To all who love to travel - this will make you smile

[Cil]

We were all Rick Steeves book carriers - and cursing him by the end of the trip... some of his picks were a little too economical (dumps).

That's why we still *sometimes* stay in hostels. If you read the hostel reviews, you find out ahead of time if they are at least clean. I've stayed in several hostels that were a cut above dumpy 1-star hotels (and cheaper, too.)
Steves has turned some destinations [cough cough] Cinque Terre[cough cough] into human petting zoos but he can be a funny, engaging guy.

I saw Matt the dancer's story on another board and I much appreciate his joie d'vivre.

 

[Teresa]

That's why we still *sometimes* stay in hostels. If you read the hostel reviews, you find out ahead of time if they are at least clean. I've stayed in several hostels that were a cut above dumpy 1-star hotels (and cheaper, too.)
Steves has turned some destinations [cough cough] Cinque Terre[cough cough] into human petting zoos but he can be a funny, engaging guy.

I saw Matt the dancer's story on another board and I much appreciate his joie d'vivre.

yes, I do like Ricky-baby - he taught us a lot. however... it still got to be a joke to the point we were all traveling, going "rick steeves sux!", even though we didn't mean it, much. yes, we went to cinque terre the first time and we were practically alone with the locals. about 8 years later - it was covered up with tourists from America and Europe and Australia and Japan. The trail between cities was quite a bit more traveled and unsafe in many places, some litter and vandalism, the Virgin Mary statue behind bars for security, etc ... we still loved it though. it was fun staying in a small apartment (efficiency) - owned and decorated by the old man or woman next door - making a very real Italian experience for us.