Europe Through the Back Door 2010

Best ways to improve this book:

I'm really surprised the book doesn't cover cell phones and SIM cards in the introduction section about basics and there's even a "phoning" section where that would be appropriate.

[Editor's Note: Did you miss the 5 pages on cell phones and SIM cards that begins on page 305 of the 2010 edition? We've discussed cell phones for several years in this book.]

Lara in Denver, CO USA 02/17/2010

What are the differences, say, between the 2009 and 2010 edition? That is a difference between $4 and $15. Do I REALLY need the 2010 over the 2009 edition?

Thanks!

Keith in Paso Robles, CA USA 02/11/2010

Provide more information on driving routes and much more on restaurants. One of the reasons we go to Europe is the dining. I haven't met many travelers that share Rick's enthusiasm for having a picnic.

David Firth in Reno, NV USA 02/06/2010

Going to Italy remind your readers to review their roman numerals for reading dates, wish I had.

Ellen Pavelek in JOLIET, IL USA 02/03/2010

Honestly, this book rocked! It is teeming with so much information you could be an alien and travel through France gesturing and not have a problem. We loved France and your book made it happen!!!

Lynne Grainger in Sarasota, FL USA 01/18/2010

I have no idea.

Lisa Bruckner in Lighthouse Point, FL USA 01/04/2010

Stick with the tourist traps and stop destroying the places that give Europe its charm and grace.

Eric Hermqn in Lake Forest, IL USA 07/25/2009

I had an idea for all of your guide books, but thought it best to place feedback on this one. You give the great advice to tear out the parts of the guidebooks that we will use, but I think it would be fantastic if you offered versions of the guidebooks in binders, that way we could use the sections of various books we wanted, and not have to worry about tearing the books up. I am planning to use parts of an older version of Great Britain and England (for Oxford) with a newer version of Through the Back Door, and it would be so much more convenient for the traveler to be able to mix and match. For marketing you could still sell the individual books in either bound form (as you have now) or in the binders and on-line you could sell individual countries, cities, regions, etc. This would also open an interesting market for more travel accessories, because you could sell clip ins that you sell into the binder to hold receipts, brochures, etc. I don't think that you would have to increase the size of your books much past adding space for holes, that way they would be used still in your mini travel organizer. This would also be a great way to incorporate journal space with added in note pads in the back.

Joseph in College Station, TX USA 06/13/2009

An general idea for any guidebook: What about providing a gude book about a country as a set with main cities broken out into smaller guidebooks? I carried Spain all over Spain-it was heavy and, for example, when in Barcelona, I only needed the Barcelona section...travelers are tearing out the revelevant pages to carry around. Why not provide separate smaller books as a "box set" for a certain country...

Elizabeth Carr in Tampa, Fl USA 05/26/2009

Rick- How about coming out with a Europe Through the Back Door traveling with kids Book? Tips on where to stay, places to go that are kid friendly?? We have used your book three times, and are now planning a trip in a few years with our kids-would be great!!!

Stacy Jacoby in Irvine, CA USA 05/16/2009

Make all of your guidebooks available electronically for Kindle owners for ecological and convenience reasons. It will eliminate the wasteful need to tear books apart and leave sections behind as one travels. One can travel a little lighter as well.

[Editor's Note: The Rick Steves city guidebooks and some of the country guidebooks are available on the Kindle and the Sony ereader. You can also purchase excerpts from the guidebooks--called Snapshots--in print or for ereaders. Visit our Travel Store for more information.]

Dale in Fairfield, OH USA 04/26/2009

Even though Rick advises ripping out sections of books, most people are loath to do so. I would consider binding each country/region as its own slim volume which can be carried seperately. I suppose this would raise the cost of production, but would be really user-friendly. Perhaps a 'special edition' series could be produced, which includes pocket city and metro maps, as well as train schedules? Also, I think a photo forum would be a really fun addition to the graffiti wall.

Rebekah in Toronto , ON Canada 04/12/2009

My husband & I toured Italy in 2005 with Rick Steves So on this trip my twin & I have done; England, Portugal, Spain, France and am now in Italy. Then its back to France.

Mary Bender in Palmetto, FL USA 04/01/2009

I'd like to see you include whether photography/video is allowed or prohibited for each museum/attraction in your guidebooks.

Jeremy in Princeton, TX USA 12/16/2008

Break it up into individual countries to make it easier to carry when on tour. The individual books can be contained in a single sleeve or box.

Suzanne Canada 10/10/2008

clearer directions, more outdoor sightseeing like kew gardens in london as oposed to just museums.

Holly in Sacramento, CA USA 08/06/2008

In general, I think it would be great to have a "Locals Suggest" section for various cities. If a tourist asks me where to go in Seattle, first I'd ask what they are after and then I would have my own ideas about where to send them: the Market, the Space Needle, the Duck tour? Maybe, but if they want to see the real city I might send them to the Fremont Market on a Sunday or to the Egyptian or Harvard Exit theatres for a movie, Ezell's for some fried chicken, some seedy pub in Sodo or Georgetown for a beer... Rick has his own ideas about what places to visit but lets hear from the people who know best, the people that LIVE in Europe!

Andy Royer in Vashon, WA USA 06/11/2008

Congrats on the upcoming Istanbul book, but where is Greece? It's time for a stand-alone Greek book. It's a complicated country that could use a simplified book.

[Editor's Note: Rick Steves' Athens and the Peleponese has been out since the spring of 2009. For more information, visit our Travel Store.]

James Reinbold in Norman, OK USA 01/09/2008

Not really a correction, but rather an amendment I'd like to see in future books is to not apply the "Ugly American" label so perjoratively as if it were only Americans who can be boorish in Europe. I've been on tours, cruises and other ways of travel throughout Europe and have encountered just as much, if not more, rude behavior from British, French, German, or Japanese tourists as I have seen from Americans. I understand the popular "Ugly American" stereotype, but I've found it to be more accurate to refer to that type as "Ugly Tourists," as opposed to singling out Americans, who at least see the sights, as opposed to some European tourists who I've seen treat countries not on the Euro or Pound as a bargain-shopping extravaganza and make no effort to get to know the culture or see what's there.

Erik Anschicks in Chicago, IL USA 11/25/2007

I just wanted to say that Rick Steves is my "travel God". When we moved to Sicily in 1996 I took all his books and used them everywhere. It was the only book I used when I backpacked with my 11 year old daughter. We were in Sicily from 1996-99. Now we are moving back and I cant wait. We took full advantage of life in Europe and we will do it again. My friends call me "tour Guide Barbie" and it is all thanks to Rick Steves that I am not a tourist....but a traveler.

Christie Malone in Oak Harbor, WA USA 08/24/2007

Keep on traveling and letting us know your experiences and others. I loved every minute and can't wait to share it with my sons.

Lisa Sutton in Franklin, Oh USA 08/06/2007

Advise travelers if they are booking accomodations at places not included in your book to check traveler feedback sites such as tripadvisor to see what other travelers said.

Kevann Lamkin in Azusa, CA USA 06/15/2007

RICK STEVES IS MY HERO. NO REALLY. HE IS.

Ronnie in Los Angeles, CA USA 03/31/2007

Add Canadian Embassy information, not all of your readers are American. This book is one of the best sellers in all of the Chapters book stores across Canada

Kevin in Kamloops, BC Canada 03/06/2007

I would have liked to see a chapter or section on LGBT travelers in the special concerns section. Just as I have concerns about traveling as a solo woman, I also have concerns about how my lesbianism is perceived in the different areas of Europe. If I have an unwanted advance from a man, as exampled in the womens section, will saying I'm a lesbian get my point across or get me killed? I think it would be a good improvement, and one that theoretically is relevant to at least 10% of your readers.

Anica Mercado in Corvallis, OR USA 02/15/2007

So far, I haven't finished it, but am really enjoying it. I am living and working in Europe, but wanted to see your tips for traveling throughout other countries while I am here.

Maile Rough in Muehldorf a. Inn, Germany 02/05/2007