I say, "RICK STEVES FOR PRESIDENT!"

We have taken several of Rick's tours, and had the pleasure of him being with us on 2 of them. He is very personable and is able to communicate with the local people even though he is not fluent in their language. As one of the above posts mentioned he lets you know you don't have to be fluent in the local language to get around. He is a great guy and fun to be around. It was certainly an added bonus having him on our tours.

I recommend that everyone who travels abroad should stop at a Burger King or MacDonalds. Even if just for a beer. The food, after all, is not the same as in the US... it's worse! And your stories of not-full Cokes with two cubes of ice will make even your most skittish travel-bound friends think twice about rejoicing in the glories of thrice removed cow flesh (covered with faded onions and wallpaper paste). <BR> <BR>Maybe the BKs and Mds have a role in our culture after all, like a wanna-be pub.

I will have to throw my support to Rick. We traveled to Germany and Austria the first time using his guidebooks and his videos. It was great. He gave many helpful tips and I will have to admit after three weeks of local cuisine, a Big Mac was pretty tasty.

Please have an open mind regarding Rick Steves' visit to Burger King. I've travelled around France and Italy for the past ten years. When I'm tired, thirsty and have need for the toilet, the only places where I've consistenly found a clean rest room, fresh water and a place where I can sit without spending a fortune has been a McDonalds or a Burger King. As has been mentioned previously, it seems proper to make <BR>a token purchase, even though a hamburger or a milk shake is a good quick on-the-fly meal you can have and continue your sightseeing.

I hate McDonald, but in Rome and Paris they have great free city maps. <BR>

I haven't been a McDonald's in the States in about 10 years, but the Micky D's in Rome was a real haven: in 1992 it was the only smoke-free restaurant we ate in during a 2-week trip to Rome, Florence and Venice. And if RS was eating a burger in Bath, after a week or so of pub food, who can blame him? There's only so much beef, mashed potatoes and peas and carrots a body can take!

Our first trip to Europe was to Switzerland with a couple who had been there previously a dozen or so times. The first night, they asked if we would like to join them at their favorite Italian restaurant. Italian? The next night, they were off to a Chinese restaurant. I was dumbfounded! I wanted Veal Zurich, rosti, raclette! However, after many nights of the smell of melted cheese (believe me, it's disgusting after the first night) and struggling with German menus (and, you have to look up each and every SYLLABLE in your menu translator), we were totally relieved to fall into an Italian restaurant where we recognized Spaghetti Carbonara on the menu! BEWARE, there is a LOT of INACCURATE information in Rick Steeves' guidebooks. And, he could at least provide up to date information. Imagine all the poor folks going to Paris looking forward to a visit to the Pompidou Center - which is CLOSED for renovations...

Our first trip to Europe was to Switzerland with a couple who had been there previously a dozen or so times. The first night, they asked if we would like to join them at their favorite Italian restaurant. Italian? The next night, they were off to a Chinese restaurant. I was dumbfounded! I wanted Veal Zurich, rosti, raclette! However, after many nights of the smell of melted cheese (believe me, it's disgusting after the first night) and struggling with German menus (and, you have to look up each and every SYLLABLE in your menu translator), we were totally relieved to fall into an Italian restaurant where we recognized Spaghetti Carbonara on the menu! BEWARE, there is a LOT of INACCURATE information in Rick Steeves' guidebooks. And, he could at least provide up to date information. Imagine all the poor folks going to Paris looking forward to a visit to the Pompidou Center - which is CLOSED for renovations...

All this over a burger! I love this forum. In defence of McDonald's (Rick needs no defending), the one in Rome at the bottom of the Spanish Steps is a trip! Mosaics, fountains, antipasto salad bar, a zillion TV's, and the best souveniers for your nieces & nephews--Happy Meals with Italian writing!!! Micky D's saved me once in Paris. The bathrooms in Gard du Nord require a franc to use la toilette. I only had pounds. McDonald's not only let me use the restrooms without first buying a mouth blistering hot apple pie, I didn't even have to crawl under the stall door!

The nicest McDonald's I saw [well... bought a coke and used the WC ;)] was in Pecs, Hungary. It is right on the main town square, where it replaced an old coffee house. The locals were up in arms, you bet! But McDonalds did a good job. The outside doesn't BLARE, and inside the decorative tiles are made by the local ceramics producer, Zsolnay. [Different from Herend, but more interesting my my opinion] <BR>

Rick does a great job. Sometimes fast food places become a "must see." Who can go to Beijing and not see the McDonalds where the "revolution" started to ferment? Or in Delhi, to try the Big Mac Veggie Burgers. I'm afraid they are part of all cultures. When I was in Nairobi, the burger at Planet Hollywood was the best. After weeks of the unusual, the usual can look pretty good.

<BR> I have seen several of Rick Steve's shows and have enjoyed them immensely. I have recently also picked up one of his books "Mona Winks" about the major art museums and have found that he is very knowledgeable about art and even puts a humorous spin on it. His books are very refreshing! <BR> Let him eat burgers if he likes, who doesn't every once in awhile? ;)

Rick Steves is amazing. One would think he knows what he's talking about if you've seen a show or two of his on PBS. One day, he rented a bike in Ireland and proclaimed his "route". Later in the show, he was somewhere else entirely with no mention of the bike. Some of his advice and recommendations (based upon our personal experiences) are positively ridiculous! Utterly astonishing that anyone would consider him an EXPERT in touring Europe. Is he actually touring he same places?

I like Rick Steve's books. At least he gives an opinion unlike so many other guide books. The only thing is, if you travel exclusively with his books, everywhere you go, every hotel you stay at and every restaurant you eat at, will be full of Americans with his books.

Well, I'll say this about Rick Steves. His basic point is "you can do it" when it comes to independent travel in Europe. And for this former Iowa farm boy, his philosophy gave me the courage to step out big time and go to Europe this summer. Because of his advice, we: <BR>* had the trip of our lifetime (our three teens will never forget it) <BR>* got behind the tourist veil and DID experience Europe (we also had a Royale with Cheese at McDonalds in Paris and fried bean sticks at Burger King for breakfast in York) <BR>* Saved tons of money <BR>* won admiration of friends and family who said "you did this yourself? <BR>* will never go on a tour bus again. <BR> <BR>Rick's books are accurate, fun to read and easy to carry. Most other travel books are accurate.

We have used Ricks books on two driving tours of Europe in 1997 and 1999, we would not go any other way! <BR>Yes he is opinionated (thank goodness). He explains WHY he is up or not so up on locations, hotels, historical sites, etc. This lets you decide if you agree or disagree and devise your own itinerary. Yes occasionally there is a minor difference (price increase, a block off) but with everything that changes it is extremely minor in comparison to the value of all the information he provides. Yes, there are alot of his readers in many places you visit, but there are alot of others as well. And lets face it, at a lodge/hotel you really do not expect to see the locals. His tips help you plan ahead for small things that polish off the trip (i.e. suggesting bringing crackers to the wine caves since they are not provided). He is really big on walking tours, which we really enjoy doing at our own pace. <BR>I just wish he did Australia and New Zealand. We are planning that trip and really miss his opinions, suggestions and perspectives.

Who is making all those purchases at McDonald's and Burger King in Europe? Do we call those people "Ugly Europeans"? The food served at fast food restaurants in Europe is now part of (some) Europeans' diets. Get over it. Would we label a Parisian an "Ugly Frenchman" if he ate at the new Alain Ducasse restaurant in New York?

At least you know that when you eat McDonalds overseas you're getting real beef!!! Unlike the contaminated Genetically modified crap they sell here. Furthermore, the portions there in McDonalds are the right size..no supersizes in England!! I had one of the best Big Macs in Bath last month!!!

Hey, the McD around the corner on the Via del Corso came in pretty handy. My kids could wander in for a soda and fries pickmeup in the late afternoon, while my husband and I grabbed an espresso or even stronger drink at the bar in the front for a reasonable price; I'd like to see the fast food joints in this country have the same set up!