Rick Steves Europe Through the Back Door: The Travel Skills Handbook

I highly recommend this book. I purchased one for myself and after seeing how much it enhanced my experience on a European trip I am purchasing one as a gift. This book is packed full of valuable information. As a Houstonian public transportation is basically non-existent. I learned all about train travel - the most useful part was how to read the train departure board and how to determine where to stand on the platform. It also has great advice on locating the train schedules and booking train travel while still in the U.S. The book also contains useful information on packing light which is so important. Another really important topic covered is money strategies and keeping your finances and documents secure.

Bright, clear, and easy to quickly reference....another win for Rick and his outstanding team! We lived in and toured Europe relying heavily on the 2005(ish) version of this book and loved the knowledge, advice, and background we gleaned from the book. We were able to get off the beaten path and find the hidden gems (ie. Salema, Lucca, and Dubrovnik) while also knowing exactly how and when to visit all the mainstream spots in cities like Rome and Paris. Headed back to Europe in 2017, I wanted to know the recommendations, safety, and accommodations were up-to-date when we, once again, sneak around Europe through the back door. This is a must if you want to avoid tourist traps and rookie mistakes while maximizing your time and experience. Tip: Watch Rick's YouTube videos for your destinations to get an even better knowledge before you travel.

This is a must read for anyone traveling to Europe. Even if you have been there before so much has changed. How you get money, what to bring, and more have all changed greatly in the past 5 years. Steve does a great job in describing all the differences that could effect your travel. Even using your cell phone is not simple unless you don’t care how much you spend. I’ve been overseas many many times and was fascinated by all the new ways of life and how they effect you in these foreign countries. So, get this book even if you’re an experienced traveler.

My family and I are thinking of going to Europe; and we watch Rick Steves. So this book was perfect. He gives great advice through easy reading. It's enjoyable.

Great travel guide to get you on the right path to Europe. This is a great basic guide to start your planning to Europe. After you select specific location I suggest you get a more detailed guide to the area. Great general details on travel in Europe like using trains and public transportation, how to not get robbed by pickpockets (which happened to me), and most importantly, how to fit in like a local (which doesn't always work but knowing where to go and how to fit in is great when it does work). His advise on Venice was worth it (not sure if it was this guide of the Italy guide, which I also purchased). *photo from a cooking class we took in Trapani Italy Safe Travels!

I bought this for my daughter for Christmas because they’ll be going back to Europe and Rick. Steves has wonderful tips, but I learned that there was a newer edition! I had to order it from his website but it was worth it because they need the newest information available. So we returned this book and ordered the current book but both of them are wonderful! He won’t come out with an updated book until 2010 so this book is perfectly adequate for someone that’s never been to Europe. My daughter has been there several times, which is the only reason why I went to the trouble of returning this book and ordering the newer one. It was more expensive from Rick Steves so if you haven’t been to Europe a lot already, I would just order this book and keep it. It is well worth it.

I recommend this guide to anyone that is travelling to Europe, it's filled with lots of tips, maps and recommendations that are very important to know before you visit some places. I have been watching videos and reading lots of info guides and this one is the easiest and straightforward that I found. I will be travelling to Europe soon and I will be using all of this amazing info. I recommend you to buy the guide to the country that you are visiting so you will find maps, different walking tours, recommendations about phones in Europe etc.( phone in Europe: buy a sim card there with a plan, around 40 euros for 14 days with lots of data, for unlocked phones only) Amazing guide, very recommended.

It gave a lot of info and helped a lot

Great book fast shipping

An amazing help file for travel enthusiasts

Looking to interrail through Europe, then this is your book!!!

El libro está usado, se nota pues está sucio, las hojas tienen detalles de maltrato leve y otros aspectos. Me lo voy a quedar de todos modos por que nos urge.

Excellent livre, j’aimerais bien que les nouvelles éditions soient traduites en français!