Non Rick Steves Guidebook Assessment
There are a lot of guidebooks other than Rick's. What are some of your experiences using different guidebooks, positive and negative?
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The Insight Guides
Whenever I go anywhere, whether in the U.S. or overseas, I try to find the Insight Guide for it. These guidebooks are not so good for information on lodging or restaurants, although they have basic listings in the back, but they are unsurpassed for background information. They start with essays on the history, culture, and lifestyles of the destination, all illustrated by superb photographs, and continue with essays about the sights of each part of the country or city, also illustrated by beautiful photographs. I use them mostly for suggesting places to go within the country, especially off-the-beaten track places, and then I use Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, and the Internet (and Rick Steves if the destination is in Europe) for practical information such as hotels and transportation links.
Karen
Minn, MN USA 01/18/2012
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YRy0OP I read and feel at home. Thanks the creators for a good resource..!!
Cheap oem software
New York, NY USA 11/09/2011
guidebooks
We very much like the Rough Guides in general, also Cadogan for Italy. I am a big supporter of guidebook industry[INVALID]usually buy 3 or 4 (Rick Steves if Europe, Rough, Fodor, Frommer) before a trip, then tear out pages of some. 1 great tip makes it worthwhile $$.
Carol Straforini
Point Richmond, CA USA 09/10/2011
Trattoria Katti in Florence
Yesterday evening I ate at Trattoria Katti in Via Faenza number 33 and was very pleased. I had bistecca Fiorentina and it was delicious, and not too expensive. It is a regional speciality of Tuscany. That was all I wanted, plus water and a little wine, and they were happy to accommodate me. It is worth a visit.
Julianne Chappell
Washington, DC USA 08/13/2011
Lonely Planet
In my experience, if you like Rick Steves' style of traveling, you should like Lonely Planet guidebooks.
They're geared towards the young, and young at heart, who prefer an authentic experience rather than a 5-star luxury vacation.
Jeremy
Reno, NV USA 08/07/2011
Cambodia
I am going to Cambodia, Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City. I hear rick Steves' travel books are awesome but unfortunately he doesn't do these places. Any suggestions??
Jean Irving
Calgary, Albert USA 07/25/2011
Knopff MapGuides
Part of packing light is not always taking a full-size guidebook with you as you tromp around a city. To this end Knopff MapGuides, for various cities worldwide, are wonderful. I just used one in Paris and it was perfect. They are light and compact but contain all the information and maps you need, plus the maps fold out much smaller and sturdier than maps from a TI, so you spend less time fumbling in the wind looking like a tourist! Can't recommend enough!
Sarah
Stuttgart, Germany 07/11/2011
Travel Books
I used RS Rome (purchased) and Florence (library book) for a trip to Italy in 2009. They were fabulous with information on what was worth seeing and what wasn't. Turkey in 2011 I didn't buy RS because it only was for Istanbul so I purchased Lonely Planet. It just wasn't the same. Also the print in LP is too small for those of us over 50. The only saving grace was the owner of our hotel in Istanbul (Apricot Hotel) lent us a copy of RS Istanbul. Steves tips on how to navigate are so much better than LP right down to how to read a train ticket in Italy. The only thing I don't often follow is hotels as I tend to book cheaper ones (we only sleep in the room). I like Steves tip on ripping apart books and building a custom one for the areas you are actually going to
BMC
Kamloops, BC Canada 06/10/2011
Don't waste money on another book
It's silly but I actually heard of Rick Steves' books for the first time when the Gilmore Girls were planning a trip to Europe (they mention it on the show, the rich grandma is appalled, it's amusing). Last year when I was (finally) planning a long-dreamt-for trip to Italy with my sister, I bought the Italian guide book, along with a Fodor's and an Eye-Witness. The other two books were fine, they pointed out the facts of each area and had good things to say about everything. But buying the Rick Steve's book was the best thing I did. The book was amazing and we had an absolutely amazing time. Planned the trip ourselves and travelled every few days to a new city or village, with no worry. The guide made us that comfortable. I'm now planning a trip to Ireland and of course, my first step is to pick up a Rick Steve's guide book! It's not just that they list the best deals on hotels and food, its that they actually have an opinion on the different locations and give clear ideas as to why something is worth the time or not.
Sandy
Wasaga Beach, ON Canada 04/25/2011
Time Out
Time Out Istanbul is a nice complement to RS' Istanbul. I haven't used any of the other city guides from Time Out, but imagine they're as informative and well-written as the Istanbul version.
Chad J.
Chicago, IL USA 03/25/2011
Guidebooks
Amazon now has a lot of the Lonely Planet and Rough Guide books available for Kindle. This might be handier than lugging a book along if you're trying to pack light.
Karen
Minneapolis, MN USA 03/24/2011
Need a Toilet in Rome? Try Mad Jacks
I was in Rome on Via Arenula and found myself in need of a toilet. I went to Mad Jacks Irish Pub and asked a redheaded barmaid if I could use the facility. She rudely responded that the toilet was only for use by customers.
I later found out that in Rome it is unlawful for bars and restaurants to prohibit toilet acces to anyone, customer or not. If I had told a polizia they would have issued a fine on the spot. Great law!
Honestjournalist
Miami, FL USA 02/24/2011
I always travel with rick steves guides as well. But I never forget my red michelin guide. I have had great success with the red guide in France, New York and San Francisco. What I love about traveling with both is that Rick will mention a couple small towns to visit in an area maybe for daytrips, but not offer any lodging/restaurants or if any very few. I can open up the red guide and find the exact town usually with several hotels and restaurants in various price ranges. Also, when you do not have internet access the red guide has so many options, so if you are travelling lets say in the south of France in July and you have called all of the hotels on Ricks list but they are booked full you have plenty of other options. I really also like to crosscheck recommendations from Rick, Fodors, Michelin guide etc before booking hotels. Almost forgot, I have had great success with Alistair Sawdays bed and breakfast and hotels and chateaux guides, these ones are strictly lodging recommendations that sometimes comment on food served at the residence. I found a great hotel in Paris from one of the books and of course its one of Rick Steves favorites!
Hawley
USA 01/30/2011
Malta - used Lonely Planet
I use Rick's books whenever possible, but he didn't cover Malta so when we went there for Christmas 2010 we relied on Lonely Planet. Had to buy a big book for just a few pages, but it gave us what we needed.
J Scott Miller
Spokane, WA USA 01/29/2011
24 Greats Walks
I'm in Scotland right now, on a 5 month trip and I brought a bunch of different guidebooks.
One of those books was Frommer's 24 Great Walks in Edinburgh. At first this book seemed like a godsend but then it started talking me down sketchy back alleys.. Its true that there are a lot of great things in this book (and no Rick Steve's equivalent) but be careful with it..
Alex
Vancouver, BC Canada 01/28/2011
Guide Books
I use Rick Steves, also Lonely Planet which has a slightly different perspective (more European). Fodor and Frommer have nice walking tours, but I would just zerox or download those sections, not the whole book.
Lori Dick
Miami, Fl USA 01/03/2011
two guidebooks
I usually take two, one Rick Steves and either an Eyewitness Guide or a Fodor's. For example, I really am interested in costumes, and there was a museum in Sevilla ("Costumbres Populares"which was not featured in the Rick Steves guide, but which was in the Fodor's. A super museum! The Rick Steves Guides aim to tell you "everything you need, but not wasting your time with things you don't need", which is great most of the time. But if you have a special interest which most people wouldn't be interested, it's good to have a more detailed guide along also. But I use the Rick Steves guide most of the time.
Grace Clark
Apache Jct.., AZ USA 12/11/2010
Rick's guidebooks
I've used Frommer's, and looked through others, but I think Rick's guidebooks have a distinct advantage: they're not abstract. I always feel like an experienced traveler is talking to me.
Bill M.
Largo, FL USA 11/23/2010
Rick Steves' books
Rick Steve's books are what inspired me to travel independently. I saw the first edition of "22 days in France" on the shelf of a bookstore. I started flipping through it. In 10 minutes, I felt I had the "compass" I had been looking for. That was over 20 years ago and I am now "well" travelled. But Rick's books are still very useful for experienced travellers and an absolute must for those going anywhere for the first time.
Robert Washington
Porter Ranch, CA USA 11/06/2010
Guidebook Assessment
We use Rick's guides exclusively because we identify with his travel style and philosophy. Moreover, his guides are accurate. We've consulted other guides in the past:Fodors, Frommers and discovered errors; restaurants out of business, wrong operating hours, addresses and phone numbers. With only a few days to travel we can't be bothered with mistakes.
Sarah Bates
Fallbrook, CA USA 11/05/2010
Guidebooks
I have read all the popular guidebooks, but settled on Rick Steves, as his differs in one critical area. He offers opinions on things - and frequently explains his opinion, so I can compare my feelings. Other guidebooks provide factual info, but leave the reader with nothing else. I am a big R.S. fan! Jane
Jane
Victoria, bc USA 09/28/2010
Blue Guides
I am a great Blue Guides fan - they are updating them again (finally), and if you're the kind of person that needs to know how that particular chair arrived in that particular room and who sat in it, the Blue Guides are for you! The old ones are just fine, as the history hasn't changed!
Nancy Winder
Seattle, WA USA 09/19/2010
Non RS Guidebooks
Rough Guide, Lonely Planet, Blue Guides Cadogan guides all great (in addition to RS guides!) - each has a slightly different perspective.
susan robinson
aberdeen, UK 09/06/2010
Love Rick's books
As was commended earlier I might read Fodors before I travel but I would never travel without Rick's books. I recently returned from Amsterdam and Germany and had friends going over after our return...they said the same thing about Rick's book THE GREATEST! ps I am in travel and find them a great resource as well.
Betty
Paramus, NJ USA 09/01/2010
London and Paris
Pauline Frommer's Spend Less See More guidebooks. We have used the ones to London and Paris. Both were very good if you want a little more in depth information. These are very different from the other Frommer guides. She's listed as the editor and has someone who lives in the cities write them, but we've had excellent experiences following their advice.
Barbara Moors
Ypsilanti, MI USA 08/14/2010
Let's Go Europe 2010
I was recently checking out a copy of Let's Go Europe 2010 edition for my upcoming trip, and out of curiosity, I decided to check their section on Russia (I'm originally from Moscow). In case anyone ever decides to use it, be forewarned that all of their Russian translations are very poor (numerous misspellings in Russian and a couple of wrong translations). I can't speak for the accuracy of their other translations, but based on their grasp of Russian, I'd be on the lookout.
Ann
Seattle, WA USA 08/09/2010
Fodor's
I consult with Fodor's before leaving home and travel with Rick's guides. Fodor's has very useful hotel and restaurant tips to supplement Rick's that have been winners. I used to live outside the U.S. and a friend was a Fodor's writer who updated her work annually very carefully, unlike Frommer's, which was WAY out of date despite the year on the cover. Most Eyewitness Guides are eye candy but not very useful and quite HEAVY.
Chris
Cedar Point, NC USA 07/08/2010
Switzerland Without a Car
Don't waste your time/money on "Switzerland Withour a car" by Michael Palin. Boring and dull. RS's the best, thank God I had his book with me too.
CAROL KISH
Port Aransas, TX USA 06/12/2010
Paris Walks book
This book gives extremely detailed walks in various neighborhoods of Paris. If this is your thing, then this is the book for you, giving considerably more depth than Rick's walks which we also used.
Charles Faulkner
Arrington, TN USA 06/04/2010
Thermal Bath
During my recent stay in Seville Spain my wife and I went to the Thermal Baths at AIRE DE SEVILLE with a 30 minutes relaxation massage. The baths were great ( 21 euro each ) but the 30 minutes massage was a waste ( 30 euros each )
Gary Grewal
Castro Valley, CA USA 04/10/2010
The one I regret wasting my money on
"Britain by BritRail 2009" by L Ferguson-Kosinski, is the only guidebook I have ever seriously regretted spending my money on. What a waste!!
Now there's an "updated" edition, with the "2009" replaced by "2010/11" and as far as I can tell it's still not worth the money. This book was first published THIRTY YEARS ago, and has barely been updated in any meaningful sense as far as I can tell.
I learned more about UK travel by rail from Rick's books and from a couple of Frommer's books, than from this one. As a contrast to the stale reek of the BritRail books, for example, Rick and the Frommer's folks mention the existence and availability of (heavens!) mobile phones. The BritRail guide, in its section on British Telephones, still does not. Follow its suggestions and you'll be stalking down streets looking for pay phones clutching an overpriced phone card or a lot of coins. Good luck with that.
Read it in a bookstore, check it out of your library, or buy a used copy of an earlier edition for a buck, and then check online for updated/current train schedules when planning your trip, and don't waste your money by paying full price for this dinosaur. Not only is the "travel tips" content not very current, it takes a strange approach to day trips. York is not an easy day trip from London unless your goal is to spend about five hours total on a train, but the book lists it with a completely straight face as such. It also fails to mention several vibrant and interesting British cities served by rail.
It's basically a tool to sell BritRail passes. Consumer beware. Just saying.
Suz
Denver, CO USA 04/02/2010
Make YOUR OWN personalized guidebook for less than the cost of one from the store
What I have done I hope Rick would approve of. It won't sell many books, but it does carry on the missions of both traveling on a budget, and packing light. I borrowed several different guidebooks; Ricks', Fodors, DK Eyewitness, Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, Frommers, etc. from the Library and photocopied pages of information, phrase and word translations, and maps, that will be pertinent to the trip that we are taking and places that we will be visiting. I then cut out the information from the photocopied pages, and using a glue stick, pasted them into a notebook in a nice small size with a comfortable black cover and a couple of pocket pages inside of it with plenty of pages. I left room on some pages to write information in pen, and left some blank pages in each section for writing information on as well. At the front of the book I left several pages where I wrote in our itinerary and the details of our hotel and transportation info, pasted the language pages in the back and maps were full sheets folded in half, with half the page pasted and the other available to fold out. I organized the information by the order of our itinerary. This way when we are there, it doesn't look to others like we are consulting a guide book, while we actually are, and it should make a great souvenir from our trip as well.
Walter
New Orleans, LA USA 03/26/2010
Rough and Blue Guides
I discovered the Rough Guides last year in Crete, excellent for coverage of archaeological sites.
I would also look at the Blue Guides; they cover most European countries. Their Egypt Guide is superb with excellent information on sites large and small and with maps, plans etc. The Egypt Guide is out of print but you can pick up copies in secondhand shops and through Abe Books online.
Lesley Nicholls
Sidney, BC Canada 01/20/2010