Destination: Uncategorized

I’ve been giddier than usual this week as I’m finalizing my travel plans for 2014. I’ve got an amazing itinerary promising four months of fun and learning–and there’ll be lots of great new information to share. I’ll be vigorously posting almost daily from some of my favorite corners of Europe. And for the next week or so until I fly away, we’re running video clips to get us all in the mood.

Barcelona is vibrant and proud. Midway between Madrid and Paris, it has a Madrid-style love of life and a Parisian elegance and sense of taste. Now that Europe is uniting, Madrid is no longer so threatened by this powerhouse on the Mediterranean. And locals are allowed to wave their Catalonian flags and teach their children Catalonian first and Spanish “as a second language.” This clip captures the spirit of this economic and cultural dynamo.

If you can’t see the video below, watch it on YouTube.

I’ve been giddier than usual this week as I’m finalizing my travel plans for 2014. I’ve got an amazing itinerary promising four months of fun and learning–and there’ll be lots of great new information to share. I’ll be vigorously posting almost daily from some of my favorite European destinations. And for the next week or so until I fly away, we’re running video clips to get us all in the mood.

My first stop is Portugal, one of Europe’s most unsung, misunderstood, and underrated destinations. It’s quirky, cheap, accessible, and you’ll rarely find tourist crowds. This clip of Lisbon’s salty Alfama quarter reminds me why Portugal is one of my favorite corners of Europe.

If you can’t see the video below, watch it on YouTube.

I’ve been giddier than usual this week as I’m finalizing my travel plans for 2014. I’ve got an amazing itinerary promising four months of fun and learning–and there’ll be lots of great new information to share. I’m flying away in mid-April and finish my adventures in mid-August. Of course I’ll be packing very light. But I’ve always got room for my Facebook friends to stow away. I’ll be vigorously posting almost daily from the tiled delights of Portugal to the off-beat corners of Italy’s Cinque Terre; from the fjords of Norway to the salt mines and jazz cellars of Poland. If you have any traveling friends who you think might enjoy coming along for the ride, please let them know so they can “like” this Facebook page.

For the next week or so until I fly away, we’re running video clips to get us all in the mood. To kick it off, here’s one of my favorite short videos. It reminds me that travel is not a check list of blockbuster sights–it’s the magical serendipitous moments.

If you can’t see the video below, watch it on YouTube.

This year I capped our annual tour alumni reunion and guide summit by sharing my “Irreverent History of Europe Through the Back Door” talk.  (Watch the full lecture here.) While not designed for general consumption, our guides and those who enjoy our tours find this candid (and occasionally sordid) peek into the anals of Europe Through the Back Door history both fascinating and entertaining. The talk is a sweep through the story of our company—from my student vagabond days to the early mini-bus tour days and through the evolution that led us to where we are today. I was having so much fun sharing old stories from our “Europe Through the Gutter” days that the spirit moved me to do something I’ve never done in public: yodel.

If you can’t see the video below, watch it on YouTube.

Every year since the turn of the century we’ve been giving away a free tour for the best electronic scrapbook created by one of our tour members. It’s amazing how much fun people have on our tours…and it’s also amazing how well they can capture that experience in their writing, photos, and web design through these lovingly and artfully put-together scrapbooks.

My staff reviews the many submissions we get from our alums each year (we had more than 70 this year), and I get to weigh in on the finalists. This year, each of the top scrapbooks was great. Last year was a tie (and we gave away two tours). This year, while each of the finalists was wonderful, the winner was clear: Mike and Nicole Goodman shared the fun they had on their 2013 Europe in 14 Days tour.  They did it in a way that made me nostalgic for the joy I had leading great tour groups for 25 years.

Enjoy checking out our winning 2014 scrapbook entries. You can get some clever ideas about constructing your own electronic scrapbook. But, be warned: It may get dreams of joining one of our merry tour groups stuck in your mind.

First Prize (1 seat on any 8-21 day tour or 2 seats on any 7-day city tour)

Mike and Nicole Goodman: Europe in 14 Days

Our jury was especially impressed with the way the Rick Steves tour experience was thoroughly (and chronologically) captured. The Goodman’s scrapbook is easy to navigate, and their slideshows were interesting and well-designed. They also included lots of great group shots and provided good tips. Their “do something normal” theme was fun and original. Take a look at their first place scrapbook.

Second Prize (a $500 gift card good toward a tour or Rick Steves Travel Store purchase)

Danielle Gale: Turkey in 13 Days

Danielle’s layout and photography caught the jury’s eye. Her captivating four-minute video at the beginning of her scrapbook captures the essence of the tour. Her narrative was interesting, and she gave good tips and insights. The Top-10 sidebar was especially informative, and her people pictures were great. Take a look at her scrapbook.

Third Prize (a $250 gift card good toward a tour or Rick Steves Travel Store purchase)

Martta Howard: Adriatic in 14 Days

When you review Martta’s scrapbook, you can tell she paid close attention to her guide. Her scrapbook has a clean design and is full of friendly and informative writing. Our judges liked her layout and were impressed with her tips and photos. Her use of step counts was unique and potentially helpful to others. View her scrapbook.

Fourth Prize (a $100 gift card good toward a tour or Rick Steves Travel Store purchase)

Suzette Bartlett: Europe in 21 Days

Suzette’s scrapbook reads like a little magazine. Her layout includes sidebar sections on food, travel tips, and “wow” moments which are creative and fun to read. The judges also liked the summaries of what she did, what she’d do differently, and her favorite moments for each destination on the tour. View her scrapbook.