Rick Steves’ Germany and Austria 2008 [BARGAIN PRICE] (Paperback)
July 22, 2009 by Destination Guide
Filed under Travel Germany Guides
Product Description
Who but Rick Steves can tell travelers how to take the Do-It-Yourself Dresden Baroque Blitz Tour or the Short and Scenic Black Forest Joyride? With Rick Steves’ Germany and Austria 2008, travelers can experience Steves’ favorite destinations in Munich, Bavaria, Baden-Baden, Rothenburg, Würsburg, Frankfurt, the Rhine Valley, Dresden, Berlin, Vienna, and the Danube Valley — economically and hassle-free. Completely revised and updated, this guide includes opinionated coverage of both famous and lesser-known sights, friendly places to eat and sleep, suggested day plans, walking tours and trip itineraries, and clear instructions for smooth travel anywhere by car, train, or foot. America’s number one authority on travel to Europe, Steves’ time-tested recommendations for safe and enjoyable travel in Europe have been used by millions of Americans in search of their own unique European travel experience.
About the Author
Rick Steves is on a mission: to help make European travel accessible and meaningful for Americans. Rick has spent 100 days every year since 1973 exploring Europe. He’s researched and written 24 travel guidebooks and hosts the public television series Rick Steves’ Europe, now in its seventh season. He also organizes and leads tours of Europe and offers an information-packed website (www.ricksteves.com). Rick lives in Edmonds, WA, just north of Seattle, with his family.
–This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Buy Rick Steves’ Germany and Austria 2008 [BARGAIN PRICE] (Paperback) at Amazon
Preparing for a trip includes a great deal about unknown tricks of the trade. Steves handles many of those issues at the beginning of the book, and sorts out others later in the book.
The introduction handles issues of culture which I had not previously been able to fully grasp. For example, the tipping system of Europe is well explained, use of guides at cities is better outlined, the issue of bed and breakfast as opposed to hotel, and finally how to use the certain shortcuts – hostels, necessary drivers’ id’s, necessary insurance on rental cars, car leasing, and more.
By the time I have reached page 30, I have some grasp of the culture. And, then off we go from port to town until he has told us “yep” or “nope” to the sights or sites which we have always heard about. Great clues and insight.
I enhanced my reading with two other staples: Michelin and Lonely Planet. Michelin provides greater historical perspective, Lonely Planet provides more cheap angles. If you merged the best of those two guides, you have Steves. And, in a nice size.
And, as he tells you – choose only a few guides. Read them all before departure, but lug only – at best – two. If that be the case, this is one I am taking for the road.
The tour book is very good. It provides enough detail and much needed opinions of tourist spots. However, I also purchased the map which accompanies the book and was disappointed in the lack of detail.
I love this book! It is very thorough on the major destinations’ history and sights. It thoroughly explains things such as how to take the subway, how to interact with the waiter, and how to see the Opera cheaply. It has small black & white photos throughout which help give a feel for a place before you actually get there. He gives very detailed instructions on how to get around, even within a place such as Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum. I will be on an escorted tour but now I know that I could have planned my own trip with this book.
I recommend borrowing one of “Rick Steves’ Europe 2000-2007″ DVDs from your library to see if you like Rick’s style. (Don’t miss the “Travel Skills” DVD!) Rick’s books and DVDs are clearly aimed at Americans, so others will most likely prefer other guidebooks. Rick has clear preferences on where to go, so if you already know which cities and towns you will be visiting, be sure to use the “Search Inside” feature to look at the Table of Contents to be sure all your places are covered in this book.
When Amazon briefly offered the 2007 version for $4.99, I jumped on it. I cut that one into cities for carrying around while sightseeing, because the sightseeing details are so good, and the history shouldn’t change much!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wouldn’t Travel without it.
Rick Steve’s Books are amazing. We traveled to France and Ireland last year and are heading to Germany this year. I wouldn’t visit a foreign country without one of his books.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect if you are planning a “normal” trip (a month or less)
The best description of the book is captured in the introduction of the book itself: “If you plan a month or less in this region and have a normal appetite for information, this…
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must have for Germany/Austria
Rick Steve’s does an amazing job with these countries. We spent time in Munich, Salzburg and Vienna and used this book for each city and for stops in between (we had a car).
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rick Steve’s Germany & Austria 2008
Just got back from Oktoberfest in Germany. This book is invaluable to the traveler that wants to travel on their own. We used this book like a bible.
4.0 out of 5 stars
rick steves’ does it again
While we’ve not travelled yet…this book is full of helpful routes…places to see and to miss. Places to stay, good info on things to do, what to eat and where.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for planning a brief trip
Planning a brief trip to a country as varied and historic as Germany is demanding, but this book has been my best resource.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great guidebook for Germany!
We used this guidebook for a week-long driving trip through Baden-Wurttemburg and Bayern (Bavaria). The recommended hotels were fabulous, and the descriptions of tourist stops…
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rick Steves rules!
Having traveled through Germany and Austria with Rick Steves a couple of years ago, I was happy to purchase this book for a friend who is going this year.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful stuff except…….
Wonderful detailed info. Interesting off the beaten track stuff but sometimes you want to see the usual tourist stuff too.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Discontent
I am disappointed with Amazon policy. My order was shipped at two different times and I was told there wouldn’t be a second shipping charge
but there was and I had no way to…