The One Official Rule People Always Regret Breaking On A Rick Steves Tour

Rick Steves' passion for helping people realize their travel dreams has led him to create not just guidebooks and a PBS television show, but also an entire tour company. From tours that include planned daily activities to ones with just some of the logistics pre-booked, the Rick Steves' Europe tour company takes thousands of guests per year on carefully thought-out trips to places both on and off the beaten path. So, naturally, he's seen quite a few people make certain mistakes that he advises against whenever someone takes a tour with his company.

There are a few things you should know before booking a Rick Steves tour, and one of them involves luggage. "We allow only one carry-on bag, plus a small day pack. For many, this is a radical concept: 9" × 21" × 14"? That's my toiletries kit! But they manage, and they're glad they did," Steves says on his website. This packing tip is recommended because Steves wants his travelers to enjoy their trip as much as possible –– which means not being bogged down by heavy luggage. "After you enjoy that sweet mobility and freedom, you'll never go any other way," he says.

Rick Steves brings up mobility and freedom because sometimes travelers underestimate the amount of walking they will have to do with luggage in hand in Europe. When walking from airports to train stations to hotels, you don't want to get extra fatigued just from carrying too much heavy luggage. This applies to all travelers, not just those who booked a Rick Steves tour.

Another reason why Steves strongly recommends packing light for his tours is the added convenience and peace of mind that comes with only traveling with a carry-on. "[A carry-on is] less likely to get lost, broken, or stolen. Lengthy delay or quick, last-minute flight change? No problem — your bag is with you," he explains. "And when you arrive, you can hit the ground running. It's a good feeling."

If you did leave out an essential item in your efforts to pack light, Steves reminds everyone that you can buy things once you get to your destinations. You can just as easily find a clothing store, pharmacy, or any other shop in Europe as you would in the United States. A trip to a local store can even give you some extra insights into the daily life of the country's residents (and is a good excuse to shop). Plus, carrying a bag from a local store can help you blend in anywhere and be less of a target for tourist scams.