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12 Stories on Rick Steves
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Rick Steves' packing strategy

Wearing a green T-shirt under a blue work shirt, I'm about to depart for Europe. At my farewell breakfast -- one last eggs-any-style -- my stylish, college-aged daughter says to me, "You look like a scrub. OK if you're painting a house."

Cut down on currency fees in Europe

On my last trip to Europe, I didn't bring my usual $200 cash reserve. With just a few bucks in my wallet, I landed in Madrid, relying entirely on two ATM cards and no cash safety net. It turned out OK.

Watch out for European scam artists' tricks

Gelato in hand, you're strolling down a street in Italy, when suddenly, an attractive woman starts arguing with a street vendor. A crowd gathers as he accuses her of shoplifting. To prove her innocence, she starts to strip.

Tech tips for staying connected in Europe

With my mantra being "pack light," I used to be against packing electronics of any kind. But now, I bring my laptop, iPod, digital camera and mobile phone to Europe. With hotels retiring their fax machines in favor of email, mobile phones getting cheaper and easier to buy, and Wi-Fi hotspots popping up everywhere, it's never been simpler to get connected.

Travelers' mantra: Pack light, pack light, pack light

You'll never meet a traveler who, after five trips, brags, "Every year I pack heavier." The measure of a good traveler is how light he or she travels. You can't travel heavy, happy and cheap. Pick two.

Mount Rainier: Four scraped knees, nine big smiles

If Mount Rainier were in Austria instead of Washington State, I likely would have explored it long ago. All my life, I've watched it shimmering Fuji-like on Seattle's horizon, and have never driven the hour off the interstate to actually take a hike there.

Inside the religious heart of England

Wearing a red robe and a warm smile, Eddie works as a verger at London's Westminster Abbey. As a church official, he keeps order in this sacred space. Today his responsibility is to sort out believers (who get in free to pray), tourists (who pay the $25 entrance fee), and those who fold their hands and reverently say, "I'd like a few moments with the Unknown Soldier, please," in order to avoid paying $25.

Get the most out of your frequent flier miles

Using your frequent-flier miles to get to Europe can save you a bundle, if you know the ropes and plan ahead.

Pros may outweigh cons of Europe in the off-season

Each summer, Europe greets a stampede of sightseers and shoppers with eager cash registers. Before jumping into the peak-season pig pile, consider the advantages of an off-season trip.

Celebrating with the Christkind

Like a German child's fantasy, Nurnberg's fairy-godmother-like teenage angel stretched out her arms and said, "If you're very, very gentle, you can touch my wings." I stayed seated while little Bavarian preschoolers mobbed the stage to touch their Christkind.

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