Customer Reviews

Rick Steves' Europe, 2000-2007: All 70 Shows

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This DVD set is excellent and really a supreme bargain at this price. I mean, do the math... 70 shows... that's about a buck per show! And each show is an informational gem!

Like many people, I first saw Rick Steves on Public Television and really liked his casual, practical, and friendly approach to travel. I bought his guidebook, and tried avidly to watch all of his shows through the years whenever they aired (I had no idea how many I had missed). When I saw this complete set on sale, at this extremely reasonable price here, I just jumped on the chance to own them all and enjoy them at my leisure over and over. Watching these shows has given me so many wonderful ideas and suggestions. Based on his recommendations I have a dream trip in mind.

My tongue-in-cheek title to this review refers to the fact that he gives away many secret nooks and hidden corners of Europe that are just breathtakingly beautiful, amazingly quaint and fun, or just sublimely relaxing. I just hope that they do not get spoiled by too many people suddenly going there by becoming aware of their existence! Some of his restaurant recommendations made my mouth water just watching them.

Even if you never pack your bags and set foot on that jet, this DVD set is thoroughly enjoyable as it allows a vicarious and intimate look at some of the best places in Europe from the comfort of your living room.

I give this my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION.

I came online looking to purchase a Rick Steves DVD and I found them all in one package! I recieved these quickly and have since watched over half of them. The quality is great and I found the extras to be somewhat useful. Follow the advice of PACK LIGHT (especially when traveling by train). I could watch these episodes for hours on end! Having been to several of the destinations, I enjoyed seeing places familiar to me, as well as planning future adventures. I have to give this set 5 stars based on quality and quantity of the content. I still can't believe I found these all in one place and for such a great price!

Rick Steves' travel videos are wonderful. They show you what to expect. They show you how to get around. They make you want to go everywhere in Europe. And they are a wonderful way to remember your own visits.

If you enjoy Rick Steves or want to learn about where to go and what to do in Europe, this is a great set. I like how he explores museums so you know which you want to visit. I also like his topics, like day trips outside of London or the Greek Isles versus just doing Athens or big cities. Its an arm chair vacation if you can't afford a big European trip. (By the way, both of my trips to Europe I used his guidebooks and I thought they were good too...I like how he explains the history and details of places- things you might like to know but may not be able to know just by visiting--like its a 4 mile walk through the Vatican Museum.)

watching this show is your best alternative. I saw his show on public TV and became very interested. I try to get other people interested in it as well because it's fun to watch as well as educational! The show acts like he is you own personal tour guide and I could sit and watch a marathon of it all day! He has a friendly, humorous, and passionate personality that goes very well with his very informative show. Unlike other TV personalities, he doesn't come off as too opinionated or a "know it all" who is in your face and over enthusiastic. The show isn't big budgeted and he travels with a small crew so it makes the show feel more personal. Even though he goes to the popular tourist attractions, Rick Steves also shows you little hole-in-the-walls that many people may not be familiar with. He visits museums, peculiar sites, B&Bs, and little restaurants which gives viewers a more authentic, unique feel of the place.

If you enjoy the Travel Channel, the Food Network, or The History Channel, you will enjoy his show. Even if you don't ever plan on going to Europe, watching this show is still entertaining and educational. You end up learning a lot about a country and its history and culture.

I only wish he would expand and do shows about other places aside from Europe!

Has there ever been another travel guide more amiable, more informative, more eclectic and just plain likeable than Rick Steves? This somewhat nerdish but pleasant looking fellow will immediately win the viewer over with his charm, humor and smoothing, layback manner. However what will keep you watching program after program is his consummate knowledge of the sites and people he visits.

While each journey is only 30 minutes in length Rick has a unique talent of synthesizing the many facets that make up a people and place. He leaves no stone unturned in his analysis; historical background, spiritual heritage, cultural underpinnings and political legacy are all equally touched upon to give the audience a fuller understanding of the rural and urban landscape.

However not not an individual to dwell too much on the past, he provides a delightful tour of the markets, music, restaurants and nightlife. The kind of information would really want to know if you're out for a good time.

The production values are also wonderful offering fanstastic visuals that are worth watching even if there where no commentary. Traveling with Rick Steves' is the next best thing to being there.

Why not have it all and get this ultimate collection? You know you want it so why put it off any longer? Europe and Rick are waiting to provide the ultimate vacation from the comfort of your own home!

Coming from Australia i hadn't heard of Rick Steves before. However, having travelled to Europe on numerous occassions i was curious to see the same places i had already visited & a few i hadn't either. I was not disappointed in any way. What immediately grabbed my attention straight away was this guy knows what he is talking about - not just learning his lines in front of the camera. He is really a breath of fresh air in terms of travel presenters. For a start he is not loud or in your face or even to borrow some Australian slang - he doesn't "Take the piss" out of the area or subjects. In fact quiet the opposite, by showing he is quite interested in his cultural surroundings & to let the local people do the talking instead of shaping it into his own bias. In fact by listening to what he says he makes overseas travel quiet simple - a combination of a little research of the local area & to learn a few phrases in the local dialect. You can pick this up straight away when he meets people.
I can only hope he can spread his European wings a little further by visiting countries such as Russia or Iceland. Or maybe that is already in the future schedule.

Happy armchair travelling.

You owe it to yourself to purchase Rick Steve's collection of his wonderful series which ran for seven years on PBS. Steves not only takes you to the most popular destinations, but shares those locales that are off the beaten path but so rewarding; for example, Cinque Terre, Italy's "hidden" riviera as well as some popular Eastern European cities like Prague, Krakow, Budapest, Solvenia, Croatia, and even grim Bulgaria--one of former Communist stalwarts behind the Iron Curtain.

What makes Steves program valuable is not just the stunning visuals of these European capitals (best seen on a plasma screen), but the helpful travel tips he inserts in virtually every program. Dealing with foreign currency, what not to say or do in a bed & breakfast, how to really mix with the locals, how to pack intelligently, and even eat--and eat well I might add--on a budget are just a few of the tips Steves shares with his audience. Also there is plenty of information for younger travellers or economically-minded college students who may opt for the hostel instead of a hotel. Even tips for women travelling alone. Good advice, all around and virtually nothing is overlooked.

These shows are nicely presented in a box set divided by region to make it easy to find the disc you want; moreover, the remastering and the production values for these programs are very good. Like any good businessman would, a "bonus disc" includes a bit of self-promotion for "Rick Steves' Tours" that now caters to over 10,000 travellers annually.

Not only that, Steves' also sells a line of travelling supplies and equipment--from day bags to toiletry dispensers. Nevertheless, if you know your local international airport terminal as well as your own kitchen, or just prefer being an "armchair guest" of Steves' travels, everyone will find something to enjoy in this nicely packaged set.

As it states... 70 one-half hour shows are in this set. The picture is crisp and clear. The most recent years (I think 2005-2007) are filmed in high definition so the picture quality is exceptional.

The focus is on the highlights of each region and the beauty of the places and the local culture. You'll learn a few words in each language and learn about some regional foods, and history. These shows are jam-packed with education, but they make you feel like you're taking a leisurly 30 minute vacation.

I watch 2 of these shows every morning before work, before the kids wake up. I love relaxing and soaking in these shows each morning. I'm sure you'll enjoy them too.

As an avid traveler and Rick Steves fan, this set was perfect for me! I love watching the Rick Steves marathons during PBS pledge drives. He's a little dorkified, yes. But he's fun and is a fountain of great information. The camera work for his shows is fantastic. Great virtual vacationing. I would highly recommend this set. You'll never get tired of it. If you love to travel, and love European travel in particular, it is impossible to be disappointed by this series. And if you're a Rick Steves aficionado, you'll love the bloopers. I haven't laughed so hard at someone else's expense in a long time. Good times, good times.