Hi from Rick: Local Friends Spice Up Travel
Dear Traveler,
One of my favorite things in Europe is to run into one of our tour groups when I’m researching a guidebook — especially at dinnertime. The other night I shared some tasty Sicilian specialties with one of our Rome groups, dining in a grand old church-turned-trattoria. As our guide introduced a mouth-watering montage of appetizers, the waiter chimed in, determined to prove that Sicilian wine is every bit as good as the trendy Tuscan stuff. Anytime somebody wants to show off their regional culture...a Rick Steves tour guide is sure to give them the stage.
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| After a long day of guidebook research in Europe, Rick loves joining a tour group for dinner. |
I’ve been wandering through Spain, Portugal and Italy for the past month, discovering new people, places and information for next year’s guidebooks and tours. It’s a labor of love. Whether I’m meeting a friendly family producing Port wine on the Duoro Valley, learning all about Rome’s ghetto (with a unique Jewish culture that goes back 2000 years), or finding a charismatic character who serves a paella party on the beach, I feel like a proud explorer sending my discoveries back to our tour headquarters. It’s one reason why those who join our tours feel like they’re on the cutting edge of European travel.
In this month’s Tour News we'll get some travel tips from our senior Scandinavia guide (who also helps me update the guidebook), Sonja Groset. We'll enjoy a report from a couple of newlyweds who’ve woven our Best of Europe trip into their young family story. And we're announcing some exciting new departure dates. The dollar is gaining strength again, and every American I’ve met over here tells me what a great time this is to be enjoying Europe.
I’m in Cortona today, where I learned that when Frances Mayes bought her now famous "under the Tuscan Sun” fixer-upper, locals nicknamed the villa Bramasole ("begs for sun”). Built against the shady north side of a hill, they figured it would never sell…until a starry-eyed American came along. Even under the Tuscan shade, Frances Mayes has had a wonderful time here. And on a Rick Steves tour — sun or shade — we’re determined to satisfy your starry-eyed dreams of a great European adventure.
Ciao,
Rick Steves