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European Travel Skills

For 30 years, Rick Steves and his staff have been taking careful notes so you can learn from their mistakes rather than your own. We'll teach you the secrets of safe, smart, inexpensive travel — low on stress and high on fun. You'll learn how to plan an efficient itinerary, pack light, and find Europe's off-beat nooks and intimate crannies. You'll maximize adventure and minimize crowds, eat and sleep comfortably on less than $100 per day, choose great budget hotels, and navigate Europe's excellent rail system with ease. Forget about expensive vacations in big American-style hotels. We'll teach you how to experience the real Europe...through the back door!

Packing Light & Right

You'll learn now or you'll learn later: The first step to a great trip is packing light — don't weigh yourself down! You can travel for months with one carry-on size bag and still have everything you need for a great trip. We'll distribute packing lists, show off the latest in lightweight luggage, and demonstrate a professionally packed bag.

Women's Seminar: Packing Light

Learn to pack light and still have all you need for a great trip in a single carry-on bag. Learn more about travel luggage options. Ann Neel, one of our expert Travel Advisors, will help you choose the right bag for your travel needs, then join Joan Robinson, our Packing Diva, who will show you how to pack light and right.

Practical Gear for Smart Travel

Too many people spend thousands of dollars on dream vacations only to become beasts of burden during the trip. We'll show you how to select travel gear that will work for you...instead of the other way around. Learn about a variety of bags and accessories, how to weed out the dead wood, and pick up some insider packing tips along the way.

Women's Seminar: Tips for Women Traveling Solo

Footloose and fancy free? Join well-traveled women from our staff for a seminar on solo adventures. We'll share our best secrets on planning, packing, safety, sleeping, health, transportation, connecting with locals, combating loneliness — and having the trip of a lifetime.

Women Traveling Solo

No matter the destination, solo travel can be the most rewarding adventure of your life. Learn insider tips from a seasoned pro with more than 22 years of travel experience — Beth Whitman, author and publisher of the Wanderlust and Lipstick guides for women travelers and editor of the Wanderlust and Lipstick website. You'll discover: how to save money in today's travel environment; eco-friendly travel tips; helpful safety tips; how to overcome language barriers; advantages and problems unique to women; how to have a journey alone without being lonely and much more.

Traveling Solo

No matter the destination, solo travel can be the most rewarding adventure of your life. Learn insider tips from a seasoned pro. You'll discover: how to save money in today's travel environment; helpful safety tips; how to overcome language barriers; how to have a journey alone without being lonely, and much more.

European Rail Skills

Can't make heads or tails of railpass options and train schedules? Our experts from America's busiest rail department will teach all you need to know about European trains. We'll help you figure out which railpass is best for you, and cover sleeping on night trains, reading timetables, reserving seats, paying for supplements, and more.

The New World of Travel

Remember SAS and Northwest? Well, forget them. Remember Continental's spiral into oblivion? Well, now they're back and calling the shots for United. Code shares are the new "black", fuel surcharges are the gift you keep on giving (and giving — even if you cancel), carryon allowances are down, free baggage is almost unheard of and early booking is no longer for the faint of heart. If you must go to Europe this year — and you really must! — come to this class and be prepared for what the "friendly skies" have in store for you.

Hosteling — Not Just for Youth Anymore

Hostels are a great alternative for travelers on a budget, in large groups, families, and those traveling solo. In this class you will learn where to locate hostels and what they offer as well as some tips to help make your hostel stay safe, relaxed, and enjoyable.

Travel as a Volunteer

Joyce Major, author of "Smiling at the World," shares her experience with her "voluntourism" travels. There are many volunteer opportunities like helping at the Cat Sanctuary in Italy, helping with archeology in France, teaching English in Spain, working with conservation and wildlife in England and more. Get closer to the local community by working side by side with them in their pursuits. Perhaps you can share your expertise on something that may add to their culture as well.

Family Friendly Travel

Join Matt Yglesias, one of our expert Family Friendly tour guides and father of three, for a lively discussion full of tips for enjoying a trip with your whole family. Learn what will make the adventure cool for your teenager as well as your young ones and still have time for a night out with just the grown-ups.

Travel with Infants and Young Children

Learn from Debbie Dubrow of Delicious Baby how to make traveling with babies and small children easier and more fun. Get helpful tips and advice on issues like how to keep kids busy on a plane, surviving jet-lag, flying with car seats and more.

Mediterranean Cruises 101

Based on Rick's new guidebook about cruising, this class teaches how to take a Mediterranean cruise "through the Back Door." We'll do a port-by-port rundown of the top Mediterranean cruise destinations (including Barcelona, the French Riviera, Florence, Rome, Venice, Dubrovnik, Athens, the Greek Isles, and Istanbul), with tips on how to get into town and make the most of your limited time. The rest of the class is an introduction to cruising for first-timers, including factors to consider when choosing and booking a cruise, and practical travel skills for enjoying your time on the ship and in port.

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Beginning Czech for Travelers

Impress the Czechs...by speaking their language! Here's your chance to know the many meanings for "Prosim." Learn how to ask how to get around, understand a menu, and how to make small talk. We'll practice basic pronunciation and a few key phrases — and toss in a few cultural tips — all to make your travels smoother and more fun.

Beginning French for Travelers

Learn how to make friends with the French during this lesson in language and communication. During this class we will explore the different ways that the French communicate with each other and with tourists. We will learn basic pronunciation skills and key phrases that will help you to make friends with the locals and successfully negotiate your way though France.

Beginning German for Travelers

Surprise the Germans...by speaking their language! Here's your chance to know your Wein from your Wien, and to proudly say "Neuschwanstein" like a local. We'll practice basic pronunciation and a few key phrases — and toss in a few cultural tips — all to make your Teutonic travels smoother and more fun.

Beginning Italian for Travelers

Knowing just a few Italian words can really warm up your welcome in Italy. We'll explore the different ways the locals communicate with each other and with tourists. We'll also practice some basic pronunciation and key phrases that will bring smiles and help you have a smoother Italian trip.

Beginning Spanish for Travelers

You don't need to be a fluent Spanish-speaker to communicate with the locals when you travel in Spain, but learning basic pronunciation and a few key phrases will help your trip go smoother. We'll give you tips on how to make friends, order tapas, get to the train station, and more.

Beginning Swedish for Travelers

Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish are so similar that if you speak one of them, you can quickly learn to understand the other two, but don't tell that to the Swedes. This quick linguistics lesson will help you make closer contact with this proud Scandinavian culture and gain you the respect for not assuming that all of Scandinavia speaks English so well why bother.

Beginning Turkish for Travelers

Although this language traces its roots as far back as 3500BC, it was not until 1932 that Attatürk, the father of modern Turkey established "Turkish as it is spoken today." Have fun learning the "do's and don'ts" as well as the adoption of French and Italian within. Native speaker Sureyya Gokeri will help you master the basics and might even share a few of her culinary tips if you ask.

Turkish Language through Food

Native speaker Sureyya Gokeri will help you master the basics of the Turkish language and will even make you a few of her culinary specialties to help you learn what to order when you go out. Although this language traces its roots as far back as 3500BC, it was not until 1932 that Attatürk, the father of modern Turkey established "Turkish as it is spoken today. Have fun learning the "do's and don'ts" as well as the adoption of French and Italian within while you dine on homemade favorites of this land.

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Europe 101 — Art and History for Travelers

After years of travel in Europe, we've distilled what you need to know in order to fully appreciate the sights and culture. And just as important, we know what you don't need to know, so you won't walk away from the class 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 plenty more. Learn how and why things were done — from castle construction to elegant court life to the rise of Venice to the fall of Rembrandt. It's a class for smart people who fell asleep in their European art and history courses before they knew they were going to Europe.

Italy's Art Treasures

Italy — more than any other European country — is packed with cultural sights: Michelangelo's David, Botticelli's Venus, the Sistine Chapel, and Venice's glorious St. Mark's Square. Even travelers with no interest in art and history will encounter masterpieces like these at every turn. Make the most of your trip by getting acquainted with Italy's cultural legacy. This class offers an overview of just the best-known treasures, the ones most first-time travelers will want to see, with the background to bring the art alive.

European Architecture for Travelers

From the Colosseum to the Eiffel Tower to the Guggenheim Bilbao, every building tells a story. Veteran Rick Steves tour guide Dave Hoerlein will help you learn how to recognize various architectural styles as well as understand and appreciate Europe's treasure trove of great buildings and monuments.

Stories in Stone: The Trouble with Michelangelo's Marble

David B. Williams, author of Stories in Stone: Travels Through Urban Geology, will highlight the stories of Carrara marble and Italian travertine, as he addresses Italy's beautiful building stones. He will discuss how Michelangelo was almost crushed to death twice in his pursuit of the marble, how travertine from the Colosseum was recycled in the Middle Ages, how a modern geologist studying travertine made a discovery that had implications for life on Mars, and why these two rocks have such enduring stories. His talk will give you new ways to see architecture and history.

Europe's Musical History Tour

Come along as we travel on a musical history through Europe, learning about great composers such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and more, and how their music was a reflection of their times and yet still an inspiration today. We'll see how music ties in with the art, architecture, and culture of each era, and learn how incorporating music and music related sights in our travels can enrich our experience.

Digital Travel Photography

Great travel photos are only a button press away with the help of professional photographer, John Greengo. In his uniquely visual photography class, you will be treated to an ensemble of illustrations, animations and great photographs that make learning your camera and and the art of photography fun and easy.

Photographer's Eye

For all levels of photography. This insightful talk takes a unique look at the way a photographer sees the world. Using illustrations, diagrams and some the worst photos you've ever seen, (along with some other pretty good ones) John humorously shows why we don't always get in photographs, what we saw with our own eyes.

In this talk John Greengo will discuss and show that: You can't photograph all that you see, as well as the flip side of the equation which is: You can photograph more than you can see. Cameras and lenses work very differently than our eyes, the more you understand about these differences the better you will be at photographing the world.

The Traveling Photographer

Tips, Tricks and Stories from 7 Continents. From the wilds of Alaska to the thundering waterfalls of Iceland, join photographer John Greengo as he lends some practical advice to the budding photographer. With wonderful photographs and terrible stories, learn what to bring, how to carry it and what to look for.

Creative Photo Fun

Barb Bumgardner will show you how easy it is to use your own digital photos to create cards, collage, calendars and other Creative Photo Fun projects. Add your own personalized story as you design a book, a multimedia DVD, or share your photos online.

Digital Photographic Painting

Since digital camera pictures are pixel-based they can be painted on with pixels. Doing so can liberate the artist from the limitations of photography by opening up extraordinary possibilities to create art. The presentation will take you on a captivating journey with the computer as art tool.

Make Your Own Travel DVD

Barb Bumgardner will show you how easy it is to create a multimedia travel DVD using your own digital photos, cool transitions, and background music affordably using online sites! She will show several sample DVD's as she demonstrates the simple steps to make your own travel DVD!

Travel Drawing

Stop for a few quiet minutes along your travels, to record picturesque scenes, with simple line drawings. Realistic contour sketches add character to your journal, and allow you to record what you are seeing, with real time results. Drawing is a universal language and a delightful way to start conversations with those around you, about drawing and seeing. After a 30 minute skills lesson, we will move around the room, sketching still life objects, with Andy's suggestions and encouragement.

Required tools: Pocket size drawing tablet and your favorite writing pen, for sketching. I use Strathmore 4" x 6" drawing tablet, available at most art supply stores.

Capturing Europe with Watercolors

Spend an evening with tour guide and architect Sarah Murdoch learning how to "sketch" with watercolor using a simple, travel-friendly system. Using just 8 colors and a simple brush, you can capture memories of your vacation on the go. We will discuss basic watercolor technique, choosing a subject and enhancing your journal with watercolor. No prior painting experience necessary, come for fun and be prepared to make some art. Please bring a medium sized round watercolor brush (available at art stores), a couple of #2 pencils, and a small metal box with a lid (AKA an Altoids box!).

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Italy

You'll almost be able to smell the linguini and taste the vino rosso as we explore enchanting Italy. The north is home to cosmopolitan Milan, time-tripping Venice, serene lakes, and the Alpine Dolomites. In central Italy we'll visit the Renaissance capital of Florence and the quaint hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria. On the Italian Riviera, the Cinque Terre's rocky coastlines and tiny villages are the epitome of picturesque. We'll wrap things up with the eternal city, amazing Rome.

Village Italy

Italy is just as exciting out in the countryside. Join us as we drink in a rich blend of wine-cellared villages, countryside vistas, artisan visits, and button-popping home-cooked meals. Visit places most people only dream about: Juliet's Verona, Byzantine Ravenna, St Francis' Assisi, Tuscany and Umbria, and the storybook islands of Lake Maggiore.

Southern Italy & Sicily

Experience "la dolce vita" as we journey through a region rich with culture and contrasts: the vibrant chaos of Naples, cliff-hugging Amalfi coast villages, the cave-dwelling city of Matera — and the island of Sicily, where past Greek, African and Norman cultures colorfully fuse together like the volcanic glass of Mount Etna.

Rome

Join us as we peel away the layers of 3,000 years of Roman history through the sights of this great city, from the Colosseum, Forum and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel to the bubbling Bernini fountains, coffee shops and fashion boutiques of modern Rome.

Roman Europe

Two thousand years ago the well-organized Roman empire covered much of modern-day Europe. While a traveler to Rome sees impressive sights like the Pantheon, Colosseum and Forum, many are surprised to discover that well-preserved Roman ruins are found far from the banks of the Tiber — throughout Italy, France, Spain and even as far north as Hadrian's Wall in England. We'll look at the top Roman sights both in the Eternal City itself and in its far-flung empire.

Florence

Florence invented the art of civilized living back when the rest of Europe was mired in medievalism. We'll trace the birth and flowering of the artistic Renaissance at the Uffizi Gallery and Michelangelo's David, as well as other examples of good living — then and now — in this remarkable city.

Venice

Cruise the canals of this maritime city that was once the richest in the Western World. From Titian and Tintoretto masterpieces to sun-dappled palaces and exotic churches, to tiny cichetti bars and evening gondola rides, learn why this romantic city is famous for more than its glass blowing tradition.

Venice, Florence & Rome

Visit the must-see sights of Italy's most famous cities and learn about their roles in shaping the Western World. Along the way we'll wander through 3,000 years of great art and history, from Ancient Rome to the Renaissance in Florence and the Golden Age of Venice.

Naples & the Amalfi Coast

The Greeks named it Neopolis. It was once also the richest part of Italy as the Kingdom of Naples. We'll take a look at the lively, untamed energy of today's Napoli where Italy's opera tradition first thrived yet poverty still abounds. Pizza is king and life is lived out on the street. Along the nearby Amalfi coast, Sorrento provides the best home base for trips to Pompeii, Capri, and the best cliff hanging drive south that still gives thrills and chills.

Italy Q & A

Planning a trip to Italy? Ask questions just like you would during a private Travel Consult but it is all free. A panel of tour guides from our Italy tour program will be on hand to help you plan your journey of a life time. Learn about when and where to go and how long to stay, money-saving tips, transportation options and more.

Michelangelo's Italy

Michelangelo Buonarroti — sculptor, painter, architect and poet — was both prolific and well-traveled. In this hour-long slide show, we'll trace the life, work and travels of "Earth's Greatest Artist," visiting the Italian cities where he created his masterpieces. You may be surprised to find that the Italy of today is just as culturally rich as it was in the days of Michelangelo.

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Great Britain

From Big Ben to bagpipes, Great Britain features some of Europe's best scenery, top museums, quaintest villages, and friendliest locals — all without a language barrier. We'll visit Bath, Cotswold villages, Wales, the Lakes District, Edinburgh, Hadrian's Wall, and York. In London we'll visit some of the world's best museums, theaters and pubs.

England

Follow England's coastal communities from windswept and desolate Dartmoor to Portsmouth and Brighton. Turn northeast to Canterbury and its famous tales, then over to Dover's castle and channel crossing that takes you beyond the pond.

England and Wales

From London's Big Ben to the wild ponies of Dartmoor, from the Georgian gentility of Bath to the impossibly charming Cotswolds, and from stone circles on desolate moors to convivial spit-and-sawdust pubs, England delights. We'll take a tour through the top sights of England (including London, Bath, York, the Lake District, and more). And we'll swing through mysterious Wales, with its own quirky language and cultural identity, and some of the best castles and most dramatic scenery in the British Isles.

London

In this class we'll explore one of Europe's most interesting and enjoyable cities from A to Z, including transportation tips; sightseeing suggestions; nightlife and theater pointers; dining options beyond bangers and mash; and how to find a comfortable budget hotel. We'll also whisk you into the English countryside for a look at London's best daytrips.

Select Gardens of England & France

Enjoy a pictorial garden visit from Monet's Giverny to Cornwall's Lost Gardens of Heligan to Southern England's Stourhead. Spend an hour viewing some of the "best of the best" and then make your own plans to visit these delightful locations.

Ireland

Join us for a slideshow romp through the unique Irish landscape! We'll get a glimpse of Ireland's fascinating history and meet the friendly people of this charming country. Our travels will take us through both the Republic and Northern Ireland, including Dublin, Waterford, the Aran Islands, Dingle Peninsula, Belfast, Derry, and the Giant's Causeway.

Scandinavia

Explore the diversity of Europe's Nordic countries — from agricultural Denmark, to industrial Sweden, to fjord-splintered Norway — as we meander through the Land of the Midnight Sun. We'll visit a salty fishing island, frolic in fjord country, and compare capitals in Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki.

St. Petersburg, Tallinn and Helsinki

Discover a formerly forbidden corner of Europe, where a blend of eastern, western and royal tastes have created a region unlike any other. Estonia's Tallinn has shaken off its Soviet overcoat to reveal a charmingly Germanic, "romantic road" personality underneath. A ferry ride away, you'll see how elegant, fast-growing Helsinki has become one of Europe's most prosperous cities. Then visit St. Petersburg, where you'll marvel at the masterpiece-packed Hermitage and other Tsarist treasures.

Scotland

In this presentation you'll be immersed in the rich culture and history of Scotland. We'll visit windswept St. Andrews; an island distillery; Inverness in the Highlands; Lochs Ness, Garry and Lomond; the Isle of Skye; dramatic Glencoe and Bannockburn; seaside Oban; spiritual Isle of Iona; and the craggy castles of Edinburgh, Cawdor, Urquhart, and Eilean Donan.

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Amsterdam

Amsterdam offers a progressive way of life packaged in Europe's most 17th-century city. Like Venice, it's crisscrossed by canals and built on millions of pilings. But it's also built on good living, cozy cafés, great art, street-corner jazz, stately history, and a spirit of live-and-let-live.

Amsterdam, Bruges & Brussels

Experience the three greatest cities of Europe's "Low Countries," so named because nearly half the land in Belgium and the Netherlands lies below sea level. In Amsterdam, we'll explore a lively city full of "more canals than Venice," cozy cafes, great art and stately history. With vivid, time-tunnel art, pointy, gilded architecture and Renoir canals, Bruges is a sightseeing treasure where you can savor heavenly chocolate and the world's best beer, and in bustling Brussels, the unofficial capital of Europe, you'll be pleasantly surprised by a rich, mix of food and culture.

Belgium & Holland

From Brussels to Bruges to Delft and Amsterdam, this talk treats you to today's Dutch and Belgian lifestyles. The "Low Countries" are Europe's oasis of innovation, tolerance and the savoring of life's quieter pleasures. You'll also get an intimate look at the great art that's blossomed in this rich corner of the continent. And the thought of Europe's best chocolate, cheese, bakeries, and beer will make your taste buds tingle.

France

It should be no surprise that France is the world's most-visited country. We'll lead you through the battlefields and rugged coastline of Normandy and Brittany, and the vineyards and chateaux of the Loire Valley and Burgundy. Then we head south to Provence and the glamorous Riviera before topping it all off in romantic, historic Paris.

Paris

Paris is synonymous with beauty, romance, great art museums, and fine cuisine. We'll explore the ins and outs of finding good, affordable hotels and restaurants, the best seasons for visiting, and how to organize your sightseeing. You'll also learn about the many day trips possible from Paris, including Versailles, Giverny and Chartres.

Paris and the Heart of France

Experience the very best of Paris along with its most stunning surroundings: the Loire Valley's exquisite châteaux; Brittany's half-timbered villages; Normandy's magical Mont St. Michel and stirring D-Day beaches; Monet's dreamy gardens at Giverny; and a medieval castle being painstakingly built in Burgundy today - using lots of muscle and 13th-century technology.

France's Great Wine Regions

Learn about French village life where land, tradition, and a slower pace are venerated. After Paris, most travelers are drawn to the romantic hill towns and castles, meandering rivers and canals, and seas of vineyards that carpet the French countryside. In village France, everyone values the soil (le terroir) that brings the flavor to their foods and wines and nourishes a rural lifestyle. So while the country's brain resides in Paris, its soul lives in its villages — and that's where you'll feel the real pulse of France.

Provence & the French Riviera

Join us on a fabulous journey through Provence and the French Riviera. Using the Rick Steves guidebook to these exciting regions as an outline, you'll learn about Provence's remarkable array of Roman sites, its dynamic cities and its most romantic hill towns. You'll also discover the Riviera's most important sights, its best beaches and learn key lessons in crowd avoidance.

Provence

Join us on a fabulous journey through Provence. You'll learn about the Roman sites in Arles, Pont du Gard, Orange and Glanum as well as the market villages of St. Remy, Isle sur La Sorgue and Rousillon. Along the sea, we'll visit the town of Cassis and the marshes of the Camargue. You'll even learn where to find the lavender.

France's Loire, Dordogne and Languedoc

We'll begin with a trip through the Loire Valley, studded with hundreds of castles and palaces. Farther south we'll explore the Dordogne River Valley, a region that includes rock-sculpted villages and a local cuisine to die for. And finally, we'll uncover less-touristed Languedoc, including the fortified town of Carcassonne.

France Q & A

Planning a trip to France? Ask questions just like you would during a private Travel Consult but it is all free. A panel of tour guides from our France tour program will be on hand to help you plan your journey of a life time. Learn about when and where to go and how long to stay, money-saving tips, transportation options and more.

Germany, Austria & Switzerland

Tour the scenic heart of Europe, from the poetic Rhine to the Romantic Road and the fantasy castles and beers of Bavaria. We'll venture onward to the hills of Mozart's Salzburg, then along the Danube to Vienna. Finally, explore the Alpine wonderland of Heidi's Switzerland in Appenzell and the Berner Oberland.

Austria

Enjoy a virtual trip through Austria's top sights. We'll explore elegant Vienna—the epicenter of opera, coffee, Art Nouveau, and waltz music — then make a quick stop in the vineyard-lined Danube Valley. From there it's on to musical Salzburg, and the storybook lakeside village of Hallstatt. For a taste of Alpine living, we'll end in the snowy peaks and green valleys of Tirol.

Switzerland

Switzerland is one of Europe's richest, best organized, most diverse and expensive countries. Enjoy the breathtaking alpine scenery of Switzerland's Alps in summer and winter. Learn more about the French-speaking side of the country; cruising Lake Geneva, tasting cheese and chocolate, and experiencing the other Swiss lakes and villages. Alphorn masters and yodelers abound and will help you understand more about this very traditional land.

Alpine Europe

Meander through the mountains and meadows of Europe's majestic Alps that stretch from France to Slovenia. We'll explore Chamonix, Zermatt, the Bernese Oberland, Hallstatt, the Dolomites, Bled and more. We'll focus upon totally yodel-y outdoor pursuits and villages as well as attractive gateway cities like Bern and Salzburg.

Berlin, Prague and Vienna

We'll explore the heart of historic Europe in three of Europe's greatest cities. Berlin has risen from its tumultuous past to become a gleaming, people-friendly city best known for several world-class museums, a lively nightlife and cafe scene, and many historically significant sites. The hugely popular city of Prague boasts the best beer and art noveau in Europe, a year-round music-festival atmosphere, and an abundance of beautifully preserved facades from every architectural era. Vienna, the Hapsburg Empire's grand capital for 600 years, remains the romantic home of Brahms, outrageously decadent desserts, and the world's classiest cafe culture.

Best of Europe

The best that Europe has to offer. The must-sees — Amsterdam, Venice, Florence, Rome and Paris — and all of their artistic treasures. Plus Europe's quieter treasures, like Germany's castle-coated Rhine River Valley and medieval Rothenburg, the alpine countryside charms of Austria and Switzerland, Italy's sun-drenched Cinque Terre villages and beautiful French Burgundy.

Europe Today

The European Union is beginning to rival the United States as a global superpower. We'll trace the rise of modern Europe from the rubble of World War II through the fall of the Berlin Wall to the heady prosperity of today. We'll see how Europe balances unity and diversity, and how it keeps its traditions alive while forging a global outlook.

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Eastern Europe

Together we'll travel through Eastern Europe's six most accessible and enjoyable countries: the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia. Along the way, we'll stop off in bohemian Prague, charming Krakow, bustling Budapest, Slovenia's enchanting Julian Alps, and the Adriatic escape of Dubrovnik.

Eastern Europe: Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary

Together we'll travel through a trio of Eastern Europe's most accessible and enjoyable countries: the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary. Along the way, we'll stop off in bohemian Prague, charming Krakow, gorgeous Gdansk, and bustling Budapest.

Prague

The hugely popular bohemian Prague boasts the best beer and art noveau in Europe, a year-round music-festival atmosphere, and an abundance of beautifully preserved facades from every architectural era. This presentation will introduce you to some of this and other most engaging sightseeing found in the Bohemian capital city of the Czech Republic.

Prague, Krakow and Budapest

In Prague, we'll enjoy some of Europe's best-preserved architecture, cheapest and best beer, and most engaging sightseeing. Kraków is Poland's most charming city, with one of Europe's biggest and best squares. And Budapest offers some fun-loving thermal baths and fascinating glimpses at the exotic Hungarian culture.

Croatia and Slovenia

The Adriatic is emerging as one of Europe's top destinations. We'll focus primarily on Croatia's Dalmatian Coast: the Roman villa-turned-bustling-city, Split; the "Pearl of the Adriatic," Dubrovnik; and some charming seafront villages. We'll also dip into neighboring Slovenia, combining breathtaking Alpine scenery with a breezy Adriatic café culture.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a land of intriguing contrasts where east flirts with west. You'll marvel at Bulgaria's beautiful and diverse topography from rustic mountain villages to rugged farmland to sleek seaside resorts. Witness a custom blend of Ottoman, Orthodox and Soviet history. Along the way, you'll meet many locals eager to share their unique experiences and folk history.

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Mediterranean Europe

Follow the Mediterranean sun from Portugal to Turkey and learn the best way to travel in each country along the way. Find some of the best spots to linger beside the sea, and learn why the Carthaginians, Phoenicians, Arabs, Greeks and Romans all fought for control of these strategic and beautiful coastlines.

Spain

Our journey begins in Barcelona, gawking at astounding architecture and rambling down the Ramblas. Then it's on to Madrid, where you can fill up on tasty tapas and visit top museums and venture out of town for the day to the smaller towns surrounding this metropolis. We'll finish up down south at Granada, the whitewashed hill towns of Andalucia and tip our hat to Sevilla, the heart of paella and flamenco.

Spain and Portugal

Our journey begins in Barcelona, gawking at astounding architecture and rambling down the Ramblas. Then it's on to Madrid, where you can fill up on tasty tapas and visit top museums. Then we'll head south to Granada, the whitewashed hill towns around Sevilla, and Portugal's romantic Algarve Coast, before finishing our journey in bustling Lisbon.

Portugal

We'll travel to lively Lisbon, then down south to the Algarve coast and Évora. Back up north the coastal town of Nazaré awaits along with Coimbra, the vineyards of the Douro Valley and finally proud Porto. Portugal combines history-rich Roman, Moorish and Baroque architecture with the small towns, seacoast, food, wine and music that make up its heart and soul.

The Basque Region of Spain and France

In this class well explore a region known for its independent spirit, lush scenery, and amazing cuisine. From the laid back seaside town of San Sebastian to the modern architecture of urban Bilbao to the charm of French Bayonne, this class will introduce you to a corner of Europe that many Americans have yet to experience.

Spain's Via de la Plata — The Lesser Walked Pilgrimage Route of the Camino de Santiago

Explore the southern route of the Camino de Santiago as we walk nearly 800 miles through the landscape and history of Spain. We will traverse the many faces of this beautiful country, including Roman, Moorish, Medieval, and Celtic regions. Packing tips, accommodations, and what it really takes to complete this trek will be discussed. Come with all of your questions.

Turkey

Our journey explores exotic Istanbul before crossing the Bosphorus into Asia. We'll show you Turkey's capital city of Ankara, the otherworldly rock formations of Cappadocia, seaside villages and towns including Bodrum, and the Apostle Paul's Ephesus. We'll also visit sights along Turkey's western coastline including Gallipoli and Troy and finish with an introduction to Turkey's greatest treasure...its people.

Turkey Q & A

Whether you are curious about traveling in Turkey or already planning a trip there, this is your chance to have your questions answered by our Turkey travel expert. Learn how to have a great trip, including when and where to go, how long to stay, transportation options and more as you plan your Turkey adventure.

Turkey East to West

Turkish hospitality, Turkish tea, Turkish baths, lovely Turkish children, and the delicious Turkish food would be enough to make one's travel experience to Turkey rich and happy. But Turkey has far more to offer: the timelessness of its history, the richness of its spiritual wealth inspired by the g oddesses, St. Paul and Rumi, the inviting blue waters of the Mediterranean, stunning ancient sites, the philosophies of all ages and the diversity of nature. Join us in a journey from where Prometheus was bound to where the tree of life sprouted in the Garden of Eden, from Noah's Ark to Tarsus where St Paul was born, from 12000 year old sanctuaries to the oldest shopping mall of the world.

Istanbul and Turkey's West Coast

Istanbul is Turkey's historic, cultural and religious center. We'll explore Hagia Sofia, where Christianity and Islam mix, and Chora Church with its Byzantine mosaics. We'll shop in the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market, see Ottoman elegance in Topkapi Palace, marvel at the Blue Mosque, and experience modern Istanbul. We'll travel along Turkey's West Coast from the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean seacoast and south to the Mediterranean at Bodrum. Along the way, we'll visit vineyards, olive groves, Gallipoli battlefields, mountain villages, seaside towns, local markets, ancient Troy and other sites making this part of Turkey rich in history.

Istanbul: Where East Meets West

Istanbul, a city with one part in Europe and the other in Asia, is Turkey's historic, cultural and religious center. In this class, we'll explore Istanbul's most famous sites including Hagia Sofia, where Christianity and Islam mix, and Chora Church with its fine Byzantine mosaics. We'll go shopping in the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market, see Ottoman elegance in Topkapi Palace, marvel at the magnificent Blue Mosque, and experience modern Istanbul as well.

Greece

Punctuated with lots of travel tips, we'll visit many of the ancient sites of the Minoan, Mycenaean, and classical Greek civilizations. Our journey begins in the bustling capital city of Athens, and then we'll dip down to explore the Peloponnese. Our finale will take us island hopping among the Greek islands of Mykonos, Delos, Rhodes, Crete, and Santorini.

Athens & the Peloponnese

From the historic treasures of Athens to the island pleasures of Hydra, from marble monuments where Plato pondered to cliffs that plunge where Odysseus sailed, you'll marvel at the coast's stunning vistas and sugar-cube villages, and appreciate a non-touristy taste of the rugged interior of the Peloponnese Peninsula.

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Iran

Abdi is an Iranian American and was the Associate Producer of Rick Steves' Iran. Take a look inside Iran and learn how you can travel this ancient land. In this presentation, visit the sights of ancient Persia, from Esfahan, and Shiraz, to Persepolis, Yazd, and Kashan, then to the modern capital city of Tehran. Hear stories from Iranian American film maker Abdi Sami that will change your pre-conceived notions of this beautiful country.

Jan Steves, Rick's Sister — 800 Miles Across Alaska by Dog Team

Come share the experience of a lifetime, 800 miles across Alaska's interior by dog team, as Jan Steves prepares for the Iditarod 2012. She will share wild and wooly adventures sledding through a blizzard and beautiful northern landscapes.

Weekend Student Adventures with Andy Steves

Andy Steves will share all the latest on "flash-packing" through Europe — discount airlines, hostelworld.com, smart use of mobile technology, great urban experiences for students, and more — in a practical hour long lecture.

This is the talk Andy has given at university campuses across the USA and for foreign study programs throughout Europe as he equips and empowers American students to get the most out of their three-day weekends while on study abroad programs.

Andy's company, Weekend Student Adventures, organizes student tours and he has all the latest for anyone flash-packing through Europe on a student's budget.

Andy's father, a travel writer named Rick Steves, will introduce Andy with a few reminisces of his own student travels.

Reserve your free spot to join Andy and Rick for this one-time event.

Battlefields of WWI

For WWI history buffs, this class makes the battles of the major western-front battlefields of Ypres, Somme, and Verdun come alive. Abe Bringolf will brief you on the motivation, warfare, and resolution of the 3 battlefields of the Great War and how to explore them on your own in the 21st century.

European Cooking

Step-by-step introductions on how to prepare a different regional European specialty for each class. You also get to taste the food being made and take home a free copy of the recipe so you can prepare it later at home. Each and every dish prepared in the course is certain to be OH SOOOO delicious.

The regional specialty to be presented is indicated by the subtitle of this class as seen when you sign up.

Turkish Cooking

Local Turkish cooking instructor Sureyya Gokeri will show you how to prepare tasty Turkish specialties without cooking. Sample these delicious specialties and take home the recipes to prepare them your selves.

European Beer Tasting

Join us for a taste of Europe's best brews. While you learn about the beer styles of each European country's beer producing regions, Tim Nichols, beer aficionado, will also show you how to go about getting brewery tours in Europe not generally open to the public. Prost, Cheers, Salute!

European Cheese Tasting

Strom Peterson, Local owner of the Resident Cheese Monger will tantilize your taste buds with a sampling of Europe's most delicious cheeses. From French to Swiss to Italian cheeses you will get to know more about cheese-making at its best. C'est cheese!

European Sleeps: Beyond Hotels and B&Bs

Whether you are a student traveler, a large family, or hoping to stay in the countryside for a week, there are great alternative options for where you sleep. Hostels, rentals, home exchanges, or couch surfing can save travelers lodging fees. This class will provide tips and information so you can decide if one of these options is right for your trip.

Biking Europe

Gordon Black, a former public radio journalist who has traveled the byways and bike paths of Europe over the last thirty years. He will share his knowledge from the rail-trails of Spain to the North Sea Cycle Route meandering from Scotland to Holland and Norway. Europe has an alluring list of places to ride a bicycle. Its combination of great scenery and inviting small roads is best seen up-close and slowly from a bicycle seat. Many Americans are discovering what Europeans themselves have been enjoying for decades — relaxed bicycle rides that provide an intimate look at in scenically diverse corners of Europe.

Guilt-Free Girlfriend Getaways

Get rid of the guilt and give yourself permission for a much-needed break from your hectic life. We'll give you "permission" to travel to Europe with your girlfriends so you can recharge and rediscover the fun and fancy-free female you once were. Learn why you absolutely need to get away, where to go, who you should travel with, how to prepare and get the most from your trip and what great escapes can do for you.

Holiday Travel in the Alps

Fairy-tale villages snuggled under a blanket of snow, hot spiced wine, jagged peaks, gingerbread, winter sports and Christmas markets are all part of the appeal of holiday travel in the alpine regions of Europe. The nations that share the Alps (Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, France & Slovenia) beckon the traveler all year round. Winter travel offers special charms and considerations. Join us for a slideshow of colorful images and travel tips designed to help you plan your own alpine adventure.

Scandinavian Christmas Crafts

Learn the age old Danish tradition of making woven hearts to decorate for the holidays. Materials included. Come join the fun!

Rick Steves on Mediterranean Cruising

Rick is just home from two back-to-back cruises covering nearly all the major Mediterranean ports as he researched and updated our new Rick Steves guidebook, Mediterranean Cruise Ports. Has Rick sold out? Has he turned his back on the Back Door gospel of independent travel? How much weight did he gain? Join Rick Steves for a candid and fun report on cruising and how to enjoy better day trips from Barcelona to the French Riviera to the big port springboards for Rome and Florence, Naples and the Amalfi Coast, Athens, Istanbul, and the Greek Isles.

Rick Steves' 2011 Travel Report

Each spring and summer for the last quarter century, Rick Steves has spent four months researching guidebooks and making TV shows. Each fall he reviews his travels, lessons learned, what's hot and what's not with his staff — with a special "insider" slide show. This year, Rick is sharing this report with you. Join Rick for a very candid and casual report on this year's travels. From Rome, Florence, the Cinque Terre, Paris, the Loire, great chateaus, the Alps — via Ferrata, London and North England, he updated lots of guidebooks, produced nine new TV shows and had the thrill of his life hanging from a cable over a cliff high in the Swiss Alps. Join us for a fun and informative 90 minute report.

Technology Tips for Travel

Flummoxed by Facebook? Tempted by Twitter? This class will give you the lowdown on how to best use social media and the Internet to help plan your vacations, get up-to-date information on the road and share your adventures when you get home. You'll also learn about the latest devices that will make your trip easier, get a list of must-have apps for your iPad and smartphone, and receive tips on how to use them overseas (without spending a bundle).