OUR TRAVEL PHILOSOPHY
a.k.a. "Tips for Enjoying Your Rick Steves Tour... or European travel in general"
#1: Terrorism? KEEP TRAVELING! Germany was hit with about 5 terrorist attacks during our time there, including one in Munich (albeit a couple days after we left), plus the tragedy in Nice, France. Will we stop traveling? Never! We won't be intimidated, and we believe travel brings our cultures closer together. Europe is still safer than the United States in terms of violent crime, plus it's a beautiful, never-ending playground waiting to be explored. |
#2: Get in shape!
I'm far from fit, but we began a walking regimen in the months before our tour. We clocked about 125 miles of walking during our 3.5-week trip. Aside from normal touring and city walks, that includes a few castle climbs, conquering hills in hot weather, pub crawls, luge rides, Swiss mountain trails, and other exploring.
I'm far from fit, but we began a walking regimen in the months before our tour. We clocked about 125 miles of walking during our 3.5-week trip. Aside from normal touring and city walks, that includes a few castle climbs, conquering hills in hot weather, pub crawls, luge rides, Swiss mountain trails, and other exploring.
Dave and Pam run the Olive Branch Guest House in Broadway, a village in the Cotswolds, and immediately made us feel at home.
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#3: Skip hotels! Stay with locals!
Granted, this is tough to do with a tour, but many Rick Steves tours stay at family-run hotels who warmly and openly welcome us! Our B&B experiences in England were richly rewarding simply because we became friends with our hosts! Our hotel in Trier was actually part hotel, part retirement home, so we had a chance to interact with the locals. All tour hotels were centrally located, charming, and reflected the local culture. Nothing bland, sterile, or "intercontinental" here. |
FAVORITE MEMORY: We'll never forget the morning when our group assembled outside the hotel entrance in preparation for our city walk. We all scooted aside so an elderly resident in her wheelchair could exit the building, but she was honored to see us. We've never seen such a big smile as she said, "Wow, rolling out the red carpet!"
#4: Learn the language!
Justin used Rosetta Stone for his two previous tours in France and swears by it. He bought it because he actually wanted to learn French, whereas, while he loves learning new languages, we wanted to learn German only for this tour. (Your guide will help with the specific German/Austria/Swiss dialects.)
You'll receive much better service -- and befriend and impress locals! -- when you at least make a small attempt to learn their language. Duolingo is a wonderful FREE resource that we used!
Most, but not all, locals speak English. It's okay. Use broken German, they'll use broken English. You'll figure it out.
Justin used Rosetta Stone for his two previous tours in France and swears by it. He bought it because he actually wanted to learn French, whereas, while he loves learning new languages, we wanted to learn German only for this tour. (Your guide will help with the specific German/Austria/Swiss dialects.)
You'll receive much better service -- and befriend and impress locals! -- when you at least make a small attempt to learn their language. Duolingo is a wonderful FREE resource that we used!
Most, but not all, locals speak English. It's okay. Use broken German, they'll use broken English. You'll figure it out.
FAVORITE MEMORY (Justin): While waiting for our Black Forest Cake at a cozy cafe in Baden Baden, one of our tour members took out her translator app to translate the German phrase for "the bill, please." However, the volume was accidentally left on a bit too high, and filled the otherwise quiet restaurant with a loud, monotone, robotic "Die Rechnung, bitte!"
Holding back laughter but visibly embarrassed, we suddenly heard a chuckle from the table behind me. It was a little old lady who hardly spoke a word of English, but from what German I knew, it sounded like she was pleased that we were trying to learn. She continued to talk to me, and admittedly I only understood a small fraction of what she was saying, but she was friendly and cheerful. When there was a break in the conversation, I asked her, in German, if she was from Baden Baden, and noted that it was a beautiful city. She said yes, and was very honored at the compliment. |
#6: Eat, drink, and be merry. Life is short!
Europe is a culinary delight and sightseeing nirvana. Have fun! You're on vacation, and on a Rick Steves tour, you're learning without the boredom of a stale classroom. When the waiter asks you what you'd like to eat, ask for their recommendation. You'll make a new friend, we promise. In Vienna, Justin asked the server what his favorite cafe was. (To Austrians, the cafe isn't some famous landmark you go out of your way to get to, like a visitor might want. It is just a regular spot you think really nothing of, like your neighborhood Denny's). Nonetheless, he took the time to recommend several places and even gave us the websites and addresses. If there's a festival in town (there usually always is!), go to it! Fireworks in Trier, concerts in Salzburg, you name it, do it! Justin's tip: I know when many of us visit a new country, we often rush to try the famous stereotypical local dish (i.e. schnitzel in Germany, escargots in France, etc.). But also try something more exotic. While Europe is a vacation for me, it's also a cultural experience. I don't always want to be hedonistic. I want to be uncomfortable for the sake of learning/trying something new... which usually ends up being the best souvenir memory for me! Which brings me to our next philosophy: |
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#7: Get out of your comfort zone!
You'll be glad you did, we swear. Interact with locals, try new foods, stay out late, wake up early, walk the extra hill or mile... it might lead to your next favorite memory!
You'll be glad you did, we swear. Interact with locals, try new foods, stay out late, wake up early, walk the extra hill or mile... it might lead to your next favorite memory!
#8: Have a plan, but be open to spontaneity.
A schedule is good, but your best memories, as you've read here, will likely be unexpected. Eiffel Towers and Big Bens are fun and worth seeing, but be a temporary local and get off the beaten path. There's more Europe -- and less selfie-sticks! -- there.
FAVORITE MEMORY: Accidentally stumbling upon a festival rehearsal in Salzburg. One hundred locals, dressed in traditional garb, were doing a candle dance around a fountain in the square (accompanied by a small orchestra), and there wasn't a tourist in sight!
A schedule is good, but your best memories, as you've read here, will likely be unexpected. Eiffel Towers and Big Bens are fun and worth seeing, but be a temporary local and get off the beaten path. There's more Europe -- and less selfie-sticks! -- there.
FAVORITE MEMORY: Accidentally stumbling upon a festival rehearsal in Salzburg. One hundred locals, dressed in traditional garb, were doing a candle dance around a fountain in the square (accompanied by a small orchestra), and there wasn't a tourist in sight!