I have a great relationship with my publisher. I’ve been with them from the start (1984). They like what I do, and I couldn’t do it without their support. A few days ago, they brought their staff who works most closely with mine to Seattle for our big annual review.
As the scope of our coverage has ballooned and the economy makes it more difficult to visit every place in every book in person every year (as I’d like to do), we have maintained that standard — unmatched in the publishing world — for our lead guidebooks. And the books covering less-visited destinations (with correspondingly lower sales) have become “biannuals,” which means they’re lovingly updated in person only every two years. (That’s why some of my books no longer have the year printed on the front cover.)
An advantage of the biannual plan, along with the obvious savings in research expenses, is that we don’t need to let the shelves go empty each winter. It used to happen that, due to the time constraints of our production schedule, the new annual editions of our less-selling books wouldn’t come out until springtime. Many booksellers took the previous edition off the shelves in December, when their year was up…leaving those books in sales limbo for peak sales months. Ironically, this made it easier to retail books that were not updated annually (i.e., no date on the cover) than the yearly editions. We’ve done biannuals long enough now to have hard sales results, and — as my all-knowing publisher predicted — sales didn’t go down with the biannual approach.
With the financial situation we’re all in, we are concerned with trends. Sales are down about 25 percent overall, but our market share continues to grow. I made the point that as a businessman/writer, I see sales totals as outside of our control. But as long as our market share is holding or growing, I’m satisfied. With the drop in sales and increase in costs to actually update with in-person visits, we need to be as smart as possible to maintain our high guidebook standards and stay in the black.
Every year I am pressured (for my own good) into producing more titles. My publisher has a huge appetite for getting more titles to sell. This is the only thing I dread about these meetings. This year (with the arrival of our new Athens & the Peloponnese guidebook in a few weeks), we have Europe pretty well covered. My publisher supports my priority to maintain the unique quality of our existing guidebooks before adding new destinations.
Bill Newlin, the boss at Avalon, is the ultimate guidebook publishing wonk. He internalizes all the sales data and lives and breathes ways to meet the market’s always-changing demands. I’m glad he’s on my team. He uses sales figures to make his case like a lawyer uses evidence. Back when we had a “Spain & Portugal” guidebook, he convinced me that the book would actually sell better if it were just Spain. We separated the two countries, and sure enough, Spain sales took off…and I had another book, to boot: Portugal. Two years ago, Bill said there’s a big appetite out there for Istanbul. I believed him. And now Istanbul is a solid part of our program.
Avalon would like guidebooks covering Barcelona and Scotland. But their new enthusiasm is for “full-color pocket guides.” Sales figures make it clear that customers want smaller books. Our competition is finding that the slimmed-down, pocket-sized, full-color versions of their established beefy country and city guidebooks are selling at least as well as the big books themselves.
As I begrudgingly accept this reality (I don’t want to enable travelers with a short attention span to base their trips on “lite” versions of my carefully researched books), I realize that the “lite” approach is already in my publishing DNA. A decade ago, my books were small and light — exactly what people are demanding today. In fact, on the back cover of each book, it said, “Don’t be fooled by overweight guidebooks.” Eventually these morphed into the full versions — Paris is now 570 pages rather than 200. While I’m satisfying the needs of people who want it all, I’m losing sales to people who like my work…but want a pocket guide more. They’ll pick up a lite version of the competition rather than a Rick Steves’ heavy. I’m now convinced that offering a small version won’t cannibalize sales of my big versions; it will just let me compete better in that new niche. So we are exploring ways to produce a parallel series of slimmer, more portable, full-color versions of some of my city guidebooks.
Another issue on the agenda was digital publishing. Sony and Amazon (Kindle) are battling it out for the electronic book market. E-books are already great for novels, but still clunky for reference works (such as guidebooks). I think guidebook information will eventually be used via digital screens. The iPhone format may eclipse the e-book format. My eyes glaze over whenever we get too deep into this, but I’m glad Bill is a futurist. I just repeat my mantra: “Content is king.” I will stay focused on creating the actual content…and let my publisher keep up with trends.
One digital opportunity that I am enthused about is iPhone apps. We agreed to aggressively come up with a way to design and share our various types of content (audio, video, and written). This will supplement our guidebooks and will be helpful to our travelers via their iPhones. Because of our archive of very practical podcasts, vodcasts, radio shows, and audio tours, we have a wealth of material to share with travelers who don’t even realize how helpful it would be…until they’re in Europe, confronted with all that potential experience and joy, and wishing they had a little direction. I am determined to make our audio and video material available for free to anyone who can figure out the latest applications.
We are well into a long and costly revamping of all our maps, which makes them computer-generated but keeps the personality and user-friendliness that my talented map man, Dave Hoerlein, gives them. (I have over 70 work-mates at ETBD, and Dave was the first to join me back in about 1980. He knows Europe intimately from top to bottom and makes all our maps.) Computerizing our maps is necessary because when we morph into future digital applications, we don’t want to be caught flat-footed with hand-drawn maps that can’t be manipulated for various emerging electronic platforms.
I asked Avalon about how my odd products are doing. Journals? I’m not talking about them enough, so, while nifty, they aren’t doing as well as they might. Maps? Borders carries them. Barnes & Noble does not. Phrasebooks? Hot, hot, hot. DVDs? Big hit with Costco.
What other European guides is my publisher also selling? They just partnered with the Let’s Go series for student travelers. Let’s Go will maintain the Harvard student researcher formula. I love the series, see it not as a threat but as complementary to mine, and wish it well. Time Out guidebooks are distilled from a series of entertainment magazines produced by Europeans. It’s top-notch and just right for a sophisticated European traveler or the American who wants that style of coverage. The Moon guidebooks, while still strong on the Americas and Asia, are pulling back on their Europe coverage.
According to the industry sales numbers, I’m happy with the way our books are doing. Our Rick Steves’ Italy, Paris, Ireland, Spain, and London — in that order — are in the top dozen best-selling travel books. They are the leading guidebooks to foreign destinations. The books that beat us are guides to Hawaii and Disney, and specialty/trendy titles like 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, The Sex Lives of Cannibals, and Getting Stoned with Savages(which I imagine would be a very good read). The first non-Hawaii/Disney guidebooks to make the list (after mine) are Fodors Italy, Lonely Planet Costa Rica, Dorling Kindersley’s Top Ten Paris, and Frommer’s Washington DC, in that order.
Thanks for your interest in our work as we continue gathering, organizing, and sharing all that information that helps us all travel smarter. Happy travels.
Rick, of course love your guidebooks. My only negative feedback would be that I don’t find your maps helpful without a secondary map. My biggest issue is that I can’t find my way into the map in the first place very easily unless there is a MAJOR landmark on it like St. Mark’s in Venice. Once I’m on the map and know where I am I’d give them an 8 out of 10 for usability an accuracy. So if you’re looking for a way to improve your maps, help your readers find where they are on the map better. (not sure how to do that without a “you are here” kiosk, but you and your team are smart enough to come up with something, I’m sure)
I think smaller, less thick books would do well. Although all your information is valuable for each country, a smaller book without the lodging and day trips would be useful for those who are in the main cities only. Thanks for all you do – this year marks 19 years since I first got “Europe through the Back Door” and I’ve loved it ever since! Alex
I only use ETBD guide books while on an adventure in Europe. Your writing makes it much more clear and concise and the restaurant recommendations are spot on. I appreciate the hard you work you do. Good luck to you and your company in 2009. I look forward to the journey.
Please work with your publisher and figure out a way to put your guidebooks into an electronic format. As you note, most of your guidebooks are rather heavy. Plus, it’s a bit embarrassing to walk into a cafe or museum in Europe and easily spot the Americans leafing thru their RS guidebook (I am also guilty).It would be wonderful to have the contents of your guidebook in a format for the iPod/iPhone or Blackberry. Maybe adopt the iTunes model – make individual chapters of your books downloadable for $.99 each. An electronic format is quickly accessible, searchable, and inconspicuous. If you wanted to really get fancy, you could integrate audio guided tours that worked with GPS coordinates. One final word about the electronic format – it is environmentally friendly.
Thanks for all you great work. I’ve been reading/using your guidebooks since the eighties. Could you please provide more info or a link about those travel industry guidebook sales figures?
This was a really interesting read! I feel that digital is the answer rather than making shorter printed guidebooks. With a digital approach, people can pick the level of information they’re interested in – a modern take on cutting guidebooks apart to carry only the sections you need. I look forward to seeing the innovative approaches towards new technologies that ETBD can come up with.
Rick, I love your guidebooks. It is the only one that I will read when going to Europe. I will take your guidebook, find each painting listed (either in picture or in print), and then read up on that in your guidebook. I am not satisfied leaving a museum until I found them all. I love the way you write and your approach to travel. With that said, I have to agree with Jarrod. Your maps leave a lot to be desired. While quirky and different with those hand drawn maps, they aren’t always very useful when doing some of your walks. I like them and use them but have to admit they have frustrated me a few times. Not sure what your purpose is with those maps but I would actually like more detail in them.
The new books sound great. I’m glad you mentioned some other travel books of interest. Keep up the good work. Happy travels to all!
Rick I thought you were abolishing the hand drawn inaccurate maps? Quaint but nothing beats accuracy. Erik K why would you be embarrassed to be seen leafing through your RS guidebook? You are what you are, and with our new president the world is at our feet.
WOW, am I ever famous. About a year ago I attended a Travel Show in Long Beach, CA, and met and talked with Rick for a couple of minutes. I also gave him a copy of my then latest book. Last Sunday I attended the same Travel Show again, this year in Los Angeles, and while I was resting in a chair at Rick’s booth at the show, here comes Rick. I stood up, and before I could even say hello, Rick greets me by name! I couldn’t believe he would remember me and my name from last year. I gave him pictures of the Berlin Wall Exhibit I am working on at the moment, and pictures of the front covers of the 12 books I just had printed (bound in 6 volumes, two front covers each), and a couple other papers. He said my book, from last year, was on the shelf of “Books To Be Readâ€, when time permits. Then he took my, really little ‘ol me’s photo. Rick, as I suggested a couple of days ago, how about publishing using DVDs? Many carry a laptop now, others could select a section from the DVD and print it out, easy to carry. As I mentioned, as I organized the contents of my Web Site for my Family Archives, I found I had created a 1200 page book, half of the pages with a full page color photo, the other page holds the story of the Photo. I call it “A Random Stroll through Europe.†If you want it Rick, let me know, I won’t do more than fill the Family Archives, for my great-Great Grandchildren. I don’t have anything for sale.
I’m happy your DVD sales are strong (at Costco, at least). I had the brief opportunity to speak with you two nights ago in Pasadena and I asked about the possibility of releasing your high definition content in a high definition format. As an avid consumer of your programs I’d like to take the opportunity to put that request in type as well. I and many of my friends no longer purchase DVDs. We happily rent them yet buy only Blu-ray discs. Otherwise, we figure, we will have to re-buy them when the Blu-ray version is available anyway—I already own the 2000-2004 DVD collection. Considering that you indeed record your material in HD, making the shows available for purchase in the crisper, more vivid format strikes me as common sense. Rick Steves’ Europe looks great in standard definition DVD but I can only imagine it would be phenomenal in HD Blu-ray. That’s my vote.
Congratulations for the well deserved ongoing success of your books. We have used them to great benefit during 11 extended trips to Europe since 1999. It is incredible how closely your opinions match ours. Last summer, when we explored beyond areas you cover in Poland, Slovakia and Lithuania we were very well served by “In Your Pocket” city guides. The authors are local [mainly Eastern Europe] and use a breezy entertaining and opinionated style like you. The free advance downloads from inyourpocket.com [also often found at TI’s] allowed planning for itineraries, events, offbeat sights, alternative lodging and budget eating. Maps, walking/hiking routes and photos worked great when we arrived. Maybe you could find some co-op publishing approach that builds on their extensive and online resourses…? Keep on being our guru! PS-Another thought…maybe you can find ways to coordinate your info with GPS devices [If we did not have our TomTom, we would still be trying to find the way to drive out of Gniezno today]
Jim Humberd, Welcome back, I was worried something had happened to you.
We wouldn’t go any where in Europe with out your guide books, in fact when we went to Greece and Turkey a few years ago we had to look elsewhere and it really was not the same! And now in a couple months we are going to Costa Rica and had to reduce myself to Costa Rica for Dummies! But it’s ok, nice and simple to the point. I like the idea of smaller books, our first trip to Italy 2002 the book was great, then our second trip 2007 was like hauling a bible around for two weeks. So going back to smaller will be so much better when you are actually on the road. Many times we just took pages out to carry a smaller section!
I sincerely hope you follow Lonely Planet’s lead and sell PDFs of individual chapters from your books. This is a convenient and economical way for consumers to buy the books. Lonely Planet sold me $15 worth of chapters instead of $0 because I can read them on my iPod Touch while I’m there — I wasn’t going to buy another big heavy book to lug around.
Rick, Am thrilled you are re-doing your maps. I’ve used your books in many countries and that was my only complaint with them. They were cute, but not accurate. And I’ve never been embarrased to be seen with Rick’s guide book. I’ve actually had quite a few fun conversations with other travelers I’ve met simply because we are both carrying around the book.
My .02 about the maps: Anyone who’s thoroughly read any of the Rick Steves guidebooks can recall the paragraph(s) implictly directing the traveler to get a full-scale map at the first opportunity. I really don’t understand the complaint, since the guidies tell us the best and closest TI’s to pickup a good city-wide map (usually free). That or just pick one up at the establishment you’ll be lodging in (always complimentary). The maps inside the guidies were never intended to be used for navigation, only to give us a lay of the land WHILE WE RESEARCH. And do we really need full-scale Michelin-style maps folded in, increasing our carbon footprint? Most of us simply head to our hostel/hostel within the first hour of arrival anyway. So until we can get the digital info that you can download into whatever shiny toy you fancy, how about we just take up the advice of finding the reliable maps where they are available and spare Rick, Gene, Dave and the gang ALL the heavy lifting? Alison and I are in agreement; the guidie can be quite the icebreaker, and even the locals see them and distinguish you as a conscientious traveler…
Rick, my girlfriend and I have been dreaming of a trip to Scotland for several years now and have been disappointed with the general lack of resources for that corner of the UK. For the most part, Scotland always seems to be an afterthought in guide books on Great Britain generally, and the handful of dedicated Scotland books we’ve found just don’t provide what we’re looking for. All of which is my lengthy way of saying “yes, please” to a Rick Steves’ Scotland book. For what it’s worth, we’re especially interested in the Highlands region…
Rick, thanks for working to make audio/video content available via iPhone. This will be hugely helpful — while one the road, and while planning to hit the road.
During our trip last year through Italy, Austria, Germany, Amsterdam and London, your guidebooks were with us 24/7. My method of turning Italy into a manageable size book was to carefully remove only the pages pertaining to the cities we would be visiting, and having our local copy store bind them together…cost was minimal! That way, I wasn’t carrying around the “big book” but didn’t loose any of the information I needed for each city…worked beautifully and we didn’t miss a thing!
Just wanted to say , your program about Iran was very nice, and I saw places that I had not had the chance to see in my own country. I am living in USA since 1975, and was very plesing to see your were able to show the world Iranins do care about American people, you did not say much about the fact if you liked the food or not? I know the food is fantastic there, don’t do think so. I wish you would have shown by Caspian Sea, and the ske resorts there too. All and all very good program and we loved it very much.Must have been hard to get a Visa? Thanks Terri Yaghoubi in San Diego
Rick is the premier travel writer in the United States when it comes to Europe. I was going to offer what I believed to be constructive criticism but Rick has proven, once again, that he cannot stand to be criticized. He did not appreciate my comments concerning his view of citizens diplomacy and was being completely disingenuous when he said he read and appreciated all the comments as he cancelled mine and those of others who commented on my writing.
Rick, we love your detailed insights into the arcane and practical sides of travel publishing. Everyone who read this blog learned something. Yet, repeating again for those who do not get the point, blogs are personal opinions under scrutiny of posting guidelines which are clear. Overstepping those guidelines have consequences. Do not be shocked or upset-just remember the blog rules. Thank you again rick.
We deal with the ever growing guide size by carefully removing the pages we don’t need before we leave home and then tear out and discard pages on the trip until we toss what is left when we leave for the airport on the last day. Of course the key to this is to study the guide cover to cover before the trip. I like the simple maps in the guide books, but always back them up with a regular map.
RickI enjoy your travel books…however, I wish you would add more historical information in them..For my recent trip to Italy I bought your book and Fodor’s..both are wonderful and your’s being more fun to read…but Rick…I watched your video on Italy and it’s civilization…you basically stated that the ancient roman civilization played a role in the Renaissance…Is that true? I am an older person taking a class in Art History and learning culture differently…
remember a TV program called “Travel Skills Special” – an actor portraying a vacationer named “Steves” says he tears out the pages of large guide books for his trips. This allows him to cut down on bulky books and pack light. Hmm.. this blog makes me wonder what the actor might portray if he were filming a brand new travel skills series. But isn’t that part of the proven appeal for the videos and the books – the actor is open to new ideas, suggestions, criticisms, and so he keeps learning and so do we.
I just watched”Travel As a Political Act.” I can’t believe that I’m the first one to think of this, but I say, “Rick Steves for President.” I began watching the Travel Skills dvd, which was a thoroughly enjoyable romp through Europe experiencing Rick’s humor and wit. But when he began discussing his philosophy of travel, I was watching with my mouth open, thinking that everything he is saying is absolutely true and I would be willing to bet that every American feels the same. I was thinking that there is certainly a lot more to him that just the lovable, affable travel guide we’ve all come to know and love. He really has some amazing things to say. I believe that the most wonderful thing we can give our children and grandchildren is not the best new toy, or a car, or even a college education. The most excellent gift we can give them is a better world. I would personally like to see the generation of Baby Boomers all travel to the far corners of the world, not as tourists, but in a redesigned Peace Corps, to build schools, dig wells, help those who need help, and make new friends. I envision Rick spearheading a pilot program, organizing massive travel groups, inviting Americans to travel to villages he has pre-selected. Americans would go on a one-way trip, stay for a few years, live as the locals, and contribute to helping even out the great economic divide between the two cultures. If you haven’t watched Rick’s Travel Skills dvd, I highly recommend that you do so, particularly the Travel Skills Lecture and Travel As a Political Act. Rick may be planning a takeover of the Guidebook World, but I think his true ultimate purpose in life is a higher calling. I think that Rick has earned a wonderful reputation through his work and can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t vote for him. Let me know what you all think. Best regards, Sue
I started using Rick’s guidebooks when they were still in the “2 to 22 Days” format. Back then you didn’t need to cut them up! But I’ve come to realize that Rick is more into cities and churches and fine arts, and I’m more into smaller towns and scenery and arts and crafts, and I’ve started using multiple guides. For my upcoming trip (one month in Nice, Grenoble, Dijon, Strasbourg, Nancy, Paris) I’m using Rick (section of existing book) for Nice, Pauline Frommer (cut up) for Paris, and downloaded chapters from Lonely Planet for the rest. The LP chapters haven’t even been published yet! Plus I printed out just the pages I needed, in a bigger font than the one they use.
I’ve always liked your guides because they offer a strong opinion on what to hit and what to miss. Smaller books would be fine with me, but I don’t need expensive color photos.
You know what’s on my wish list? More accommodations that are suitable for families (big rooms, good prices, hosts not fussed about kid stuff).
Jamie Pearson
Rick how about a guide book focused on islands of the Mediterranean Sea and just off Spain, France and the UK? Jan
I found on my trip to Europe last year that I tore out sections of all the guide books as you suggested. Stapled them all separately. Plastic bagged them all separately. But somewhere along the way, they all got torn apart, discarded along the way. No way to send them back to you along with $5 for a new guide when I got home. Now I’m planning for this summer and very frustrated that this is an expense I will have to incur all over again. Pretty significant since I had purchased England, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands, and Spain. Digital would be HEAVENLY!! Jan
Since I only have one comment listed I believe I am conforming to the two comment rule. I hope that Rick includes in his travel book on Iran pictures of those he encountered who were featured on TV cheering the 9/11 attack. I don’t object to Rick putting politics in his writing. In fact I enjoy it.
Yes, I agree with Joann, welcome back Jim, I was almost ready to do a google search for you!
Rick, we started in 1960s with Europe on $5(!!) a Day, and Let’s Go (Harvard students) books. I and family for years have appreciated European/Scandinavian budget travel. …YOUR BOOKS are now the very best!! Absolutely nothing compares. That includes your videos, also. THANKS so very much. You help bring us and the world together. (Was it Eisenhower who conceptualized the concept that international relations is best developed by people-to-people relations? We could give you anecdotal examples.) Oh, the joy of international travel, and then getting home again to Kansas. You make self-guided travel really possible. …Six minor comments from our one-week: (1.) In your blog you mean biennial, not biannual (once every two years). (2.) For London (P.341) Britain Shrinkers has been bought by Premium Tours, but their Eurostar-utilizing tours to Belgium (including both Brussels and the WONDERFUL Bruges destinations in one-day from London) and to Paris certainly must be improvements, both cost-wise and quality; those are bonuses to straight Eurostar purchases. However, we found in winter the shortened times for last-tours-of-day made it difficult to complete all in Brussels and in Bruges, before returning to London. (3.) The London tube & bus passes options/formats (Oyster expansion) are somewhat changed, but your advice (P.25) to buy a Seven Day Oyster TRAVELCARD (bought best at the Heathrow Terminal 5 major desk downstairs) was absolutely on-target to be best [and you should forget that commercial TI at Terminal 3 !!]. (4.) Our central Kansas friends like to travel the English countryside finding music in churches, everywhere. How about a chapter in London/England on current religion & music — not only tourist visits to cathedrals and historical religious sites? This does not have to be any particular brand of religion/faith to be meaningful. (5.) We bought cheap four-star air-hotel package at http://www.go-today.com through http://www.travelzoo.com solving air and hotel
(5.) We bought cheap four-star air-hotel package at http://www.go-today.com through http://www.travelzoo.com solving air and hotel options. (6.) We developed this London list from your book and other sources, very satisfying: P.31 “Original London Sightseeing Busâ€; Tower of London; Buckingham Palace; Palace of Westminster (“Houses of Parliamentâ€); Greenwich, stand on Prime Meridian, and at night see green lazer shot southward; Globe Theatre; See the Rules, London’s oldest restaurant, but expensive http://www.rules.co.uk; Tower Bridge; BRITISH MUSEUM (free, not to miss); South Bank & London Eye; Trafalgar Square; St. Martin church noon music; Westminster Abbey; St.Paul’s Cathedral ; City of London; River Thames and Grenwich cruise free with Sightseeing Bus pass (DLR also Tube Zone 2); Hyde Park; Piccadilly Circus; Other Museums and Galleries; Tate Modern; Covent Garden; Kensington Palace http://www.hrp.org.uk; Madame Tussauds and Planetarium; Parks & Gardens; Theatres & Opera (wonderful); National Gallery; Natural History Museum; Soho and the West End; War Room and Churchill Museum; Wesley Museum wesleyschapel.org.uk; Bookstores (many options); London Museum!; Abby Road; Beatles Store (P.33) & Sherlock Homes Museum [Baker St. Tube]; Day trip to Dover [P.338] http://www.nationalrail.co.uk; Day trip to Cambridge [P.356] http://www.trin.cam.ac.uk; Agatha Christie “Mouse Trapâ€; Burlington Arcade; Brown’s Hotel; Windsor Castle and Orangery; Hampton Court(?); Eurostar train (see separate); English football (soccer), Barclay’s Premier League; See http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/premierleague/team/Arsenal?categoryId=555 ; British football BBC Sport or http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/default.stm ; British soccer league: Barclay Premier http://www.4thegame.com; English club football (soccer born in England); Stadium guide, England http://www.stadiumguide.com/england.htm; TUBE http://www.tfl.gov.uk; Out BUS http://www.nationalexpress.com; TRAIN http://www.nationalrail.co.uk
Great insight. I would much rather have the guidebook content on my phone vs. carrying an actual book. Please consider a vendor neutral format for your electronic content. The iPhone is great but there are close to same number of Blackberry users and more than twice as many Windows Mobile smartphone users to consider.
Well, I liked Ricks books better when they only had the stuff I couldn’t find in other guidebooks, and I could carry them around with me.There’s a little irony that the man who has taught many to outwit the profit-maximizing bulk tour companies wouldn’t choose to do a similar end-run around the conventional wisdom of the publishing industry.I don’t want to take this too far–the truth is I’ll pay more for Rick’s books, unwanted (and expensive) color photos and all, and be grateful. I just think (1) they’d be better books without and (2) Rick’s command of the travel field means he doesn’t need the same gimmicks that most writers probably do.
Hi Rick… we’re happy to hear you are considering a slimmer version.. We leave for IST (among other places) in 2 months and while we have found your book to be very informative. We will need to scale back on weight, so we are bringing with us the DK Top 10 Istanbul Book instead of yours. We wish your Greece book was coming out sooner, but looks like we missed out for this trip! Any plans for Romania and Ukraine? K. ourpassportstamps.com
I love your show and guidebooks! I use the guidebooks when I take students to France (I have Paris and France). I know at least my Barnes and Nobles carries some of your maps (because I was there looking at maps tonight). It didn’t have the ones I was looking for. One thing that I would love to see guidebook-wise from you is some guidebooks that are region-specific. For example, a book just on Normandy, on the Loire, on Bavaria, etc. This would allow for the same amount of info but smaller guides.
Gosh Rick what an exciting albeit challenging time for you and for the travel guidebook business. I’ m glad you’re growing and keeping up with all the technology advances. The I phone app sounds very promising. Whenever I go to Europe I use your books, the only drawback is I end up carry 4-5 books! I hate ripping them apart but that’s what I end up doing. How about a downloadable version of the guides? That way readers can choose based on their itinerary. Best of luck and keep up the good work.
I’d like to defend Dave Hoerlein’s maps! I’ve used your guidebooks for almost 20 years now and, as you recommend, I pick up a good detailed map if I need it. However, I see Dave’s maps as more of a way to get the “big picture” overview of the place and understand where sites are in relation to each other. They are all you need for a small town or one of the “Back Doors”, but I never viewed them as being a substitute for a good map of a place like London, Paris or Rome. Keep up the good work Rick and Dave!
Rick, I found this Blog quite interesting, as I’ve wondered for quite awhile whether you would eventually make your books available in electronic format. I suspect you’ll have to offer them in a variety of formats in order to accomodate the many types of devices that people are using. Don’t forget the PALM PDA’s, as there are a lot of them out there! I doubt that larger tablet-style E-Book Readers would be practical for travel, but I suppose anything is possible? While electronic versions are certainly easier to carry and “green”, I find in using the IPod Touch that there’s a limit to the length of time I can spend looking at the small screen. On the topic of Maps, I find Dave’s Maps quite useful and readable, and I often pack an enlarged copy of some of them with my Itinerary. It helps me to at least find the Hotel or Hostel in a new town, before I’ve had a chance to pick up a local map. I ALWAYS travel with your Guidebooks, as they’re great not only for planning trips, but also for reference while touring to find local sights and restaurants. I don’t have any problem being “seen” with the books, and find them to be a great conversation-starter with other travellers. It’s nice to be able to spot other people who are using your books and travel methods, and be able to share tips, etc. Even after you start offering electronic versions of the books, I’ll probably STILL be carrying my trusty Guidebook! I can appreciate the delicate balance that will be needed with the issue of electronic Guidebooks. If too many people adopt that format, sales of the paper versions will undoubtedly suffer. I’m assuming both types will be offered, so that your readers can use whichever method they’re most comfortable with. It was a pleasure to speak with you briefly at the recent Tour Alum Reunion, as well as with your incredible Guides. Hopefully I’ll have the opportunity for a longer visit on a future occasion.
When we travel to Europe, we always pack Rick’s books (or parts thereof)for the practical-how to get in, out &around, how to handle museums and find out of the way sights. We also take an Eyewitness book or an Access bood for “in depth” info. We also find a decent easy to use city map for detailed navigation. My favorites or either the Let’s Go maps or Penguin Mapguides. They only have them for London, Paris & Amsterdam but they are absolutely awesome for those cities. Thanks for the backdoor info on publishing and for all your hard work. We have many of your DVD’s at home, watch them all the time. Also, have to give a kudos to HD NET channel for showing your show and Rudy Maxa’s in true Hi-Def. It’s wonderful to watch them.
I’m all for both the slim AND thick books. I want the thick one for my research at home — then on the road I want a slim one with just the sights. I like the old Michelin guides for that reason. Thin ones also help with the weight restrictions from the airlines and my aging back.
Digital is the answer in the long run. Textbook publishers struggle with the same issues that a guide book publisher does–illustrations are key. In the college textbook world there is a site http://www.coursesmart.com where you can buy ebook versions of college textbooks at 55% of the publisher’s list price of the printed book. But these are just the first step for digital. What’s really needed is a digital book that blends the video, links to websites, music and the ability to add your own notes about a site or your plans for your trip. BTW while I would probably not need the guide book to Scotland after 9 trips, I would love to see one. There are many back doors to Scotland and the current materials skim the surface. Pam
Rick, as much as it might hurt, I think slimming down a bit would be a great idea. Planning a trip to France later this year, and while I love your book, a smaller travel size vesion to carry around would be great! I personally would stil buy the larger books for the more in depth read, but those I would read before I left. A great bare bones book to carry around with me while traveling would be great, and I could just photocopy (as you suggested) any specialty sections mentioned in the big book, and take it with me.
I am in total agreement with Kathleen. I want the thicker book to do research and then a smaller one (plastisized like your maps) to take with me. Perhaps also have the slim-lined size available for downloading.
Good little story on legalizing pot at fivethirtyeight.com, only mention it because of Rick’s outspoken position, thought him and others might find it interesting. -Harry
Rick, I like the idea of you doing a Marijuana book. You know, like “Getting Stoned With Rick Around The World”. For those of us who use medical marijuana, it might be nice where we can get our medicine when we travel. Plus, I have no problem with those who want to use marijuana recreationally, so it might be nice to know where it is safe to smoke around the world. Plus, I’d like you do do a DVD version cause I bet you would be a blast stoned!
The complete thicker book is worth the weight — for whatever country. We make summary sheets, but carry the complete book plus a “Streetwise…” map (Paris, London, etc.) when available. The only way.
Jim Humberd, why do you try to promote your products through Rick’s blog? You are leeching off of his name again for your own benefit. Do your own marketing for your products, just as Rick does, instead of posting comments on his blog so that you can sell your products.
Rick, I have been enjoying the short (free) iphone videos, which are also available on the ipod touch, and encourage you to consider other iphone content, such as full-length shows for a fee. The quality and quantity of the free videos is excellent. Keep up the good work.
I’ve just noticed that a few of Rick’s guide books (those of cities) are available in the Kindle edition from Amazon.com. Would that all of them were available in that format. Please?
We have been using RS guide books since 1997. One a year long trip in 2006 and 2007 the 7 RS books were the heaviest thing in our luggage. It might be wonderful to have an I Pod for the museum walks but I like the guide books for the street walks. I don’t miss any street noise which is so much a part of the trip.
I love being a road warrior, and I love my toys. If you’re going to be working from the road for fun (or out of dire need), I highly recommend the Samsung N120.
http://www.chrisrugh.com/road-warrior-tip
Would hope that all your new releases are on Blu-ray. So much better on HD tvs. Rudy Maxa has a few, but just rehash of what is already out.
Here’s another vote for Blu-Ray releases. I’ll buy everything you release in that format. The gain is more noticeable on what you’re showing then just about anything else. Please consider it.