Two years ago my son did a blog for his first European adventure without parents. It was nostalgic for me because he was 18 and heading out with his best buddy the day after high school graduation, exactly as I did back in the “Europe on Five Dollars a Day” era.
I bribed him (with a Eurailpass) to write a blog for our website, not realizing I would become the avid blog reader — traveling with him…checking in every couple of days…anxious — even upset — if he didn’t have a new entry. I was reliving the best trip of my life (1973) while stowing away with my son via his blog.
Inspired by the fun I had following Andy, last year I blogged my own trip. I couldn’t believe how writing it complicated an already filled-to-the-brim schedule — and I enjoyed the added responsibility immensely. It’s just fun to share. It’s a joy for me to have an excuse to write more casually than for a guidebook, TV script or newspaper column. And it’s fun to see the gang of travelers responding to my quirky insights.
This year I pledged to do a “100 days blog.” It actually stretched to five months — April through August. Last years entries totaled 16,000 words. This year’s totaled 45,000 words. All of you blog readers were my late night conversation partners…and I was chatty. (I’m distilling those 45,000 words into a 64-page printed booklet — Dancing with Europa II— which we’ll give out free at my talks and so on as we did with last year’s blog. Talk about old school…going from blog to print!)
I’ve been trying to shut the book on this year’s blog…but it’s hard to do. I’ll be in Greece (a two-week tour with my wife), Rome (filming a video on the life of St. Peter for my church), and in Istanbul (breaking in our new Istanbul guide) next month and I know I’ll want to report via a blog.
Lots of you are asking for a continuation. My staff thinks it would be good business. And I enjoy it. My concern is that I won’t have the time (I didn’t in Europe either) or interesting experiences (Edmonds vs. Istanbul…). But each day, my desk is a ping pong table of little opportunities and challenges. Perhaps they’ll be interesting to share.
I appreciate travelers enjoying our TV, radio and guidebooks, and I enjoy taking them, as friends, candidly behind the scenes a bit. So, I will continue my blog. While my goal is an entry every two days while on the road, I’ll shoot for two entries a week while at home.
Thanks for staying with me. Keep your comments coming. I enjoy reading them as much as I hope you enjoy reading mine. Happy travels, Rick
YES!!! Thank you. It is 12:30 am. I can’t sleep so where do I go? Checking for additional blogs from one of my heroes. Night night and happy travels to you and Anne.
Don’t stop…we love every blog and very much look forward to checking them. Thanks…from all of us who wish we were there with you!! Julie
Ditto Julie’s comments. Can’t wait for the next installment.
Yeah!!! I’m with Julie. For those of us pretty much stuck in the workaday world, we travel vicariously through you and your blog and it gets us through another day.
That is terrific news! This blog has been my harmless addiction. I was dreading facing the cold, dark winter in the Pacific Northwest without it…kind of like trying to get along without caffeine in the morning. I will be very interested in your comments about Greece particularly after so many devastating fires. Travel safely!
Yay!!! More Rick blog. This site is one of my favorite zone-out destinations when I eat lunch at my desk, so I love the additional content!! My new husband has been teasing me all summer about my Rick Steves addiction, now I’ll have more!! Thanks to the other posters this summer for keeping things interesting too; it’s been great.
Thanks Rick, I can’t afford to travel as much as I want so your blogs take me on a trip. Please keep it up , in our home you are like family and we love to see what’s happening to you and your family (both home family and ETBD family)
Rick I’m with Karen about the addiction. After checking email and reading Beth Moore’s blog (bible teacher), yours is my next stop upon booting up. I’m going to Europe for 2 months with my daughter next summer upon her graduation from college. It’s our first time in Europe and a trip I have dreamed of taking since geography class in the fourth grade. Thanks for all the tips in ETBD. I know our trip will be a great success. Enjoy your own upcoming vacation. Jan
When you run out of facts to report or interesting people to discuss – you can blog about the philosophy of travel. Why do we do it. After all, flowers and rivers and rocks and people are pretty much the same all over the world. What makes us want to see around the bend in the road, what lies beyond the mountain, where does that river take us next. Why do we want to get our passport pages all filled up with stamps?
Dear Rick: I’ve very much enjoyed reading your blog through the spring & sunmmer. I’m heading to Paris in November with your book in tow, as I did in the Spring when I visited Spain. I really think your books are a great tool for the traveler who, like myself, want to travel “low to the ground” and to actually experience the culture of the places we visit. Now, whenever I start to plan my next trip, I buy your books to find out the “good places” to stay and eat. Last year in Venice, I stayed with Pietro & Roberto at Pensionne Guerrato, and found myself in what was the hottest neighborhood for socializing in Venice and had a ball! Thanks for all your great advice and KEEP ON BLOGGING!! Ed
Rick: Great news! Thanks for continuing to take us along. We each have developed our own personal relationship with you and a bit with each other. I keep the link to your blog on my toolbar, and when things get slow I surf over hoping there will be a new post. Again, thanks for taking us along.
Rick, I still say you are the best at what you do! While usually at opposites with your politics, it is always fun and enlightening to read your thoughts. While addictive, one can enjoy this blog even in the presence of blue light! Enjoy the yogurt in Greece.
Rick, I think I’ve only made one other actual comment during your blog, but I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all about your travels. My daughter & I visited Rome & Venice in May (along with your guidebooks). I have to second Ed’s comment about staying at Pensione Guerrato with Roberto, Piero & all the staff…we love them! If we ever get back to Venice, that’s where we want to stay! We enjoy your TV shows, and we have a copy of your 70 show DVD set…for memories of Italy and also seeing other places as an armchair traveler. All the best to you and your family.
Yea!!! Keep on bloggin’. :D
You blog therefore you are. Without this daily update, you’re less of a real person – and more of a figment of my t.v.’s imagination. Don’t be a boob tube! Forget the rest and let the rest of us live vicariously through you.
I enjoy your blog, Rick. Keep it up!
Rick, Keep on Blogging
Maybe I have overdone it with all my comments. I counted and while I won’t admit to how many, it was many less than a hundred — isn’t that a surprise.
I have gotten complaints and compliments on your Blog Comments, and received complimentarily E-mails.
We traveled (not me any more) with such different goals, and in such a different manner than you Rick, what we saw and wrote about is so very different from what you present. I try to complement, not compete with what you write.
My Web Site has 2,000 pages of stories and 700 photos, each photo has a story. I have self-printed five books for friends and fun, but have spent little effort to sell, so I am not in business. I am just passing the time since the Love Of My Life has passed away.
Squeeze your Sweetie, and never let loose until the very end. I think of all the time we spent on frivolous things like eating and sleeping, when we could have been Loving!
please keep on blogging. I’m addicted to travel and love reading about other people’s travel as much as I love traveling myself!
Thanks so much for continuing it. I haven’t missed any of your posts from either of your trips. I’m 27, been to Europe six times, and used your guide books extensively. I grew up watching your shows on PBS. I used to have to wake up early Saturday mornings just to catch them (which is saying a lot for a high schooler). Your posts remind of places I’ve been, and places that I’d like to see. Thank you so much for everything and making traveling so much more enjoyable for everyone. Eric in Omaha
Thanks for your decision to continue your blog. As all the others above have stated, it’s become quite a positive addiction, and quite frankly, the only blog that I read. I never would have thought of traveling to Europe if I hadn’t caught your shows on PBS and I’m forever grateful that I did as our trips to Europe is what keeps this middle-aged guy going to work day after day. We’ll be leaving on our 5th trip in about 3 weeks using your wonderful and practical advise. Thanks again for all your hard work. John
All I can say is… yay!!
Just saying thanks for the time you spent writing. Have all your books, DVD’s and what not’s. Even have a picture with you from a travel talk you gave in Chicago. We have had the opportunity to travel to most of the countries that you write about and I never leave without absorbing your materials. Many of our friends have enjoyed searching out Europe with us. Just yesterday in a Irish bar in Chicago we shared trips to Ireland with a unknown couple. Without travel to share we would not had the opportunity to share conversation and a great beer. Keep up the great job and remember all the people out there enjoying travel and learning about others because of you. Mike and Cora Worosz
My husband and I are getting ready to set off a 3-4 week jaunt from London to Paris to Rome to Venice to Bern (or another Swiss town, not sure which yet) and back to London. I have found so much helpful information on this site and in your blog and it has helped calm my nervous about the trip. Thank you! I’m hoping to keep a blog of our trip, also, for friends and family who are “so jealous”. How many times do people ask “How can I get your job?” Lastly, I hope my husband and I can show our kids there is so much more to the world than the town you live in. Kudos to the 14-year olds parents for taking him to “Do Europe”.
I can understand now how people get addicted to blogs- I absolutely enjoy them and looked every couple days to see what you were saying. Like many others, I enjoyed the good, the bad and the unedited versions of what you were experiencing. More real, warts and all. I will be wondering how the fires in Greece will impact the country’s citizens, the government and the travel industry. keep us posted on that and how your guides and their families who live there are fairing. Too bad all our resources are in Iraq or our country could help them out some..
Yeah, if Bush wasn’t president those fires in Greece would be out by now.
Yay! Keep up the blog…love reading what you are up to. Double Yay! I will on one of your Turkey tours next month (actually will be leaving 24 days from today, but who’s counting!)…hmmm…maybe our paths will cross! :)
I actually started feeling a little anxious when realizing the blog was coming to an end! Kind of an addict? So you saved me. I just booked two ticket on miles to Rome for April 2008, so my research begins, half the fun is the planning. Thanks for all the encouragement. Being the sandwich generation stuck between adult kids and aging parents we need to leave the country once in awhile! Judy
Yes! Please (until next time,) keep on blogging, and share the St. Peter video with us too!
Please don’t stop! I, too, first traveled on $5 a Day with a backpack many years ago, then lived in Germany (twice) with three kids, a soldier husband, and a VW camper. Your philosophy about traveling “through the back door” suits us perfectly. We’ve used your guidebooks on all recent trips, including an outstanding trip to Hungary, Eger and Budapest, with my daughter while she was studying at Uni. in Freiburg. Your blog has been a wonderful chance to daydream about future trips, which may not come as often now that I’m a retired teacher and have to save a bit longer to travel. Travel enriches the mind and feeds the spirit!
Oh, thank goodness! I’ll be able to satisfy my blog jones. It really is addicting reading your entries and everyone else’s posts. Thanks for sharing and for deciding to continue your blogging.
Pacem. . .
Awesome! We really appreciate your willingness to share your experiences with us! The video in Rome sounds interesting…I hope it will be something you can share with the public even though you are making for your church. I’m quite looking forward to seeing all of the new shows you just made and continuing to read your blog. Here’s a HUGE Thanks! p.s. my husband also teases me about my “Rick” addiction.
Keep it up Rick! I am grounded stateside for a while..I have a 10 month old and your blog lets me travel. I appreciate all the hard work you put into this project this year. Bravo! Fred in Atlanta
I ditto everyone else’s great comments. It occured to me reading 31 entries from fellow travel addicts that part of the reason I love this blog is that everyone else here loves travel as much as I do…no one in my daily life does! I’m careful not to bore people by talking about it…here I find others who are just as anxious and excited to talk about it! Just like Mike who says they met a couple in an Irish Pub in Chicago and had a fun conversation, I connect with people who love to talk about their travels and have had wonderful conversations…looking forward to more of that right here. Rick I also would love to have the opportunity to see your video on Peter…hope you air or post it. Thanks for all of this!
Rick, Thank you for sharing your travels with us. You get me through the hum-drum work day. It is wonderful to hear about the far away.
I really enjoy your blogs and check them out every few days. i feel as t hough I am traveling with you. my family and I just got back from a month in Germany and Italy and used your guidebooks constantly…what a great and practical help. since we have family in Garmish-Partenkirchen, we don’t need much help from a guidebook, but when we went to Italy (for the first time) we relied on your guidebook heavily! The recommendation for Gelateria dei Neri was spot on! we were walking past it and I thought the name sounded familiar…I ‘checked with Rick’ and found out it was one of the four place for Gelato you recommended! it was fantastic and we made sure we stopped by there for a second time before we left! thanks!
Rick, I love reading your blog, its one the highlights of my day. Keep writing. Thanks.
Rick, I read your blog and feel as though we’re having a conversation – the informality lends itself to candor, which I fine quite enjoyable. Thanks for bringing Europe into our homes on a regular basis. Safe travels!
Rick, I look forward to your further blogs, especially next month when you are in greece. The fires there fill my mind as media show smoke-filled views of the ancient Olympic grounds, and tiny burned villages. In late April and May I spent a month touring many greek mainland sights, and several aagean islands. The wonderful people, amazing countryside, blue skies and seas, captivated my heart and soul. I know you feel the same way about greece, and will open up another window into this difficult time there.
Rick, A couple of days a week, my lunchtime routine at work consists of eating Lean Cuisine at my desk and reading your blog. I thoroughly enjoy the escape of reading about where you might be traveling, and imagining what trips I can take in the future. In another life I would like to come back with your job. Thanks for continuing the blog – and your quirky sense of humor is appreciated as well!
Hi, Jim Humberd. I have been following Ricks “Blogs” since the beginning and have enjoyed them so very much. Along the way I also discovered your comments and I have to tell you, I have enjoyed them just as much as Ricks. You are well travelled, articulate and experienced. You give a side to travel that most of us do not do in Europe, traveling by RV. You’ve also been to places well off the beaten track. It was also quite apparent that you loved to travel with “Sweetie” and I was very sorry to discover that she is no longer with us. I say to those that are “irritated” by your comments, what’s the harm, don’t read them if you don’t want to learn anything new. You “Rock On” Jim Humberd and I hope to keep reading what you have to say in the future. Thanks!
Rick, I also have enjoyed your blog immensely and am thrilled you are going to continue. I’ve only been to Europe twice as I have a husband I can’t get out of the country. I’m going to give my (now) 8 year old twins a couple of more years and then recruit them to be my European travel buddies! For now I guess I’ll have to settle for Disney World and keep my travel dreams alive through your blog. Thanks for a great Summer.
I’ve also enjoyed traveling vicariously with you this summer…but I think it might be a good idea to take a break to refresh…you’ll have a different perspective..also, post the collection online so others can read and enjoy, not just those who are fortunate to hear your talks…
oh – you had me scared there for a bit that you weren’t going to continue your blog. i have become as addicted to reading this as you apparently come to writing it, Rick. please do continue to share your thoughts on travels, culture, and life with us! until i can get to europe again, your posts keep me dreaming!
My family is all gone now and when I tuned into your blog after watching your travel program on PBS/Mpls, I felt as though I had gained a whole new family. It’s true what everyone is saying, it is addictive – I get a real thrill when I see a new posting. J Humberd – you are also very interesting and I would love to meet you some day. Let’s hear more from our favorite travel experts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Deborah
Rick, Know I’m not avid reader of your blog, but I do aggree with you on what you said about this. Now to my question. Wondering what Internet Browser that you use while traveling and at home as well? The reason why I’m asking is found a great free browser called Opera. Love it so far better then the others out there. Thank you.
I stumbled upon your blog a couple of days ago while perusing your website and couldn’t stop reading until way past midnight. what a hoot! I am traveling vicariously with you to many of the same places we have just been to (Barcelona, Costa del Sol, Rome)Laughing out loud at 1:00 am, I startle the dog and think, I need to get start planning my next trip!thanks for inspiration. Kathy
Thanks for the blog again this year. Whenever you are ready to write again, I’ll read again.
Thanks for keeping the blog going, Rick. This is an enjoyable, informative read that is consistently well written and amusing. It complements your books and radio show very nicely. One technical suggestion: please have your tech people set up an RSS feed. Your readers can “subscribe” to your blog, and get a notice whenever it’s updated. That would be a handy way for your readers to keep up with your latest musings. Thanks again. Happy writing!
Hi everyone… I’ve been reading and enjoying this blog intensively this summer. Im from Mexico and all of you have been wonderful English Teachers. It has been great reading in English about my favorite subject: TRAVELING!!!… Thank you all!
But we don’t want to stop you. (see Blog title) Thank’s Rick. Its been a great summer and now it will continue. SUPER!!! Also, ditto all the positive comments expressed on J. Humberd. Now looking forward to my next trip with Rick and especially the next trip with my “Sweetie”.
omygod, I’m sooo happy this chat will continue. Your blogs keep my engine going until I can travel again. Thank you, Rick.
Thank you thank you thank you for continuing the blog. Edmonds can be a fun place, especially the ETBD office! People who come through planning their vacations, the seminars you folks give, for free! The ferry boat, the little traffic circle in the middle of town (reminds me of England, however we go anti-clockwise over here). When we do get to meet you you’re always soooo.. busy, so this way we get to pick your mind and hear what’s going on with our favorite travel guru (or as they say at the Mountain Hostel in Gimmelwald “Rick Steves is god”.
Keep up the excellent work Rick. I’m glad your blogs keep coming….it’s what I enjoy reading during my oh-so-quick lunch at work.
Keep up the great work! Love the blog.
People can’t throw around “Addiction” casually. When you talk about addiction, most people will think of it as a drug addiction.