Wow, that's a super-duper ripoff. :eek:

Gosh, Kathy, you don't much about me but seem happy to assume a lot. I have taken group tours as a child (much to my chagrin), and stand by my belief that they're a ripoff. I can believe whatever I want, and you can believe whatever you want, and we can all live happily ever after. Do you work for the guy or what?

Ever seen "If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium?" Imagine going through that as a 10 year old and you'll get a bit of insight into my dislike of tours like these. Ugh.

Geesh.

There is Samantha Brown (http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Samantha_Brown) :D

Hearing Steve or Samantha giving advice on travel almost makes one want to stay at home.

MisterNice

How did I miss this thread of epic goodness. +1,000,000!!!!!!!!!!

Too bad he is on PBS.

Bashing Samantha Brown is easy - but Rick? He's a good guy, and local. He doesn't try to play cool-guy, and although I am not a fan of the TV show - I do appreciate the radio show from time to time.

How could someone hate Rick? It's like...like...hating bread. It can be boring without anything else to eat, but hey - it does the job.

I hate Samantha Brown! :td: :td: :mad: :mad:

I actually find Rudy Maxa...
 

...kinda smarmy...RS while as white bread as all get out...at least makes an effort to integrate for the one hour he graces a place. Look all of us are road warriors and many have used our hotel/airline points to travel the world. But I speak to coworkers in the USA who only get 2 weeks vacation a year and they seem to appreciate his books/tv shows. Are they for me?...No but I've been to over 60 countries...but for folks who going to Europe is a once or twice in a lifetime opportunity, especially for Americans who seem to think they are gonna get cheated, taken advantage of, overcharged, or miss something on their 4 country 10 day jaunt through Europe.... RS does have his fans. I've had 2 US coworkers tell me they used and loved his books while they took their big trip to Europe. So RS I applaud you for knowing your market!

If I happen to enter a restaurant full of Rick Steeves' guidebooks on the tables I'll leave - you'll have no choice but to overhear hoards of American's banal conversations as they eat in their new tennis shoes and white socks purchased for especially for their trip.

Steeves tells you exactly how to be an American in which ever country you're visiting.

Completely unfair. Yes, Steves' recommendations attract more Americans to the places he lists. If it bothers you to hear "American's (sic) banal conversations," that will be a problem.

But Steves' motivation is to teach his audience how to be "temporary locals." He prefers mom-and-pop outfits to chains. His advice is generally good, but the focus he shines on certain places can cause them to lose some of what attracted him in the first place.

Hey is like a special ed of the tourist industry. Geared towards people who think a trip to Benihana is a cultural experience. It is really painful to listen to him. Makes me think of fanny packs, overhanging bellies and comfortable walking shoes. Shudder! Hopefully the hotel did not have a bidet. I would love to hear that explanation!

I stumbled on this thread by accident and while it is years old, I would like to say that I find his radio program to be horribly patronizing. I often feel like shouting 'SHUT UP and let the person answer your question, and actually listen to the response'.

Thank you, I feel much better knowing that I am not alone. :D

I have a new found respect for Samantha Brown since she got a boob job...:D

I find Flyertalk to be horribly patronizing with neverending threads about "kettles", how other people are stupid not to do MR, get multiple credit cards keep status and earn upgrades etc and general attitude of self importance :rolleyes:

Yeah, it cuts both ways, doesn't it. :)

And for whatever his faults, I will defend Rick Steves to the death. He's a brilliant travel book writer -- his series is better than any other (I know nothing about his guided tours). I probably have more experience than 99.99% of travellers, and I grab a copy (often from the library) of his books when I go to Europe. Sure, I rarely stay at his recommended hotels, and eat only occasionally at his recommended restaurants, but his "nuts and bolts" info is better than anyone else's. When friends and family ask me for European travel advice, I always tell them to read Rick Steves first and then ask me questions.