Scandinavia Guidebook
Best ways to improve this book:
I've read your explanation of why you don't have an Iceland guidebook, but I think that Iceland would make a fantastic subject for one of your TV shows. It's a unique country with a lot to offer, especially for those who like outdoor activities and nature, and the collapse of its economy has made it more affordable for outsiders than before.
Karen in Minneapolis, MN USA 11/04/2011
We took a Tallink ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn in late September 2011. Contrary to what the Scandinavia 12th edition says in the Estonia section page 515, public transportation was a snap. There is a bus (unfortunately I don't remember the number) that goes from outside the main Helsinki train station (west side) directly to the ferry building, and the reverse on the way back. The nice lady at the Helsinki Expert desk at the Helsinki TI gave us the information. This made our choice of that ferry an easier one to make since getting to the ferry was not inconvenient at all and those leaving from the harbor area were either questionable at that time of year or slower. The bus ran every 15 - 20 minutes.
Shirley Fleig in San Diego, CA USA 10/31/2011
Update every two years rather than three.
Sam Pelligra, MD in Greensboro, NC USA 09/19/2011
The section for Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen needs updating. The guards told us that they tell many people the book is out of date and items mentioned by Steve have been relocated for several years.
Keith Wood in Lawrence, KS USA 09/16/2011
For Bergen, include ideas for what to do when all sites close at 2, 3, 4, or 5 pm... with hours to kill before dark, and no place to go but restaurants! If you have a"greedy little" Bergen card for two days, it is almost impossible to get your money's worth if you can only get to one or two museums in a day. We walked the neighborhoods, but this is daunting when it's cold and wet.
We went prepared with plastic utensils and napkins for picnicking , but found it mostly inappropriate for us. If you have a bare-bones accommodation, there is no way to store a large piece of cheese (almost the only way it is sold) or other perishable foods. We did buy a loaf of bread and a small packet of sliced Havarti (hard to find) when we moved to an apartment for our last three nights in Bergen, but otherwise we hardly ate at all. (We saw a couple at the City Box hotel in Bergen who had bread, sausage, cheese, and tea for breakfast... with additional butter, jam, sugar, cream, etc. To buy all of that at a grocery- and then have no place to store the perishables - would have been false economy. Suggestions would be helpful.
Roberta in McBride, WA USA 09/12/2011
In the Hardanger area, we stayed at & highly recommend www.hardanger-gjestegard.no. It is located right on the fjord near Alsaker (between Utne & Jondal). You would need a car to get there on narrow roads but our apt was beautifully decorated, nice kitchen facilities. The owners were super nice, they have a large apple orchard and rent apartments, have small fishing boats for rent and you can sit right out on the fjord. So beautiful & peaceful. I would recommend this lodging be added to your RS Norway guide.
Nelda Eitreim in Garretson, SD USA 08/22/2011
It would be helpful to integrate the color versions of the maps in the Kindle edition of the book with each major city/country, rather than have them bunched up at the front.
Steve Macfarlane in Carmichael, CA USA 08/07/2011
Update more frequently.
Irena in Cleveland, USA 07/29/2011
Include Visby, Sweden. Include other Baltic capitals & St Petersburg.
Beth in Northridge, CA USA 07/12/2011
I'll provide complete feedback when we finish our trip in late July (still have Norway to get to). So far, recommendations for sights, restaurants, and lodging have been on target.
Steve Macfarlane in Carmichael, CA USA 07/11/2011
Include something more about Malmo in the book than just how easy it is to visit from Copenhagen - this is a charming city, and such a welcome break from Copenhagen, the most overrated of the Scandinavian capitals. If I went back, I would consider basing out of Malmo, or at least not staying in a hotel in central Copenhagen which is currently torn up (side walks, plazas, etc) for the expansion of the subway system, among other things, I suppose. At most one needs one day to see what Copenhagen has to offer - the best of Denmark is outside of Copenhagen, and the nicest town in the region is Malmo.
John Russell in Charlottesville, VA USA 07/01/2011
Add an additional page or two on Hurtigruten cruise; and perhaps include key stops, e.g., Alesund, Trondheim, Tromso and Kirkenes.
richard kruse in la jolla, ca USA 06/16/2011
add more restaurant advice make the Stockholm card more apparent - - if you are here touring it is WORTH it highlight how easy it is to get around and the public transportation highlight how everything is pretty much walkable
Lynn Porterfield in Ridgewood, NJ USA 04/11/2011
Include the Swedish city of Visby on the island of Gotland. I cannot figure out why it is not in the guidebook!
Beth in Los Angeles, CA USA 04/06/2011
I'm not sure why Iceland---a Scandinavian country---isn't covered, but Estonia---which is not---is. Perhaps a "Rick Steves Baltics" is in order?
Kevin in McIntyre, MD USA 03/17/2011
Add the Steno Museum and the beautiful park adjacent to the AU campus; perhaps mention the AU campus itself
Jason Sherron in Seattle, WA USA 10/13/2010
Finland has been done a disservice. Just Helsinki?? And not even the most exciting things in/around Helsinki are included.
You can take the U or S train to Espoo, then bus 85 to the Nuuksio National Park, go on an absolutely GORGEOUS hike and possibly see flying squirrels. You talk about Scandinavians being outdoorsy in your intro, yet there are NO nature options mentioned in Finland at all. Second, there are SOO many things to do in Northern Finland year round but no time is given to anything but Helsinki. And no mention of Aland? I enjoyed it more than Aero, wonderful biking/kayaking opportunities, an awesome indoor/outdoor year-round water park plus it's easy to get to on your way to/from Stockholm/Helsinki on either Viking or Silja.
Erin Leigh in Minneapolis, MN USA 10/07/2010
Delete the recommendation for Kobenhavner Cafeen (page 106. The restaurant does not want or welcome tourists.
Jon Nelson in State College, PA USA 09/23/2010
To be a little more clear with regards to the Norway in a Nutshell options - ie: that you can book through the Norway in a Nutshell website. It was very confusing for me to plan because I didn't understand how you broke up the trip over multiple days (while still being on the "nutshell" without having to purchase everything separately).
Ashley Parker in Tampa, FL USA 08/30/2010
Love your books!!! They have been my European travel guide for the past six summers!!! Thank you!!
Shannon O'Connor in Grand Forks, ND USA 08/03/2010
Add the town of Ribe and the Island of MON. Ribe was fascinating and Mon was beautiful. The white cliffs were beaufiful.
Ann Richey in Bremerton, WA USA 07/28/2010
Keep doing what you are doing.
Mary Paquet in San Jose, CA USA 07/11/2010
The "At a Glance" Sidebars should include prices as well as open hours. I would suggest they include something along the line of "70KR, discounts, see page 358."
I find myself always having to thumb back to the other page for that, relatively small, piece of information.
Brad in Gainesville, VA USA 07/08/2010
Were you in Tivoli on June 13, 2010?
Julia Fisher in Chicago , IL USA 06/14/2010
As we age we are more likely to take cruises, i.e. not all of us arrive by car, bus, train, or airplane. It would be very helpful to include how to get from the cruise ship's port to downtown areas. Most of the time the port's location isn't even included in Rick's information or map. I think you're ignoring a huge market.
Beth in Trappe, MD USA 04/16/2010
We used the Scandinavia guidebook as well as Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy, and absolutely loved them all! We depend on Rick for advice whenever we travel which will work against us on our next trip! We are picking up our new Volvo in Gothenburg, Sweden and, since we've already done the RS tour of Scandinavia, we just want to see more of Sweden in our new car! The RS guidebook seems to cover very little besides Stockholm, so we have to go get a different guide. Surely Rick could find more to say about Sweden! I definitely think he should have a 'Snapshot of Sweden' book rather than just the 'Snapshot of Stockholm'!
Linda McDanel in Austin, TX USA 04/13/2010
ditch the gray text on the maps...impossible to read.
Susan Bowman in Phoenixville, PA USA 10/11/2009
love it, especially the walking tours. great way to orient ourself with the city.
Jenna Close in Oceanside, CA USA 10/03/2009
It would sure be nice to include Riga & Vilnius, and change the name of the book to "Scandinavia & The Baltics"
Ash Morris in Tulsa, OK USA 10/03/2009
Include the Adina Apartments in your
Susan in Kalispell, MT USA 09/21/2009
The book needs to be updated. Many of the opening times, and prices are out of date.
Mike Lincicum in Hillsboro, OR USA 09/13/2009
You should include information on the Danish Railway Museum in Odense, Denmark. It is very nice and is right behind the train station for those traveling by train.
Mike Lincicum in Hillsboro, OR USA 09/06/2009
Great book and very helpful with all the boat transportation connections! Only suggestion would be to remove Chicken's Private Pension from the book.
Dave in Seattle, WA USA 08/31/2009
The book was invaluable and really made the trip great (as usual with Rick's guide book).
J. Perschbacher in Atlanta, GA USA 08/02/2009
Update the restaurant information and provide more economical alternatives.
Chris Peter in El Cajon, CA USA 07/29/2009
It was a great book, thanks for all of your tips! If you ever need an extra writer, I'd love to participate!
Lori K in Chicago, IL USA 06/02/2009
Spend a few pages on suggestions for people who AREN'T there during June, July or August. I went in January and e.g. the lodging section said nothing about whether it's crowded or cheap in January.
Harald Chess in San Francisco, ca USA 01/04/2009