People often ask me, “So when are you going to expand into Asia?” I love Asia. I once traveled there as much as in Europe (and even wrote a book back in the early ’90s called Asia Through the Back Door). But I can’t just “expand into Asia” and do a worthwhile job.
I tell people, “Europe’s my beat.” I consider it the wading pool for world exploration. It’s where the big market is (as I am running a business). And my personal curiosity takes me endlessly back to Europe. It’s where I find both my genetic and cultural roots.
But when asked my favorite country, I say, “India.” While I enjoy the shock value of saying that, that’s not why I say it. I say India because it’s true. India wallops anyone’s self-assuredness. India rearranged my cultural furniture. My confidence that I understood such basics to life as time, joy, love, pain, and music was shaken. I was humbled in a way that made me a better person. I am thankful for India. If I weren’t on a mission in Europe, India’s where I’d be. If you enjoy culture shock, India is pure decadence.
Making my focus Europe still leaves me with a lifetime of travel options. Having returned from spending 120 days this year in Spain, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Scandinavia, Estonia, and Germany, I now look ahead and consider what’s on deck for 2010. This is the time of year that Risa, my managing editor, needs to figure out which researchers are doing what territory so we can be sure all the guidebooks are adequately updated. A perk of my position is that I get to take my pick of research chores for the coming year.
I told Risa she can count on me to update London, England, Paris, Venice, Vienna, Budapest, Greece, and Istanbul. I’m sure that will evolve, but that’s my thinking now. For TV, we’ll shoot shows on Helsinki/Tallinn, Basque Country, and South Spain (all places I learned lots about this year). And then I have a big decision: branch further afield (e.g. Morocco, St. Petersburg, Romania, etc.) or redo the big Italy destinations.
The biggest regret I think I’ve had in my 20 years of TV production was not shooting in high-definition and widescreen (16 x 9) in 2001 when we spent 30 exhilarating days making five of my favorite shows ever, on Rome, Florence, Venice, the Veneto, and the Cinque Terre. While I’d probably let Veneto be, I desperately want to redo the others, perhaps making two Rome shows and two Florence shows. Those are among our most important destinations, and those were the last of the 4 x 3 standard definition shows we did. The old-fashioned aspect ratio and definition, coupled with my old nerdy glasses, make those shows feel really dated. For the last decade, whenever I watch those shows, I ask myself, “Why didn’t we spring for the high-def gear…and a new set of glasses?” High-def was pricey and a bit exotic at the time. But now, just a decade later, the old standard definition has become the new black-and-white, and high-def and widescreen have become the new standard.
Rick, I had been a Europe only traveler too, but just over a year ago I moved to India for work never having been anywhere in Asia before. It has been quite an adventure; it is beautiful, overwhelming at times, but always an adventure…even the simple things are different. Living here I’ve realised how I’ve been spoiled by your books in Europe, I have to do so much more research to figure out what to really see here as most guide books just list every possible sight. While I had never planned to come here now that I’m here I think it is a great place for people to visit because, as you said, it adjusts your way of thinking. What do you really need? Turns out I can live with daily power outages but running out of running water pretty much pushes me over the edge. Who knew? Maybe rather than writing an Asia book you could do a few hi-def shows on Asia?
Rick…………I love Italy but…….I would like your new shows on Morocco,St. Petersburg, Romania, etc….maybe you could do half of each….or is that too difficult to set up……I have a ton of iTAly DVDs of yours but the other destinations would stretch my horizons and experience….as you expanded Europe to Hungary, Poland etc. I started to add them in my trips….would do that with any other new and interesting destinations you add….thanks
Why get so excited about a country where services seem to be in short supply? What’s the excitement of learning what you can live without? You can go camping and do the same thing. I’ve never been to India, but am intrigued by Rick’s apparent love affair with that country. I simply don’t get it. Maybe I should go there someday and see what Rick’s talking about. Nevertheless, Rick, do the shows on Italy. Rome is the greatest city I’ve ever seen. Unbelievably rich in history, culture, architecture and beauty. Florence, not so much.
I’m a newby to the Rick Steves mode of travel and I have been watching the Italy shows a lot lately and LOVE them. I am going there for the first time in 2010. High def would be amazing. Please do that! I’m glad to know it was just the glasses that gave me the underlying feeling that Rick Steves is a little nerdy ha ha…I didn’t realize it was just that the shows were dated :-)
Add my vote to branching further afield. With the exchange rate on the euro right now, Western Europe is a tad expensive (I know having just returned from 2.5 weeks holiday in southern France with my family and your “Provence and the French Riviera” book). I think many people are looking for value right now and going to Eastern Europe is certainly cheaper than West. As a bonus, many of these places don’t feel as touristy as the traditional western stops. Doing your shows there might help open up some minds to the possibilities – many Americans still have this Soviet-era image of Eastern Europe. We roughly followed your Eastern Europe itinerary two years ago and it was one of our better trips. Lots of interesting people and “no one from home has ever seen anything like this before” sights. It was also nice on the wallet.
We certainly missed your guidebooks when planning for a trip to Japan last year. It took more effort to track down info on back door destinations, but we had great fun with the trip planning (and the trip!) regardless. I really can’t imagine how your guidebooks could expand to many areas beyond where you are now without losing the essence of what makes your books special – local in-depth knowledge. Kudos for the fine job you do with the region you specialize in.
We watched the Italy shows the night before our first trip to Italy in 2004. They really had an immense impression on us. Having them in hi-def would be a tremendous. I also agree that the lesser-known sights become more comfortable with exposure. I purchased a Germany-Poland train pass this summer from the Europe through the Back Door store and even they commented that it was fairly exotic to travel to Poland. It made me feel like an adventurer:)
I completely agree that India shocks one to the core. My husband and I have been to southern India twice for work, and then spent some time for play. We tried to prepare for our first trip by reading as much as we could, but nothing prepares one for the sights, smells, the closeness of people, the garbage, prejudice, etc. that we encountered. But we took all that we learned on our first trip, and thoroughly enjoyed our second trip, which included spending time with our now lifelong friends, whom we still communicate regularly with. We would go again at the drop of a hat! We both wear Indian clothing from time to time, and love to help educate others on the wonders of learning that our way of doing things is simply not the only way, or even the best way. For those who can, we highly recommend traveling to India, with the expectation that your world will be turned upside-down!
well, If I had to say I’d prefer you to do the the Eastern Europe locations.. I know that you want to update your Italy shows.. and that they are obviously some of your best selling books and tours.. But I think that considering you shove 7 countries into one book.. It might be time to explore a few more locations.. Nothing personal.. but in the Syndication line up in my PBS station It seems that I very frequently get to see your Italy shows.. I’ve seen them all dozens of times, and at this point just turn them off. Maybe strike a compromise.. do half Italy and Half Eastern Europe shows. Personally though, I’d like to see you do a show on the Baltic states.
Can I add my vote? I wish you would cover northern Germany. Norther Germany and Southern Germany are so very different. :o)
Since you asked…I would suggest the following six-pack: 1) St. Petersburg 2) Helsinski/Tallin 3) More of Germany…Northern Germany, Eastern Germany 4) Basque Country plus Galicia and Asturias. 5) Updated Italy Rome and points South , e.g Villa D’este, Monte Cassino and Casserta 6) Updated Italy II Florence and surroundings. Do not just remake shows in High def, but add new twists, please. Sure Wide screen is nicer, but additional points are even more nicer! :) Southern Spain is well covered, and can wait to the next set of shows, IMHO. More of Eastern Europe could also wait.
Steve, I think it would be worth it to do a whole show on Estonia… or if that seems like not enough to fill a show, you could do one show dedicated to the three Baltic countries. I’m biased because I really love Estonia, but I hate seeing it be portrayed as a side trip from Finland when there’s enough there to fill multiple trips. When you decide to make new shows, I think you should update some (not all) of the Italy shows, and then do a few beyond Europe, or beyond what you’ve done thus far (sort of as a happy medium, just make sure it includes Estonia :D). I also think updates on the Netherlands and Portugal would be nice… if my opinion counts for anything. Thanks!
India your favorite?! Rick, I distinctly remember reading in your book on Italy that that was your favorite country…this has thrown me for a loop. Have you changed (okay, I guess you’re entitled) but I was all set to pack for Europe and now you have me wondering about another continent…. In any event, thanks for the ongoing quality programming.
Editor’s Clarification: In Rick’s Italy book, he says, “Italy is my favorite European country.”
In business we must constantly explore new opportunities but remember our core customers and values.
Well said. That’s the key to keeping customers, and retaining their future business. Where the biggest percentage of business comes from. Client focused turns out to be very cost effective not that it’s always about $$$$. Just smart, wise business. Been there.
With extraordinarily low birthrates and an aging population, Europe, (Italy in particular), is becoming one big retirement home. Go to India. That’s were the future is. Europe is dying.
I’d recommend that you read Christopher Caldwell’s recent book “Reflections on the Revolution in Europe.” I’d like to read your response to it.
Dear Rick, Thanks for the show on Iran. It gives a good window on what things are like in Tehran and the countryside. I would vote for a show on St. Petersburg and Novgorod. There is plenty to film in both places. Hotel prices are high in St. P. I stayed at the Hotel Pushka on the Moyka canal. It was nice but still pricey $250-300. There are B and B’s, but I didn’t look into them. If you are willing to eat in Russian restaurants the food is inexpensive. Best, Alber Chambers
I’ll throw in my 2 cents. First of all, thanks for doing Estonia. It’s a wonderful country and I am glad it is going to get a little exposure. Globe Trekker did part of an episode there but it is the only travel show that I know that has done something on Estonia. As for your others, my top two choices would be Bulgaria and Romania. Sofia might become the new Prague as it seems to be picking up steam. You are the one that seems to get the ball rolling with this stuff. And I think Romania is long overdue as well. These countries seem to take a back seat to the Eastern/Central European countries but I think they have a lot to offer.
Chuck and I must be brothers from different mothers. He and I agree on Estonia and I think Portugal is highly underrated. I know the Netherlands gets some coverage in your books, tours, and TV but think there is more that could be done. A dutch guy I met in Haarlem told me that the Dutch know english so well because it has become a big city for international business.
I think you are going to have to spring and get up to par. I notice when we watch your shows on Tuesday nights on PBS they look really behind the times on our HD TV, which by the way we just finally sprung to hook up our two HD TV’s to the service. I think your eye just becomes so use to the new technology that it will really turn people off to watch the old fashion way.
Definitely St Petersburg. If I could pick the topic for the next Rick Steves’ travel guide, it would be another multi-city regional book. Either “St Petersburg-Helsinki-Talinn” or “St Petersburg-Moscow”. I understand Russia being too big, and too big a pain, to cover as a whole. But, I’ve been to St Petersburg and Moscow, and I think covering just those two cities would be reasonable. I got by with Lonely Planet, but often wished there had been a Rick Steves guidebook for those cities.
Ha ha, good call about the glasses Rick. I frequently rent your DVD’s from the library, and immediately know its an older show when I see the 80’s glasses! :-) Its funny to hear you mention them. Keep up the great work.
Stay away from Romania!!! If you go there so will thousands of other tourists and it will spoil it’s beauty! Seriously, I can’t understand why it isn’t more popular…beautiful scenery, historic buildings, friendly people and a slice of old Europe at it’s best.
LOVE Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Armenia, Georgia; am headed to Tomsk, Siberia, Russia in December and am positive I’ll love it as well. I can’t give up my critters, beasts and varmints or we’d be moving to Eastern Europe next week!
Steve, It’s wonderful to hear that you love India. I call it “an assault on all your senses” and even a world traveler cannot prepare for the experience! I have lived in the Middle East for nearly a decade, and there’s some countries here that deserve some attention – like Oman, Jordan, & Syria! And Uzbekistan – take your travelers along the Silk Road. I think it’s time to expand the horizon a bit! Americans especially need to think beyond Europe to other places in the world, even while we continue to enjoy visiting all the venues Europe has to offer. Definitely vote for doing a show on St. Petersburg! By the way, your tour guides are the BEST!!!!
I really wish someone would invent the transporter. I’d love to see the Taj Mahal, but have no desire to go to India (hot, humid, big bugs). I’d love to see Angkor Wat, but have no desire to go to Cambodia (hot, humid, big bugs). That said, I have loved Rick’s books for more than a decade and would never go to Europe without one. I am expanding my travels beyond Europe, though, and sometimes wish he did other continents. C’est la vie.