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Rick Steves' Best of Europe 2011
Rick Steves tells travelers what they really need to know when planning a Grand Tour of Europe, covering the best of Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland. He includes a healthy mix of big cities, small towns, and exciting regions, such as Barcelona, London, Prague, Rothenberg, Gimmelwald, Toledo, the Romantic Road, the Berner Oberland, and the French Riviera. Rick's candid, humorous advice will guide you to good-value hotels and restaurants. You'll learn how to find the right bus in Rome, an inexpensive crêpe in Paris, and which museums and sights are worth your time and money. More than just reviews and directions, a Rick Steves guidebook is a tour guide in your pocket.
1392 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
108 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Rick Steves
566 books684 followersRick 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
March 25, 2018
I love everything Rick Steves – his books, his videos on YouTube, and his online forums. This book is not my favorite, however. The reason I bought it was because at the time we weren’t sure where to go on our next vacation. It didn’t really help in that area. It covers the countries that Rick considers to be the best for an intensive itinerary: England, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands. I guess I’m asking for too much, when I want a book to help me decide where we may be most suited for, sort of like those BuzzFeed online quizzes! This book will come in handy as a reference, especially when I’m waiting for one of his more specific guides to arrive in the mail. I love the fact that all the photos are in full color, as opposed to most of his other books, which are black and white a bit grainy. It may be a good starting-off point for those who are planning their very first trip to Europe, but one will need to get more thorough and targeted guides further on in the trip-planning process.
August 17, 2013
As always, I enjoyed this edition of Rick's info on travel to Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland. Please understand that this book only samples very small portions of most of these countries. For Austria- only Vienna, Salzburg, and Hallstatt are covered while the Belgium section only covers Bruges and totally ignores the much better area of Brussels. France covers Paris, Provence and Nice only. The Germany section ignores Munich and Hamburg to cover only Bavaria and the Rhine Valley and a very inadequate section on Berlin. Nothing but London is covered in Great Britain and only Barcelona in Spain. Italy covers Rome, Venice, and Florence and the Netherlands covers Amsterdam and Haarlem while Switzerland is ridiculously lacking and covers nothing but Grimmenwald (no Zurich, no Lucerne, no Bern, no Geneva).
If you are going to any of these countries, I would suggest that you buy the book for that country as they will be much more comprehensive and detailed.
As usual, Steves wants for you to stay in cheap dumps but a few good hotel choices managed to sneak in. His info on sights to see, transportation, discounts, and more are better than his hotel recommendations.
If you are going to any of these countries, I would suggest that you buy the book for that country as they will be much more comprehensive and detailed.
As usual, Steves wants for you to stay in cheap dumps but a few good hotel choices managed to sneak in. His info on sights to see, transportation, discounts, and more are better than his hotel recommendations.
June 23, 2010
OK, so I'll take this with me to Europe, but mainly for the city walks section at the beginning of each city section. I had a lot of things against this book:
1. It's American. OK, this in itself is not a fault, but everything is in miles and American dollars. I think it's aimed at the lucrative can't-use-a-calculator market
2. It's full of a lot of things the author actually recommends avoiding, which take up a lot of unnecessary space. The National Geographic travel guides seem to be much better at providing the best of a destination without falling into the Lonely Planet trap of trying to be something for everyone.
3. It's a bit askew with its assumptions about what is 'good value' which is surprising considering Americans don't like spending money.
4. It's threatening to ruin my wedding. If I see a single Rick-Steve-carrying middle-aged American at my wedding, I'll demand a refund. On the book. Even though it was a birthday present.
But this guy's heart is in the right place. Sort of. Although most of the time it just seems like he knows his market and knows how to sell to them. At other times he laments the American prudishness and lack of appreciation of art, which is pretty cool. I like Americans being told to look at naked statues.
1. It's American. OK, this in itself is not a fault, but everything is in miles and American dollars. I think it's aimed at the lucrative can't-use-a-calculator market
2. It's full of a lot of things the author actually recommends avoiding, which take up a lot of unnecessary space. The National Geographic travel guides seem to be much better at providing the best of a destination without falling into the Lonely Planet trap of trying to be something for everyone.
3. It's a bit askew with its assumptions about what is 'good value' which is surprising considering Americans don't like spending money.
4. It's threatening to ruin my wedding. If I see a single Rick-Steve-carrying middle-aged American at my wedding, I'll demand a refund. On the book. Even though it was a birthday present.
But this guy's heart is in the right place. Sort of. Although most of the time it just seems like he knows his market and knows how to sell to them. At other times he laments the American prudishness and lack of appreciation of art, which is pretty cool. I like Americans being told to look at naked statues.
October 8, 2013
Having just returned from a lengthy tour of Europe, I can say that the single book most frequently spotted on airplanes and everywhere from Paris to Munich to Rome was Rick Steves Best of Europe. It is easy to see why. The book contains the detail of the old Baedeker guides along with dozens of helpful hints on everything from where to dine, how to get past waiting lines and ways to avoid pickpockets. This particular book does focus on the larger cities, but it is a good value for those planning a multi-city, multi-country tour.
June 4, 2019
Rick Steves books are always helpful when traveling. I take them on my Kindle whenever we go out to Europe
May 11, 2012
[2007.09] A nice overview of his "best of". Bought and brought with us in parts (i.e. cut up into pieces, which is definitely the way to go) on our Fall 2007 Western Europe trip (England, France, Spain, Italy) and the rest on our Spring-Summer 2009 Europe trip. The only place we haven't been to in the book is Provence. My standard bit regarding RS books: The book has good info (e.g. how to beat the lines, etc.), but exact prices for attractions can be outdated. 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. 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.
June 1, 2019
Used this extensively to plan a trip and also had it with during the trip. Truly helpful and practical. Rick never steers you wrong!
November 28, 2012
Would have given it five stars, but this is a really big book to schlep around (over 1500 pages if I'm not mistaken). Also, it was actually the 2012 edition that I read, but this edition had the most reviews, so that's why I'm posting it here.
If you don't mind the extra weight, bring it with you, but my best advice is to write down all the places you want to see in a notebook. By the time you get to the place you want to go, you'll have all the information you need at the fraction of the weight.
Oh, and of course, Rick Steves is a god.
If you don't mind the extra weight, bring it with you, but my best advice is to write down all the places you want to see in a notebook. By the time you get to the place you want to go, you'll have all the information you need at the fraction of the weight.
Oh, and of course, Rick Steves is a god.
January 1, 2011
If you are going to Europe, get this book. We ate at amazing, local restaurants that we never would have found without Rick Steves. We downloaded his guided tours through several cities and museums on our ipods before we went and especially enjoyed these walks and tours. He has awesome tips. This book made our trip!
September 17, 2010
This book is super helpful!
Rick gives reviews, guidance, secret pathways info and even cheats to ensure you can have the best time in Europe without any hassle.
Highly recommended for first time traveler to Europe.
Rick gives reviews, guidance, secret pathways info and even cheats to ensure you can have the best time in Europe without any hassle.
Highly recommended for first time traveler to Europe.
January 8, 2011
The book was easy to read and makes me look forward to the day I can actually travel to some of the places listed. It was a good overview since I wasn't sure where to start in planning a vacation anyplace in Europe.
January 27, 2015
Great resource if you are planning on traveling to Europe. Covers what is best in Steve's opinion. For information on a specific country (or even city), I'd recommend one of Steve's books or the Fodor travel guides.
May 18, 2017
This was my real inspiration and guide (though I used it for no hotels or restaurants, those were all stumbled upon back in pre-Internet booking days). I would have missed Ehrenfels Castle without it.
October 14, 2007
I survived off this book and its recommendations during my trip to Europe. I came back alive and without contracting any diseases or injuries, so overall go read this before you travel.
December 21, 2007
This book literally saved me on numerous occasions. I have never had a more practical guidebook. Thank you, Rick!
July 27, 2009
This is a good one, but since it's a "best of" book, he only hits the highlights in certain countries.
January 26, 2008
Chop it up and sew it back together, that's what Rick Steves says. Picnics and Weed.
February 7, 2008
I think Rick Steves books are the greatest when planning a trip to Europe.
July 24, 2008
A must read for anyone who goes to Europe. Seriously, about 80% of the tourists we saw were carrying this book.
October 3, 2010
Only the most fantastic, practical and entertaining European guidebook of all time. DO NOT travel without Rick Steves.
January 9, 2011
Read 1995 edition
February 14, 2013
I use this as a reference and to double check other European travel guides.
January 6, 2013
Absolutely my traveling bible. I'm holding this book all the time when I was in Europe
January 31, 2016
Very helpful and informative and funny.
June 11, 2018
2017 Edition
Very informative, especially for a first time European traveler. Easy read. Love the maps and ratings guide. Might be a bit bulky for traveling around with.
Very informative, especially for a first time European traveler. Easy read. Love the maps and ratings guide. Might be a bit bulky for traveling around with.
July 30, 2018
This is a great overview book detailing what to see in the major European areas - a great guide for someone just getting starting on picking a place to visit in Europe!
November 14, 2018
Read and diligently followed during our 3 week honeymoon! It was informative and accurate. Hot tip - download Rick Steve's audio guide as well for certain museum and city walks!
March 22, 2020
This guide did as it was supposed to, guiding me in adding places (and countries) to my must-see list. Germany and Switzerland were always the plan, France and the Czech Republic new additions. Disappointed this trip no longer looks plausible now.
August 15, 2023
Since I will apparently never get to go on my dream trip to Europe, I will have to live vicariously through books like these. This book is so detailed. Full of pictures, history, anecdotes, and tips. If I ever do get to go, I'll take it with me as a guidebook.
October 26, 2021
We took this on our Europe trip. It was our Bible. We made sure to cover the book in brown paper so it made it less obvious that we were tourists!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews