Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door 2011: The Travel Skills Handbook [Paperback]

Rick Steves (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 17, 2010 | Series: Rick Steves

You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you "really" need to know when traveling through Europe, including how to:
Plan your itinerary and maximize your time
Pack light--and right
Find good-value hotels and restaurants
Travel smoothly by train, bus, car, and plane
Avoid crowds and tourist scams
Hurdle the language barrier
Understand cultural differences and connect with locals
Save money while enjoying the trip of a lifetime
After 30 years of exploring Europe, Rick considers this travel skills handbook his life's work. He shares his favorite off-the-beaten-path towns, trails, and natural wonders. With this guidebook, you'll experience the culture like a local, spend less money, and have more fun.

Product Details

• Paperback: 804 pages
• Publisher: Avalon Travel Publishing; 2011 Edition edition (August 17, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1598806556
• ISBN-13: 978-1598806557
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #356,394 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Travel > Reference > Tips

More About the Author

Rick Steves advocates smart, affordable, perspective-broadening travel. As host and writer of the popular public television series Rick Steves' Europe, and best-selling author of 40 European travel books, he encourages Americans to travel as "temporary locals." He helps American travelers connect much more intimately and authentically with Europe -- and Europeans -- for a fraction of what mainstream tourists pay.

Over the past 20 years, Rick has hosted over 100 travel shows for public television, and numerous pledge specials (raising millions of dollars for local stations). His Rick Steves' Europe TV series is carried by over 300 stations, reaching 95 percent of U.S. markets. Rick has also created two award-winning specials for public television: Rick Steves' European Christmas and the ground-breaking Rick Steves' Iran. Rick writes and co-produces his television programs through his company, Back Door Productions.

Rick Steves also hosts a weekly public radio program, Travel with Rick Steves. With a broader approach to travel everywhere, in each hour-long program Rick interviews guest travel expert, followed by listener call-ins. Travel with Rick Steves airs across the country and has spawned a popular podcast. Rick has also created a series of audio walking tour podcasts for museums and neighborhoods in Paris, Rome, Florence and Venice (with more tours, including London, coming in 2010).

Rick self-published the first edition of his travel skills book, Europe Through the Back Door (now updated annually), in 1980. He has also written more than 40 other country, city and regional guidebooks, phrase books, and "snapshot" guides. For several years, Rick Steves' Italy has been the bestselling international guidebook sold in the U.S. In 2009, Rick tackled a new genre of travel writing with Travel as a Political Act, reflecting on how a life of travel has broadened his own perspectives, and travel can be a significant force for peace and understanding in the world. Rick's books are published by Avalon Travel, a member of the Perseus Books Group.

In addition to his guidebooks, TV and radio work, Rick is a syndicated newspaper columnist with the Tribune Media Services. He appears frequently on television, radio, and online as the leading authority on European travel.

Rick took his first trip to Europe in 1969, visiting piano factories with his father, a piano importer. By the time he reached 18, Rick jokes, "I realized I didn't need my parents to travel!" He began traveling on his own, funding his trips by teaching piano lessons. In 1976, he started Europe Through the Back Door (ETBD), a business which has grown from a one-man operation to a company with a well-traveled staff of 70 full-time employees. ETBD offers free travel information through its travel center, website (www.ricksteves.com), European Railpass Guide, and free travel newsletters. ETBD also runs a successful European tour program with more than 300 departures -- attracting around 10,000 travelers -- annually.

Rick is outspoken on the need for Americans to fit better into our planet by broadening their perspectives through travel. He is also committed to his own neighborhood. He's an active member of the Lutheran church (and has hosted the ELCA's national video productions). He's a board member of NORML (working to reform marijuana laws in the USA). And Rick has provided his local YWCA with a 24-unit apartment building with which to house homeless mothers.

Rick Steves spends about a third of every year in Europe, researching guidebooks, filming TV shows, and making new discoveries for travelers. He lives and works in his hometown of Edmonds, Washington, where his office window overlooks his old junior high school.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If you're not a traveler....buy this book! October 27, 2010

By Ray T

Format:Paperback

If you are an experienced traveler, this book is probably not for you. If you aren't, the wealth of experience is priceless. I got my copy in 2008 and have since purchased the 2010 and 2011 for friends going abroad for the first time. While you won't agree with everything Rick says (and he is up front about it) he provides you with the practical information to make informed decisions and have a good trip. He covers everything from tipping, to itinerary, to language, to packing, to using public transportation,to scams etc. etc. On my first trip I didn't have this and missed out. However, the info I learned by reading the 2008 books really helped my trips become more successful.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Nuts and bolts advice for first-time Europe traveler September 26, 2010

By katupnorth

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

As a first-time traveler to Europe I have found this book very helpful in providing an overview of transportion issues, packing, practical travel tips relating to culture and sightseeing planning, and then a brief overview of primary European destinations and their highlights. This is not a substitute for a detailed guide for a specific destination and if you have traveled to Europe previously (at least in the relatively recent past), I do not believe it would be useful in addition to the specific destination guide.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Common Sense Meets Genius October 14, 2010

By Joshua J. Mullin

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Admittedly, I heed by the old rule that you can never trust a man with two first names. I knew nothing of Rick Steves or his wide array of products aimed at making European travel for Americans easier. I was really only looking for one book to give me some suggestions of what to do/buy in Europe, as well as learn a bit about the sneaky people who try to make victims of American tourists. Not only did I get every piece of information I was looking for out of this book, but I got so much more. I read the entire thing from cover to cover the day I got it, and I learned about England, France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, and so much more. I even learned about places I wasn't going to visit, like Eastern Europe. I learned about traditions, pitfalls, and even a little bit about European marijuana laws.

This book has it all. If you're looking for ONE book to get you through Europe, make it this one. Nice job, Mr. Steves.