lucrative racket.

Edward2005

A few years ago I was considering doing a guided tour of Italy but I ended up doing it on my own as usual. But during my comparison shopping of various tours, one thing I noted about the RS tour that was a big plus for me was the relatively small size of the groups. 25 people on a 50 person bus is much more pleasant than 45 or 50 people on a 50 person bus. I also liked the promise of small, characteristic, centrally located hotels rather than big fancy hotels that may not be near the historic center of a town.

One thing to watch out for with any tour is a price that is too good to be true. Many tours advertise a ridiculously low price to get you in the door, but they only include about 1 guided tour per day while selling other "optional" tours at $50 a pop. For example, day 3 in Paris might include a guided tour of the Louvre, but the optional tour of the Orsay might be extra. Those extras make it more difficult to compare prices.

And beware of tours that are thinly disguised shopping sprees. Tour guides often have an arrangement with a shopkeeper to get a cut of whatever his or her group buys, so the guide's incentive is to skimp on the historically and culturally interesting stuff and just take you to yet another boring glass-blowing shop in Venice.

wanderlust5

Dear all,
gosh I hope I didn't come off as sounding mean or obnoxious about the RS tours. I didn't mean anything in a derogatory way - I was just making a comment re pricing. He does a great job, I love his shows, and I take it all back if anyone took it the wrong way

Shane

I watch and enjoy Rick Steves TV shows. However, he's about forty years behind the times in his understanding of Medieval Europe and it shows. He still has the old Dark Ages concept in mind and doesn't realize an intensive growth in civilization after about the year 1000. He should read Norman Cantor's MEDIEVAL CIVILIZATION to broaden his views on the Middle Ages.

crefloors

I looked at his tours a couple of years ago and when I read you had to climb 100 steps to get to the hotel in one of the cities in Switzerland....well, THAT did it for me!!!! Oh yea, climb 100 steps up and down when ever you go out of the hotel....NOT!!!!

cooncat

I've taken two RS tours. One to France and one to Turkey. If if wasn't for the tour, I wouldn't have had the guts to travel in France by myself. I now do it on my own, but it was a great way for a first timer to Europe to travel. My tour was a three-week jaunt thru small villages. It was absolutely fabulous and I'd do it all again if I could have my same guide. His French was impeccable - he teaches French in the US - and I can't say enough about the tour. That said, the prices are getting steeper. (I went in 98) I think if you want to do a tour, his are great. You eat local food, meet local people and stay in small hotels. They also offer Bed and bus options. All the planning is done, reservations made. You just hop on the bus and then you're on your own when you get to the location. My co-worker did this in Italy. He totally loved it. Anyway...I'm not really a "tour type" either, but I did love this tour. Turkey was great as well, but the people weren't as fun, frankly.
(BTW: No I don't work for Europe thru the Back Door!)
Cheers,
Sharon

mile

OVERPRICED.!!!
I have been in his headquarters and you
can call it cashing-cashing!
Take advantage of his great tapes, lot's of info. also the books, but travel on your own.
some hostels, posadas or B&B not as cute as they look on tv.