Mona Winks: Self Guided Tours Of Europe's Top Museums

by Gene Openshaw, Gene Openshaw

In the latest edition of this popular guide, Steves and Openshaw continue to provide travelers with the best and most current information available so they can make their way efficiently and easily through the treasures of Europe's top 20 museums. "Irreverent, entertaining, and informative."--Los Angeles Times. 250 photos. 40 maps.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Art

415 pages, Paperback

First published February 3, 1993

About the author

Gene Openshaw is a writer, composer, and longtime collaborator with travel expert Rick Steves. A native of suburban Seattle, Gene studied Religious Studies at Stanford University, graduating with broad academic interests and an aversion to conventional career paths. He worked as a roofer, teacher, movie projectionist, and piano player, all while cultivating a lifelong passion for music, art, and travel. In the 1970s, he and Rick Steves backpacked across Europe and Asia, experiences that seeded a decades-long creative partnership in guidebook writing, television production, and educational programming.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Gene immersed himself in Seattle’s vibrant cultural scene. He performed in bands and improv groups, wrote comedy and music, and composed experimental scores for theater productions. His opera Matter, developed over several years, debuted in 1998 to critical acclaim. Around this time, he also co-authored travel guidebooks such as Europe 101 and Mona Winks, and helped produce Rick Steves’ newsletter, The Future in Our Hands.
In the 2000s, Gene shifted focus to family life while continuing creative work. He composed a violin sonata, co-authored major travel guides, and contributed to Rick Steves’ popular PBS travel shows. After a life-threatening illness and coma, Gene found renewed focus, writing with greater clarity and purpose.
In the 2010s, Gene co-created major television specials including The Story of Fascism in Europe and Rick Steves’ Art of Europe. He also wrote and published Michelangelo at Midlife, a hybrid nonfiction/fiction book blending personal experience with the story of Michelangelo’s Tomb of Julius II.
Today, Gene continues to write from his home in Edmonds, Washington, reflecting on a creative life shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a deep love for music, art, and storytelling.

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