The Bottom Line
Pros
- A light and useful journal for your trip to Europe
Cons
- Map of Europe could have more detail
Description
- 198 pages bound into a nice journal that's light enough that you won't mind carrying it around Europe.
- Durable latex cover has a nice feel to it.
- Bound-in bookmark is a nice touch. Flip right to where you left off.
- If you've never thought of writing it all down--do it. You can thank me later.
Guide Review - Rick Steves Travel Journal
This review deals with the larger of Rick Steves' Travel Journals. It's 7.5"x4.5", a perfect size for writing in when you're on the train or sitting in a recliner. Rick also offers a pocket sized journal--but it's harder to keep big thoughts in a small book, or at least it's harder to record them.
The journal includes:
- 182 lined pages
- 16 blank sketch pages
- Color map of Europe
- European telephone calling chart
- Calendars for 2009 through 2012
The map stretches across the cover and first page and could be more detailed (I'd like to see the major train routes, for example). It's fine if you're taking a Rick Steves' itinerary, because those are the places on the map.
If you have a phone, you'll appreciate the chart that gives you all the codes for calling in Europe.
Other than that, this is pretty much a nicely bound book of blank and ruled pages that you'll feel good about carrying around and scribbling in. The cover is a deeper blue than is reflected on the web site, and has a nice grain to it. The bound-in bookmark is a nice touch; you'll have no need for those ripped-up train tickets to mark your place. There's an inner pocket for things like that.
All in all, a pretty hip way to keep your travel thoughts.
