Best of Europe 2010

Favorite discoveries or tips:

Moving into the 21st Century. - BRING A GPS TO EUROPE.

Bring a Garmin GPS with all the European maps loaded in. I backpacked through 11 countries. This was the BEST thing in my backpack. There is no worst feeling than to not know where you're going and no being able to communicate with the locals. "Over there" while pointing a finger is NOT good directions. Instead it's a great way to get completely lost. A GPS can help you navigate through Rick's retarded hand drawn maps (which everyone I spoke with gets lost with), help you locate an ATM, grocery store, nearest subway station, attractions, hotel/hostel, cross streets and show you where you are. Part way through my trip I just threw away ALL my maps. I can't stress it enough, almost everyone has a GPS is their car, just take it with you to Europe! Just don't forget to load the EU maps or else it won't be very useful.

And charging a GPS is no problem, most GPS units are designed for charging in cars, therefore the voltage is compatible even in 220V European currents. Just bring an adapter.

Lancelot in Alameda, CA USA 09/25/2009

If you have an iphone, take it! I turned on the airplane mode which turns off cell service and wifi. Then, I turned wi-fi back on with the settings menu, while leaving cellular phone service disabled. Once you have a wi-fi signal, check with your hotel, you can send and check email from your phone and access the internet. I also downloaded the Skype application for my iPhone, which allowed me to use the wi-fi signal to make inexpensive international phone calls (.02/minute) via their service. Also, using the ipod feature, not only did I have music, if I wanted it, but also had access to Rick's podcasts, which are now available as an app for your phone. I brought a splitter and two sets of ear phones, so that my husband and I could both listen to Rick's tours as we went. We used all of them. So cool. A couple of times we needed to call our hotel to let them know we were still coming, and we didn't have wifi, but I could turn on the cellular feature and make a quick phone call in a pinch. It was also our alarm clock. Very handy, especially if you'd rather not take a laptop.

Kristen in Gail, TX USA 08/22/2009

As we have traveled to Europe the past 10 years, I always bring duplicates of blues and other roots music CD's. I simply carry a CD booklet in my backpack for car and gift. Many is the time we sit in a Rick-recommended eatery and there is blues music in the house. When I ask the owner what music he likes, invariably he'll answer American blues. By leaving a CD or 2 with the owner, my wife and I have made a good friend as we pass along American goodwill. From Restaurant de Bottelier and Tom's in Brugge to Michele in Restorante via Venti Monterosso, some B.B. King or Robert Cray are great ways to make new friends.

art tipaldi in wilbraham, ma USA 06/05/2009

The Friday Street Market in Ventimiglia, Italy, was fantastic!! Easy train ride from Cannes, Antibes, Nice. Literally hundreds of street vendors with tents set up next to the park selling everything from leather goods, cheeses, savory foods, clothing, luggage, etc., etc... Well worth a day trip!!

Bart Brady Ciampa in Vancouver, WA USA 05/11/2009

In Brugges, we found a delightful little women's clothing store where the owner makes all or most of the items on display. Check it out next time you are there. Couture Marie Brat, Walstraat 12 8000 Brugge. Tel. 050/33.18.76 Also, for those traveling in groups with digital cameras, if you are planning on grouping all your pictures together for your trip, make sure the camera date/times are synchronized. This makes working with a large number of pictures easier, especially if you are going to chronologically recount your trip in pictures.

Bob Kuning in Albuquerque, NM USA 04/08/2009

Our favorite tip had to do with seeing the Vienna Opera for free. We went on a night featuring an extremely popular soprano. The standing-room ticket line starting filling 5 hours in advance. We waited in the lobby 30 minutes after the opera started and had tickets from departing "standees" after 15 minutes of waiting. Thanks so much for this tip!

Michele Smith in Burlington, MA USA 04/06/2009

Rick, As I recommended your books to yet another friend I decided I really needed to take the time to tell you how grateful we are for your books. When traveling we always carry your books and use it to help plan. It has become a joke during the trip "well what does Rick say to do" and "do you have Rick with you?" We will never travel without your guidance and appreciate all the time, effort, and dedication you put into each book. Thank you a million times over!

Annie in Bel Air, MD USA 03/15/2009

We stayed at the Redbank Guest House after a week in Ireland the day before our departure from Dublin. We had wanted a change of scenery after three days in Dublin with a convenient drive to the airport for an early morning departure. The Redbank Guest House is a bed and breakfast attached to a gourmet restaurant owned and operated by Chef McCoy who also owns the inn. The rooms are comfortable and clean while the restaurant is a five star gem. Dinner begins in the sitting room where a waiter takes drink orders and brings menus so that by the time you are escorted to your table your first course is ready to be delivered to your table. The food was delicious and Chef McCoy a very personable and engaging fellow takes time to visit with his guests and makes one feel as if they are his personal guests to his home and restuarant. This is a great place to begin or end a trip to Ireland and my only regret was that we only had a short time to visit as a couple of days would have been veyr pleasant. We would highly recommend. It is located at 6-7 Church Street, Skerries, Ireland We are fans of the Rick Steves tourbook series and it is a terrible oversight not to list this inn and restaurant in your Ireland book. We strongly urge that your next edition remedy this omission. 5-7 Church Street, Skerries, Co Dublin Tel: +353 1 849 1005 Fax: + 353 1 849 1598 Email: info@redbank.ie

Rena Wiseman in Lexington, KY USA 11/28/2008

My wife and I spent 10 glorious days in London, Paris, and Rome. We've been married for 12 years, and it was the first time we took a vacation without our kids. Your book proved invaluable as I carried it in my backpack all throughout our trip. The tips and descriptions were astonishingly accurate, and I used it as a "manual" for Europe. In fact, there numerous tourists, Americans no doubt, who were touting the same book, and that started numerous conversations between us. I'd like to thank you for doing the work and making it signifantly easier for us, do-it-yourself tourists, to take in the highlights of various European cities. We're looking forward to our next jaunt to Europe, hopefully this time with the kids.

Ferdie Pernia in San Francisco, CA USA 07/26/2008

After spending almost six weeks visiting six countries in Europe last spring, my husband and I can't wait to go back. We planned our entire trip around your suggestions of things to see, places to stay, etc. and have to say that we were not disappointed one bit. Everything you suggested was right on! Thank you! My husband and I are both over sixty, but we traveled by train hauling our luggage, used public transportation exclusively, and walked an average of five miles a day in our adventures. The only change we will make next time is to take a taxi to the hotel in the little towns with cobblestone streets. The larger cities like Paris, Rome, Munich, and Vienna had adequate public transportation where we could get to the hotels with luggage rather easily. But smaller towns like Haarlem, Delft, Rotenburg, and Salzburg were much harder for getting to the hotels. Walking on cobblestones was hard enough on our feet, ankles, and knees without pulling suitcases. Next time it will be a taxi in those little towns! I think this might be a good suggestion for your other "more mature" travelers.

Joyce and Dean Keefe in Gresham, Or USA 05/13/2008

We enjoyed your book very much. We looked in it almost every day of our one month tour of Europe!!

Wendy Fox in Saanichton, BC Canada 02/28/2008

FROM EXPERIENCE - London - Always have coins for the bus. We found out the hard way at 5:45 AM when we didn't have any coins for bus fare and we needed to catch the bus to the train to the airport. Fortunately, a very nice local had coins to exchange for bills. VERY close call.

Karen Canada 10/29/2007

Ride the ferris wheel at the Place Concorde in France. A bit pricy at 9E, but it gives great views over the city and is a good break if you've just walked thru the Tuilleries. I had a "Rick Steves" experience of connecting with a local because I rode it alone; they put me in the car with another random person from line who turned out to be French and very graciously pointed out the sights we could see on the ride.

In France, Italy, & Switzerland they will cut you a 100g or 200g slice of cheese so you can try the local products. A lot of them are not imported to the US. I'd suggest telling readers to stop into the shop and get a few of these slices.

At the metal luge near the Neuschwanstein (Mad Ludwig) castle they have a parasailing school that offers flights with a pilot. It was a bit pricy, 135E, but the views over the castle were incredible! We circled the castle a few times and could see 40km into the distance. It's not that scary to do, even a woman in her 60's did it and loved it. The season ends in October when the weather cools and there's less lift for the gliders. Website is www.flugschule-aktiv.de

Mike Thompson in Los Angeles, CA USA 10/08/2007

We found a delicious gelateria in Florence. It has been in operation for six months and is way off the beaten tourist path so only locals were there. It is located on V. le Strozzi, 8/r at the corner of via c. Ridolfi. Robiglio, the owner, doesn't speak much English. This didn't inhibit our ordering at all. His gelato has finely ground nuts and real fruit, not flavoring. He makes granita the Sicilian way, using real fruit as well. The best gelati and granite in all of Europe was right here. Contact: Robiglio gelato, tel. 055 495939

We also found a good stand up cafe near the Santa Croce on dei Benci as you walk toward ponte Gratzi. It is called Istanbul Donor Kebop. We had the best falafel wrap for only 4 euros! Large enough to feed two.

Laurie Arora in Grosse Pointe Park, MI USA 08/17/2007

In Best of Europe, you don't give directions on how to reach Burg Eltz. We had read that it is your favorite medieval castle in Europe, so we checked your Germany book out from the local library and photocopied the section on Burg Eltz. It was SO worth it! While we found the hike to the castle tiring, once you get there it actually seems romantic and satisfying. Please consider including this info in Best of Europe --- as it was OUR best castle experience.

Carly Bean in Moscow, ID USA 07/15/2007

We planned our own Best of Europe in 23 days trip, and it was wonderful! Thank you Rick and staff! Our first stop was Amsterdam, and we tried to book several of Rick's recommended hotels over 6 months in advance, with no luck. I happened to come across a recommendation for Boogaard's B&B so we booked it. It was LOVELY, and only 90 euro a night. We ate some of the best breakfast of the trip, and Peter the owner was incredibly kind and helpful. He even gave each of us little porcelain clogs as a departing gift. I know he is currently relocating to be closer to Central Station, but I am sure his new place will be just as wonderful. I don't know what determines your recommendations, but if "clean, homey, helpful and reasonably priced" are adjectives you look for, please, consider putting Boogaard's into your book.

Carly Bean in Moscow, ID USA 07/15/2007

Any chance of guidebooks to other continents? Your European books are most helpful and fabulous!

Selma Pierce in Salem, OR USA 07/08/2007

In Rome, the restaurant Life has great pizzas and salads for moderate prices. It is in the area between the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain.

Brenda Paull in Mercer Island, WA USA 07/08/2007

Brandenburg, just outside of Berlin, is a jewel and an excellent place to train in to Berlin from. Pension La Rose, run by the extremely helpful Monika, was clean, well-located, had the best breakfast of our whole trip, etc. The food in Brandenburg is awesome: especially Bismarck's (German food and decorated with everything Bismarck) and the fish stand by the river. Also Dresden is a fantastic city, especially the museums at the Zwinger Palace.

Katie Ramp in Monterey, CA USA 06/23/2007

I'm not sure where to send this, as it really applies to ALL the RS Guidebooks, so I'm sticking with the most general one. How about selling the books in an unbound, loose-leaf format with soft-sided ring binders? That way, instead of tearing up their books, people could easily pull out the sections they want to use/take and leave the others at home? Binders could also come in different thicknesses, depending on how much people want to take with them.

Ellen in Nottingham, UK 05/17/2007

Vernazza: New restaurant IL BARATO - food very good, inexpensive, good service, house wine cheap and taste good.

Germany: Day travel in Bavaria, cheaper to buy Bayern Ticket 27E up to 5 people than buy point to point. Forgot the name but you can buy same day pass for up to 5 people in the Rhine region for 25E. Amsterdam I love Card - worth buying.

Best train experience: travelling 1st class via Thaly's from Eindhoven, NL to Paris - they kept serving snacks the whole time, with good lunch also provided. Another good experience was the night train (T3) from Venice to Munich - we woke up rejuvenated!

My train experience: first class is most of the time not full. Buy your train tickets when you get to Europe in a train station. It is cheaper and you will know if it has mandatory reservation therefore you can purchase it with the ticket. Why go first class when 2nd class is much cheaper? Buy as as soon as you can. Just got back from Europe, learned the rail and subway system really well. Had fun travelling by train and subway, fast, efficient and cheap. Travel with a positive attitude - it attracts good people.

Follow Rick's advise in travelling light. I am glad I did. Saw lots of travellers having a hard time going up and down stairs in train stations with their gigantic luggage. Washing clothes: there's always a laundry place in Paris, Florence, Rome, Munich. I wore my pants more than once and if need be, I just wash underwears.

Maricel Lustre in San Diego, CA USA 04/19/2007

We did a 6-month road trip in a VW bus and I took lots of notes. I have several corrections and suggestions.

-It would be great if you could mention more camping sites for road trippers like us. Your book was great but we had to supplement with another guide because you didn't mention much camping. I'd like to recommend Camping Huttopia in Versailles. Really helpful English-speaking staff and walking distance to a train that we took into Paris every day. We didn't mind the 10 min. walk and our 20 min. train "commute" every day as it was pleasant and inexpensive. The trains in Paris were crowded and unpleasant. We arrived in Paris every day refreshed and had time to map out our day on the train ride in. Free internet, too! Here's the website : http://www.huttopia.com/

-We also stayed in a campground just outside Rome for just over a hundred Euro for about a week! They had shuttles to the train, a store, laundry, etc: http://www.sevenhills.it/

Cindy in Hall, CA USA 03/27/2007

My fiance and I did a 16 day tour of France, Monaco and northern Italy in late Feb/early March 2007. We logged over 3,000 kilometers on the rental car.

We stayed the first four nights in Paris at Hotel la Bourdannais, 111 Rue de la Bourdannais, near the L'Ecole Millitare. The staff was wonderful and very eager to speak to me in English. The hotel breakfasts were very nice; not to mention convenient. The location was great, just a few blocks from La Tour Eiffel and the Seine River. Boats on the Seine make it easy and interesting to traverse your way to the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral. The boat we took offered a day pass and you could get on and off the boats with ease at different stops.

We were able to get around on the Metro (subway) quite well, although I would not reccomend traveling from deGaulle Airport into the city with 3 weeks of travel luggage at rush hour. We hired a taxi for the return to the airport.

I did do one foolish thing but thanks to Rick's advice, it did not turn out as badly as it could have. I purchased a money belt and was sure to put my passport, insurance card, extra cash, and travelers checks in it.

I placed my purse on my luggage in the lobby of the hotel, about 10 feet from the front door. Chris and I then went into the lounge/internet area for about 5 minutes while waiting for the taxi to the TGV station. When I got back to the luggage, I did not at first notice that my purse was gone as I was holding an umbrella in my hands. It was not until the taxi dropped us off at the train station that I noticed my purse was gone, along with our €210 first class train tickets to Bordeaux!

I also lost my sunglasses, my drivers licence, a favorite comb & lipstick, and my digital camera, which had the photo taken of us at the top of the Eiffel Tour just after we got engaged.

Long story short, in the future I will always hold or wear anything quick and easy to pick up. I actually feel freer and less of a target with no purse and my lipstick, hand sanitizer, and a comb in my pocket. And thanks to Rick for the heads up on carrying valuables in a moneybelt that you wear all the time.

Deborah Marlene Kearney in Arnold, CA USA 03/09/2007