Rick Steves' Amsterdam, Bruges and Brussels (Paperback)

by Rick Steves (Author), Gene Openshaw (Author) "Holland: windmills, wooden shoes, cheese, tulips, and tranquility..." (more)
Key Phrases: secret annex, rooms into three categories, info tel, Market Square, Central Station, Grand Place (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Today's tourists are as likely to be toting Rick Steves as Giorgio Armani, tasting the good life without burning through the Kids' college fund. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Who but Rick Steves can tell travelers the best ways to meander around Amsterdam's Van Gogh museum, explore its maze of canals, and find the tastiest breweries and restaurants? With Rick Steves’ Amsterdam, Bruges and Brussels, travelers can experience everything Amsterdam, Bruges, and Brussels have to offer – economically and hassle-free. Completely revised and updated, this guide includes: opinionated coverage of both famous and lesser-known sights, friendly places to eat and sleep, suggested day plans, walking tours and trip itineraries, and clear instructions for smooth travel anywhere by car, train, or foot. America’s #1 authority on travel to Europe, Rick’s time-tested recommendations for safe and enjoyable travel in Europe have been used by millions of Americans in search of their own unique European travel experience.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 440 pages
• Publisher: Avalon Travel Publishing; 6th edition (March 5, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566918502
• ISBN-13: 978-1566918503
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #275,850 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #10 in	Books > Travel > Europe > Belgium > Brussels
  #18 in	Books > Travel > Europe > Netherlands > Amsterdam
  #92 in	Books > Travel > Guidebook Series > Rick Steves

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only travel guide you'll need, March 17, 2003

By	L. Brennan "laurafromva" (Harrisonburg, VA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Rick Steves' Amsterdam, Bruges, and Brussels 2003 (Paperback)

My friends and I just returned from 6 days in Amsterdam with a day trip to Bruges. We took along several travel guides but this book was the one we ended up using again and again. It clearly lists the top attractions and how to get the most from them. We especially liked the museum tours and self-guided walking tours. The maps are great and easy to use. Tips on negotiating the train system were very helpful. The restaurant choices were also very good. We stayed at the Hotel Hestia in Amsterdam and loved it (great location, reasonable price, friendly staff). Be sure to also pick up a free copy of "Boom Chicago's Guide to Amsterdam" when you get into town for a humorous look at the Dutch Culture and a discount offer on a hilarious comedy show.

46 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great for museum info, terrible for general travel info, December 15, 2003

By	William R (Houston, TX, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rick Steves' Amsterdam, Bruges, and Brussels 2004 (Paperback)

I travel extensively and have been trying different travel guidebooks like DK Eyewitness, Fodors, Frommers, Lonely Planet, and Moon guide. For my recent trip to Amsterdam, I ordered a book from yet another guidebook writer, called the "Rick Steves' Amsterdam, Bruges & Brussels 2004."

Rick Steves has been hosting PBS travel shows for years, concentrating on Europe. I recall seeing some of his shows and they were interesting, so I thought this trip to Europe would be the best (if not only) time to try one of Steves' books.

As a travel guide, I would say Steves' book is TERRIBLE! I would rate it as poor, and would not recommend it to anyone who needs a TRAVEL guide.

When I am traveling to a new country, especially a big city in a foreign country, I need a travel guide to provide me with the BASICS such as 1) an explanation of the parts of town, so I know where to stay and hang out, 2) plenty of recommendations for accommodations, 3) suggestions for good restaurants and local food, 4) basic terms and phrases to help me communicate when there, 5) a list/glossary of local terms, local food, local customs, and so on, 6) a good map, 7) suggestions for what to do and see. (A little history is nice, but not necessary) Steves underperformed in 6 of these 7 categories.

Steves provides too much information about the tourist sites, and too little information about the travel basics. In the book, Steves dedicates about 140 pages to Amsterdam. Of this amount, about 115 pages (82%) are dedicated to sightseeing and museum tours. He only provides about 6 pages for accommodations and about 6 pages for dining options (which is about the same amount of space he gives to smoking marijuana in Amsterdam). He provides only 2 pages for nightlife, and a few pages for shopping. He provides very little on neighborhoods or districts of the city, he offers no helpful phrases, and he offers no list of terms/glossary. His maps are made to look like they are hand written and are acceptable, but could use improvement.

Steves' book is not without merit, however. It is nice if you want a tour book for some famous museums or historical architecture. In fact, he does a nice job with this section of the book. If you know where you are going to stay, know the local food and customs, can speak the local language, and simply want a resource to help you understand the local museums or famous architecture, then you might appreciate Rick Steves' books. However, if you need a real TRAVEL guide, one that helps you with your actual travel plans and travel decisions, and one that helps you get around and communicate in a foreign land, then avoid this book.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Different Take, November 13, 2003

By	Robin Currier - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Rick Steves' Amsterdam, Bruges, and Brussels 2004 (Paperback)

I found this guidebook very useful on my recent trip to Europe. Using it, I found some really nice, out of the way spots that weren't mentioned in standard guidebooks. I also found it a little friendlier and easier to use than some of the other guidebooks. The only downside is that the maps are kind of hand-drawn and not quite as precise and detailed as those in other books.