Let’s be honest. We love Rick Steves. His guidebooks are practically holy texts for first-time Europe wanderers, and the man’s voice is basically the audio version of a warm, sensible cardigan. But sometimes, just sometimes, we want the Rick Steves energy… without the matching tour group polo shirts and clipboard check-ins.
So here it is: the unofficial, unsponsored, totally independent list of travel tips inspired by Rick (and mildly rebelled against him, too). We’re keeping the wisdom, ditching the herding.
1. Pack Light. Then Pack Lighter.
Rick says it. Backpackers chant it. Airlines silently beg you to do it. And it’s true: nothing screams freedom like breezing past the baggage claim while others panic over a lost suitcase in Rome.
Travel tip #1: Stick to one carry-on and a daypack. You do not need six pairs of shoes to wander Prague. (Unless they’re all Birkenstocks. Then we support you.)
Pro move? Roll, don’t fold. And remember: nobody in Berlin is clocking your outfit repeat.
Also Read: Packing Tips 101 For Travel: Tricks & Hacks
2. Learn the Art of the Soft Plan
We know, Rick Steves tours run like clockwork. But if you’re going rogue, don’t overschedule every museum and monument.
Traveling Europe isn’t about completing a checklist—it’s about that impromptu wine tasting in the hills of Tuscany that makes you miss your train. (Worthy trade, if you ask us.)
Use Rick’s books as a compass, not a Bible. Have a direction, sure. But leave space for spontaneous detours and unplanned magic.
3. Eat Where the Locals Eat (Spoiler: Not Where Rick Steves Said)
We say this with love: if a restaurant has a laminated “Recommended by Rick Steves” sign in five languages, you’re probably overpaying for carbonara that tastes like nostalgia instead of pecorino.
Here’s a solid travel tip: Wander two blocks away. Look for menus without translations. Trust smells and grandma energy. That’s the good stuff.
4. Don’t Just See—Experience
Rick’s guides are chock-full of historical facts and context, which we love. But instead of just reading about medieval festivals in Bruges, why not plan your visit to be there for one?
That’s not just a guidebook win—it’s a memory win.
And yes, this also applies to music. Skip the queue at the Louvre and go get serenaded by a street violinist by the Seine. Your Instagram will thank you. So will your soul.
Also Read: Top Travel Guidelines for a Smooth Journey in 2025
5. Learn Hello, Thank You, and Sorry in Every Language
Yes, Rick suggests this. But we’ll double down. You don’t need to be fluent in Hungarian or Dutch, but knowing the basics makes you 87% more likable (statistic totally made up, but still).
Locals love the effort. Bonus: It helps you avoid ordering cow tongue instead of steak. Ask us how we know.
6. Skip the Lines… Intelligently
Rick loves a good skip-the-line ticket, and we do too. Pre-book major sights (especially if traveling to Europe during peak season). But also know which lines are worth skipping—and which are part of the experience.
That crowd of nuns outside St. Peter’s Basilica? Worth waiting in line for. That two-hour queue at the Eiffel Tower? Eh. Try the Montparnasse Tower instead—better views, fewer elbows.
7. Travel Off-Season, Travel Off-Beat
Rick’s been saying this since the days of flip phones. Off-season = fewer crowds, better prices, more genuine vibes.
Need more than just travel tips? Here’s a quick hack: travel in shoulder seasons (April–June or September–October). The weather’s still great, and you’ll actually hear birds instead of tour guides yelling into headsets.
Also, don’t just travel big. Go small. Pick a village in Slovenia. Hike through the lesser-known coastlines of Portugal. This isn’t just a foreign travel guide, it’s your anti-itinerary.
8. Use Tech—but Don’t Be Ruled by It
Yes, Google Translate is amazing. So is Maps.me. But here’s your travel info gem for the day: know when to put your phone away.
Let your eyes adjust to the cobblestones. Ask a human for directions. Use old-school methods, like looking up and noticing the street signs.
Also, Google doesn’t know that the best cannoli in Sicily is made by a grumpy nun who doesn’t believe in Wi-Fi.
Also Read: US Travel Packing Checklist 2025 | Best Packing Tips
9. Mix and Match: DIY Your Own Rick Steves Adventure
You can still steal the best parts of Rick Steves tours—the thorough research, the safety-first mindset, the budgeting genius—without the group pace.
Use Rick’s notes to map your own journey. Pick cities that vibe with you, not just ones with five-star cathedral reviews.
Need a starting point? Our friends at My Exclusive Deals have killer flight prices for anyone looking to travel Europe without selling a kidney. (You’re welcome.)
10. Say Yes More Often (Within Reason)
Some of the best hacks and tricks in travel aren’t about apps or packing cubes. They’re about being open.
Say yes to that weird-smelling street food. To the last-minute hostel trivia night. To the 3 am sunrise hike you didn’t plan for.
Say yes to the chaos, the connection, the detours. That’s the real secret behind every great travel tip.
Bonus Tip: Be Your Own Guide, But Let Rick Ride Shotgun
You don’t have to ditch Rick entirely. He’s a solid co-pilot. Just remember: the trip is yours. You get to choose when to veer off course, when to ignore the must-sees, and when to sit by the river doing absolutely nothing.
And that’s the ultimate travel tip of them all.
Still planning? Still dreaming? Keep your wanderlust rolling and check My Exclusive Deals for those last-minute flights, because Europe isn’t going to explore itself.