372 reviews for:

On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer

Rick Steves

3.91 AVERAGE

jrayreads's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

blk8ocho's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

lassielulu's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous informative inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

awebofstories's review against another edition

3.0

informative lighthearted medium-paced

barrowp's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous informative inspiring fast-paced

hali8's review against another edition

5.0

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I enjoyed the book and the format. One thing I would have liked Steves to include in the Postscript is a reflection on the cultures and cities he visited, especially since so much has changed since 1978.  

lilianaavriel's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH

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Hard pass. I grew up with Rick, dreaming of going to Europe. What I didn't realize is that he writes like a pretentious, ethnocentric white Europe-wannabee American aged 50+ in 2025. It boggles my mind that there are no edits or disclaimers or at least some notice of him realizing his writing contains problematic descriptions of people rooted in racism, xenophobia, sexism, classism, etc. This is especially surprising (well, not really, considering his background and age) since he considers himself a liberal. 
Don't meet your heroes. Or in this case, don't read their writings if you first watched their show. 
If you want something similar, go read Anthony Bourdain's books and watch his shows. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia

Moderate: Body shaming, Sexism, Colonisation

kaitlphere's review against another edition

4.0

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I appreciated that Rick Steves kept in the anxiety and discomfort that he felt on this trip. I enjoyed hearing the audiobook in his voice and appreciated that he posted the images from the print book on his website for audiobook listeners to reference.

afalos's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous informative reflective fast-paced

heyhayley's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced