Rick Steves Tours
 

Just wondering if anyone out there can comment on the tours offered by Rick Steves? The prices seem kinda high, and I've always wondered if people come away from his tours happy and feeling like they got their money's worth, or if they feel like they were ripped off....Any comments? I would also like to hear about any other good (or bad) tour companies. <BR>Grazie.

It does seem a bit ironic that Rick Steeves, promoter of "independent, economical, world travel" would offer tours. You have to review the details and compare them to others. They do receive rave reviews over on the AOL message boards, though. If it's your first trip abroad, it's usually better to book a tour. It probably costs about the same, but you usually receive for your money because of the deals the tour operators make with hotels and restaurants. You also have a better idea up front of the overall cost of your trip. Taking a tour eliminates most of the planning (booking hotels, finding reasonably priced restaurants, planning itineraries and knowing opening times, closing times, admission prices, what's closed for renovations, etc.).

On a recent trip to Germany I ran into some people that were taking a Rick Steves tour. We were at Neuschwanstien castle at the same time. They talked very enthusiastically about it. In fact, they even stay at the same lodging (when possible) that he mentions in the book. <BR> <BR>We will definately look into his tours the next time we go. <BR> <BR>P.S. Everyone had a Rick Steves book of some kind in Germany! At Bacharach (the Hotel Kranenturm, one of his recommendations) 4 out of 5 tables that night had his book!!

My husband and I are encouraging his parents to take a Rick Steve's tour. They aren't comfortable with doing it on their own and did not like the last tour they took of Switzerland. They basically spent more time on the bus than at any particular site. I would like to take one of his tours of Turkey. I have always been happy with his guides and I am sure his tours are among the best (for those not wanting to stay at 5 star hotels with all of the conveniences).

We were always independent travelers (using his books), but we have now taken 3 of his tours and thoroughly enjoyed them. If you are into shopping, and have to stay in fancy hotels his tours are not for you. We have just returned from a trip with another tour company because it was one friends wanted us to go on. I now appreciate Rick's tours more then ever. On his tours you do NO tipping. At the end of the tour we just took we had to pay big tips. Also having only 25 people on a 45 passenger bus is great. On the tour we just took every seat was full, and you spent a lot of time standing around waiting. The fact that over 1,000 people travel to Edmonds, Washington every year in Feb. for a reunion attest to their success. Our France group has had a reunion every year since our trip in 1996. The Turkey tour was wonderful. If you go be sure and get Mehli for your guide. Rick apprecites people who travel on their own, but a lot of people don't want to worry about finding a place to stay, etc. So he has provided tours for those people.

Good question, as I've also wondered about the Rick Steves tours. I've used his books as a resource, but have never gone on an organized tour. <BR>Bev - you've mentioned two of the Rick Steves tours that I've been considering (France or Turkey). Did you spend enough of your days 'doing & seeing', rather than just riding on a bus from place to place? Also, your fellow travelers - were there other independent minded folks in the group or was it mostly those who'd done other tour groups??? <BR>Any other comments from Rick Steves' travellers?

Bev, also were your tours the Bus, Bed & Breakfast, or the fully guided tour? What was the median age of the group? What was the best and worst part about the tour? <BR>Thanks

Robin--We have found the people who take Rick's tours are of the independent type, most of them have taken his tours before (we have met people who have taken 4 or 5 of his tours), or traveled independently. His hotels are always right in the town where you are staying.. So in the evenings and during your free time you are right there. You are given adequate free time to do your own thing--visit museums, go to the local markets, etc. or just relax. <BR>On the Turkey tour we visited a nomadic black tent family who served us tea and answered our questions about their life. We also visited another family in their home. His tours are small so that if something unexpected comes up you can take advantage of it. In Turkey, our guide, Meli, heard of a wedding party taking place at the groom's home. They welcomed us. They had no cameras so pictures were taken and sent back to them. We are rather spoiled in that it just happened that Rick was on the France and Turkey tour with us. <BR> <BR>Kaneohe--We were on the fully guided tour. The ages have ranged from the 30's to the 80's. Most of the people are in the 50-60 age group. The best part is meeting like-minded travelers and experiencing Europe on a "local" level. The worst part--in Italy there were 2 nights the accommodations could have been better. Also be prepared to climb a lot of stairs. In Cinque Terre I think it was about 100 steps up to our hotel, and you carry your own bags. But what a fantastic place and view when you got there.

Kaneohe, you said "the prices seem kinda high." Donna, you're right on the money: "It does seem a bit ironic that Rick Steeves, promoter of 'independent, economical, travel' would offer tours." Do the math! $3000 for 2 weeks? How many months could YOU travel independently, with a cheap roundtrip airfare, staying in the kinds of budget B&Bs and one star hotels Rick recommends? Way longer than 2 weeks . . . <BR> <BR>Then 4 people post comments mentioning Turkey. Could it be that Rick's havin' problems selling his Turkey tours, post-Ocalan and post-Kosovo? Hmmmmmmm... <BR> <BR>Just my 2cents, but people who NEED hand-holding can follow Rick's travel info. This thread smacks of advertising, and to answer the original question, Topper would recommend getting a cheap flight then using local tour companies, depending on what you'd like to see. Good luck!!!

Of course it is cheaper to travel on your own rather than on a tour. When we travel independently we can do it for about half of what a tour costs. But you will find when you get older you sometimes appreciate someone else making the reservations, etc. We chose tours in countries where we didn't have a background in their language. And as a result of these tours we have made many new friends. <BR> <BR>By the way...Rick's tours are 20 days.

A couple of posts mentioned the tour guide Mehli (or perhaps Meli) in Turkey. I think she has written a book about Ephesus ruins and I have been unable to locate it. Can someone help?

Actually, I have been one of his Turkey tours and I thought it was excellent. Meli was great; albeit strong willed at times. No, I do not work for Rick. However, I do agree that his prices - in recent years especially - have increased quite a bit. However, I do feel when you offer a good product and people are willing to spend their money to enjoy your product, then that is OK. Do I think his tours are a good value? No, not anymore. They used to be at one time. Nevertheless, if money is not an issue, then I would suggest you look into his tours. It should be noted that Meli does not do all the Turkey tours anymore. You may or may not get her if you sign up. If you have any other questions, feel free to email me. Good luck and happy travels.

It's me again. Yes, I have the Ephesus book right in front of me. It is called Let's Visit Ephesus written by Mehlika Seval. The ISBN number is 975 7647. 05-5. Published by Minyatur Publications. I would try Amazon.com for this one. To all skeptics, cynics, and those who just like to complain - No, I don't work for Meli either.

I love his tv show but budget travel and Rick Steves Tours seems to me an oxymoron. I clicked onto his Italy tour which is really 19 days (day1 starts at 5pm and day20 ends after breakfast). Not including airfare or transport to and from the beginning/end of the tour the price for a couple would be $6200. $325 per day/couple, tends to be alittle high on the budget travel scale:). Also with 18 days of *actual* travel he seems to cram in alot of sites. <BR>With 20 days I would find a tour company that just does Venice, Florence, and Rome and take day trips from these cities. Regards, Walter <BR>

Thanks for all the responses. As I mentioned in my first post, I think his prices are high---at least too high for me. However, as a small business owner, I can appreciate that he is in business for a reason (profit!), and will probably charge whatever the market allows. <BR> <BR>In my opinion, there are two things you are paying for when you sign up for one of his tours: <BR>1. The "less stress" factor which comes from not having to worry about lodging and ground transportation. <BR>2. A less crowded, more personable "Europe through the back door" experience. Do other tour companies offer this type of cultural experience? None that I'm aware of, but I haven't really looked for them. <BR> <BR>The reason why I posted my original question was twofold: I wanted to see if the above points were valid, based upon what others had to say, and I wanted to see how other people felt about the price of his tours and if they got their money's worth. It sounds like everyone who has taken one of his tours enjoyed the experience, so he must be doing something right! It is clear to me that he has found a market niche and has priced his tours accordingly. I doubt that I will ever use one of his tours as I'm still young and don't really need the "less stress factor"...perhaps thirty or forty years from now, I'll feel different! <BR>

Topper comes back, and everyone's talkin' Turkey! <BR> <BR>And slick Rick has $300 off his Turkey tours right now, whadda surprise. <BR> <BR>Surely others must think that Back Door (excuse the sexual innuendo) Tours are an overpriced oxymoron? Just my 2 cents . . .

I haven't taken a Rick Steves trip, but simple math will tell you that a 3 week trip with only 24 people is going to cost a great deal more than a group of 48 people. In addition the group has two guides for personal attention.

Hey Mike---thanks for the info on Mehlikz Seval's book "Let's Visit Ephesus." We look on Barnes and Noble, and also Amazon--zip ! Any suggestions? Thanks <BR>

Yup, contact your local independent bookseller with the information Mike provided. They will be SO SO SO happy to order it for you, and will thank you for your business. <BR> <BR>(ps - you have just discovered the downside of having only a few mega-corp booksellers. You don't get to read what you want, only what they provide.)

Hullo! My point was that $3200 for 20 nights, in a chintzy cheap B&B, *without* flights, is still a heckuva lot for budget travelers - even with 2 (American) guides thrown into the bargain! <BR> <BR>A couple could do much better on their own - $320 a day is awful steep! <BR> <BR>And support your local independent bookseller, amazon won't go bust without your business: http://www.bookweb.org/bookstores/ <BR>have a groovy weekend, guys!!!