IT was beyond what I thought was possible. This was my first time in Spain so I gained a wealth of knowledge about the history, culture, food and traditions. Javier was a great guide and we had a great group with us. No way could I take it all in. "There were MANY favorite moments. The group of people we travelled with were great. Richard "Rick" Steves is an American author and television personality focusing on European travel. Our "shepherding" guide Agustin was phenomenal. It was a wow.". To purchase Rick's ebooks, please visit your favorite digital bookseller and search for "Rick Steves." Barcelona was great with all things Gaudi. This was my first Rick Steves tour and my first tour of any sort. Because of Helen and the RS tour book, we are far less intimidated by foreign airports, high speed trains, metro systems and of walking and talking on the back streets of Madrid and Barcelona. He made it fun and exciting. Enjoyed the day in Toledo also.". Amanda, our guide was the most positive, delightful, knowledgeable, accommodating guide we could hope for! All in all, the biggest wow for me was probably seeing the stunning details in Toledo's cathedral - the gold, silver, and jewel monstrance, the sacristy's masterpieces, the massive gold altarpiece, and the most surprising of all - the window to the heavens, the Transparente!". At times it felt like we were getting a private tour because he paid so much personal attention to our particular interests and needs. For Steve, it was the tour of La Sagrada Família. We will be back! The main guide was was great. Because of the earlier experience of using mass transit, it made our later travels much easier. We loved the tour. The tour guides were exceptional. Very nice way to get to know our tour mates. Maybe Sagrada Familia...but Toledo (especially the cathedral) was very impressive.". "Oh no...everybody has asked me that and it's very difficult to decide. A great experience among so many packed on to this trip.". I love the personal touch of him taking pictures of the group and then sharing with all of us. The last evening group dinner was lovely. "Sagrado Corazon and our first site of Toledo were are favorite wow moments of this tour. And, the day in Toledo was a highlight. Note: This was our second Rick Steve's tour having just completed the Best of Paris tour prior to this one. The local guides were very good. Rick Steves European tours feature tour packages with the best value and travel experience around. The guide Xavier was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about Barcelona band Madrid. This was my first trip with your group and I was happy and impressed with your org. I did the same. One has to consider the tour group when taking them on such an excursion. He prepped us with historical context during our break at the cafe, then went deeper in the gallery outside the Guernica. He doesn’t mind it … Travel Forum / Rick Steves Tours / RS 2021 Tour Catalog; Please sign in to post. The four local guides in Barcelona, Madrid and Toledo were also outstanding!!!! Enjoy all of Rick Steves' TV shows on DVD, Travel as a Political Act as an 8-CD audio book, music from Rick Steves' European Christmas on CD, and special DVD/book gift sets! The panorama was so beautiful and the town looked so peaceful and quiet in the early morning.". The arrangement of colors was stunning.". I feel that I learned so much more about the local culture than I would have with an independent trip, and without the hassle of planning it myself! Hasta luego! All the group meals were wonderful as well. Excellent city guides. And the "buddy" system worked very well. with the Whispers. Frederico our guide led us into a very crowded room walked up tp the side of the painting while we took positions in the crowd to see the painting. I like drinking a glass of wine and looking it over. David was funny, engaging, informative. I had the room to myself for 10 minutes. Churches and Cathedrals are beautiful. In fact we thoroughly enjoyed our experience with Rick Steves Tours, from beginning to end. "Lots of wows! With Rick Steves as your guide, you’ll find the real Europe. Our guide Nygil was the best RS guide we have had. The train ride from Barcelona to Madrid was a perfect mode of transportation. Probably Toledo! Really loved that somebody else set up all reservations, and travel arrangements. I wish we could have squeezed in Seville. "Every day brought a new great experience so it's hard to choose a single favorite. His mission: to empower Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening. So I'm more likely to try and squeeze in a couple of tours in 2021 if they're available. "Sagrada Familia with a very knowledgeable and passionate guide.". Our tour guide Helen did a fabulous job. He kept us on schedule so we had time to enjoy each place. "The wow moment for me was that Lionel Messi was playing in Barca when we were there. He went way out of his way to act as concierge, helping us plan our free time and extra days. If I had to pick a "wow," it would be the feeling I had inside the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (La Sagrada Família Basilica) in Barcelona. Much appreciated!! His knowledge and enthusiasm made me more appreciative of the culture and people. I couldn't count the number of times in a year that I pick the most recent one up to dream, or verify something, or just enjoy it. The Madrid hotel location was excellent but the rooms and services were not that great. "To pick a "wow" moment where do I begin' the vaulted nave of the Sagrada Familia, Our tour guides (Jorge & David) worked well to ensure we had a safe but enjoyable time. I can only echo the responses that my wife, Vicki K, posted in her evaluation. It was a completely enjoyable experience.". What a wonderful way to travel! Especially the freedom to explore on our own. The light, the stone and the space. A fascinating tour of Europe’s highlights and hidden gems from Rick Steves—PBS and NPR host and bestselling guidebook author. Our guide, William, was not only very knowledgeable, but also very friendly and fun. Pat, our catalogs live in a basket beside my chair. My fifth RS tour, but the first without a lot of bus time. We had a fantastic group of fellow travelers. Next time, and I am fairly sure there will be a next time for me and a Rick Steves' tour, I will try to avoid July in Europe. I really enjoyed La Pedrera (Casa Mila), (especially the rooftop!) "The final dinner together and the tour of the church in Toledo were the two highlights.". Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. ", "Top of the Arc de Triomphe views of Paris.". His knowledge, energy and attention to detail gave us a depth of appreciation for Spain we would never have attained on our own. Another great Rick Steves tour. We had a very enjoyable trip. She has a great personality...very genuine and easy to talk to. This was a great tour: Start by finding your event on the Rick Steves 2020 2021 schedule of events with date and time listed below. Our guide Federico was excellent as was all of the local guides. I don't remember all thie names, but my favorites were Freddy in Madrid, and the young woman who led us through the Prada Musuem. We were not fans of Picasso but her stories and background made Picasso come alive. Jorge was a good guide and was very helpful when someone needed extra help, like when my daughter was sick at the beginning of the tour and we had to find a pharmacy that was still open before our first group dinner. Very well organized. Booktopia discounts 2021 Desk Calendars at our online stationery store. Very good group of travelers. It’s a whole p arallel world there, away from the tourist crowds … His travel philosophy encourages people to explore less-touristed areas of destinations and to become immersed in the local people's way of life. "My husband and I have extensive international travel and living experiences with Peace Corps and international development. This should be on the 25 Truly Amazing Places To Visit. Loved the great organization but without the boxed in tour feeling. From Barcelona to Madrid where opposing view points were not hard to find it was fun and interesting to discover the culture and the food of the Spanish people (oh the tapas and the ham). Federico was an amazing guide and made this trip amazing! English was understood and spoken where ever we went, which is not always the case in some countries in Europe.". The cathedral was a "wow" for me.". See popular destinations with new eyes and get acquainted with countries not on most tourist itineraries. The people were warm and interested in our backgrounds.". All the other tour days were very comfortable. As long as the COVID-19 crisis continues, travelers have no way to enjoy Europe in person and our Europe tour guides have no income. This was our first experience with Rick Steves Tours, and it was great from beginning to end. No duds in the group. Despite the fact that it is a major tourist attraction and is always busy- it is amazing to see to vision that Gaudi had over 100 years ago still coming to life and to feel the power of artistic expression. were first rate; the tour dinners were at small family run restaurants that used Rick Steves' Europe Page-A-Day Calendar 2021. Bus: 2 hours. This really took my breath away. We got to visit the Picasso a few days prior in Barcelona, so we already learned about some of his history. Two "wow" moments--Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, and International Women's Day march in Madrid. Mitch's presence was a plus for our group. We love traveling independently. I can send it by email as well if that letter cannot be located and you would be interested to hear more detail. In Barcelona it was Sagrada Familia. We've only been on one RS tour so far and we're looking forward to the tour of Scotland in October. Spain was a very good starting point. Accommodations were centrally located. "So many! This was our third Rick Steve's tour and like the others, it was wonderful. Please work on these tours since believe me the demand is there , Rick. Rick Steves' Europe Page-A-Day Calendar 2021: Steves, Rick, Workman Calendars: 9781523508785: Books - Amazon.ca Madrid was another magnificent tour. David Gillison, our tour guide, was exemplary. "Every seat is not what it might seem...". David did a great job of teaching us how to become locals. Extremely satisfied with tour director's knowledge and interpersonal skills. "The guides insights into the Sagrada Familia - we never would have absorbed all the details surrounding this incredible cathedral.". No one felt left out. In a word, amazing. Since 2000, he has hosted Rick Steves' Europe, a travel series on public television. Buses were there on time, tickets purchased, reservations made. "This is really hard to answer. Very organized and gratious. Madrid was lovely and easy walking town. "Everything was so well planned and thought out. This afternoon you'll have time to enjoy the winding medieval streets of Toledo. "An unexpected "Wow" was the Palace of Catalan Music in Barcelona! Wonderful local guides (I believe there were 5 local guides in a 6 day trip. Ever present, watchful, information, kind and engaged I would join another tour of his in a minute. First and foremost- Barcelona, Madrid, and Toledo are fantastic cities with so much to see and experience. Federico blended Spain's history with the history of art. I was intrigued, so bought a couple books to further increase my understanding of why Spain is so important to the rest of the world. The other WOW moment was when we were on top of the La Pedrera Casa Mila.". It was very well timed that key aspects were shared tasted and experienced. "My husband had been in Barcelona many years ago, so seeing the change in the city was the biggest one for him.". He "read" the group and kept us moving, informed and completely entertained. It was beautiful in the evening too!". "The Prado seeing Las medians with the tour guide explaining every detail about that painting and viewing it from different vantage points! In Barcelona, we spent too much time in religious museums while ignoring very important art work. It always seemed that we were beating the crowds at our sights and we were being taken care of by all of the service professionals. Toledo was a hidden gem.". It was our 1st RS tour and we plan on doing more. Perfect mix. I am planning southern Italy trip for May 2021. "There were several! the freshest of local ingredients. Having our guide, Amanda, guide us through the metro, buses and train decreased any anxiety about associated with being in a foreign country. Several were repeat Rick Steves travelers, which is beneficial because it helps me plan my next tour! Jolly good. Most days are strenuously paced with 2–8 miles of walking, including hilly terrain and lots of stairs. This is our first time with Rick Steve's tour. I learned and saw so much more than I expected. The schedule is finely tuned to hit most of the top sites, yet leave sufficient time to explore on one's own, or even practice your siestas. Jump to bottom. This tour was our first Rick Steves tour experience. Both hotels were centrally located and within easy walking distance of major attractions and sties. Excellent choices for the two hotels, located in walking distance of the highlights of each city and with very convenient access to public transportation. Our day trip to Toledo was great, too. Our tour was excellent. The hotels were centrally located and the walks around Barcelona and Madrid, on my own and with the group, were delightful and informative. Lots to see and take in and enough free time to explore and experience the cities on your own. Our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. We enjoyed as much as we liked of three different Spanish wines and also were treated to freshly prepared Spanish omelettes. He took us out of the city to Toledo one day and to Segovia the next. Since antiques are a favorite of my, the Spanish palace was my wow moment. I like the experience of mixing with local citizens. Patrick and Chris lead Rick Steves France tours and in January 2021 they're streaming a virtual pilgrimage walk from the Loire Valley to Mont St-Michel. Javier was great and we had a wonderful group to travel with- made some good friends. The tour was great! Its beautiful and well-defensible setting, plus the old city streets to wander made it a very special memory.". https://www.ricksteves.com/publications/tour-catalog-dvd-form, I know. I'm now sold on Rick Steve's tours and am planning Looking back, I'm floored by all the experiences we manage to pack into 8 short days. We were booked to travel this past March and then with the pandemic everything came to a halt. all acomodations and travel were excellent. Also, all the local guides were stellar; I learned more about Spain's history, arts, and culture from them than I ever could have by reading alone. ), felt like I saw all the highlights while having ample time to explore Barcelona and Madrid with my husband. "Touring Toledo, imagining what it must have been like when Christians, Jews and Muslims lived in harmony. A GOOD TIME WITH A NICE BUNCH OF PEOPLE. Rick Steves is an American travel writer, author, activist and television personality. Barcelona and Madrid are both very manageable cities so this 8 day "best" of tour was a perfect introduction! We met our guide, Amanda, in our hotel, the Gran Villa in Barcelona and she was very friendly, organized and informative. The meals and wines were outstanding. LOVED seeing all the real artwork in person. Painted on eight mammoth curved panels, they immerse you in Monet’s world. I was reminded of Gaudi's comment that God was the true architect!". Either we were extremely lucky or this time of year is the best to go to Spain. RS Tours in 2021. You didn't need to be an expert to be moved by the suffering shown in these paintings.". Join Rick Steves for an invigorating, engaging and fun conversation about connecting with the world and broadening your perspective through travel. Overall, this was an excellent tour. Although our trip was overshadowed by a global pandemic we had a fantastic time. Helen was a wonderful guide her knowledge of Barcelona and Madrid and her tips of what to do in our free time was very helpful. We suggest arriving a day or two before your tour begins to allow ample time to get over jet lag and be well-rested for the first few days of your tour. Due to the logistics of this particular trip, it was nice to not have to spend a lot of time on a bus. "I had a list going in, and top pick Sagrada Familia didn't disappoint. We had a great guide that day, and the sun was just perfect on the beautiful glass. One month prior to the tour departure, you'll find the directions to your first tour hotel and a complete list of hotels where we'll be staying while on tour in the Documents section of your tour account. We could have been overwhelmed by churches and cathedrals, but each seemed to tell a story that enchanted us. Federico ignited our interest in the history of Spain and tapped into a new appreciation of art and artists. Our hotels were centrally located. 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