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The Temporary European
The Temporary European: 25 Years of Behind-the-Scenes Stories from a Professional Traveler | Cameron Hewitt
3 posts | 1 read | 1 reading | 3 to read
Write guidebooks, make travel TV, lead bus tours? Cameron Hewitt has been Rick Steves right hand for more than 20 years, doing just that. The Temporary European is a collection of vivid, entertaining travel tales from across Europe. Cameron zips you into his backpack for engaging and inspiring experiences: sampling spleen sandwiches at a Palermo street market; hiking alone with the cows high in the Swiss Alps; simmering in Budapests thermal baths; trekking across an English moor to a stone circle; hand-rolling pasta at a Tuscan agriturismo; shivering through Highland games in a soggy Scottish village; and much more. Along the way, Cameron introduces us to his favorite Europeans. In Mostar, Alma demonstrates how Bosnian coffee isnt just a drink, but a social ritual. In France, Mathilde explains that the true mastery of a fromager isnt making cheese, but aging it. In Spain, Fran proudly eats acorns, but never corn on the cob. While personal, the stories also tap into the universal joy of travel. Camerons travel motto (inspired by a globetrotting auntie) is "Jams Are Fun"the fondest memories arrive when your best-laid plans go sideways. And he encourages travelers to stow their phones and guidebooks, slow down, and savor those magic moments that arrive between stops on a busy itinerary. The stories are packed with inspiration and insights for your next trip, including how to find the best gelato in Italy, how to select the best produce at a Provenal market, how to navigate Spains confusing tapas scene, and how to survive the experience of driving in Sicily (hint: just go numb). And youll get a reality check for every travelers "dream job": researching and writing guidebooks; guiding busloads of Americans on tours around Europe; scouting and producing a travel TV show; and working with Rick Steves and his merry band of travelers. Its a candid account of how the sausage gets made in the travel businesstold with warts-and-all honesty and a sense of humor. For Rick Steves fans, or anyone who loves Europe, The Temporary European is inspiring, insightful, and fun.
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ravenlee
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Who, but the French, would look at snails oozing across a rain-dampened path and think, “I‘ll bet if I sautéed those in garlic butter, they‘d be delicious”?

Ruthiella I‘ve had them. The garlicky butter is delicious. The snails not so much….🐌🤢 6d
RamsFan1963 I tried escargot once, against my better judgement, and it was okay. I didn't object to the taste so much as the texture. 6d
bookishbitch The butter is what saves the dish for sure. 6d
24 likes3 comments
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ravenlee
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“Just to be entirely clear on this point: The Sound of Music fans were so rowdy, they were bothering Austrian drunks chugging one-liter mugs of beer.”

I don‘t know why, but this is cracking me up, and I could use a good laugh.

Bette 🤣 Thanks, I could use a laugh too! 1w
julieclair Love Rick Steves and Cameron Hewitt! Stacked! 1w
ravenlee @julieclair so far it‘s a really good read! 1w
31 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Sapphire

“What makes us like a place, or not like a place?” What do you think? Love the quote but would also love to hear what you think makes a place, really visited or literary experience- affects you deeply