The Three Thousand Dollar Book

Rick Steves’ Europe Through the Back Door just might be the most expensive book I’ve ever bought.  I was not familiar with the books or with Rick Steves at all–I selected that particular book after a rather extensive search on Amazon.  Fast forward three weeks to today–I am now a regular reader of the Graffiti Wall on his website, I’ve gotten travel tips from a half a dozen people on the helpline message board, and I’ve watched five of his PBS programs on hulu.  I have a Rick Steves addiction.

Thanks to this book, I was able to ‘think outside the box’–in fact, before this book, I didn’t even know there WAS a box to think outside of (or should that be ‘of which to think outside’?) We officially booked the Paris part of the trip (yes, I said ‘part’ of the trip); we will be spending two (TWO!) weeks (WEEKS!) in the 3rd Arrondissement in an amazingly well-priced apartment.  I will have my own kitchen in which to cook meals–both because I want to and because, well, eating out three meals a day for two (or three) weeks is not an option.  I could not be more excited.  Thank you Rick Steves.

But the best tip I received so far was from a random stranger on the helpline–I learned that if you fly Iceland Air, not only will you save money–right now it is about $200 cheaper round trip to Amsterdam and/or Paris from NYC–but you can design an ‘on purpose’ layover for as many days as you’d like.  Iceland here we come!  My only regret is that he does not have an Iceland book or episode; I will have to make due with Lonely Planet.  I think I will manage.