Focus on Sunny Spring Getaways
 |
| Greece offers maximum color (and minimum crowds) in spring. |
Why wait till July for balmy breezes and short-sleeved afternoons? This month's sunny spring getaways are brought to you by the letter A: for Athens, Aegean, Adriatic, Amalfi, and "A little more sunscreen on my back, please."
Learn About Rick Steves' Best of...
Athens & the Heart of Greece in 14 Days
Greece offers an odyssey of time-travel thrills, from marble monuments where Plato pondered, to cliffs that plunge where Odysseus sailed. From the historic treasures of Athens to the island pleasures of Hydra, this tour is a one-of-a-kind classic from beginning to end.
South Italy in 13 Days
Here's the slice of Italy that's richest in contrasts, from cities to beaches, rugged to glamorous and historic to hip. We'll kick things off in Rome, then cross Italy's boot, for the wild beauty of the Gargano Peninsula and the Adriatic. Then we'll meander through untouristed country, where the espresso pours thick and the mozzarella is fresh from the buffalo. We'll top it off with a rich mix of history (Paestum and Pompeii), beauty (Amalfi and Sorrento) and untamed energy (Vesuvius and Naples).
The Adriatic in 14 Days
Imagine sitting beside an Adriatic harbor, listening to gently lapping waves as a Venetian-style bell tower clangs out the hour. The Adriatic has it all: stay-a-while seashores, majestic mountains, epic history, and delectable food and wine.
Online Articles:
Interview with David Willett
Getting paid to travel around Greece sounds like a dream job. But tour guide David Willett has worked hard to make it look easy.
Idyllic Istria
With its charming hill towns, seaside villages and cultural surprises, Croatia's Istrian peninsula is a microcosm of our 2-week Adriatic tour.
Naples and the Amalfi Coast
Nowhere in Europe can you find a more eye-opening side-by-side combo of breathtaking scenery and urban cultural thrills as along this stretch of the South Italy coastline.
Magic Moments from Greece
The heart of Greece beats strongest in the Peloponnese, where dramatic scenery, friendly people and harborside evenings create an unforgettable two week odyssey for our tour members.
Radio Show Podcasts:
Naples and the Amalfi Coast
Naples is one of Europe's most chaotic urban scenes. American-born tour guide Nina Bernardo, who now lives there, separates truth from myth regarding Naples and the nearby Amalfi Coast (originally aired 7/22/2006).
Listen to the entire show (Windows Media)
Insiders Guide to Greece
Visiting the rich array of ancient sites in Greece is something every seasoned traveler should do at least once, and in this feature Rick gets an insider's perspective on visiting Greece from tour guide Penny Kolomvatsou (originally aired 1/14/2006).
Listen to the entire show (Windows Media)
Rick Steves' Europe TV Clips:
Subscribe to our free video podcasts at iTunes, then take these sneak peeks at where our featured "sunny spring getaways" will take you!
Athens' Ancient Acropolis and Agora
Crowned by the mighty Parthenon temple, the Acropolis rises above modern Athens; a lasting testament to Greece's glorious golden age. The Agora at its base was the hub of commercial, political and social life. Released 10/8/2008. 4 mins 57 secs.
Amalfi Coast: A Cliff Top Drive
Just south of Naples you'll find one of Italy's most beautiful slices of scenery: the Amalfi coastline. To take it all in, you'll want to follow the coast road...and let someone else do the driving. Released 9/13/2006. 3 mins 35 secs.
Dubrovnik: Pearl of the Adriatic
Dubrovnik is the pearl of the Adriatic, jutting confidently out to the sea. The city's 15th-century walls, kid-friendly squares, and traffic-free old town are just some of the charms Dubrovnik has in store for travelers. Released 2/27/2008. 2 mins 57 secs.
Coming soon:
Rick recently filmed a pair of new TV episodes on Greece, which will be available as part of his all-new "12 New Shows 2009" DVD set. It arrives at our online Travel Store in mid-November!