Rick Steves Alternatives
Oct 26th, 2015, 02:56 AM
#21
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There's lots of good suggestions here. Some of them do not air on TV much anymore (like Rudy Maxa) but you can get the entire shows on youtube.
I agree with everything twk just said - especially about using multiple sources and also about Rick Steves. What he is trying to do is show people that there's more to visiting a place than going to the monuments and museums listed in most travel guide books. By filming the cheese and wine shops, etc he's saying 'sample the local cuisine and culture'. Meet the locals. Frankly I find those parts of his videos the most boring so just ignore them. I also think the average person is not really going to meet many locals on a typical trip - other than a five minute conversation with a shop owner who may be a nice person but is really talking to you, not because you are interesting, but because he wants to sell you something. But the whole 'meet the locals, get to know the culture' is a big thing here on this forum so I don't get why people don't like Rick Steves as that's what he's doing.
I agree with everything twk just said - especially about using multiple sources and also about Rick Steves. What he is trying to do is show people that there's more to visiting a place than going to the monuments and museums listed in most travel guide books. By filming the cheese and wine shops, etc he's saying 'sample the local cuisine and culture'. Meet the locals. Frankly I find those parts of his videos the most boring so just ignore them. I also think the average person is not really going to meet many locals on a typical trip - other than a five minute conversation with a shop owner who may be a nice person but is really talking to you, not because you are interesting, but because he wants to sell you something. But the whole 'meet the locals, get to know the culture' is a big thing here on this forum so I don't get why people don't like Rick Steves as that's what he's doing.
Oct 26th, 2015, 03:49 AM
#22
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Must be cultural I guess.
Nobody I know in Europe would watch a video about a country to be visited.
Or maybe it is nobody of my age
As for Rick, nobody knows him outside US (or English ?) speaking, so I ahve no idea how good/bad he is.
Only thing I ever saw for myself is the rue Cler, that all US visitors seems to want to visit in Paris because of him.
Is the rue Cler such a must ? (hint : took me 20 years to see it).
Mvg.
Nobody I know in Europe would watch a video about a country to be visited.
Or maybe it is nobody of my age
As for Rick, nobody knows him outside US (or English ?) speaking, so I ahve no idea how good/bad he is.
Only thing I ever saw for myself is the rue Cler, that all US visitors seems to want to visit in Paris because of him.
Is the rue Cler such a must ? (hint : took me 20 years to see it).
Mvg.
Oct 26th, 2015, 06:08 AM
#23
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These days, you'd have to be a moron, or an absolute non-traveler, to not know either.
Nobody has heard of it who is not english speaking.
That 's waht I wrote, albeit you dropped out half of my sentence.
Nobody has heard of it who is not english speaking.
That 's waht I wrote, albeit you dropped out half of my sentence.
Oct 26th, 2015, 06:43 AM
#26
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<i>Does anyone have any good alternatives to Rick Steves when looking to watch travel videos to get a feel for various areas? </i>
Aside from straight up documentaries?
Lonely Planet's stuff (especially the stuff with Ian Wright) used to be quite good but I have not checked it out in recent years. Ian has gone on to do other shows.
Then there's the always entertaining Anthony Bourdain.
I doubt it is still on but 3 Sheets was pretty good.
I thought that BBC 2's Rick Stein: From Venice to Istanbul was really good. Yes, it is very much centered around food but there's a fair bit of history there as well.
Stephen Fry in Central America is also quite good but then again, I would watch anything with Stephen Fry in it.
Ewan McGregor's Long Way Round is a bit dated now but still great. Because Ewan McGregor.
Aside from straight up documentaries?
Lonely Planet's stuff (especially the stuff with Ian Wright) used to be quite good but I have not checked it out in recent years. Ian has gone on to do other shows.
Then there's the always entertaining Anthony Bourdain.
I doubt it is still on but 3 Sheets was pretty good.
I thought that BBC 2's Rick Stein: From Venice to Istanbul was really good. Yes, it is very much centered around food but there's a fair bit of history there as well.
Stephen Fry in Central America is also quite good but then again, I would watch anything with Stephen Fry in it.
Ewan McGregor's Long Way Round is a bit dated now but still great. Because Ewan McGregor.
Oct 26th, 2015, 07:33 AM
#27
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I agree with Pariswat regarding Rick Steves. I've seen Italian editions of other non-Italian guide books (Lonely Planet, for example) in Italian book stores, but never Rick Steves. I believe they publish only in English. However, the same is true for Fodors.
Oct 26th, 2015, 07:52 AM
#28
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Due to his tours, I imagine Rick Steves IS well-known within the European travel industry.
In the 6+ years I lived in France, just ended, I never heard his name mentioned once among the fairly well-traveled friends we had (French, Dutch, English, Belgian, etc.), never saw his books for sale, never saw his program on French or English television.
So, much as you both will hate this, imo, you're both correct.
In the 6+ years I lived in France, just ended, I never heard his name mentioned once among the fairly well-traveled friends we had (French, Dutch, English, Belgian, etc.), never saw his books for sale, never saw his program on French or English television.
So, much as you both will hate this, imo, you're both correct.
Oct 26th, 2015, 07:56 AM
#29
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Check out the documentaries and travel videos produced by the city and national government agencies of countries like Italy and Spain (I don't know about France). The directorate of the Alhambra, for example, has produced a very fine historical video about the Alhambra, with special emphasis on the Nasrid Palace, in Spanish. It's a great way to prepare for the visit and also a good way to practice your Spanish.
Another excellent example is an Italian video produced for Orvieto (don't remember the Italian agency which produced it).
The city government of Cordoba has created a beautiful video about the city, showing not only the major sights but also a brief musical interlude by an outstanding local flamenco singer.
Another excellent example is an Italian video produced for Orvieto (don't remember the Italian agency which produced it).
The city government of Cordoba has created a beautiful video about the city, showing not only the major sights but also a brief musical interlude by an outstanding local flamenco singer.
Oct 26th, 2015, 08:42 AM
#30
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You could also try Burt Wolf Travels and Traditions. He is food centric, but you can also get a nice feel for the places he visits. I usually find the show on PBS, but you could also look at Burtwolf.com.
I also like Samantha Brown, Rudy Maxa, Globe Trekker with host Justine Shapiro, and Anthony Bourdain. Try Bourdain's No Reservations series.
And this is kind of a funny idea, but look online for episodes of a TV show called House Hunters International. It offers snippets of how locals might live.
I also like Samantha Brown, Rudy Maxa, Globe Trekker with host Justine Shapiro, and Anthony Bourdain. Try Bourdain's No Reservations series.
And this is kind of a funny idea, but look online for episodes of a TV show called House Hunters International. It offers snippets of how locals might live.
Oct 26th, 2015, 10:34 AM
#32
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From the EU Tourism Link Consortium:
<i>"Tourism is a key sector of the European economy. It generates more than 5% of the EU GDP, with about 1.8 million enterprises employing around 5.2% of the total labor force."</i>
The English language is spoken by millions of people who live and work in the EU. The percentages of native English speakers living in the EU are much higher than one might think.
Spain, France, and Italy are the three top destinations among EU travelers, in that order. Rick Steves' travel books are sold on amazon.es, amazon.fr. and amazon.it, respectively.
While Rick Steves' Europe is a privately owned company, based in the USA, and mostly caters to an American audience, millions of English-speaking people around the world are capable of enjoying the product that Rick Steves creates. For business reasons, I have personally spoken to several EU residents who were traveling, using Rick Steves' guide books.
Rick Steves happens to employ some of the best cameramen in the business for his wildly popular PBS TV show, "Rick Steves' Europe." There are ways to see PBS and specifically Rick's shows outside of the U.S. Since pictures speak a thousand words, great pictures even more so, Rick's TV show is a great way for anyone, English-speakers or not, to be completely seduced and enticed by some glorious visuals of travel.
Fodor's is an American publisher. This board is based in America, catering to English-only speakers. Are the habits of non-English speaking travelers even relevant here? If an American publisher publishes a book in English only, is it not OBVIOUS that a non-English speaker is probably not going to know the book's author?
Some people have nothing better to do than sit at their computers and listen to themselves talk.
<i>"Tourism is a key sector of the European economy. It generates more than 5% of the EU GDP, with about 1.8 million enterprises employing around 5.2% of the total labor force."</i>
The English language is spoken by millions of people who live and work in the EU. The percentages of native English speakers living in the EU are much higher than one might think.
Spain, France, and Italy are the three top destinations among EU travelers, in that order. Rick Steves' travel books are sold on amazon.es, amazon.fr. and amazon.it, respectively.
While Rick Steves' Europe is a privately owned company, based in the USA, and mostly caters to an American audience, millions of English-speaking people around the world are capable of enjoying the product that Rick Steves creates. For business reasons, I have personally spoken to several EU residents who were traveling, using Rick Steves' guide books.
Rick Steves happens to employ some of the best cameramen in the business for his wildly popular PBS TV show, "Rick Steves' Europe." There are ways to see PBS and specifically Rick's shows outside of the U.S. Since pictures speak a thousand words, great pictures even more so, Rick's TV show is a great way for anyone, English-speakers or not, to be completely seduced and enticed by some glorious visuals of travel.
Fodor's is an American publisher. This board is based in America, catering to English-only speakers. Are the habits of non-English speaking travelers even relevant here? If an American publisher publishes a book in English only, is it not OBVIOUS that a non-English speaker is probably not going to know the book's author?
Some people have nothing better to do than sit at their computers and listen to themselves talk.
Oct 26th, 2015, 11:44 AM
#33
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NYCFoodSnob : <i>Rick Steves happens to employ some of the best cameramen in the business for his wildly popular PBS TV show, "Rick Steves' Europe." There are ways to see PBS and specifically Rick's shows outside of the U.S.</i>
Yes - dozens of his Europe TVws sho are available for free on YouTube.com presumably to anyone in the world with internet access.
Yes - dozens of his Europe TVws sho are available for free on YouTube.com presumably to anyone in the world with internet access.
Oct 26th, 2015, 02:05 PM
#34
The down and dirty on the popularity of Rick Steves in Switzerland:
None of the locals have heard of him and only a few have heard of Gimmelwald.
I know because I've asked around including asking the locals in Berner Oberland.
So to sum it up: the tourist industry knows him but no one else does.
None of the locals have heard of him and only a few have heard of Gimmelwald.
I know because I've asked around including asking the locals in Berner Oberland.
So to sum it up: the tourist industry knows him but no one else does.
Oct 26th, 2015, 02:20 PM
#36
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Jaakko Keso is a Finnish man who has a Vlog on YouTube related to travel. I find them quite educational, especially the one about Swakopmund. There aren't many videos but I think they are worth checking out.
Little Germany in the Middle of Desert (this is the video I discovered his channel with): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lNUxeYUHFo
This is Helsinki: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8K7JbUcYaQ
Roma People of Helsinki: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5nTT4ym02o
Travel Shows Lie to You: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq7hC5GRCFc
Little Germany in the Middle of Desert (this is the video I discovered his channel with): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lNUxeYUHFo
This is Helsinki: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8K7JbUcYaQ
Roma People of Helsinki: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5nTT4ym02o
Travel Shows Lie to You: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq7hC5GRCFc
Oct 26th, 2015, 03:22 PM
#37
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Another vote for just cruising youtube (although you will have to supply keywords for the areas you want to research.) A word of warning: the quality of the videos can vary depending on who made the video, so some patience is called for in the search.
I found out about the shimanami kaido bikeway in Japan when I searched for and viewed youtube videos on Onomichi.
Also another vote for films set in the country of interest. I loved, loved the Talented Mr. Ripley - who wouldn't want to take an extended vacation in a seaside Italian villa, complete with a sailboat to cruise as Jude Law's character gets to do. It's set in the 50s, if that is an era of interest to you.
I found out about the shimanami kaido bikeway in Japan when I searched for and viewed youtube videos on Onomichi.
Also another vote for films set in the country of interest. I loved, loved the Talented Mr. Ripley - who wouldn't want to take an extended vacation in a seaside Italian villa, complete with a sailboat to cruise as Jude Law's character gets to do. It's set in the 50s, if that is an era of interest to you.
Oct 26th, 2015, 03:31 PM
#38
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'Are the habits of non-English speaking travelers even relevant here? If an American publisher publishes a book in English only, is it not OBVIOUS that a non-English speaker is probably not going to know the book's author?
You are really an incredible arrogant guy.
There are people who live outside US and whether FODORS is US owned is irrelevant towards being allowed to post on it or is it ? Can you please report me as abusive since I'm not US speaking ??? So you can stay with your own, but it will become a very small world, since a lot of US people are normal and nice.
And you'll wonder why some people don't like US ?
You are really an incredible arrogant guy.
There are people who live outside US and whether FODORS is US owned is irrelevant towards being allowed to post on it or is it ? Can you please report me as abusive since I'm not US speaking ??? So you can stay with your own, but it will become a very small world, since a lot of US people are normal and nice.
And you'll wonder why some people don't like US ?
Oct 26th, 2015, 05:39 PM
#39
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Isabel wrote: "But the whole 'meet the locals, get to know the culture' is a big thing here on this forum so I don't get why people don't like Rick Steves as that's what he's doing."
I've never thought "meet the locals" a "big thing" on THIS forum. If anything, I would have said that the very idea that one could do so has been downplayed by this forum! I could easily be wrong. but after nearly 10 years on this forum, I think some people have been quite clear in saying that one can't expect to "meet the locals" in any meaningful way in a trip of less than months and months and months.
I don't like RS because I've found his coverage to be superficial, patronizing, and presumptuous. JMO.
@ Isabel -- sorry to post such a contrary opinion! I'm glad that Fodorites have access to both our views.
I've never thought "meet the locals" a "big thing" on THIS forum. If anything, I would have said that the very idea that one could do so has been downplayed by this forum! I could easily be wrong. but after nearly 10 years on this forum, I think some people have been quite clear in saying that one can't expect to "meet the locals" in any meaningful way in a trip of less than months and months and months.
I don't like RS because I've found his coverage to be superficial, patronizing, and presumptuous. JMO.
@ Isabel -- sorry to post such a contrary opinion! I'm glad that Fodorites have access to both our views.
