I’ve traveled to Europe several times over the past 8 years and purchased various guide books for the planning of each trip and as a guide during the trip. By far the best and most reliable is the Rick Steves series. Factual information. I like it because he has a back door philosphy. I feel like I’m getting the background information from someone that has lived there for years. I also love how I’m able to use it as a guide once I’m there too. He has walking tours of museums – of course I typically purchase the musuem audio tours but in the random time that I don’t pay for it, it’s nice to have one in the guidebook. I like knowing the hours and cost of sites. Also the restaurants and hotels he has reccommeded have always been better than expected. I will always use Rick Steves whenever traveling to Europe. I know that he updates these yearly! I just wish he made these books for other parts of the world!

- Love how everything is described in detail. Ina country where I don’t speak the language, I expect to be prepared when I walk out of my hotel room and I was.
Rating: 5 / 5

Rick Steves is a real-live “regular” traveler, who understands that most of us don’t stay at the Ritz Carlton, don’t eat at 3-star Michelin restaurants, and that we crave authentic travel experiences. His guidebooks are updated every year, and they are meant to be used and tossed. Try tearing out the pages you need for a museum or site, instead of taking the entire book–it’s liberating. You can also download free podcasts that will give you Paris tours! The advice is practical and affordable–with just one guidebook, you will have the best possible travel experience.
Rating: 5 / 5

A previous reviewer only gave this book 3 stars, stating there was little information on the Carnavelet Museum and the Pantheon. I feel compelled to set the record straight. When we were in Paris in ‘07 we went to the Carnavelet and had the ‘07 edition. The detailed and informative descriptions of the various rooms in the Rick Steves book helped make our visit thoroughly enjoyable. Again, to set the record straight: I just recieved the ‘09 edition as we are hopefully going back in the fall–starting on page 286-300 is again his detailed section on this museum. If you are interested in history, I highly recommend visiting this free museum, and be sure and take the Steves guide with you. On pages 57-59 Steves writes of the Pantheon and certainly discusses who is buried there.

Steves is at his best in his detailed, informative, helpful, and interesting museum tours. In this book that includes the Louvre, Orsay, Orangerie, Carnavlet, Marmottan, Picasso, Pompidou, and others. Trust me, don’t go to any of these museum without this book! He is also the best for all the practical information you need to know, as well as discussing interesting walks and neighborhoods. While I recommend a second guide book as well (Frommer or Fodor’s), I would not even consider going to Paris without the Steves book. Apparently now you can go to ITunes and download Steves museum tours onto your Ipod!!!!!

Tip: If you visit the Carnavlet, go in the morning, and then walk to the nearby Place des Voges for lunch, and then visit the Victor Hugo museum which is right there in the square.
Rating: 5 / 5