Rick Steves' Mona Winks: Self-Guided Tours of Europe's Top Museums

by Rick Steves

Rick Steves doesn't just list where to travel in Europe, he leads travelers through the "Back Door," and reveals how to give every journey an extra, more authentic dimension. Mona Winks is no exception. It's a fun, easy-to-read collection of self-guided tours covering the highlights of Europe's top 20-plus museums and cultural sights, including the Louvre, the Tate Gallery, the Uffizi, the Prado, and many more.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Art

480 pages, Paperback

First published February 3, 1993

About the author

Rick Steves is an American travel writer, television personality, and activist known for encouraging meaningful travel that emphasizes cultural immersion and thoughtful global citizenship. Born in California and raised in Edmonds, Washington, he began traveling in his teens, inspired by a family trip to Europe. After graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in European history and business, Steves started teaching travel classes, which led to his first guidebook, Europe Through the Back Door, self-published in 1980.
Steves built his Edmonds-based travel company on the idea that travelers should explore less-touristy areas and engage with local cultures. He gained national prominence as host and producer of Rick Steves' Europe, which has aired on public television since 2000. He also hosts a weekly public radio show, Travel with Rick Steves, and has authored dozens of popular guidebooks, including bestselling titles on Italy and Europe at large.
Beyond travel, Steves is an outspoken advocate for drug policy reform, environmental sustainability, and social justice. He supports marijuana legalization and chairs the board of NORML. He has funded housing for homeless families and donates to anti-hunger and arts organizations. In 2019, he pledged $1 million annually to offset the carbon emissions of his tour groups.
Steves is a practicing Lutheran with Norwegian ancestry and continues to live in Edmonds. He has two adult children and is in a relationship with Reverend Shelley Bryan Wee. Despite health challenges, including a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2024, Steves remains committed to his mission of helping Americans travel with greater purpose, empathy, and understanding of the world. His work reflects a belief that travel, done right, can be both transformative and a force for peace.

Reviews

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took bits and pieces of this book to Europe. I stapled the pages together for the museums I knew I was visiting and left the rest of the book at home. Then I gave the stapled sections to other travelers as I finished using them. Rick Steves encouraged this behavior and I took his advise.

[Leonard Kaufmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rick Steves, my idol, accompanied me on many wonderful trips, informing and entertaining me endlessly. Mona Winks covers artistic highlights in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Madrid. How lucky am I? My first journey began with Rick Steves and Janice to Italy in the summer of 2000 until my last stop with Mona Winks and Linda to Madrid in October 2004. Of course, many other Rick Steve guidebooks traveled with me throughout Europe, but Mona Winks holds a special place in my heart.

[Suz Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever and irreverent look at the art of Italy, bringing it to life much more vividly than an ordinary art book. I was able to use it as a follow-along guide, while walking through the exhibits, as the pieces were still in the same order on display. And the travel tips were extremely useful (we did indeed walk right past the long line at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence and were admitted immediately on our reserved tour). Excellent resource for any Italian trip.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah yes! How do you see the museums of Paris and still have time to tour the rest of the city when you are only going to be there for three days!? Mona Winks, that's how! This book gives you a whirlwind tour through some of Europe's most popular museums and makes sure that you don't miss a thing! Totally worth it.. plus it'll educate you a little on what you are looking at so your time at the museum will mean so much more!

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love art, but museums can sometimes become a vortex where you get lost looking at a lot of average work and miss the really good stuff. This book is a valuable resource of tours that give you the highlights, as well as insight into the history of art. When in Europe your time is fleeting, so don't waste it meandering - take this book and you know you'll see the best stuff and get a great overview.

[Robbie Bashore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took this with me on a trip through Italy. My first trip to Europe, and the first time I had opportunity to learn much of anything about art. This book greatly enhanced my trip by helping me to focus on the things that were more "important" or that best demonstrated a specific development or era in art. Especially useful in Florence.

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really helps you get around the bigger museums if you have limited amounts of time. I think Steve's other travel books are decent but this one was a lot better and had a lot better advice than his other books

[Wendy Seles Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book is from the 90's, it's still a fantastic guide to Europe's best museums. I used it as recently as October 2007 and it was still better than most tour guides.

[Mojdehp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome! If you're traveling through Europe take this book- it makes the museums much more manageable and interesting.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute must in your Euro travel gear!!

[Shishir · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent summary of painting, artist, museum location and the story/mythology behind the painting