From my experience living and traveling extensively in Italy and Europe, Steves recommendations mentioned on the show were quite uninspired and suggested that people do the opposite of what he suggested (spending less by living like the locals and local color) The pizzaria he mentioned (btw IVO) has been a tourist joint for 20 years and rather than recommend a taxi into Rome (where they will ask for 80 euros!) he should suggest the much less expensive and more convenient commuter trains.

Venice 3 - Theres great quick food (excellent sandwiches, pastry, water, fruit), coffee and service at the Bar at the Venice train station.

I have traveled and lived in Rome off and on for over 20 years and travelled extensively in Europe. It seems to me that Steves recommendations are not at all original or like getting into the mind set of living in another culture. The pizzaria Steve mentioned (the Italian name is Ivo, by the way) is the first place any tourist hits once they cross the Tiber - and extremely uninspired recommendation. Not a bad place, but certainly not "dining"! There are much better tricks to eating inexpensively in Italy if that is what you are after - for example eating the wonderful gourmet, heated sandwiches in almost any bar for about $4. And much more pleasant pizzarias for the same price point. And, instead of comparing taxis (in italy they will steal you blind! There might be a 40 euro flat, but they will ask you for 80 euro and make you feel stuck to pay it!) Why not compare the wonderful and convenient public transportation from almost every airport in Europe that costs more like $10-$15 and is often faster than a taxi! Isn't the idea to have a more real experience by way of living like the locals?!!?

Venice 2: ..a friend stayed at the casagerottocalderan for 40 euro a night for a smallish but clean single room with double bed and huge private bath on a nice square only a 5 minute walk from the train station. Quads in high season are 140..not bad at all.
Near a bunch of supermarkets and neighborhood haunts that are better and cheaper the tourist menu joints on the main streets.

Travel may have a high cost in dollars but it has a much higher cost in contributing to the climate change. Not traveling is a political act!

Rock on Fernando! (18)

I highly recommend Korea (South). Seoul's awesome, but get out into the countryside, especially Jeju Island.

Can't get any cheaper than that in Venice. Good for you, Victor. I stayed at Acca I thought it was 3 star!? Whatever, you done good.

Best affordable trip we've taken in a long time was to Argentina. World-class food and wine, rent an apartment for a week in Buenos Aires for the price of a night in New York. Airfare is steep, but hey.

Just came back from Venice..
Saved $ by going just after Carnival in the low season..

I stayed in a 1 star -hotel acca- for 65 euro a night with wifi, private bath, fridge and breakfast included .

Didn't use the vaporetto (15 euro a day now !)..walked or took the .50 tragetto's across the canal

loaded up at the supermarkets and ate at small off the beaten path trattorias.

By the way, you can get a great espresso at San MArco for $1 if you stand

If he speaks any faster we'll have to tape this segment and replay later at a slow rate!!

Love the "travel as political act" comment and Muhammad quote.

We should apply that dictum to the candidates.

Europe...Europe...Europe....same old..same old...

That sounds sooo baby-boomer, pre-Obama era...

There is amazing cultural offerings right here in our own hemisphere: Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, etc....All these places offer European charm with Latin american hospitality...
YOU CAN'T BEAT THAT!!

Not to mention the dollar REALLY goes far in these places. !

Skip Europe, go to Singapore and Indonesia. If you choose Indonesia, skip Bali and go to Lombok Island instead.

My husband and I travel overseas every year, hitting at least 2 countries. We eat cheap. One of the best places to eat are the foodcourts in the malls! And the food can be surprisingly good: not just the local McVersion of US fastfood, but usually good local fare as well. In Israel, we find delicious falafels, grilled lamb, humus, etc. In Italy, we ate at local restaurants and asked for the daily special (which is not always posted). In every country we visit supermarkets and find picnic food to take with us.

The Rome pizzeria nicknamed "The Morgue" is officially named Pizzeria Panattoni "Ai Marmi."

Rick should mention central and eastern Europe.

I like Rick's comment on the need to get out of the country a bit. Pity American students can't do the "gap year" the way young euros do...

there is no longer any time when there are no crowds in Europe. I used to go in January and February when Europe was empty right thru the '80s and cheap. Now it's caught on and it's almost as bad as it is in summer and early fall. I'm sure we owe that to Rick Steves and those who do what he does.

$0.80 per Euro was hard to calculate? Come on Brian, that's the sort of simple mental math I'm sure you encourage your kids to practice.

Multiply the price in Euros by 8, then move the decimal point one place to the left.

*wink*

Ask him about eating in Venice -- pizza and other things.

What's the cheapest way to get to Italy from the US during the Summer? It prohibitively expensive during that time. RyanAir will help once you are at least in London, but man, prices to London are ridiculous.

I went to Barcelona last September and the dollar dropped precipitously while I was there. I had great meals at tapas bars and bought food (fruit and cheese) at delis for lunch, something I've always done when traveling. However, I booked a cheap hotel online--it was very depressing--and would have preferred to pay a little more for a nicer room. I agree that not spending money creates more experiences: I love just walking around and looking.

We're back to Frommer's "Europe on $5 and $10 a day" of the '70s when I started traveling to Europe but now that would be Steve's "Europe on $50 and $100 a day"!

would rick please mention any European destinations where the Euro is NOT the currency? I understand Prague does not go on the Euro till 2010 -correct?

You used to do books and articles on Asia. Why the complete focus on Europe now? Asia is certainly a better deal.

Berlin is still very reasonable...I also recommend Poland, Hungary, Slovakia for bargains.

Where can I get good "POTSTICKERS" locally Rick.

We stumbled upon a Rick Steves restaurant pick in Florence. Not only packed to the gills with Americans, but the only bad food we had in almost 3 weeks traveling around Italy.

Rick's shows are edited as not to show you the trouble one has on vacation. His staffers are ironing out his troubles, and he comes off as a happy go lucky nerd. That ain't travel.

Rick,
We have used your books as we'car-camped'in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland 3 weeks.
We love it. We pack small tent, bags, mats (10 pounds total) into our packs and go. We have never needed reservations, since there is always room for a small tent. At 20-40 Dollars/nite we can afford great meals at night. We stop at small shops and bakerys for breakfast and lunch. We have always found the UK and Irish Campgrounds Always, close transportation, attactions and pubs. We get to meet the nicest people and experience the country at our pace. Waking up on the beach on Lock Ness and camping on a hillside on Ackill Island was wonderful! Our next trip is Italy or France. It's my turn to pick.
Thanks Again !
Mike and Linda from Pawling, NY