Rick Steves’ Amsterdam, Bruges, and Brussels (Paperback)
May 13, 2009 by Destination Guide
Filed under Travel Belgium Guides
Review
Today’s tourists are as likely to be toting Rick Steves as Giorgio Armani, tasting the good life without burning through the Kids’ college fund.
–This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
Check out works by Rembrandt and Van Gogh and bike along canals fringed with Dutch elm trees—with Rick Steves’ Amsterdam, Bruges & Brussels, travelers can experience the best of this world-class destination—economically and hassle-free. From historic sights to progressive politics, the Netherlands offers endless sights and activities, and no one knows how to experience it all without wasting time and money better than Rick Steves. Rick covers the famous destinations, such as the Anne Frank House and the Red Light District, as well as a number of off-the-beaten path options that will take away from the city and into a countryside filled with windmills and old farm houses. So whether it’s enjoying Flemish art in Bruges or some of the world’s best marijuana in Amsterdam, Rick Steves’ Amsterdam, Bruges and Brussels leads the way.
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My friends and I just returned from 6 days in Amsterdam with a day trip to Bruges. We took along several travel guides but this book was the one we ended up using again and again. It clearly lists the top attractions and how to get the most from them. We especially liked the museum tours and self-guided walking tours. The maps are great and easy to use. Tips on negotiating the train system were very helpful. The restaurant choices were also very good. We stayed at the Hotel Hestia in Amsterdam and loved it (great location, reasonable price, friendly staff). Be sure to also pick up a free copy of “Boom Chicago’s Guide to Amsterdam” when you get into town for a humorous look at the Dutch Culture and a discount offer on a hilarious comedy show.
I travel extensively and have been trying different travel guidebooks like DK Eyewitness, Fodors, Frommers, Lonely Planet, and Moon guide. For my recent trip to Amsterdam, I ordered a book from yet another guidebook writer, called the “Rick Steves’ Amsterdam, Bruges & Brussels 2004.”
Rick Steves has been hosting PBS travel shows for years, concentrating on Europe. I recall seeing some of his shows and they were interesting, so I thought this trip to Europe would be the best (if not only) time to try one of Steves’ books.
As a travel guide, I would say Steves’ book is TERRIBLE! I would rate it as poor, and would not recommend it to anyone who needs a TRAVEL guide.
When I am traveling to a new country, especially a big city in a foreign country, I need a travel guide to provide me with the BASICS such as 1) an explanation of the parts of town, so I know where to stay and hang out, 2) plenty of recommendations for accommodations, 3) suggestions for good restaurants and local food, 4) basic terms and phrases to help me communicate when there, 5) a list/glossary of local terms, local food, local customs, and so on, 6) a good map, 7) suggestions for what to do and see. (A little history is nice, but not necessary) Steves underperformed in 6 of these 7 categories.
Steves provides too much information about the tourist sites, and too little information about the travel basics. In the book, Steves dedicates about 140 pages to Amsterdam. Of this amount, about 115 pages (82%) are dedicated to sightseeing and museum tours. He only provides about 6 pages for accommodations and about 6 pages for dining options (which is about the same amount of space he gives to smoking marijuana in Amsterdam). He provides only 2 pages for nightlife, and a few pages for shopping. He provides very little on neighborhoods or districts of the city, he offers no helpful phrases, and he offers no list of terms/glossary. His maps are made to look like they are hand written and are acceptable, but could use improvement.
Steves’ book is not without merit, however. It is nice if you want a tour book for some famous museums or historical architecture. In fact, he does a nice job with this section of the book. If you know where you are going to stay, know the local food and customs, can speak the local language, and simply want a resource to help you understand the local museums or famous architecture, then you might appreciate Rick Steves’ books. However, if you need a real TRAVEL guide, one that helps you with your actual travel plans and travel decisions, and one that helps you get around and communicate in a foreign land, then avoid this book.
I found this guidebook very useful on my recent trip to Europe. Using it, I found some really nice, out of the way spots that weren’t mentioned in standard guidebooks. I also found it a little friendlier and easier to use than some of the other guidebooks. The only downside is that the maps are kind of hand-drawn and not quite as precise and detailed as those in other books.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rick Steves’ AnsterdamBruges and Brussels
This book is amazing and gives an indepth review of what to see. It also is completely revised from the earlier editions.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great for the limited scope it covers
Rick and team do their consistently good job in helping with travel in the 3 cities covered. However, if you want to see anything else in Belgium you will need to purchase an…
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rick Steves’ Amsterdam, Bruges and Brussels
An accurate and clear description of effective and well illustrated travel information getting through Amsterdam, Bruges and Brussels,whether novice or experienced traveler…
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Ol’ Rick
Rick Steves (and his “silent” partner Gene Openshaw) have established a successful travel-book franchise by writing primarily for on-a-budget travelers.
5.0 out of 5 stars
very helpful guide to a great region
Having just returned from a visit to the Low Countries, we found this guide to be very helpful. Though it does not go off the beaten path, concentrating instead on the major…
5.0 out of 5 stars
Travel Time
An excellent travel guide that is easy to read and filled with low cost alternatives from hotels and pensions to wonderful restaurants and tour options.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thanks Rick
Rick led us to some of the nicest places in Brugge. I didn’t get to experience Amsterdam (which claims about half the pages in the book), but the information on Belgium and…
5.0 out of 5 stars
September Trip
We recetnly traveled to Amsterdam, Bruges, Brussels and Antwerp. We used Rick’s book to select the hotels and the areas to visit versus the bigger name publisher review books…
3.0 out of 5 stars
rick steves/ amsterdam, bruges & brussels 2005
as usual, rick steves’ does the best job. having lived in europe for 13 months, his way is my favorite way to travel.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Begium/Holland book
This book has a lot of information on Amsterdam, Brussells, and Bruge. It will come in handy for our trip to these cities.