Dee_Dee

I'm still trying to decide between 2 completely different trips for next summer. One of the two combines Slovenia with Istria. While researching, I obtained Rick Steves "Best of Eastern Europe" book. In reading the section on Piran, Rick states "Seedy, touristy, but fun Croatian resort towns like Rovinj or Porec deserve a visit, but don't overlook Slovenia's own 29 miles of Adriatic coastline. As with other attractions in Slovenia, it's friendlier, quainter, and tidier than the alternatives in other countries." From what I've been reading on this forum & elsewhere, I've haven't gotten the impression that Rovinj or Porec are seedy. What are your thoughts? Also, for anyone who has visited Piran, I would appreciate your impression. In 2006 I visited Hvar, Dubrovnik, Split, etc and absolutely loved the southern part of Croatia. I'm hopeful I would enjoy Istria just as much.
Please help. I'm looking forward to Fodorites valuable experience & input.

maitaitom

Rovinj was terrific. Not seedy. Read the last three days of my current trip report. It is about Rovinj.

zeppole

I think Rick Steves head is full of seeds.

bobthenavigator

We loved Piran---cute and friendly. I like the idea of combining Slovenia and Istria--go for it.

StCirq

I dunno, but if RS thinks they're seedy I sure wouldn't want to hazard a trip there.

zeppole

Rick Steves called Piazza Santo Spirito in Florence "seedy".

He called Trastevere "seedy."

He called Amsterdam "seedy."

He's a hayseed.

Dee_Dee

Maitaitom - I had already read your trip report. It is one of my all time favorites. Your sense of humor is fantastic! I just re-read several of your entries and did much LaughingOL again. What you wrote about Rovinj just reiterates the praise I have read from several sources.
Zeppole - sometimes I wonder about Steve too! I'm thinking his definition of "seedy" and my definition must be different.
Bobthenavigator - I'm glad you liked Piran. If I were to add it to my itinerary, how much time would you allot?
StCirq - There have been places where I have agreed with Rick's assessment, but also places I have disagreed. I take all sources with a grain of salt.

Christina

I dunno, I agree that parts of Amsterdam are pretty seedy. I don't know about the other places, though, but I would probably agree more with him about seediness than some others things (like what is interesting or not, or what to do with your time).

Christina

BTW, I think a lot of resort towns tend to be seedy, if they've been around a lot. For example, I think Montreux is pretty seedy in certain parts down by the lake, I was surprised, but it was to me. I pictured some glamorous ritzy resort but it was kinda seedy. I think it goes with the resort/tourist thing where a city is mainly known for that, and has been around a while.

maitaitom

DeeDee,

Be sure to check out the apartment we stayed at in Rovinj. Great location. Wine shop was also a fun place. We just used some of the truffle oil the other night.

I think the only thing "seedy" thing about Rovinj were the four of us after four weeks of traveling together.

Thanks for the nice comments.

Have a great time.

Heimdall

Anything that Rick Steves doesn't like sounds good to me!

iris1745

Hi All; I used to watch Rick's TV program almost every week. Loved it. However, many of the places/hotels he stayed at were 'seedy'. We will be in Rovinj next June and I can't wait. Iris

huddoshols

We loved Rovinj during our recent 4 weeks in Slovenia and Croatia,spent 4 nights there. It was one of our favourite spots and definately not seedy. Except for me waking up after too many Croatian reds! There are areas in every town you stay out of,but doesnt mean you dont go there. You will love Istria and Slovenia.

AisleSeat

Define Seedy:
Having many seeds.
Resembling seeds or a seed.
Worn and shabby; unkempt: “He was soiled and seedy and fragrant with gin” (Mark Twain).
Tired or sick; unwell.
Somewhat disreputable; squalid: a seedy hotel in a run-down neighborhood.
seedily seed'i·ly adv.

Maybe it is the Mark Twain defintion.

mbresso

Before everybody gets freaked out and takes RS too literally, instead of "seedy," subsitute in its place the word "edgy," which I'm sure is closer to his meaning. And all those places (and Amsterdam, Trastevere, etc. too) ARE edgy. There's nothing wrong with edgy for a change!

Rick Steves is almost always spot on with more travel time packed into his little finger than most of us experience in a lifetime....

Sue878

RS is low budget on most things, so if he thinks it's
seedy, it probably is.

maitaitom

If sitting at a wine bar, taking a boat trip, dining at good restaurants, strolling down a shopping street, climbing the tower of a church, having espresso on the waterfront and eating gelato is "edgy," then Rovinj is as edgy as it gets.

bobthenavigator

Piran itself is very small and can be seen in 3 hours. We stayed in Portorocz about 3 miles away with more hotels---Hotel Slovenia. But, Hotel Piran is also cute and in the village.

kybourbon

I think Rick has smoked one too many seeds.

zeppole

Rick Steves views the world formulaically and as something most enjoyable when nicely boxed for sale. That's why he's such a sucker for staged tourist events.

He has a fan base, and they want to have a certain kind of experience abroad.I'm sure they would agree with him about what is "seedy" and not want to spend their tourist dollars there. The fact that Rick Steves finds something seedy and others agree with him doesn't mean its is seedy. It just means they think that. Like Hamlet said.

If Rick Steves means "edgy" (does he even know what that is?) why doesn't he say "edgy"? Isn't a megabuck-making travel writer?

He doesn't mean "edgy." He means "seedy." He means not middle class and respectable.