Europe Through the Back Door 2012 Book
Best and worst sights, experiences and destinations:
Best: Wimbledon = 4 days 0n centre court twice, saw Nadal
Why: I played tennis for Seattle University with Tom Gorman and Brian Parrot Wimbledon always a dream 0 but waiing in line it became a beautiful realitty. Can write more later with photo
Charley Herdener in Vancouver, WA USA 06/29/2011
Best: Wimbledon = 4 days 0n centre court twice, saw Nadal
Why: I played tennis for Seattle University with Tom Gorman and Brian Parrot Wimbledon always a dream 0 but waiing in line it became a beautiful realitty. Can write more later with photo
Charley Herdener in Vancouver, WA USA 06/29/2011
Best: Travel Advice
Why: My husband and I even made our children (17 and 21) read the information on scams and pickpockets. We were not paranoid but took all of Rick's precautions-and had a worry-free, wonderful time in France and Italy. We were targeted twice near the Eiffle Tower, but because of grat advice we laughed as the would-be thieves ran away empty handed! The advice to get into the neighborhoods and meet the people was priceless! We did just that and a the most memorable, fantastic first trip to europe ever! I have truly fallen in with France! Thank you Rick! Also, tearing the guide books apart was a great idea- it really lightens the load! (And your books were in everyone's hands!)
Worst: The Over-night sleeper trains!
Why: We took a train from Paris to Florence and again from Venice to Paris. The accommodations were okay, but no one got any sleep! The train was noisy, made a million stops all through the night, and the bunks were very hard. The second trip was better because we took along our own picnic food and didn't have to pay the exuberent prices for the dining car food.
Tanya Hope in Leander, TX USA 08/01/2010
Best: Staying overnight in Rothenburg
Why: Just as Rick says, the big groups clear out, you can enjoy the quaint town on your own, and the night watchman tour is terrific!
Worst: overnight travel in couchette
Why: Trying to sleep in the hot, noisy, cramped couchette compartment was miserable and neither of us slept at all, making one of our only days in Paris pretty difficult. Unless you really can sleep anywhere, we recommend traveling by day.
Laurie in St. Paul, MN USA 07/19/2010
Worst: Sleeper Train
Why: Oh, Rick. Oh, Rick. The sleeper train from Paris to Florence looked like such a good idea: sleep comfortably in a first-class berth and awake refreshed in a new country. The reality was a nightmare: a ramshackled train that lurched through the night, my teenage daughter and I in a cramped berth with limited facilities, an explosive accident in the one toilet on our car which rendered it unusable, lousy onboard food at exorbidant prices (can you say "captive audience"?), staff indifference to the no-smoking rule, and at dawn, two exhausted tourists who felt as if they had been over Niagara Falls in a barrel repeatedly for 13 hours. Perhaps other trains are more comfortable, but I hasten to warn all travelers away from The Artesia train from Paris Bercy to Florence. For the same money, you can fly to your destination and sleep sweetly in a good hotel.
Donna in Winston-Salem, NC USA 03/22/2010
Best: What to avoid
Why: Knowing what NOT to see can be just as important as knowing what to visit. As time is pressing on any traveler, your books are very, very good at rating the relative importance of each site. Also, we like the tips on how to avoid waiting in line.
Worst: Driving information
Why: Traveling with the family makes it economical to rent a car. The books are very lame on driving tips in general, and specific routes in particular. Also would be helpful to know when not to drive. Example - Amalfi Coast much easier to navigate by boat than by car. Helpful to know this BEFORE we rent the Mercedes.
David Firth in Reno, NV USA 02/06/2010
Best: Versaille
Why: Beautiful. Magnificent. Flamboyant. Memorable. Great suggestions on getting to Versaille via train from Paris. Thanks!
Lynne Grainger in Sarasota, FL USA 01/18/2010
Best: The White Hill towns of Spain
Why: The guide recommended by Rick was fantastic. It was a personal tour through the mountainous region and went where those big impersonal tour buses can't go. Paul was a friendly and very knowledgable guide. Having a native English speaker was a huge b]plus as you could really get some details that might be missed by a translator. The Olive mill was interesting and the oil is the best I've ever tasted!!! I bought 2 big bottles home!
Lisa Bruckner in Lighthouse Point, FL USA 01/04/2010
Worst: Use of Auto Europe and their provider Europcar
Why: We booked a car through Auto Europe and the provider was Europcar. When we picked up the vehicle in Bologna, Italy, we asked specifically if there would be any problem dropping it off in La Spezia at a time later than indicated. We were told only that we would pay for an extra day which seemed reasonable.
When we arrived in La Spezia on the Saturday afternoon of the designated return date, Europcar offices were not only closed but there was no drop box. We finally contacted a representative in Florence who wouln't allow us to leave the car in front of the office but instead suggested we drive back to Genoa, over 100 km away to return the vehicle even though they couldn't gurantee the office would be open. As a result we had to garage the car at considerable expense in the Cinque Terre, and when we returned it to La Spezia Monday morning, when the office was again open, were told that we would also be charged for Sunday.
Upon return home we contacted Auto Europe, expecting them to advocate for us, but instead repeatedly received cut and paste paragraphs about the services they offered and that the final decision was up to Europcar.
Our conclusion is that Auto Europe is simply a booking agency that is too financially tied to its vendors to advocate for its clients. We also would advise travelers not to use Europcar for the word of its agents is not backed by the company.
John and Cheri Courtnage in Eugene, Or USA 10/26/2009
Best: Cinquterra (before Rick destroyed it)
Why: It was a charming unspoiled place to walk along the sea.
Worst: People!
Why: It has become so commercialized that it is no longer a nice place to go.
Eric Hermqn in Lake Forest, IL USA 07/25/2009
Best: Rome
Why: The people were friendlier there and were willing to help me. Also, the sites are magnificent!
Worst: Venice
Why: It was a little too crowded for my comfort level and way overrated over all the Italian cities. Also, upon arriving at the airport, I stopped by the TI counter for the 4 Euro map, only the be ignored completely by the person behind the counter (AND I was speaking Italian to her!)
Amanda in New York, NY USA 06/25/2009
Best: Arles
Why: We found all the Van Gogh picture sites even the out of town drawbridge one.
Mary Bender in Palmetto, FL USA 04/01/2009