As a student traveler sleeping in dives, just getting a warm trickle of water was a challenge. Later, figuring out how to use the shower was a trick. Now, more rooms have showers and more showers function easily and well. When traveling in Europe, how much of a concern is finding a shower and then being able to use it without freezing or scalding yourself? What kinds of issues have you had with European showers and bathrooms?
Comments
I think the subject is worth a brief chapter, even to just be made aware that there is quite a variety of toilets and showers that you are not familiar with. They all work, you just need to figure it out quick while you are naked or needing to make use of the toilet.
How do you shower in a tub with one of those hand held shower heads and no shower curtain or hook to hang the shower head on?? I have not been able to figure out how to do this without freezing and making a wet mess. I encountered these mysterious contraptions in 2011 in the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany (nice hotels).
My comment may anger some of my fellow blog posters, but I would vote for dropping information re showering and European bathrooms. (I would also vote for dropping information about how to sleep for free, hitchhike, etc., but I’ll stick to the topic at hand.) The U.S. no longer holds the monopoly on good plumbing. Perhaps there are places, such as hostels, that don’t have great facilities. In those cases, the people who opt to stay there are probably outgoing types who aren’t too shy to ask someone for a little assistance. I can’t imagine someone running into trouble in the bathroom and saying, “Hang on just a second! Let me get my guidebook!” The Rick Steves guidebook series has never tried to be all things to all people, why start now? The demographic of people who read these books seems to be changing. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Its information should be tailored to the majority of people who read it and I have a hard time believing that the majority is still a back-packing, “through the back door,” type of person. I would guess (and, yes, I could be 100% wrong) that the average reader of these books is an intelligent, mature (note–I did not say “old”) person who doesn’t need to be pampered while on vacation, but does appreciate and can afford some creature comforts. They like the idea of connecting with the locals and getting an authentic European experience, but they don’t think that staying in a place with decent beds and plumbing negates the possibility of that happening. Leave the plumbing tips to the Lonely Planet books.
I don’t think this is useful information. I’ve been in 45 countries on 5 continents and although it can be a challenging and often interesting I’ve always managed to figured it out without any previous research.
I am on the “leave it out” bandwagon. There may be a few countries that have plumbing so different than ours that some explanations would be helpful. Put those explanations in that country’s guidebook. For the most part, plumbing is not a big deal anymore.
I’m with Denise on this. Rick’s books aren’t just for people who have traveled extensively in Europe. I think the first time travelor to Europe is the most important target for ETBD. Perhaps certain information could be isolated in a “For First Time Travelors” section or chapter, so those who have been to Europe many times could just skip over it or remove it from the book. I had to help a woman in tears who couldn’t figure out how to flush the toilet in Venice. After much searching, it turned out to be a push bar hidden in the molding on the wall!
Diane
@Holly – the trick is to turn the shower OFF. Get wet, turn if off. Soap up (use the bath tap, not the shower, if you need the soap wetter), turn it back on. Same trick you need to conserve water in an RV if it’s not hooked up. True, you might get a bit chilly if it’s winter, but you won’t make a mess if you’re careful about how you hold it.
Not sure how important this info is, but it needn’t take up a lot of room.
Showers are now available in large train stations and even rest stops in some countries. I seriously doubt finding a shower represents the problem it once did. I remember staying in exactly one hotel in the past 10 years that didn’t have private WCs or showers.
Maybe mention that hotels rarely provide US-style washcloths, but that’s about it.
I think it is worth noting plumbing information. For example, bathrooms ensuite are not 100% as they seem to be in the USA. Also, hot water sometimes needs to be turned on.
It’s true that plumbing on our most recent trip (London & Ireland for the New Year) has been fairly “normal” (as compared to a pizza shop in Paris where the men’s room contained nothing but a hole in the floor with two painted footprints telling me where to stand for the best aim.)
I am with the leave it out group although you may want to mention the toilets that are holes in the floor for those who may have never seen them.
I think it is worth a mention that facilities are not the same as the U.S.: showers are smaller, bathtubs are rare, bidets are common, washclothes are not, etc. I have always carried along microfiber towels “just in case” the ones furnished were inadequate or I needed them to roll up hand-washed items. I have been grateful I had these on many occasions! Yes, things are different in Europe. Worth a few words to comfort the first time traveller and remove the surprises.
I believe it would be worthwhile to include a brief description of the “differences” travellers may encounter with bathroom facilities in Europe. I’m sure this would be especially useful for those making their first trip.
A brief description could be provided in each country Guidebook on the type of “facilities” that travellers may encounter in that country, and a more general description could be provided in Europe Through The Back Door. Most of us have learned from experience how to deal with the “facilities” we find, but I’m sure the information would be useful for first timers.
I absolutely find the showering and restroom chapter essential for the first time Euro traveler. I would have been dumbstruck the first time I walked into a “squat and shoot” toilet without the “heads up” from the ETBD book. I also, would have spent a few embarrassing trips from the shower to my money belt if I didn’t know I needed to pay for the convenience of water/hot water in some hostels/hotels. Both of these tips made this chapter completely essential to me. Plus the tips on different types of public toilets and what to expect from country to county (ie “bomb shelter” toilets in Paris).
This one’s a keeper as I agree with some of the previous posters that ETBD is realy for the “first time” Euro traveler – whether that’s the first time ever OR the first time without a tour OR the first time without 5 star hotels, etc.
Craig
I’m with Craig – my first time in Europe was much less confusing, as I had read about what to expect. Now that I am more ‘seasones’, it is not such a big deal, but don’t we all want to smooth out those rough patches? Leave it in.
Most nice or comfortable hotels have decent bathrooms and easy to use shower. However, for some areas where this isn’t the case, it is still enjoyable to have some information on the different situations that you may encounter. Of course, after a person has been to several Western European countries it isn’t too hard to figure it out.
Remember that part of what RS is selling is entertainment. He loves to embellish his writing with funny or clever comments. If his information becomes solely practical and functional (and dry), he can’t differentiate himself from competitors. Rick is not a public service. His ETBD is a business. So keep some stuff that might entertain prospective new customers.
I think it IS worthwhile to briefly describe what one may encounter in a European bathroom–it IS different!I would include the “pitfalls” of pit toilets (yes, Rick you can use my pun) and also suggesting carrying flushable paper in your purse or pocket. Also I suspect many people do not know that toilet paper cannot be flushed down a toilet in many places in Greece, including Athens–the plumbing cannot handle it.
My 2 cents
The tips are useful for situations that are out of the ordinary but they are becoming increasingly rare.
I believe concise directions are helpful. Also, a mention of the fact that apparently, the hot water in many inns is turned off late at night. This might coincide with turning down the heat, but a midnight shower in Vernazza one Christmas was horribly cold. Unpleasant surprise.