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Post by Otter on Dec 2, 2013 20:13:17 GMT
Rick Steves is known in the U.S. for his televised travelogues and guest appearances in public broadcasting fundraisers. Nigel can’t stand the guy. If you ask him why, he’ll use adjectives like, supercilious and boring, Granted, some of Steves’ journeys focus on the roads less traveled, which looks interesting on the tube, but in reality, are impractical unless you are travelling with tv cameras, crews, and the bucks to bribe the locals into smiling and making merry. I, on the other hand, tend to overlook this bit of deception and instead enjoy viewing the picturesque villages while pretending to parse with the toothless peasants in their native language… like Steves does in every place he travels. I get that he wants tourists to explore the areas outside their comfort zone, and that he wants redirect the currency into the backstreet corridors that could use a little money for police protection. That’s his schtick. What I don’t get is how in the world could he possibly neglect to mention Jane Austen in his recent article on Bath (“the Hollywood of Britain 250 years ago”). He drones on about the Romans “…lounging around, sipping wine and schmoozing, under the watchful eye of Minerva, goddess of the hot springs.” He explains how, in the Georgian era, … “the high-class women shaved their eyebrows and pasted on carefully trimmed strips of furry mouse skin.” He suggests taking the free town walks led by the Mayor’s Corps of Honourary Guides where the well-versed volunteers impart fun facts such as…”you learn that the old ‘chair ho’ call for your sedan chair evolved into today’s ‘cheerio’ farewell.” But not one mention of Jane Austen. Otter
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Post by QueueMistressMags on Dec 3, 2013 0:36:25 GMT
Let me tell you something: as much as I love BAAAHHHHHHHHTH (for Nigel's benefit), the tourism industry there can be really evil to Janeites. When the Armadillo and I arrived and decided to almost immediately go on the free walking tour, the guide found out we were Janeites and was all, "Did you know she HAAAAAATED Bath? She used to cry in the carriage on the way here." I am certain the last part was entirely made up. She was training another guide, who kind of sidled up to us and whispered that she DID like Jane, so they aren't all like that, but she was really nasty. I've read similar attitudes on travel message boards from people who live/work in Bath. "Jane Austen didn't like it here, so why do you want to come here?" Because she set my two favorite novels there and used all the real names! That tour was amazing to me--I looked up at the top of Milsom Street and saw Edgar's Buildings on the wall (where the Thorpes were staying). We walked on the Gravel Walk, where Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth walked and talked after finally understanding one another. Later, we stood outside the house where she lived. We went to Camden Crescent, where Sir Walter Elliot lived, and saw that Bath was literally spread at his feet, and he looked down upon everyone--yet the crescent itself is off-center. It was absolutely the perfect place for them to live. It's the kind of thing you might not understand until you are there.
I am a big fan of Rick Steves and he is my travel guru (I own pretty much all his DVDs). He is nearly always right. He was right about the Jane Austen Centre, much as I don't want to admit it. He said something like, "it's thoughtfully done, but it's a house she didn't live in and a bunch of pictures of stuff associated with her." He was right--it's Jane at one remove, rather than Chawton, where she lived and there are things she owned and made. However, it is a spiritual home of sort for Janeites in the city. They run Austen-centric walking tours of Bath (where presumably the guides aren't evil) and have a great gift shop. It's good that it is there for us. They do look after Janeites. I remember we were sitting on the tour bus waiting to go up to the Costume Museum and two ladies got on the bus, so excited to be going to the JANE AUSTEN CENTRE! (They spoke of it in all-caps.) I also remember the tour guide on the bus, when we asked for directions to Beechen Cliff, immediately asked with a smile, "Austen fans?" and then gave us directions and no attitude, which was nice.
I've long wanted to go on a Rick Steves tour. I prefer to travel independently when I have someone with me, but if I had to go somewhere alone, I would go with his company. I like the way they run their tours. That style of travel appeals to me. That being said, I don't think he mentions Jane Austen because he doesn't know much about her. But the JA Centre is in his book, though he says nicer things about it now (apparently the Janeites got on his case. Not me).
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DianeGretnaGreen
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Post by DianeGretnaGreen on Dec 3, 2013 18:10:16 GMT
I am waiting for GLOBETREKKERS to do something on Bath. Talk about really going to out-of-the-way places, these guys backpack with one or more film crew, stay in some cheap places (don't know about clean) and do a lot of walking.
Yours Aye,
Diane
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Post by Otter on Dec 4, 2013 22:31:06 GMT
I am happy to hear that Jane Austen is mentioned in Rick Steve's DVDs. But considering the current popularity of England's quintessential author of Regency sensibilities, I would think a mention of her would appear in any recent travel blog about Bath. Then again, perhaps the article was edited for space, and since it appeared in the Sunday travel section of the San Francisco Chronicle, the focus was on the spa aspects, mentioned several times throughout.
He does digress, somewhat, to inform the us that the "Bath stone beams in its cover-girl complexion." And he tempts his readers to "enjoy tea and scones with live classical music in the Pump Room, an elegant Georgian hall just above the Roman baths...(the) best chance to raise a pinky in Chippendale grandeur."
He didn't mention anything about picking up a game of Whist.
Ah well.
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Post by Otter on Dec 4, 2013 22:37:57 GMT
I am waiting for GLOBETREKKERS to do something on Bath. Talk about really going to out-of-the-way places, these guys backpack with one or more film crew, stay in some cheap places (don't know about clean) and do a lot of walking. Yours Aye, Diane I haven't seen a Globetrekkers in a long time... at least not since I could actually handle backpacking and sleeping just about anywhere. I recall seeing an episode about New Zealand's south island, years before Lord of the Rings ventured to the land. The sheer beauty of the place made up for the lack of indoor plumbing. Otter
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Post by QueueMistressMags on Dec 5, 2013 15:44:31 GMT
No Jane on the DVDs, but she is in the book, a little bit. He does have the JA Centre listed as a place to go. I think he realizes he has a more general audience.
That article sounds like an edited version of the stuff in his book. Well, I'm supposed to go next year and don't worry, I'll write LOTS about Jane in Bath!
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DianeGretnaGreen
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Post by DianeGretnaGreen on Dec 5, 2013 16:18:36 GMT
The Globetrekkers episode was filmed by Justine, I think. She starts at Dover, goes north to the home of Captain Cook, Hadrian's wall, takes train south, goes to Glastonberry and goes to one of the towns in Cornwall that has a big gathering for barrel burning on Guy Fawkes Day.
Yours Aye,
Diane
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Post by QueueMistressMags on Dec 5, 2013 20:47:22 GMT
Justine gets on my nerves. I would love to see Megan in Bath. I can see her getting dressed up in a Regency gown and parasol and promenading around, just having a ball.
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Post by Phizz on Dec 6, 2013 4:16:16 GMT
Just got a catalog from Jane Austen Books ... and they've got a book titled "Jane Austen and Regency Bath!" By Maggie Lane, it explains Jane's relationship with the city.
~Phizz
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DianeGretnaGreen
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Post by DianeGretnaGreen on Dec 6, 2013 16:59:10 GMT
Justine gets on my nerves. I would love to see Megan in Bath. I can see her getting dressed up in a Regency gown and parasol and promenading around, just having a ball. She doesn't bother me as a couple of the others. Oh well, to each his/her own. Yours Aye, Diane
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Post by QueueMistressMags on Dec 6, 2013 22:15:33 GMT
Just got a catalog from Jane Austen Books ... and they've got a book titled "Jane Austen and Regency Bath!" By Maggie Lane, it explains Jane's relationship with the city. ~Phizz I think I have that book.
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AnneElliot
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Post by AnneElliot on Dec 17, 2013 14:52:36 GMT
Clearly Rick Steves is not a part of any gentleman's auxiliary. I haven't been keen on him since his book tried to quick-march us through the Louvre. It's an art museum for pete's sake! He did not even mention the Vermeers on the second floor where no one seems to go.
This thread makes me really fancy a game of whist. Some attorneys at work have expressed interest in all things Jane, and I believe they could be taught, but I feel a little shy of asking them.
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Post by LadyJamers on Dec 18, 2013 12:14:11 GMT
When I was in Bath, we stayed at the Pratt Hotel. Our original hotel was on the outskirts of town & my mother & niece rejected it. My niece had a copy of Rick Steves travel books & picked the Pratt from there. The Pratt staff said they HATED Steves because he was so demanding & insisted on a free room. They were surprised they got a good review. I always say I loved it there. It was walking distance to everything & the place and staff were wonderful to us.
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Post by QueueMistressMags on Dec 18, 2013 16:04:21 GMT
Well, if the staff handled his demandiness with grace and tact, that's probably why they got a good review. I have read that he sometimes goes in and is demanding because he wants to know how they will do when faced with a difficult situation. Any hotel can be good to undemanding guests. I am surprised, though, to hear that he asked for a free room. That's an ethical issue.
I don't mean to be an apologist for Rick Steves. I enjoy his programs (I own DVDs of every show except European Christmas...but I should add that I only buy them when they are discounted) and I find his advice generally good, especially about packing light. Not so much in the specifics, but in general. One of his lines is that nobody comes back from a trip and says, "Next time I'm packing heavier." That's very true! And traveling from the U.S. to Europe, especially if you're going to several different places, is different from other kinds of trips, and demands a different style of packing.
The important thing is to take his advice and incorporate it into your own good common sense. What he is doing is not so much telling you "go here and there" but teaching you how to approach the way you travel mentally. Don't go expecting to have your own culture catered to--go expecting to live in the culture you are visiting. It really does make your trips better. It can change your outlook on the world and your place in it. It did for me. I guess that's why I'm a fan.
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AnneElliot
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Post by AnneElliot on Dec 20, 2013 13:43:14 GMT
Having roomed with Mags, I can attest that she is a terrific and enviable packer. Inspiring as well; she's influenced my gear and packing habits.
Rick Steve's is useful really. I just have a different take on art museums than he does, which is no wonder considering. He does have a great 'just do it' ethos. And I admit I've checked him out of the library for travel prep. Full disclosure. I just can't get over those Vermeers!
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