While on a recent flight I was able to sit back, relax and read a book from my favorite travel writer - Rick Steves. I have been using his great knowledge and experience on 8 European trips in the last 9 years - his hints and hotel recommendations have been wonderful and we read his books many times prior to departure and while on the trips - some vendors even give discounts by just showing the book.

Even funnier is seeing other travelers with the same book and chatting with them over what was fun and can't miss locations. His current book Postcards is different, very different, rather than making recommendations Rick is very thoughtful and reflective in his travels (most we have been to as well). For example, Rick talk about his experiences over the years whereby Europe and some locations specifically - Rothenburg - have went from a wonderful medieval town to something more akin to Disneyland. His thoughts on Munich were right on and even his discussion on high tide and low tide in Venice is not what one would expect.

He also was caught between finding new locations and getting offers of freebies but as a writer he wants to be objective and also not creative the next big thing.

So while I enjoyed his travel books and guidance this was a different side of Rick and it was informative and a better look into what makes him such an icon in the travel world.

We will be going to Europe again in 2010 and will follow his advice with confidence.

Review by Bargains4Seniors.com Contributing Writer-Steve Kriner