RECOMMENDED READINGS

Europe 101 - Art and History for the Traveler - quite funny actually. I know I'll be glad I read this one
Europe through The Back Door - the philosphy of the Rick Steves travel company. A more realistic, intimate view of Europe
England 2008 - Rick Steves book
Best of Europe 2008 - Rick Steves book
I'll pause here and explain why I'm reading so many of his books ... it's because a lot of the places this tour takes us to are not in normal guidebooks like Fodors, Lonely Planet, etc. Which could be a good thing or a bad thing - I'm choosing to think it's a good thing.
Eyewitness France
Chocolat
Heidi
Anne Frank's Diary
Charles Trenet's music - Love it! Bought a 3-CD set! I'll have to figure out how to play it on here.
I've seen Schindler's list already.
Culture Shock - France
Culture Shock - Germany

And finally, I've decided that I should know at least a little French, so I found a great online program through BBC.com
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/french/

THE OFFICIAL LIST OF 'RECOMMENDED READINGS AND VIEWINGS' for this tour can be found at:

http://tours.ricksteves.com/tours08/EUR/reading.cfm/rurl/code/EUR/