Probably Samantha Brown as we like the better hotels and apartments(not 5 star, but 4 or possibly 3).

Last sept. we spent 3 wks. in France with just a carry-on as they lost our luggage, and we didn't see it again until after we got home. I must say, we probably will never check again. It worked out fine, and it was nice not having so much to choose from. Rick Steves is right about that. We were in an apartment with a washer and dryer, so it wasn't a problem at all.

Travel On!

Probably between Rick Steves and Bourdain. I wish I was more like Bourdain, and I do love to try interesting and diverse food. However, I like searching long and hard for the perfect, charming little boutique B&Bs for a great price. My traveling involves few museums and galleries, many castles and churches, lots of landscapes and local pubs. I'm willing to pay more to get a better meal than Rick Steves is, too.

While I would rather be closer to Bourdain, I don't think I want to be more like Zimmern - I'm not THAT adventurous!

In my mind this question from the beginning twists around to who would I want to travel WITH.

3) Anthony Bourdain

is my only answer. The other 3 embarrass me for various reasons.

I love the backdoor, I mean I vote for Rick Steves.

hmmm - I wouldn't mind traveling WITH Anthony Bourdain either, altho my solo style is more Rick Steves: one carryon bag, taking trains, small family-run centrally-located hotels -- sometimes with the bathroom down the hall, renting bicycles, talking to locals, eating local daily specials, drinking local wines.
I definitely agree with the poster who said that Rick Steves has done so much to encourage people to travel to Europe, and with his books and tv shows has given people the confidence to do so.

That'd be a separate question and Rick Steves wins by a landslide! Which travel personality helped the most people get the heck off their couch and travel with confidence self-planned to Europe... go Rick Steves.

Yeah, I'd definitely prefer to travel WITH Bourdain - he's awesome :)

I prefer the Bourdain style. He hates touristy stuff and loves the food of the people of the country he visits.

Interesting question. Our style is probably a little Bourdain and Steves. We are back-door, small town, out of the way travelers that can enjoy a big city or two. We like the local angle when we travel (B&B's, small family owned places, etc.). Andrew Zimmerman, Yuk! While we enjoy watching Samantha, she obviously has someone else paying the bills as she stays at very expensive places. I read a few of her travel blogs a couple of years ago and they were very negative. The early/late taping and being so busy she really wasn't able to enjoy where she was, didn't make her travels sound very inviting. I get the sense that Rick & Anthony at least enjoy their work. We plan our trips for almost a year before they happen (this site being a storehouse of information for us). That anticipation is more than half of the trip enjoyment. Shirley (26 days away from departure to Croatia)

That's a good point. Rick & Anthony both always seem to be having a fantastic time. Samantha seems pained by the experience somehow.

Hey, here's an idea - how about the Thirsty Traveler! There's someone who would be fun to travel with :) How else to turn your alcoholism into a career?

If it wasn't for RS we would have never thought about going to Europe on our own. Now we are going back for a 2nd time. The B&B's we've stayed at have been just fine. Would rather spend $$ on other stuff. I love Sam Brown...she's adorable!!

The only one I'm familiar with is Anthony Bourdain. I find him interesting but boring after awhile and his heavy accent (Is it New York, Brooklyn, or the Bronx ? ) kind of grates on
my ear.

But I'm not a foodie. I like good food, like escargot in a good garlic cream sauce, and fish in good sauces - am not into steaks and beef - and starved in Spain - will not eat Octopus or things that are unrecognizable....one night they insisted I try some kind of black sausage...it was blood something or other which I promptly spit out - thank goodness for instant oat meal which I brought with me from the states cause I wasn't eating what they were serving in Spain...

Hotels: I've noticed what used to be two star in Paris is now called 3 star.

When I had my own business I stayed in places like the Negresco and The Grand Wailea in Maui (spectacular), ate at Giannino's in Milan and regularly at Giambelli 50th in New York - now that I dont have a business, I'm a bargain hunter for the nicest place for my budget but still in the best areas.