Rick Steves' Postcards from Europe: 20 Years of Travel Tales from American's Foremost Guidebook Author

Steves, travel writer and host of PBS's Travels in Europe, takes a nostalgic look at 25 years of European travel and cultural change--from his first family trip abroad in 1969 (spent searching for pianos and visiting Norwegian relatives) to his years as a tour guide and his most recent solo expeditions. In a laid-back narrative style, Steves offers interesting cultural and historical tidbits on such cities as Amsterdam, Munich, Paris and Venice. Revisiting churches, museums, hotels, shops and restaurants, he notes with sadness the changes that have taken place over the past couple of decades, including the growing prevalence of American attitudes and the transformation of Rothenburg, Germany (one of Europe's best-preserved walled towns), from an off-the-beaten-path find to a tourist ""theme park."" Though Steves readily admits he travels in more luxurious style at age 42 than he did as a youth,, he makes it clear that neither money nor location by themselves makes a trip memorable: it's the people who count. Those who appreciate Steves's humorous insights on his TV program--as well as in his many guidebooks--will enjoy settling back with him on this European tour. (Apr.)