I know opinions range on Rick Steves around here; I'm not really looking for opinions on him or his products.

I like watching his shows not for his opinion; I like the scenery of some of the places I've traveled.

I'm not all that familiar with Rick so I don't know what shows he has.

I have found three products that look very similar; are they?

http://video.barnesandnoble.com/sear...rm=0&itm=8

http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2....;PROD_ID=88644

http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/ca...=15&id=110

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...ance&s=dvd

Same stuff for $26 and free shipping.

Are they all the same product?

I don't know these specific products, but Rick Steves has made several versions of his videos (copies of his TV shows) over the years and some places are repeated. If you are just looking for the scenery it won't matter (the Roman forum hasn't changed in years), but if you were looking for more specific travel information, you might prefer the newer version of a particular location.

mdtravel,

I have all of Rick's videos - I think they have great scenery! Frankly I just love travel shows!

As to your question, the Overstock.com and the Barnes and Noble ones are his older shows - pre 2000. I didn't look at pricing, but Robespierre also linked you to the older shows. Some are pretty old - although I am not sure of the years (maybe early 90s up to 1999).

The one from his store are the newer ones - 200-2003.

Having both sets, I think the 2000-2003 are the better ones, but I suppose it also depends on the destinations you are interested in. I think the newer ones have Prague and Ireland, which I am not sure were touched on in the older videos. But the older videos have more of Spain. I think both sets have Italy and probably Paris. The descriptions on the boxes should tell this for sure.

There are also even newer videos coming out (2003-2004) - the ones that are premiering on PBS this year. I think you can buy them on his site soon, but not yet.

I am not sure if I answered your questions. If not ask again, and I will try to explain what I know better.

Sally

I forgot to add that if I were going to purchase them, I would buy the 2000-2003 ones as I think they are overall better and you get more videos of more places.

I like Rick Steves but any Medieval scholar would tell you his knowledge of the Middle Ages is very facile. Take his historical observations with a grain of salt.

I have a few of Steves' videos. One of his movies from 1990 showed him riding a girls bicycle in Holland wearing white socks, not easy to miss if you are on a bike. I don't care what he wears but it does look silly. ButHe pedaled right past some famous places without mentioning them.

I have a few of Steves' videos. One of his movies from 1990 showes him riding a girls bicycle in Holland wearing white socks. I don't care what he wears but it does look silly. But he pedaled right past some famous places without mentioning them. Does he have his eyes open?

I've been checking RS videos out from the library. And I've been enjoying them too.

I watch his Tv show but I prefer Rudy Maxa that follows his on Sundays morning here in Boston. Better photography and not so , the usual stuff things.

I agree. Rudy Maxa is much better in content.

I looked up Rudy Maxa stuff and don't see his shows available for purchase...at least on his own website.

I've watched Rick Steves for years. Like others, I just like travel shows. I like Rudy better..he's not as..well, perky as Rick, Rick gets a bit perky for me now and then. I went to his website one time...just curious about his tours and there was some place he had you staying is Switzerland and you had to climb 100 stairs to get to your hotel...well, that did it for me!!!!! I'd be screaming "where's the lift"?!!!"Furniculee" "Furnicula" Nope, don't have one of those either!! LOL NOT going there. I guess that's where he gets that jaunty walk he has, climbing up and down all those stairs.

hmmm. I'm cheap. I take them all out from the library to view them. I do have a couple that someone gave me as a gift once. I enjoy all travel shows --