"You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling through Europe. With Rick Steves Europe Through the Back Door, you'll learn how to: Plan your itinerary and maximize your time ; Pack light and right ; Find good-value hotels and restaurants ; Travel smoothly by train, bus, car, and plane ; Avoid crowds and tourist scams ; Hurdle the language barrier ; Understand cultural differences and connect with locals ; Save money while enjoying the trip of a lifetime ; Travel safely and hygienically in the wake of Covid-19"-- Provided by publisher.

Includes index.

Introduction -- Travel skills. Budgeting & planning ; Paper chase ; Pack light ; Flying ; Trains, buses & boats ; Driving & navigating ; Money ; Sleeping ; Eating ; Staying connected ; Getting around in cities ; Sightseeing ; Outdoor adventure ; Shopping ; Theft & scams ; Hurdling the language barrier ; Health & hygiene ; Photography & sharing your trip ; Let's travel! ; Bus tours & cruises ; Perspectives -- Back doors. Traveling through the back door: Italy ; France ; Spain ; Portugal ; Great Britain ; Ireland ; Scandinavia ; The Netherlands ; Belgium ; Germany ; Switzerland ; Austria ; Czech Republic ; Poland ; Hungary ; Slovenia ; Croatia ; Greece.