I have become strangely attached to writing this blog. It bullies more time from me than I ever imagined it would. I simply enjoy sharing the fun of my work with so many traveling friends. In a fun way, we are all travel partners.
Some people have emailed us assuming that I don’t actually write these blog entries or read the responses. As my staff can assure you, I jealously guard my responsibility to personally write everything that we put on this page. Except for the rare guest blogger, I write every word you see. (I do have an editor proof my writing. The thinking among my staff: If you saw how poorly I spelled, you might think less of my guidebooks.) And I eagerly look forward to reading your responses. I rarely respond back, because that would suck me into an entire new arena — and I need to draw a few boundaries. (While my staff does make announcements for me on Twitter, I have little interest in tweeting.) One reason I enjoy this blog is that I can be unguarded, candid, and even reckless from a marketing point of view…and just call it fun. I feel like my traveling blog friends are a kind of special inner circle, and it’s refreshing to be able to call it like I see it. I hope you enjoy being part of it all.
On a related note, I’m looking for someone to help me manage all of this content we’re producing. In order to amplify everything we’re doing to as many travelers as possible, we have to have a cutting-edge tech staff. And we need some help.
We’re looking for a full-time Web Producer to fill a new position on our Marketing Team. The Web Producer will oversee and coordinate activities related to our website content, design, and usability, which will include planning, production, testing, maintenance, and analysis. The Web Producer will report to the Marketing Manager and will also supervise our Web staff. This person needs to be really talented, hardworking, and experienced. For details and instructions on how to apply, please visit my Job Openings page.
The only thing that has made this blog attractive to me is that you are the one who writes on it. That is rare these days, and I could really understand if it became too much with all your other duties. And I think you have to be so careful with marketing, so this is a much needed place to be yourself and vent what you need to. Many times over the years when a Europeon trip wasn’t in the works it was great to spend April until Sept reading this blog and traveling along from my livingroom! But be careful with that spelling and grammar, some of these bloggers can be down right nasty about these things!
I feel like I’m getting a letter from a friend every day.
I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts Rick. I’ve never seen anyone with as much enthusiasm for travel and the way it can enrich our lives. Know that you are loved, respected, and are truely making a difference in the world.
Rick,
I enjoy reading it as much as you enjoy writing it. Thanks for taking the time to let us join in on your travels!!
Peter
I also enjoy reading the blog. The posts are short and an interesting informal diversion from my day-to-day as a computer systems manager. Since I can only take “adventure vacations” (as I call them to my kids) every few years, I enjoy reading your posts about your travels (especially loved the behind the scenes posts about your days filming your new season.)
Just on a side note, since Europe is not in my plans this year, we decided to bring Europe to us. We’re hosting a French foreign exchange student for a few weeks this summer, so she can see Chicago. Looking forward to it. au revoir!
Hi Rick,
Love your blog! Try to read it at least once or twice a week. We just got back from an amazing three-week trip to Germany and toted your 2012 guide book around the whole time. Incredibly helpful advice and we are grateful to you and your staff for the tips! Keep on writing and we will keep on reading!
I enjoy this blog on multiple levels, not only as a traveler and a fan of your work, but also as someone who simply appreciates high-quality writing. With so much sarcasm and self-conscious snark out there these days, it’s a rare and delightful treat to read the thoughts and opinions of someone who has such passion for his subject. In addition, you have a unique, distinct voice–at once reverent and irreverent–that comes through as clearly in this blog as it does when you’re speaking to the camera. It never occurred to me that someone else was doing the writing here for that very reason.
Just wanted to say thanks Rick for teaching me everything I know about travel. I preach your word to anyone who needs help planning their trips. I’ll always be indebted to you for introducing me to Bacharach :)
ps. I’m a horrible speller as well.
I enjoy reading your blog and that you write it! We just returned from a 15 day trip to Italy–Rome, Siena, the Cinque Terre, quik stop to Pisa, Florence, ending with 4 nights in Venice. We were always ahead or behind your stops there!!! I planned our trip using your website and guidebook and we downloaded several audio tours which were great. Although I had a summarized itinerary I carried your guidebook with me because there was always something else to sneak in! It was my “bible”!
Our daughter was just in Scandinavia and, coincidentally, your episodes of Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, etc. were running so we recorded them and watched as she went from country to country.
I agree with Danielle’s comments. I never thought that this blog had a ghost writer because I could tell by the style of writing that this was Rick’s thoughts. You DO have a reverent yet at the same time irreverent way of writing and speaking as well. While I do disagree with some of your political thoughts, I respect your different opinion. I do not want to read blogs or commentaries wherein everybody agrees. I like hearing different perspectives. That is something that is becoming lost in our society today. You are undoubtedly the best source for travel information available, and one of your strengths besides the written word, is your ability to organize lots of information in a concise manner. Keep up the good work, and thank your editors for correcting any spelling mistakes. It makes it much easier to read when words are spelled correctly!
Your blog has been one of the few good constants in my life for the last six years. To me it is the best selling point for ETBD: remarkable candor, fresh insight with an authoritative analysis of what works for independent budget travelers such as myself. When an old work colleague turned me on to you before my first European trip in 2005 (Paris/London; so cliched I know), it impacted me in a positive way. I can’t thank you enough for all you do.
Never in a million years thought it was a ghost writer because a) it feels 100% Rick b) that’s not your business style.
I love reading your blog, both when you’re traveling around Europe or elsewhere, but I also love the insight into a fascinating sole proprietor business.
Thanks!!!
Rick,
I knew it was you all along. It’s written in your entertaining style.
Thanks to Google Alerts I get a daily e-mail about everything online with your name on it.
Thanks so much!
Der Doppleganger
WEDU Tampa
I agree with everyone that this is clearly your blog. That’s what makes it so appealing. I love that you bust the paradigms that business have to be “safe” and that you share your views. It’s refreshing in a world carefully scripted and polled based business practices. You know your market and your customers and it shows. I sure wish I could figure out how to apply for that job. ; ) Pam
It’s nice to spend a few minutes each post in Europe with you. Even for those of us lucky enough to be able to travel, the vast majority of our lives is spent at a desk with a keyboard. To be able to take a “mini vacation” every day or so with the guy who is usually leading our real vacations is a nice break.
As a brand new travel blogger,(http//www.expat-almanac.com) I understand the joy that comes with chronicling what you see, and can well believe that you write this yourself. Thank you Rick! Loved your little postcard to your grandma! I wrote a journal of my first trip to Europe at age 16, and I’ve been dragging it around from town to town for almost 50 years.
Just came back from TBEX….it’s grown to 800 of us. Please consider a keynote there next year, or September in Girona.