Idaho State Journal, January 8, 2004
Europe through the back door
by Sarah Keech, Features
Editor
Rick Steves sets
example for travelers touring Europe
Pocatellan George Brown has one person in particular to thank
for his 28-day trip through Europe
four years ago and his 12-day vacation to Ireland in 2002: Rick Steves.
"Rick's books are wonderful," Brown says.
"They take you to out of the way places most tourists would never hear
about without the guidebooks."
And Brown isn't alone in discovering the unbeaten path Steves
has carefully cultivated for Americans and others headed to Europe.
Professional traveler, author and TV tour guide, Steves has
spent at least 100 days each year in Europe
since graduating from high school in 1973 - much of that time gathering
information and documenting his own experiences to ensure others who travel
there have a great time.
Because of the popularity of his PBS show, "Europe
Through the Back Door,"
and collection of travel books, including the bestseller by the same name as
his television show, 5,000 people from across the country took one of Steves'
200 guided tours last year and thousands more packed Steves' popular guidebooks
in their suitcases as they traveled abroad.
"Through my own travels, and the mistakes I made when I
was first visiting Europe,
I have been able to package the lessons I've learned so that others can get the
most out of their own vacations," Steves says.
Steves' company Europe
Through the Back Door,
founded in 1976, offers trips to most European nations as well as Turkey - one
of Steves' personal favorite destinations.
Despite recent terrorist attacks in Turkey, a predominately
Muslim nation, Steves says few who have signed up for those trips are having
second thoughts.
"We had 100 people signed up to go to Turkey before the
attacks, and after the attacks 8 people cancelled, but 15 more have signed up
since. There is really no need for anyone to worry about traveling to
Turkey," Steves says.
Steves knows terrorism is on a lot of people's minds, but
says despite recent worries, and the U.S. government warning Americans about
traveling abroad, more people are going to Europe
than ever before.
"Twelve million Americans went to Europe
last year and none of them was targeted by terrorists. Thirty thousand planes
took off and landed safely last year," Steves say.
Despite the numerous locations offered through Europe
Through the Back Door,
Steves says Italy is a favorite vacation spot for his clients.
"About one out of four Americans traveling to Europe
are going to Italy, it is by far the top destination," Steves says. In
fact, his travel guides to the Mediterranean country are top sellers.
Along with trips that discover the small towns and quaint
hideaways of Italy, Steves' tours include trips through a variety of countries,
including the "Best of Europe" 21-day tour for $3,595 plus airfare,
the "Best of Eastern Europe" 18-day tour for $3,395 plus airfare and
the latest addition, the "Best of Village Europe" 20-day tour for
$3,595 plus airfare.
For travelers looking to spend a vacation getting to know one
country, region or city better, Steves has tours to suit those tastes as well.
Travelers can explore London, Paris or Prague, Czech
Republic, or opt for a trip that explores just one country or region, such as
Ireland, Britain or Scandinavia.
Most anyone can join one of Steves' guided tours - there are
no age requirements - but Steves and those who have taken the trips say you
need to be able to walk - some days a lot.
"We have a wide range of people who come on our tours.
There are single people in their 20s, retired couples, even sprightly people in
their 60s and 70s. The most important factor is being able to walk a lot during
the day."
If you're planning a trip to Europe,
you don't necessarily have to go on a Steves guided tour. Steves' guidebooks
have become a must-have when traveling "across the pond."
"I've been to Amsterdam five times, but the last time I
brought Rick's guide and saw things I hadn't in the four previous trips
there," Brown says. "We stayed in excellent bed and breakfasts and
ate at wonderful restaurants that were recommended in the book. I would
absolutely use the guidebooks again."
And that may not be too far off because Brown and his wife
are planning a trip to Italy and Greece this summer.
The Browns aren't the only Idahoans to agree Steves can make
a good vacation a great one.
Idaho Falls resident Peter Matonis, a longtime viewer of
Steves' PBS show, has used Steves' guidebooks twice in the past and says they
are a valuable resource he would easily pick up again.
"We used the guidebooks for a trip to England in 1999
and another in 2000 when we visited Austria and Germany," Matonis says.
"The books are easy to read and the tips in the books are well tested. We
used several of Steves' suggestions when deciding where to eat and where to stay."
Matonis believes the books have made traveling without a
guided tour far easier than if they had gone unprepared.
"The maps are easy to navigate, and his instructions and
advice on using public transit and rental cars definitely made a difference on
our trip. We were surprised by how easy everything turned out to be."
Regardless if you prefer a guided tour or you are adventurous
enough to strike out and explore Europe
on your own, Steves seems to be the guy (and guide) to go to. For more
information about Steves, his tour operation and the guidebooks and travel
material he offers, check out his Web site at www.ricksteves.com.
- "Mona Winks" The self-guided tour of top European
museums gets you to the highlights without wasting too much of a day
sightseeing. "We used 'Mona Winks' at the Louvre and Orsay museums i-
Paris and the British Museum in London, it was wonderful. The book directed us
to all the sights we wanted to see." - George Brown
- "Postcards from Europe" Rick Steves recounts his
25 years of travels in Europe.
"I would recommend 'Postcards from Europe' to anyone.
The anecdotes are great and provide a unique travelogue of Europe."
- Peter Matonis