I enjoy his shows a lot. For most Americans who are afraid to venture outside of the US, his show is very inspiring to show them how to enjoy Europe...

I just hope I never have to sit next to him on a transatlantic flight. Every trip is the same one pair of pants and two shirts. I can just imagine him washing his socks and underwear in the pension sink.

He is such a know-it-all. Every time he opens his mouth it is barf-o-rama time.

Oh he does do his own washing out, but friends who have gone on his tours say that they are RUSTIC! At least these days he is willing to admit that it's not a sin to prefer an en suite bathroom!

Rick Steves is well into middle age now and his advice, tours, etc. have altered accordingly.

I always figured he didn't mind a room with only a sink in it because he's tall, he's a guy, and so he can easily pee in the sink. Not so easy for those of us with the other kind of equipment! (However, I've managed it many a time. Once I even stayed in a place in Belfast where the nearest toilet was down TWO steep flights of stairs! Boy did that sink come in handy in the morning! )


Kathy

Give Rick a break! His books are well written, if a little dweebish and amateurish at times. He has a sense of adventure that is worth trying to mimic. I like his shorthand descriptions of what to see and how to get around. Details that other guidebooks seem to miss.

His class of hotels are definitely a bit rustic, which is fine in remote areas but not necessarily the best choice in larger cities. The restaurant listings are usually well thought out, especially for low cost, fun and non touristy locations.

Bottom line, I pick and choose from several guidebooks for expert advice on what to see. Rick Steeve's guides are definitely worth a look, especially for the typically blitzkrieg trips favored by FT travelers.

This used to be true (when Rick was younger) but as I said above, his advice has changed as he's gotten middle-aged.

These days his guidebooks include a whole range of hotel options, from simple (some rooms sans ensuite bathroom) to fairly luxurious. So if you like, you can cheap it (and pee in the sink ) in one city, then splurge in the next.


Kathy

**GoodKarmaGuy looks to see if anyone is watching, hurriedly removes the "Rick Steve's Europe Through the Back Door" bookmark from his desktop.... and, hoping noone else realized the double-entendre, wipes his brow... all the while wondering WHOSE back door??!**

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"Waiter? May I have another latt�, please?"

[This message has been edited by GoodKarmaGuy (edited 01-21-2003).]

When I am going on an extended overseas vacation, sometimes people from work will ask if I am traveling with a tour group. I let them know that I am more an independent traveler. I prefer to travel with one or two friends, and stay at cheaper hotels and pensions.

"Oh," they will helpfully chirp, "you mean like Rick Steves?"

"NO."

"Trains usually run exactly on time in Europe, so be sure to get to the station on time!"

Hey, thanks for the tip, Rick.

I'm with RutDog - me thinks ATC is trying to deny some latent Rick loving tendencies.

FWIW I wasnt sitting next to him, but I was on a flight with Rick Steves last week. He looked quite clean..albeit a bit cramped in his coach window seat.

If I knew I was on the same plane as him, it would make me want to hurl.

CRIKEY!

I had a "ricksperience" on one of his ETBD tours in 1999. We participated in "rickflections" on the tour bus and "rick-nicks". I was considering making those little necklaces with rick's face in them just like the rajneeshis wore. Its true, you either love him or don't. I don't.

Granted his folksy ways don't work well with our sophisticated ways of travel. I don't think the Best of Italy tour would set foot in the St.Regis in Rome, but his itineraries do cover a lot of ground and the folks that go on his tours are pretty intelligent and worldly.

I met one of the folks for his accounting department and Rick is not one to deny an upgrade to Club World when it is offered him.

As for his clothing style, he his from the Pacific Northwest and the convertible pants to shorts thing is big here.

lala

He should start his own fashion line.