Lucky and hardworking Rick Steves says he has spent four months of every year since 1973 exploring Europe, and that probably makes him fairly well qualified to put out a book such as “Rick Steves’ Europe 101: History & Art for the Traveler” ($24.95, Avalon Travel Publishing). It’s actually the seventh edition and packed with great information, including where the important works can be found and insider info, such as the state of museum bathrooms (which is not where the important works can be found). The chronological set-up makes it just as much of a history book itself (albeit not extremely in-depth) as a guide, and Steves shares with his usual sense of humor and wordplay. The glossy photos are well-positioned, eye-catching and juxtaposed with cool hand-drawn maps.
