Rick Steves' Best of Eastern Europe 2006

by Rick Steves, Cameron M. Hewitt

Offering a charming introduction to European travel based on the popular PBS travel series, these entertaining travel guides provide inside information on where to visit, what to see and do, where to stay, great places to eat, and how to get around quickly and economically, along with a close-up look at local culture, self-guided walking tours, fun side trips and excursions, colorful maps, and more.

Genres: Travel

728 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2003

About the author

Rick Steves is an American travel writer, television personality, and activist known for encouraging meaningful travel that emphasizes cultural immersion and thoughtful global citizenship. Born in California and raised in Edmonds, Washington, he began traveling in his teens, inspired by a family trip to Europe. After graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in European history and business, Steves started teaching travel classes, which led to his first guidebook, Europe Through the Back Door, self-published in 1980.
Steves built his Edmonds-based travel company on the idea that travelers should explore less-touristy areas and engage with local cultures. He gained national prominence as host and producer of Rick Steves' Europe, which has aired on public television since 2000. He also hosts a weekly public radio show, Travel with Rick Steves, and has authored dozens of popular guidebooks, including bestselling titles on Italy and Europe at large.
Beyond travel, Steves is an outspoken advocate for drug policy reform, environmental sustainability, and social justice. He supports marijuana legalization and chairs the board of NORML. He has funded housing for homeless families and donates to anti-hunger and arts organizations. In 2019, he pledged $1 million annually to offset the carbon emissions of his tour groups.
Steves is a practicing Lutheran with Norwegian ancestry and continues to live in Edmonds. He has two adult children and is in a relationship with Reverend Shelley Bryan Wee. Despite health challenges, including a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2024, Steves remains committed to his mission of helping Americans travel with greater purpose, empathy, and understanding of the world. His work reflects a belief that travel, done right, can be both transformative and a force for peace.

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

that time of the year where you're behind your reading goal and go back to mark travel books....

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

[2009.06] Bought and brought with us in parts (i.e. cut up into pieces, which is definitely the way to go) on our Spring-Summer 2009 Europe trip. The city/towns recommended in the book that we went to were (and we liked all of them, though some more than others, obviously): Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Bratislava, Krakow, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Warsaw, Budapest, Ljubljana, Lake Bled, Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes, Mostar, Vienna. My standard bit regarding RS books: The book has good info, but exact prices for attractions can be outdated. Fully traveling the RS way is by no means cheap, so to get the best of both worlds (good info + less money), read his book for the information, but take his accommodation suggestions with a grain of salt (a few sprinkled here and there actually are ok for a couple on a budget, and for Europe in general, HostelWorld is decent for finding places to stay). And the eating suggestions? Just walk around and explore to find where the locals are at, which might not have English menus but do have good food.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Disclosure: I love Rick Steves. I used this book when I was traveling in Slovakia, Hungary and Poland. I didn't get much further in the book -- sadly, I missed out on Croatia, and a few other spots. I loved his advice for Budapest and Bratislava, but I found Poland to be a little thin. Come on, Rick! Cover Poland more throughly. We need it!

He consistently delivers on advice for seeing things that other guides miss. He relies on locals, which makes you feel like you're seeing a real version of the place, rather than the tidied up, quick to digest one. What's not to like about that?

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because of this book we rented an apartment in Ceske Krumlov and got a private guide that we loved. Because of this book we saw the nuns open the alter piece in Krakow. We stopped and read aloud excerpts from this book everywhere we went. Combined with other travels books that include a lot of pictorials you can have an unbeatable trip.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this extensively when we traveled here, and I have lent the book out since, and they are very good, very popular--not to be used as the ony guide book, but can be outstanding with just one other