For Immediate Release
Contact: Ashley Sytsma
(425) 608-4293
Rick Steves Speaking on Travel as a Political Act
Popular European travel teacher addresses social activism and travel
Edmonds, WA, December 10, 2007
Date & Time: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, January 19, 2008
Location: Edmonds Center for the Arts (410 4th Ave N, Edmonds, WA 98020)
Cost: Free, Pre-registration required at www.ricksteves.com/festival
After spending a hundred days a year in Europe for the last 25 years, Rick Steves — author of 30 European travel guidebooks and host of the PBS TV series Rick Steves' Europe — believes that thoughtful travel shapes our world view and therefore shapes how we address the challenges confronting our nation politically. His lessons help millions of Americans not only enjoy maximum travel thrills per mile, minute and euro...but become better citizens of our planet. On January 19, 2008 at 7:30 p.m., Rick will share how the other 96 percent of humanity sees our nation and explore how his social activism grows naturally out of his travel experiences.
In a recent article Rick wrote, "I was raised thinking the world was a pyramid with the USA on top and everyone else trying to get there. I believed our role in the world was to help other people get it right...American style...But travel changed my perspective." His speech, entitled Travel as a Political Act, will complete a full day of travel teaching at the Europe Through the Back Door Travel Festival — with classes on general travel skills and favorite European destinations.
Steves hosts, writes and produces the popular public television series Rick Steves' Europe, authors over 30 European travel books, hosts of the public radio program Travel with Rick Steves, and operates an extensive European tour company that focuses on traveling as a "temporary local". He is also an active member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a board member of NORML (working to reform marijuana laws in the USA), and has provided his local YWCA with a 24-unit apartment building with which to house homeless mothers.
Rick's fresh back from lots of travels and will be on hand after his talk for questions and autographs. Pre-registration at www.ricksteves.com/festival is required. Please contact Ashley Sytsma, Publicist, for press opportunities or interview requests for Rick Steves.