Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door 2010: The Travel Skills Handbook

Comment: The information in this book will be priceless when we travel through Europe next year. There were many topics that we had never even considered. Thanks for the "heads up".

Comment: My first trip ever was a 2 month solo backpacking trip through Europe earlier this year. I had an amazing trip and made very few mistakes thanks to this book. In fact, I'd say out of all of the resources I used before my trip (internet/travel friends/other books), 99% of the most useful advice I received came from this book.

Something to keep in mind: Rick Steve's is 55. So if you're a young traveler like myself, you might find his recommendations on accommodation and sightseeing to be a bit different from your own. Steve's tends to favor musuems and budget hotels more than I do. However, most of his advice applies to travelers of any age in regards to how to travel on a budget and I would readily recommend this book to anyone.

Comment: I ordered this book 6 weeks ago, along with the Rick Steve's accompanying map. I got the map but no book... it's still in process according to Amazon. I would never have bought the map alone for that price if I thought it was solo without the book. Just sharing so that others are aware. I'd order the book first, and if/when it ships, and if you like it, go for the map.

Comment: My wife and I used this as a reference guide for a trip we took. The ideas of where to stay and transportation saved us $100's of dollar.

Well worth the price in my opinion.

Comment: I was really torn between reading this book and Steves' "Best of Europe" as a first guide to help me plan my Europe trip. Let me say that I am extremely glad I chose Through the Back Door as a starting point.

This book isn't your typical tour guide - one that is mainly about which specific sites to see coupled with a meager amount of practical information. Rather, it is a tool that Steves uses to primarily teach his traveling philosophy, and secondly, to help suggest a few areas where one can practice said travel philosophy.

If you are just starting to plan your trip, by all means, read this book as soon as you can. Steves shares his perspective on traveling - not only does he load up the reader with innumerable practical tips, he also shows the reader how to engage the actual culture of Europe while minimizing its "tourist traps" and other traveling hazards. It will undoubtedly aid the rest of your planning while preparing you for the various cultures of Europe.

In essence, the overarching theme of this book entails getting the most authentic, engaging European experience while actually spending LESS money. Thinking about spending a good chunk of cash on a cookie-cutter hotel? Try going to a bed and breakfast instead - for less money one gets a lot more interaction with the culture and a hot meal to boot. The book is filled with heaps of similar advice - neatly organized and laid out to help the traveler ultimately decide what options are best for their trip.

Like I mentioned before, read this book as early as possible as it should be useful in planning the rest of your trip. If you are extremely close to your trip or have already made firm plans the book will be less useful, although some of the tips and information in it could really save you from disaster.