This guide tells you "how" to travel (rather than "where" to travel) to get the most out of your time and money and to experience "authentic" Europe. The book is designed to enable Americans to travel in Europe as Europeans do.

The first part of the book arms the reader with skills for smart travel, the second part describes specific locations to help travellers decide where to go.

This lighthearted but informative guide both entertains and enlightens. Steves has distilled what he believes you need to know in order to fully appreciate the sights and culture. And just as important, what he believes you don't need, so you won't walk away from Europe 101 feeling like you just ate an encyclopedia. You'll get a crash course in understanding Medieval feudalism, Renaissance art, Gothic architecture, ancient Greek life, and so on. Europe 101 will show you how and why things were done — from castle construction to elegant court life to the rise of Venice to the fall of Rembrandt, all illustrated with photographs and maps.