I think the less you have travelled, the more you like him. The more you travel, the less relevant he seems.

I used his books extensively to plan my first trip to Europe in 1991. I couldn't have really done it without them, because they contained a lot of practical information that 12 years ago was hard to find elsewhere. Now, there are eighty-five thousand web sites where one can get similar information, and he's just another brand.

I disagree with a lot of what he says in terms of details, but not with his original general philosophy. What he accomplished for me was to get me to think about developing my own philosophy for going to Europe, and I've now been there 14 times and have two trips planned for late in 2003.

I won't settle for less than a European-rated 3* hotel, I won't wash my laundry in the sink, and I won't assume that spending more than $15 for dinner or ducking into a McDonalds occasionally for some fries and a clean bathroom is horrific.

But a lot of what he discusses is basic politeness as well as avoiding the "follow the pack" mentality. I found it disturbing when he started offering tours, because that's exactly what he made his reputation railing against.

Still, if one of my early-20s nieces or nephews asked me for advice for going to Europe, his book would be the first thing I'd give them to read. Then after they've read it, I'd explain to them where I disagree with his approach.