Rick Steves' France, Belgium and the Netherlands 2001 (Paperback)

~ (Author), Steve Smith (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In Rick Steves' France, Belgium & the Netherlands 2001, Rick weeds through the endless possibilities each country offers and gives you his personal recommendations in an honest and entertaining style. He highlights the best local sights and activities, friendly places to eat and sleep, suggested day plans and itineraries that mix the famous and not-so-famous, and clear transportation instructions that make it easy to get anywhere by car, train, or foot. Chapters include Paris, the Loire, Normandy, Dordogne, Languedoc, Provence, the French Riviera, the French Alps, Burgundy, Alsace, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Haarlem. "Rick Steve's France Belgium & the Netherlands is an excellent source for lower-priced accommodations, even in pricey Brussels."-New Orleans Times-Picayune

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: Avalon Travel Publishing; Revised edition (January 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566912318
• ISBN-13: 978-1566912310
• Product Dimensions: 16.5 x 4.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,989,244 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Guidebook That We Put to the Test, June 15, 2000

By	James Paris "Tarnmoor" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Rick Steves' France, Belgium & the Netherlands 2000 (Paperback)

We've just returned from a 2-1/2 week vacation in France, the Netherlands and Belgium -- and we used Rick Steves as our primary source of information for accommodations and sights (for restaurants, we mostly went our own way). All I can say is that this book worked out great.

All the accommodations at which we stayed were Steves recommendations, and they had three things in common: They were comfortable, friendly, and reasonably priced. We paid $60/night in Paris and Amboise; $40/night in Bruges; and $100/night in our "splurge" stop, Amsterdam. Info on accommodations has always been a Rick Steves specialty, and he has not failed us this trip.

I am especially grateful for Rick's recommendation of the Zuider Zee Museum in Enkhuizen, Holland. Most other guidebooks either don't mention it or just mention it in passing, but it was one of the highlights of our trip.

We also used the minibus service Steves recommends for the Chateaux of the Loire, and as a result had a memorable time.

Not all guidebooks are good for everyone. Steves economizes by concentrating only on locales that he likes and only on accommodations in selected areas (only three neighborhoods in Paris, for example). If you must stay in Montmartre or Menilmontant in Paris; visit Montpellier and Clermont-Ferrand; and spend a week in Utrecht or Luxembourg -- then Steves is not for you. But if you are not the world's most seasoned travel and want to put together a memorable European vacation, then you could hardly do better.

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Slim Pickin'..., July 23, 2000

By	Romi Singh (Harleysville, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rick Steves' France, Belgium & the Netherlands 2000 (Paperback)

Although Rick Steves' France, Belgium & the Netherlands 2000 was our primary guide during our 2 week vacation in France, we felt that he did not do justice to such a beautiful country like France. This book dedicates over 60 pages (out of 330) talking about Paris and leaves out beautiful places in the Alps and the Atlantic Coast. Also, this book has not lived up to the standards expected in the new millennium such as providing complimentary information regarding websites related to travel in France. I recommend using the Michelin Green Guide as a supplement, especially if you plan to drive around France. As always his recommended eateries, hotels and places to visit are always on the mark. The hand-drawn maps and helpful hints always came in handy. For example, following his advise about using alternative entry into the Louvre saved us over an hour of waiting in line. Otherwise, despite its shortcomings, this book still is my top choice, especially if you intend visiting the touristy-most-visited places in France.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Guide, June 15, 2000

By	GW (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rick Steves' France, Belgium & the Netherlands 2000 (Paperback)

While I only visited the French Riviera, Rick's guide was some valuable but overall no slim. He recommended the best restaurant I have ever eaten in, L'Authentica in Nice but really didn't cover the cities I was visiting very well. For a country guide I would have expected a little more information - and better maps. It's still a great choice and probably would be even better for those staying in Paris.