Wednesday Trivia Question

What was the title of Rick Steves’ first book?

According to his website, “Rick Steves is a popular public television host, a best-selling guidebook author, and an outspoken activist who encourages Americans to broaden their perspectives through travel.” PBS NC viewers know him best as the host of dozens of travel specials and, of course, the long-running RICK STEVES EUROPE. He is certainly America’s leading authority on European travel, earning that title over years of traveling, writing, guiding and instructing.

In 1980, Rick Steves self-published his first book. The first edition of 2,000 copies was obviously a hit since he’s updated and added to the guide over the years. In 2020, he celebrated the book’s 40th anniversary by noting on his blog, “The book has more than quadrupled in size, as it’s evolved as much as everything else in the last four decades. This is the book you read before your trip to learn from my experience rather than your own to enjoy maximum travel fun per mile, minute, and dollar.”

So what’s the book? What’s the title of Rick Steves’ first book, self-published in 1980?

Sounds Familiar

“Ours is a land of landscapes in sharp contrast – the cool green majesty and grandeur of the mountains, the warm gold and blue beauty of the coastlines and, in between, the multi-colored hues of a rolling Piedmont. One road, one ribbon of asphalt, connects them all and connects us to them.” – David Holt, TOUR 64: NORTH CAROLINA’S HERITAGE HIGHWAY

Hey, It’s Photo Friday!

The series DESTINATION CRAFT WITH JIM WEST follows its titular host as he travels with a small group of crafters to discover, participate and celebrate in the traditions, arts, culture, scenery and food of each destination. From Bali to Tuscany, from Ireland to India, DESTINATION CRAFT highlights the heart and soul of master artisans around the world.

I’ve never seen the show myself but I do have this nifty souvenir. Made no doubt to promote the program, this little wooden luggage case is just perfect for the miniature traveler. I inherited mine from a retired colleague who probably picked it up at a PBS conference or maybe received it as incentive to air the series. (We did. Two seasons have been broadcast to date.) It now occupies a space on a shelf in my office with loads of other mementos and collectibles.

Sounds Familiar

“There’s a small army of 50 staff on this train. I’m not quite sure what they all do but yesterday I saw one energetically sloshing a wet mop up and down our corridor. It didn’t seem to be doing the carpet any good at all.” – Michael Palin, on a train to Shanghai, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS