Rating: 
Summary: Three words .... Rick Steve's ROCKS!
Review: As always, Rick Steve's tells you what you want to hear and also the little things you didn't think of! He ROCKS, thanks Rick!
Rating:
Summary: Three words .... Rick Steve's ROCKS!
Review: As always, Rick Steve's tells you what you want to hear and also the little things you didn't think of! He ROCKS, thanks Rick!
Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: I bought this book in preparation for my first trip to Europe last summer. Two of us were going to be traveling around Europe for approximately three weeks.We're students so we were clearly on a budget but not incredibly limited. This book was a God send! I used it to structure my budget, itinerary, everything. While I can't discount the help of online resources (particularly http://www.guideforeurope.com) I couldn't have planned the trip without this book. I recommend this book to people planning a first trip to Europe or a first independent trip to Europe. Now as a caveat I think you should use parts of this book but not treat it like a Bible. It's a starting point and then the rest of up to you - but as a starting point it is fantastic! In addition to this book I highly recommend Rick Steves Best of Europe book. His entire series is just fantastic -- if you use these books your trip will turn out incredible and you'll be a pro at planning!
Rating: 
Summary: A great resource needed only once . . .
Review: I find that Europe Through the Back Door is an excellent resource for the novice traveler. It is particularly geared toward younger people, and those on a tight budget. It is useful for learning the basics of independent travel in Europe(washing your clothes in the sink), while many of his observations are useful elsewhere (Mexico, South America).
Mr. Steves has been criticized for divulging several of his "Back Doors", or secret corners of less discovered Europe, and thus ruining them. He admits this in not so many words, but continues to publish them anyway, indeed his whole series is built on this practice. My advice is to avoid his recommendations lest you find yourself in a small Portuguese beach town with 400 other Canadians / Americans clutching ETTBD to their breast. If you really want a "Back Door" experience, go to the towns that guidebooks describe as "ugly" or "not much to see". There may not be the plethora of museums and attractions, but you will find a quiet, out-of-the-way cafe in these places, and an opportunity to rub elbows with the locals. Sardinia comes to mind, but I won't say which towns.
This criticism aside, I recommend this book for it's practical advice, but you need not buy it every year, since it is rarely updated in full. The major updates have traditionally been in the section on his "Back Doors", which as stated, I would avoid.
Rating:
Summary: A great resource needed only once . . .
Review: I find that Europe Through the Back Door is an excellent resource for the novice traveler. It is particularly geared toward younger people, and those on a tight budget. It is useful for learning the basics of independent travel in Europe(washing your clothes in the sink), while many of his observations are useful elsewhere (Mexico, South America).
Mr. Steves has been criticized for divulging several of his "Back Doors", or secret corners of less discovered Europe, and thus ruining them. He admits this in not so many words, but continues to publish them anyway, indeed his whole series is built on this practice. My advice is to avoid his recommendations lest you find yourself in a small Portuguese beach town with 400 other Canadians / Americans clutching ETTBD to their breast. If you really want a "Back Door" experience, go to the towns that guidebooks describe as "ugly" or "not much to see". There may not be the plethora of museums and attractions, but you will find a quiet, out-of-the-way cafe in these places, and an opportunity to rub elbows with the locals. Sardinia comes to mind, but I won't say which towns.
This criticism aside, I recommend this book for it's practical advice, but you need not buy it every year, since it is rarely updated in full. The major updates have traditionally been in the section on his "Back Doors", which as stated, I would avoid.
Rating:
Summary: Rick is the BEST!
Review: I have been to several of Ricks seminars and he is the best! . With this book you are ready to go! I wish I had it in 1990 and used Ricks style of traveling. When I went the first time on a tour bus that was totally in control of my trip it was hard to pass by the little out of the way towns knowing they were there with my trip planned for me. With this guide you can visit the little out of the way places most people dont get to see when you take a tour. You have control with your trip if you use this guide. I cannot wait to take my own backpack with the bare necessities and take in the sites. My friend went to Germany and used this book and it really helped her get around on her own. I also highly recommend Ricks Mona Winks to understand art history and the museums.
Rating:
Summary: Think of it as an instruction manual
Review: I have used Rick Steves' books for over 6 years in varying capacities, and if you read them with the idea in mind that he is first and foremost a teacher, you can get more out of these books. They are definitely helpful to those who find travel abroad intimidating at first, and after giving it a go, will follow his travel pedagogy and break out on their own path, looking for their own back doors. While he does 'reveal' some well-known (to Europeans) 'back doors', they are places that do offer a different aspect of Europe than the popular destinations.
Rating:
Summary: Think of it as an instruction manual
Review: I have used Rick Steves' books for over 6 years in varying capacities, and if you read them with the idea in mind that he is first and foremost a teacher, you can get more out of these books. They are definitely helpful to those who find travel abroad intimidating at first, and after giving it a go, will follow his travel pedagogy and break out on their own path, looking for their own back doors. While he does 'reveal' some well-known (to Europeans) 'back doors', they are places that do offer a different aspect of Europe than the popular destinations.
Rating:
Summary: The bible for those traveling in Europe
Review: I love this book. What else it there to say. I refer to this book ALL THE TIME. I was living in the UK and planned a few trips to the continent, and this book was invaluable. From desitnation suggestions, to places to stay, as well as advice, and little secret tidbits. I love it. Anyone traveling to Europe needs to buy a copy of this book!
Rating:
Summary: Great advice from someone who knows what he's talking about
Review: I must admit, Rick Steves knows what he's talking about when it comes to travelling through Europe. I backpacked through four countries in Western Europe this summer and I followed much of the advice contained within this book in my preparation and travels. I encountered no problems in my travels, but it still felt good to be better prepared than not. As far as the back door adventures . . . well I didn't get to any of them. I stayed in the large cities and the "touristy" spots of Europe, but the information and advice within this book is beneficial to anyone, regardless of where they're going. The only thing I didn't do that Steves recommended is to leave the book in the hostel for the next traveler. I'm going to keep this book and use it the next time I prepare to fly off to Europe for awhile.
|
