In 2011, we wrote a series of travel blogs about our 30-day trip around Western Europe. We are updating them to preserve them so others can find them useful. We hope you follow us down memory lane and give us tips as well. First up: How Planning with Rick Steves Travel Books made our trips successful.

In June 2010, my partner (now wife and Mrs. Nolan Nerd) Cristina and I embarked on a grand tour of Europe. Planing with Rick Steves’ travel books and a few handy apps, we navigated our journey with ease and efficiency. Join us as we share the highlights and the travel tips that made our trip seamless and memorable.

Exploring Europe with Family and Smart Planning

Our adventure began with a brief family reunion in London, where Cristina’s sister and brother-in-law joined us. While they embarked on their journey (with us meeting up again in their father’s hometown in Italy), Cristina and I dived into the heart of Europe, relying on careful planning and local insights. While you could do this type of travel with a travel agent, today’s resources also allow you to make it a DIY project. This is even more so in 2024, with overseas cell service being more reasonable. In fact, I have it on my phone even though I haven’t been abroad all that month. Check your provider for a plan that works for you.

Still, we managed our expenses wisely—paying for most activities in cash while reserving credit for hotel bookings. This approach not only kept our trip smooth but also minimized financial stress, allowing us to enjoy the sights and sounds of Europe without worry. Today, thanks to the US catching up with chip technology and the ability to use things like Apple Pay, travel is even easier and safer.

Planning with Rick Steves’ Travel Books: An Absolute Must

Rick Steves’ “Europe Through the Back Door” significantly guided our successful adventure. This book served as more than a travel guide; it was our roadmap to traveling smartly. For instance, it equipped us to identify and evade potential pickpockets in a busy Paris train station. The Paris Museum Pass, recommended by the guide, proved invaluable, granting us fast-track entry to major attractions like the Louvre and Versailles. This pass allowed us to skip the lines to buy tickets. In June, which is part of the high season, this time-saving trick is still invaluable. Even though we haven’t done European travel since 2014, the use of Apple Wallet makes travel in Europe even easier as you have to keep track of your phone!

Rick Steves’ “The Best of Europe 2010” offered us robust advice on what to prioritize and what to skip, which was crucial in shaping our itinerary. While we occasionally diverged from the suggested path—like our trip to Innsbruck—the guide’s recommendations generally enhanced our experience, helping us avoid common tourist traps and embrace authentic local experiences. Of course, Rick Steves and his expert travelers update their guidebooks yearly.

Technology as a Travel Companion

While a lot has changed in the 14 years since we took this trip, a lot of the methods we employed still work. Websites like TripAdvisor were indispensable for choosing accommodations and offering insights into hotel locations, safety, and amenities. Read these with a careful eye, for a lot of times, one-star reviews are about things that might not concern you. We are not big breakfast people, the one-star review for a basic breakfast shocked us. People still post these types of reviews today.

Additionally, exploring destinations in advance through Google Maps provided us with a sense of direction and familiarity, which significantly reduced our travel anxiety. In 2024, you can add overseas phone rates to most plans, but I still prefer to do this one when I travel, including within the states. I’m a landmark person, and I like knowing the lay of the land beyond just GPS so I can truly appreciate what I was seeing. The offline capabilities of the MetrO app were also crucial in 2010, enabling us to navigate public transport seamlessly across various cities. This is still a wildly popular app and offers so much more if you can use phone service. And as always, consult Rick Steves for more technology ideas!

The Timeless Value of Thorough Planning

Looking back on that nearly perfect European tour, the importance of thorough planning, smart packing, and a flexible itinerary is clearer than ever. Tools and technologies have evolved, but the principles of comprehensive research and leveraging expert insights remain vital in crafting an unforgettable travel experience.

See all of our blogs covering our 30-day Trip through Europe.

What about you? Have you been to Europe? How did you plan it? Did you do it yourself or use a travel agent? Share your experiences in the comments so we can learn from you!

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