|
|
|
|
|
|
| About the Program Share Feedback Program Archives |
Airdate: June 27, 2009
Whether you studied art history in college, or you just want to be a good sport on your next trip to Europe, we'll see how art can change the way you look at the world. Rick is joined by the co-author of his Europe 101 book on art appreciation, and by certified guides from Rome and Florence, to discover new ways of looking at the masterpieces that surround you in Italy.
Additional Links:
(Original Airdate Nov 15, 2008)
Airdate: June 13, 2009
Rick gets advice from a flight attendant on how to enjoy flying in the coach section of the plane, including tips for getting a good seat, and hears from two Hollywood comedy writers who challenged each other to see who could make it around the world first — without ever using an airplane.
Additional Links:
(Original Airdate May 17, 2008)
(Original Airdate September 13, 2008)
Airdate: May 16, 2009
Castles were the high points of their communities for centuries. We will experience castles in Europe with an expert guide from Wales. And we'll get listener recommendations for castles to visit - from historical ruins to converted B&Bs - all the way to Transylvania. We'll also hear how American high school students travel to Guatemala each summer... to learn first-hand how connected we really are in our modern world.
Additional Links:
Airdate: May 16, 2009
We're taking a closer look at some of the interesting sites you'll find all around you — and beneath your feet — on the streets of Rome. Rick's joined by a tour guide raised in Rome who knows her city inside out, and what it can still teach us about ourselves today. We'll also check in on the city's now-trendy Jewish Ghetto, get practical tips for planning a visit, and hear what some of our listeners have discovered in Rome.
Additional Links:
Airdate: May 9, 2009
Out of the rubble of World War Two, European visionaries came up with a way to get their countries to cooperate and to prevent another devastating war. We're commemorating Europe Day with a panel of European citizens. Join us as we discuss how the E-U addresses the political and social issues facing Europe today.
Additional Links:
Airdate: May 2, 2009
Budget travel guru Arthur Frommer joins Rick to compare notes on recent travel trends, and share ideas for seeing the world in a down economy. Also, Margaret Hemmen provides tips on how to research for some of the year's biggest music festivals, since 2009 will include anniversaries of many major classical composers.
Additional Links:
Airdate: April 25, 2009
Our investment in the world goes beyond travel tips as we explore practical solutions to addressing world hunger. Rick's guests include a preacher-economist who heads a non-profit agency that advocates for the interests of hungry people around the world. And we'll hear from a Kenyan agricultural specialist who's helping to address policies and markets that will benefit people in developing nations.
Additional Links:
(Original Airdate June 7, 2008)
Airdate: April 11, 2009
Rick celebrates Easter by learning about Christian pilgrimages to Israel and the Mediterranean region, where Saint Paul traveled, calling one of our listeners to hear about her year spent volunteering at non-profit projects around the world, and exploring inspirational religious sites in the Middle East.
Additional Links:
Airdate: April 4, 2009
Local guides from Madrid and Seville share tips on how to experience Spain's colorful southern festivals, from lively cities to white-washed hill towns, explain how Spaniards maintain traditions in Seville, and discuss why many consider it the most romantic city in the country.
Additional Links:
(Original Airdate July 14, 2007)
Airdate: March 21, 2009
If travel is the best education, imagine what you could learn when you take a year off to take your family around the world. We'll hear how an average family of five engaged in "world schooling," and how it brought them closer together as they spent time in a variety of cultures all over the world. In addition, Rick checks in with a Lonely Planet author in Southern California, with tips for family fun and finding cultures from across the world in Los Angeles.
Additional Links:
Airdate: March 14, 2009
Recent changes in the global economy are showing up now in Ireland — which the European Union used to call one of its best examples of investing in small countries. We'll get an update on the downturn of the "Celtic Tiger," which promises to keep prices in check for visitors to Ireland this year. Rick and his experts on Ireland will take listener calls and remind us how the Emerald Isle still provides a genuine welcome, where a good story is just a pint away.
Additional Links:
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: March 7, 2009
We meet writer Bill Holm, in one of his last interviews. He reflects on the view from his cottage on the coast of Iceland — how it illuminates the view of his home in small town America, and the important things learned in 65 years of life. Bill Holm was a celebrated writer and poet from Minnesota who recently passed away - a few weeks after his interview with Rick was recorded.
Also, from Homer, Alaska, Geo Beach inspires us to enjoy winter in his home state, where the Iditarod Sled Dog Race is just getting underway.
Additional Links:
Streaming Extras:
(Original Airdate February 23, 2008)
Airdate: February 21, 2009
Estonia is emerging from years under Soviet domination and turning into a popular destination for travelers looking to mix old world charm with the energy of the "new Europe." Join Rick as he uncovers Estonia, one of Europe's little surpises, from the medievel capital of Tallinn, to rusting ex-military bases on quiet islands in the Baltic Sea.
Additional Links:
Airdate: February 14, 2009
Rick chats with listeners about finding time for a little romance in our travels and takes calls and emails about the most romantic destinations, including the perfect place for a proposal or honeymoon. Join us for a Valentine's theme with your suggestions of favorite romantic travel destinations on the next Travel with Rick Steves.
Additional Links:
Airdate: February 7, 2009
Bicycles are a popular way to get around town in the Netherlands as part of the efficient Dutch culture. We're checking in on one of Europe's most well-ordered countries, including suggestions for taking in the extraordinary spring flower festivals in the Netherlands. In addition, adventure cyclist Willie Weir tells us about his ride across one of South America's least-understood countries, Colombia.
Additional Links:
Streaming Extras:
(Original Airdate November 18, 2006)
Airdate: January 24, 2009
Helen Thayer, one of the most remarkable adventure travelers of our time, dreamed of trekking across Mongolia since she was a schoolgirl. At the age of 63, she and her husband became the first people to walk the entire length of the Gobi desert — the long way. Find out what they learned about the desert, the local nomads they met, and the deadly dangers they faced while on foot in the Gobi for three months.
Additional Links:
(Original Airdate May 5, 2007)
Airdate: January 10, 2009
We conclude our two-part series about Iran with an exploration of what the country offers as a tourist destination. Rick is joined by the Lonely Planet's "Iran" guidebook author, and by a tour organizer who specializes in the ins and outs of taking Americans thru Iran. They'll compare notes on Iranian culture, and what Westerners need to know about it. We will hear how Iran's impressive historical sites and magical cities are matched only by the country's legendary hospitality toward visitors.
Additional Links:
A preview of the Rick Steves public TV documentary about Iran and related information on Rick's travels to Iran, are at
Airdate: January 3, 2009
We start a two-part series about one of the most perplexing countries in the Middle East on this week's Travel with Rick Steves. Rick learns about the culture, politics, and people of Iran from two Iranian-American experts, a journalist and a professor. Their recent books deal with the conflicts within Iranian culture, and on how the pressures of globalization help to feed terrorist sympathies among some traditional communities.
Additional Links:
(Original Airdate December 29, 2007)
(Original Airdate December 15, 2007)
Airdate: December 13, 2008
Polar bears may be the top of the food chain, but they're taking a serious hit from climate change at the top of the world. On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, we meet wilderness photographer Steven Kazlowski. He's spent years getting acquainted with the Arctic, and tells us what he's witnessed, what he learned, and what he documents in his latest photo-essay book, "The Last Polar Bear." And we'll get a head start on Christmas celebrations in London, Rome, and Germany.
Additional Links:
Airdate: December 6, 2008
Johnny Jet is the ultimate frequent flyer. He turned a fear of flying into a travel career that takes him overseas more than he stays at home. On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, Johnny updates us on trends in air travel, and shares his tips for cutting the cost — and the headaches — from travel.
Additional Links:
Johnny's website and multi-search engine is at www.johnnyjet.com
The travel industry websites Johnny mentions during the interview include:
"search engine" sites include: -
Streaming Extras:
(Original Airdate March 1, 2008)
(Original Airdate April 26, 2008)
Airdate: November 15, 2008
Have you ever found yourself between a rock and a hard place, or heard the tempting call of the sirens to forget about your plans? These are some of the experiences Scott Huler had on a six month voyage to re-trace the steps of Ulysses. On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, we'll hear what you can discover about yourself in the Mediterranean, 3,000 years after "The Odyssey." Next, a writer from Forbes.com tells us the lengths some intrepid travelers are going to in order to reach the far corners of the earth.
Additional Links:
(Original Airdate Feb 2, 2008)
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: November 1, 2008
Turkey has become a favorite haunt of travelers who look for a distinct and welcoming culture — living on top of layers of history from the civilizations of long ago. On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, tour guide Meli Seval introduces us to the appeal of Turkey deep within the country — beyond the cosmopolitan scene in Istanbul.
Additional Links:
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: October 25, 2008
Patricia Schultz, author of the best-seller "A Thousand Places to See Before you Die," joins Rick to talk about narrowing down some of her favorite places to visit. Get inspired to see the world, armed with confidence and useful travel tips. Come along as we make travel plans on the next Travel with Rick Steves.
Additional Links:
(Original Airdate Nov 24, 2007)
Airdate: October 11, 2008
Columbus was just one in a long line of trans-Atlantic travelers. Travel writer Tony Horwitz retraces the North American routes of 16th century explorers, and how they changed America before the big waves of European settlers arrived. And sailing expert Anthony Sandberg reveals what we'll find in today's hot spot for discovery — Antarctica. Hear what you can discover on this week's Travel with Rick Steves.
Additional Links:
Airdate: October 4, 2008
Rick shares notes with his Iranian-American filmmaking consultant about their recent trip to Iran to film a special for public television. We'll hear what "family values" means to the average Iranian, and how some of them circumnavigate the taboos of their fundamentalist religious government. It could be one of the least understood cultures in the world, and Westerners are often surprised by the welcome they find — from the congested capital, Tehran, to the dusty and magnificent sites of ancient Persia.
Additional Links:
Airdate: September 27, 2008
Berlin is asserting itself as one of the world's powerhouse cities, and one of Europe's more affordable destinations for newcomers. Rick chats with an American who calls Berlin home, and gets an update on the city's attractions including the intense re-construction projects revealing a re-invented German capital.
Airdate: September 20, 2008
Humorist and frequent traveler David Sedaris tells us how he's settled in as a 50-something ex-pat in Europe on the next Travel with Rick Steves. And he shares a few surprises about what he found in Japan — where he went to learn to quit smoking. David helps us tackle the gender of French nouns — sort of — and compares notes with Rick on the most irritating things about tourists in Paris, staying in hotels, and a dirty little secret about some flight attendants.
Additional Links:
Airdate: September 13, 2008
Italian food expert Fred Plotkin joins us with an informed palate to savor the variety of regional Italian cuisine specialties. We'll learn where to look for great Italian food on a budget, and some of the local traditions Italians have for what and when they eat and drink. Join us for a gastronomic pilgrimage with the author of "Italy for the Gourmet Traveler."
Additional Links:
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: September 6, 2008
Rick speaks with Lord Alderdice from Belfast, one of the key political figures who helped resolve Northern Ireland's long-standing "troubles" between its Catholic and Protestant citizens. He shares his approach for addressing the tensions facing the United States and its allies today in overcoming terrorism and in designing road maps for peace.
Additional Links:
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: August 30, 2008
Two American travelers reveal the hidden sub-cultures in the Muslim World of the Middle East and North Africa. Looking behind the veil, our guests are an American Muslim who spent a year on her own getting acquainted with the region and a gay travel writer who was surprised by what he encountered in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Additional Links:
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: August 23, 2008
For some Americans, the frenzied yet laid-back style of Italy's big southern island can be a bit overwhelming. Alfio di Mauro joins Rick to take listener calls and offer insider tips on getting the most out of a vacation to Sicily.
And, for something completely different, Christoph Dressler returns with an overview of the Black Forest region, where Germans are prescribed time off from work to soak in mineral spas and to "power hike" in the mountains.
Airdate: August 16, 2008
Filled with a proud Imperial history, friendly formality, hundreds of hot springs, and some of Europe's spicier home cooking, Hungary is a cultural goulash. Rick explores options for getting beyond the busy capital of Budapest into the heart of Hungary's countryside. Tour guide Peter Polczman takes travelers' calls highlighting the scenic Danube Bend, Lake Balaton, and the proud winemaking town of Eger, famous for its strong "bull's blood" wine.
Additional Links:
Airdate: August 9, 2008
Caught in the cultural crosshairs of Europe, Bulgaria is emerging as one of Eastern Europe's bargains. Travelers to Bulgaria can expect Ancient Byzantine and Ottoman influences and experience Mummers and midwives keeping traditions dating back to the ancient Thracians and Romans times alive. Rick also takes a house call from the travel doctor, who offers preventive advice for the long plane ride overseas and visiting the third world.
Additional Links:
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: August 2, 2008
Art history specialist, co-author of "Europe 101" and original "Europe Through the Gutter" travel partner Gene Openshaw joins Rick to inspire us with a close-up view of masterpieces including paintings, sculptures and architecture travelers can't afford to miss in Europe.
Additional Links:
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: July 26, 2008
Home of rasta and reggae, the small island of Jamaica offers big personality, a distinctive accent, waterfall zip lines, and snorkeling with dolphins. Thanks to all this and more, Jamaica is one of the most popular getaways in the Caribbean. And, for something completely different, the Middle Eastern kingdom of Jordan delights travelers with desert excursions, modern resorts on the Red Sea, anciet cities and more. From Petra to Bedouin, tourists to Jordan are in for a treat.
Additional Links:
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: July 19, 2008
Salman Rushdie joins Rick to discuss how to confront the cultural clash between East and West and explain the motivation for his latest novel, "The Enchantress of Florence," which revolves around the earliest contacts between Europeans and 16th century moghul India. Later, sailing expert Anthony Sandberg recommends how to experience the eastern Mediterranean, much like the ancients did — by island-hopping with a boat.
Additional Links:
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: July 12, 2008
Whether you make it your home base for a few days, or for good, Provence charms any traveler hoping to expeirence traditional French countryside. Two France experts join Rick to take listener calls and unveil what makes Provence such a distinctive region, and why it's so popular among American and European visitors.
Additional Links:
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: July 5, 2008
Rick talks with the editor at Life Books about their new photo essay on one hundred of the most compelling places to visit in the USA. And we'll get re-acquainted with Route 66 and the appeal it still holds for a classic road trip thru the heart of middle America and the southwest.
Additional Links:
Airdate: June 28, 2008
Fred Krakowiak, a wildlife painter who shares his love for Africa with us through his vivid descriptions of a safari, shows Rick what Africa looks like through the eyes of a painter, and Doctor Edward Chapnick, the head of travel medicine at a major hospital in Brooklyn, answers questions about precautions for visits to lesser developed countries, as well as the plane ride over.
Additional Links:
Airdate: June 21, 2008
Stockholm-based tour guide Marita Bergman provides a glimpse into the attractions of her home city and takes listener calls on suggestions for exploring the Swedish countryside. Marita also explains how Swedish society provides for raising a familiy, and how the Swedes celebrate the longest day of the year.
Airdate: June 14, 2008
With seaside resorts on two coasts, volcano, rainforest, jungle, and more species of birds and butterflies than almost anywhere else on earth, Costa Rica is a naturalist's eco-dream. Travel writer Christopher Baker gives us a taste of Costa Rica's "pura vida" and tips on when to visit the country and how to get close to nature — whether by river raft or by zip-line.
Additional Links:
Airdate: June 7, 2008
For some parents, fear of flying means wondering how their kid will behave on the plane. Rick shares practical advice and pointers on traveling with children ranging from toddlers to teens. From acclimating kids to the streets of Rome to leaning how to cope with jetlag, Rick's guests discuss what parents need to know and how to turn kids into lifelong travelers.
Additional Links:
Airdate: May 31, 2008
One of Europe's most entertaining cities is a great place for a civilized stroll around town. Rick chats about Edinburgh, Scotland with guides Anne Doig and Ken Hanley, who show off their home town to hundreds of Americans each year. They'll fill us in on the intimate corners of Edinburgh and explain how best to enjoy its fabled summer festivals and catch a wee dram of the spirit and pride of the Scottish people.
Airdate: May 24, 2008
The weaker value of the US dollar doesn't have to bust your budget and get in the way of enjoying the European vacation you've always dreamed of. From finding affordable accommodations in hot spots such as London, Madrid and Paris to exploring emerging destinations in Eastern Europe where the dollar still holds up against the local currencies, we're spending the hour exploring European travel budget tricks on this week's Travel with Rick Steves.
Additional Links:
Airdate: May 17, 2008
The beaches of Normandy hold the memories of the thousands who fought — and the many who died — to bring an end to Europe's Nazi tyranny in 1944. Rick explores options for visiting the sites connected with D-Day — a trip many Americans rate among the most moving of their lives — and fields listener calls and emails to help plan upcoming travels to Europe. There's another round of listener travel haiku, too.
Additional Links:
Airdate: May 10, 2008
With an extravagant collection of more history, art, and culture than any other city in the world, Rome defined the word "civilization" two thousand years ago. Today, two of Rome's best tour guides join Rick to take listener calls, point out the city's high points, and offer tips travelers with any amount of time to spend in the Eternal City can put to use.
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: May 3, 2008
Now one of the world's largest cities, Istanbul retains its intimate character with the echoes of generations still evident in its narrow streets and ornate monuments. Rick's friends Tan and Lale Aran join us for a guide to their rapidly growing city and take calls to help listeners plan their visits to Istanbul.
Additional Links:
Streaming Extras:
Istanbul: Rick, Tan and Lale talk about the language barrier between Turkish and English and some of the traditional Turkish foods worth going out of your way to experience in Istanbul, starting in the neighborhood of Eyup. (runs 2:50)
Airdate: April 26, 2008
When self-described grump Eric Weiner took a year off from being an NPR correspondent to search for the happiest countries in the world he found some surprising reasons why people are content with the places they call home. Eric joins Rick to discuss what makes the Dutch, Swiss, Icelanders, East Indians, Thais, and even the Bhutanese happy with their lot in life.
Additional Links:
Airdate: April 19, 2008
Rick reviews the World Monuments Fund list of the "100 Most Endangered Sites" and finds out what's putting them at risk, and what we can do to help. Also, Rick is joined by the founder of the Olympic Circle Sailing Club in Berkeley, California, and looks at the role sailing clubs are playing as they bring people together to let wind power take them near and far.
Additional Links:
Airdate: April 12, 2008
The old China travelers once knew is undergoing radical changes, mixing some of the world's oldest cultural heritage with futuristic city sklines and making way for the next generation of tourists. In fact, it's changing so rapidly, travelers need more than a good guidebook to get around. Rick learns how to get the most out of a visit to China from three experts on Chinese culture and society and finds out what visitors to today's China can expect.
Additional Links:
Airdate: April 5, 2008
If you haven't seen Paris you haven't tasted the best of Europe. French tour guide Patrick Vidal joins Rick for an insider's perspective on the style and substance that make Paris a cultural capital. We'll also hear from listeners with their own suggestions for what makes Paris one of the world's favorite cities.
Alaska Overview & Road Tripping with the Kids
(Original Airdate May26, 2007)
Airdate: March 22, 2008
Rick's guest Dan Austin describes what it takes to be a "Road Trip Pilgrim," and how a tiny travel budget can actually enhance your experience. Even if you don't want to climb a mountain, there are many ways to add a deeper sense of purpose to your travels. We'll share pratical ideas on taking take time off to recharge your spirit in another part of the world, no matter what your age or income.
Additional Links:
Airdate: March 15, 2008
Irish tour guide Stephen McPhilemy takes listener calls to explain how the high-tech boom and pop-culture scene have skyrocketed Dublin's stature in recent years and how that's changing the character of the Irish capital. Find out why people across the country are calling Dublin one of their favorite cities — even though it has become one of its most expensive for American visitors.
Additional Links:
Airdate: March 8, 2008
Berlin is re-asserting itself as one of the world's powerhouse cities, and one of Europe's more-affordable cities for newcomers. Rick gets an update on the city's attractions and energy from an American who now calls Berlin his home and discovers how Berlin's intense re-construction project promises to reveal a re-invented German capital soon.
Airdate: March 1, 2008
Two of Rick's favorite tour guides from Scotland and Wales join Rick to contrast the charms of Wales and Scotland and discuss the distinctions travelers can find in the United Kingdom, including a far more interesting taste of the authentic culture than you'll find from the standard romanticized tourists cliches. And another round of listener poetry about Winter in Ireland.
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: February 23, 2008
Italy's distinctive regional cuisines are a high point for many travelers, but the disinctive customs Italians have for their food and drink sometimes baffles American visitors. Two Italian food guides chat with Rick to lay out the tenents of good everyday food — Italian style. And, we'll help you enjoy eating like an Italian, without letting low exchange rate get in the way of enjoying authentic Italian cuisine.
Additional Links:
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: February 16, 2008
With the help of two politically-savvy Turks from Istanbul, we'll discuss some of the trickier political issues facing both Turkey and Tibet today and hear how Turkey is preparing for a formal relationship with the European Union. And, a Lonely Planet author explains how China's political control is changing Tibet, and offers tips for finding its traditional Buddhist culture.
Additional Links:
Airdate: February 9, 2008
Rick and travel guru Don George share advice with listeners about romantic getaways, B&Bs, and connecting with the locals. We'll also hear Jennifer Cox's story of traveling the world to find a soulmate and get a first-hand report from Siena in central Italy about how to savor the moment, Tuscan-style.
Additional Links:
Airdate: February 2, 2008
Robert Edsel, author of "Rescuing DaVinci" and producer of the documentary film "The Rape of Europa" joins Rick to describe Hitler's obsession with art, and how a special unit of Allies, known as the Monuments Men, re-patriated Europe's treasures after the war — and the work that remains to be done today.
Additional Links:
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: January 26, 2008
From kangaroos to Carnival, Rick focuses on the attractions of Australia, and the celebrations surrounding Mardi Gras parties and parades in New Orleans. Rick explores Aussie culture and New Orleans with Lonely Planet experts. We'll also hear how Mardi Gras is a series of celebrations for all ages, and why it's so important in helping revive the spirit of New Orleans.
Additional Links:
People's Guide to Mexico
(Original Airdate February 3, 2007)
Streaming Extras:
Tuscany & Umbria
(Original Airdate June 3, 2006)
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: January 5, 2008
Two of Rick's favorite London guides clue us in on what's new for 2008 and offer tips on how to navigate the city sprawl while finding characteristic neighborhoods without getting lost in the Underground. And we'll compare notes with listeners on budget tricks and free attractions that make London one of the world's top travel destinations.
Airdate: December 29, 2007
Explore the many ways our friends from Scotland, Holland, Hungary, Spain, Sicily, Turkey and even Australia welcome in the new year and get a report from one of our traveling listeners about his recent trip-of-a-lifetime to Ecuador. We've all got to share one planet, so come along as we explore our world, and welcome in the new year in style.
Airdate: December 22, 2007
Rick takes listener calls about travel during the holidays, and phones a few of his friends in Europe to find out how they're celebrating Christmas. We'll also hear about guarding traditions in Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Ireland and Portugal, and how some traditionas are changing with modern times. And we'll even find out about some of Santa Claus's relatives, back in the "old country."
Airdate: December 15, 2007
Rick takes listener calls about travel during the holidays, and phones a few of his friends in Europe to find out how they're celebrating Christmas. We'll also hear about guarding traditions in Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Ireland and Portugal, and how some traditionas are changing with modern times. And we'll even find out about some of Santa Claus's relatives, back in the "old country."
Visiting Vienna
(Original Airdate November 25, 2006)
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: December 1, 2007
Rick fields listener calls and emails dealing with stories of travel adventures — and a few misadventures. From faux pas to favorite food overseas, Rick spends a full hour on the lessons learned from "travelers' school of hard knocks."
Airdate: November 24, 2007
Tony Wheeler, founder of what has become the world's largest travel empire, Lonely Planet, shares some of the tales that he chronicles in his new book, "Unlikely Destinations: The Lonely Planet Story." Rick compares notes with Tony as he recalls the early travel adventures that formed the foundation of a pre-eminent publishing house known for helping independent travelers find their way through even the smallest and thorniest of countries.
Additional Links:
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: November 17, 2007
Some of the best souvenirs from a trip overseas are making connections with people and cultures on local terms. Rick takes a closer look at how we can have a positive impact on the places we visit, and Jeff Greenwald of EthicalTraveler.org shares his tips for being a first-class ambassador to the third world. Plus, Moon Handbook South Pacific author David Stanley gives Rick an overview of "Oceania" and Rick compares notes with Lonely Planet author Andy Bender on some of his favorite "Back Door" sites in Amsterdam.
Additional Links:
Touring South Africa
(Original Airdate November 4, 2006)
Airdate: November 3, 2007
With recent concerns about how Turkey deals with Kurdish separatists inside and across its borders, it's a good time to get a local's take on how the country functions in a rough and tumble corner of the world. Meli Seval returns to explain how nationalism helps shape Turkish democracy and what it means to Turkish citizens as the country celebrates its 84th anniversary as a republic. We'll also hear from listeners on how spending time abroad has spiced up their lives.
Additional Links:
Airdate: October 27, 2007
Travel writer Don George joins Rick to field listener emails about travel to the developing world. We'll also get pointers for touring the massive Amazon River region of Brazil, where river transportation is like a non-stop party boat, and learn about the indigenous Maori culture of New Zealand.
Additional Links:
Airdate: October 20, 2007
Listeners share secrets on traveling on a budget, and learn the price of being an over-worked American — just in time to commemorate "Take Back Your Time Day" on October 24th. Also, we'll get tips on researching family trees in Europe from two of our Sicilian friends, and look at the influence of Sicilian culture as an alternative to the frantic American pace of life.
Additional Links:
Bernard-Henri Levy
(Original Airdate November 11, 2006)
Airdate: October 6, 2007
Lonely Planet author Errol Hunt paints a vivid picture of his homeland, New Zealand, and its distinct social mix including the Polynesian Maori culture. And, for a sunny getaway closer to home, Rick explores Mexico's Baja California peninsula from its gritty border towns to land's end at Cabo San Lucas.
Additional Links:
Eastern Germany
(Original Airdate September 30, 2006)
Airdate: September 22, 2007
Rick exchanges stories and tips on encountering India for the first time with Lonely Planet author Sarina Singh. From conquering India's train system, to enjoying Bollywood films, and learning to eat without utensils, they discuss issues that push travelers outside their comfort zone in order to find the best travel souvenir: memories. We'll also hear more stories about the unexpected kindness of strangers on the road.
Additional Links:
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: September 15, 2007
Join Rick for an insider's guide to the Castille region of central Spain, and to the Indian Ocean nation of Mauritius. Sampling the sites of Toledo and Madrid, we get an understanding of what gives the heart of Spain its vibrant character. We'll bask in the mélange of cultures that makes Mauritius a delicious tropical magnet for European socialites — and a potential eco-destination for tracking the remains of the dodo bird.
Additional Links:
Airdate: September 8, 2007
If you're looking to travel where the old has become new again you'll do well to look East. Three of Rick's friends discuss their home countries of Hungary, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic and how to get the most there for your dollar. We'll also venture into the heart of the ancient world with an overview of the sites of Eastern Turkey. Tour guide Mehlika Seval tells us why she loves the traditional Eastern half of her country, where deeply-rooted cultures carry on with little interruption from tourism.
Additional Links:
Airdate: September 1, 2007
Tony Wheeler's company writes guidebooks for practically every country on the planet — including some that get very few visitors. On top of that, he's written up his latest adventures to some of the most dubious destinations in "Bad Lands: A Tourist on the Axis of Evil." The head of Lonely Planet publications tells us what he found in Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Libya, Burma, North Korea, Cuba, and Albania on this week's Travel with Rick Steves.
Additional Links:
August 25, 2007
Meeting the Massai in East Africa
(Original Airdate June 17, 2006)
Airdate: Aug 18, 2007
Just in time to celebrate Saint Stephen's Day with the Hungarians, we look at the enduring appeal of Hungary's capital city of Budapest. On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, two Hungarian tour guides join Rick to take listener calls and explore why Budapest remains the economic and cultural centerpiece for Eastern Europe. Budapest is one of the world's truly grand cities, and has been a meeting place of cultures for centuries. We'll check out everything from hot springs to Hungarian food, and find out why travelers in the know call Budapest the "Paris of Eastern Europe."
Additional Links:
Airdate: Aug 11, 2007
On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, we'll hear about Cambodia's capital city of Phnom Penh from a travel author on assignment in Southeast Asia. And we'll learnr how to plan a visit to the misty Cambodian jungle and it's magnificent temples at Angkor Wat.
Also, travel editor Don George joins Rick to help listeners practice the craft of travel writing and research. And a listener entices us to his home town in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Additional Links:
Airdate: Aug 4, 2007
On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, we hear from three of Rick's friends who left Great Britain to make new homes in Spain, Italy and France. They'll tell us what it's like living as an 'ex-pat' on the Continent, and offer advice for Americans thinking of moving to Europe on a budget. We'll also get tips on skiing and surfing options in Latin America. And a listener explains what's it like being an American living in Panama.
Airdate: July 21, 2007
This week we are investigating vacation options near and far. We'll explore the American tradition of taking a road trip to the desert - whether it's at a national park in Utah or among the lava fields of Hawaii's Big Island. And we'll see why visitors to Bali in Indonesia call it paradise on earth, and hear how its tourism industry is faring after several scares in recent years. From a great American road trip, to a beach vacation in Bali, we're taking off for a change of scenery on the next Travel with Rick Steves.
Additional Links:
Airdate: July 14, 2007
The captain of a passenger barge based in Burgundy joins Rick to explain the fine art of cruising France's intimate network of canals and how this dimension of traveling through the French countryside brings with it new pleasures. And we'll hear stories from listeners who experienced simple acts of kindness by strangers in their travels.
Additional Links:
Airdate: July 7, 2007
One of Europe's most entertaining cities is also a great place for a civilized stroll around town. Join us for an insider's guide to Edinburgh with guides Anne Doig and Ken Hanley. Each year, they lead hundreds of Americans around Edinburgh, sharing the ins and outs of their city. We'll hear how to best enjoy the fabled summer festivals — among the most popular in Europe — and catch a wee dram of Scottish pride and spirit.
Airdate: June 30, 2007
Rick's friends from Lonely Planet publications join us to discuss exotic, emerging destinations around the world, and a fresh take on two American favorites. We'll look at maintaining the 20th century magic of the open road along U-S Route 66 and go uptown for a budget traveler's guide to New York City.
Additional Links:
Small Wonders: Belgium and Belize
(Original Airdate July 8, 2006)
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: June 16, 2007
Stockholm-based tour guide Marita Bergman provides a glimpse into her home city, explaining how Swedish society is organized to provide for raising a familiy, and telling us how the Swedes celebrate the longest day of the year. We'll take listener calls with suggestions for exploring the Swedish countryside, too.
Additional Links:
Airdate: June 9, 2007
After 40 years of Communism, the countries of Eastern Europe are coming into their own as the newest members of the European Union. We'll examine the dramatic changes to everyday life for the people of the former Soviet bloc countries and get an overview of tourism to the former Soviet "Stans" of Central Asia to see how they're faring as independent nations.
Streaming Extras:
Additional Links:
Airdate: June 2, 2007
Rick explores how some of the little things travelers do, or neglect to do, affect the way Americans are perceived in Europe. Author Mary Murray Bosrock, a specialist in intercultural communication and behavior, joins Rick to examine what's considered appropriate behavior when conducting business in Europe, how formal travelers should be in different cultures, and which cheek to kiss (and when).
Additional Links:
Airdate: May 26, 2007
Alaska is a dream destination for many, but the cost and logistics of traveling to America's last frontier can seem almost as imposing as the spectacular scenery. Lonely Planet author Aaron Spitzer joins Rick to discuss travel options for first-timers to Alaska and compare crusing the Southeast to road tripping through Mount Denali and the Kenai Peninsula.
Also, Jeff Campbell offers practical tips on how to make a summer road trip with small children memorable for all the right reasons.
Streaming Extras:
Additional Links:
Airdate: May 19, 2007
Rick spends the hour with Rolf Potts, one of the sharpest minds among the new generation of travel writers and bloggers. Rick and Rolf take listener calls and compare notes on how to see the world "through the back door," and then stay a while — an approach Rolf calls "Vagabonding." Join us as we explore the art of open-ended adventures around the world on the next Travel with Rick Steves.
Additional Links:
Airdate: May 12, 2007
Two of Rick's liveliest friends from Italy explain the regional differences between North and South, compare the loyalties, cuisine, accents, and attitudes of Italy's regions and show us how a common love of good food and soccer unites them.
From aristocratic northern business types, to southern families that almost smother travelers with their hospitality, we're contrasting the character you'll find in Italy — from North to South — on the next Travel with Rick Steves.
Streaming Extras:
Additional Links:
Airdate: May 5, 2007
Prague has recently become one of Europe's most popular cities. Two tour guides based in Prague offer tips on avoiding the summer flood of tourists and finding the city's substantial old world charm — and bargains. They'll recommend day trips into the Bohemian countryside which are now easier than ever thanks to improved rail service in the Czech Republic.
Airdate: April 28, 2007
Rick chats with tour guide Ton Van Garderen from The Netherlands about how Amsterdam makes its "live and let live" libertine policies work and what's behind the Dutch reputation for being "tolerant."
We'll also assess the state of the overworked American with author and documentary producer John DeGraff to see how we can reclaim some of the time we never seem to have enough of.
Additional Links:
Airdate: April 21, 2007
For this year's Earth Day observance, we're getting close to some of the cool creatures on our hot planet. Rick meets Marty Essen, whose adventures to the far corners of the planet with his wife and love of sometimes-frightening critters were enough to fill a very engaging book.
Rick also learns how to conduct a home exchange, and discusses the World Monuments Fund list of "Vanishing Places" with author Michael Shapiro.
Additional Links:
French Culture 201 for American Travelers
(Original Airdate July 15, 2006)
Airdate: April 7, 2007
As a crossroads of cultulres for millenia, Sicily is emerging as one of the most vivid islands travelers can visit in Europe. Rick interviews two tour guide friends from Sicily on what makes their island home so distinctive from the rest of Italy and what the island offers to keep visitors content for weeks.
Airdate: March 31, 2007
We learn about El Camino de Santiago de Compostela from a man who takes tourists on updated versions of this mideaval pilgrimage route and catch up with a Lonely Planet Iran researcher who finds that, despite the country's heavy-handed rulers, the Iranian people are some of the most welcoming you'll find anywhere. Plus we have a new round of listeners' travel haiku to share.
Additional Links:
Airdate: March 24, 2007
Rick discusses Hinduism with a travel writer who learned lessons in the land of her ancestors and delves into the enduring appeal of an Islamic mystic known in the west as Rumi who is commemorating his 800th birthday. Listeners also share their experience with 'the kindness of strangers' as a godsend in their travels to Europe.
Additional Links:
Airdate: March 17, 2007
We're looking at different angles of Irish culture for St Patrick's Day. Rick practices the "gift of gab" with Stephen McPhilemy, a friend from the North of Ireland who spins a few yarns about Ulster, and explains how the long-boiled animosities among Northern Ireland's residents are starting to fade away. And Patrick Noel, a Franco-Celtic tour guide from Cork, highlights the connections between Ireland and France.
Additional Links:
Airdate: March 10, 2007
On the next Travel with Rick Steves, we examine some of the anxieties, possibilities and realities regarding Americans and Cuba. Rick welcomes Cuba expert Christopher P. Baker for a discussion of what's next for Cuba in these days of political limbo, and what it means for American travelers who want to go there.
Additional Links:
Airdate: March 4, 2007
You can't get much further off the beaten path than travelling to Afghanistan or Laos. We'll hear from Central Asia expert Paul Clammer who will give us a reality check on what travelers can expect from Afghanistan. Also, Willie Weir returns with more tales from his recent bike adventures through Northern Thailand into Laos.
Additional Links:
Naples and the Amalfi Coast
(Original Airdate July 22, 2006)
Airdate: February 17, 2007
We'll travel to opposite ends of our continent to learn about the appeal of the Canadian Arctic from a guidebook author who's made a home in Yellowknife and get a detailed guide to celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans, including how one French Quarter merchant is faring as tourism slowly rebounds. We'll also hear listeners' tales of heroic acts of kindness experienced on the road, and a fresh batch of traveler's haiku.
Additional Links:
Airdate: February 10, 2007
When travel leads to romance, the result may be a whole new life. On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, we meet an American woman who married a Spaniard and is now raising a family in the heart of Madrid. We'll also hear from an Australian tour guide who enjoys Greece so much, he spends much of the year showing off its wonderous sites. He'll advise us on how to go beyond Athens to find the real Greece. And we'll hear from listeners who stared down scam artists face to face in their European travels.
Additional Links:
Airdate: February 3, 2007
During the 1970s, Carl Franz and Lorena Havens made a habit of driving from Washington state to Mexico in their VW van. More than thirty years later, they still spend the better part of each year exploring the back roads and magnetic appeal of Mexico. Their classic guide book, "The People's Guide to Mexico," reads like an adventure manifesto. Carl and Lorena join Rick to help explain the appealing differences about Mexican culture for norte americanos on this week's Travel with Rick Steves.
Additional Links:
Streaming Extras:
An Insider's Guide to the French Riviera
(Original Airdate November 5, 2005)
Airdate: January 20, 2007
This week Rick chats with Don George from Lonely Planet publications. They take calls about how Americans are being received overseas and investigate how interacting with locals in our travels sometimes means depending on the kindness of strangers. Then, we'll find out if New Orleans still has its 'soul' since being battered by Hurricane Katrina. We'll also learn from guidebook author Jay Cooke how "volun-tourism" may be one way to boost the spirit of New Orleans, while you can still have a good time at this year's Mardi Gras and Jazzfest.
Additional Links:
Airdate: January 13, 2007
Rick gets the latest info on what to look for while island-hopping in Hawaii from Lonely Planet's Sara Benson, and checks in with Gary Chandler who is in Mexico updating the Moon guidebook to Cancun and Cozumel. He'll report on how well the area is recovering from Hurricane Wilma, and what visitors can expect from Mexico's top resort region.
Additional Links:
Airdate: January 6, 2007
If you haven't seen Eastern Europe lately, you probably won't recognize it — and that's just how the European Union wants it. Now that most of Eastern Europe is part of the E.U., the region is enjoying an extreme make-over.
Looking at Eastern Europe then and now, Rick gets updates from a few of his friends who grew up "behind the Iron Curtain" on how these changes have impacted their daily lives, and what the region offers American tourists today.
Airdate: December 16, 2006
In 2004, Sri Lanka became one of the countries hardest hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami as it suffered damage along much of its coastline. Two years later, Sri Lanka still has some of the most picture-perfect beaches in the world, plus colorful temples, tea plantations, and festivals where visitors are welcome. On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, Lonely Planet guidebook author Ryan Ver Berkmoes tells us how the island is faring today, including how the Tamil ethnic conflict is affecting tourism.
Additional Links:
Airdate: December 9, 2006
One of the delights of driving through the countryside is spotting sheep grazing in the fields. We'll learn about the sheep and lambs that dot the hills of rural Britain from an accomplished breeder who has created a popular tourist attraction on his farm in Wales. And, Rick learns a few new tricks about how to whistle sheep herding dog commands.
Additional Links:
Airdate: December 2, 2006
Adventure travel specialist Kurt Kutay fills us in on Peru's attractions, from trekking to Machu Picchu in the Andes, to interacting with indigenous cultures and spotting wildlife in the Amazon. And, Rick learns from travel writer David Stanley how travelers can find a warm welcome in Fiji, and how the island compares to its neighbors in the South Pacific.
Additional Links:
Airdate: November 25, 2006
If there's one city that knows how to enjoy the everyday pleasures of life, it's Vienna. From experiencing its café culture to getting an affordable ticket to the Opera, we'll find out what makes Vienna shine as one of the world's most graceful and elegant capitols with tour guide Ursula Klaus.
Additional Links:
Vienna City Hall website is: www.virtourist.com/europe/vienna/20.htm
Airdate: November 18, 2006
Some of the best souvenirs you can gather from your travels reside on your taste buds. On the next Travel with Rick Steves, Rick explores some of the comfort foods that his European friends enjoy in Paris, Madrid, and Tuscany, and how you can enjoy them when you visit their regions. We'll get advice on preparing and eating escargot and steak tartare, and get a recipe on how to mix up your own batch of sangria. And we hear from listeners about some of their memorable food encounters overseas.
Additional Links:
Airdate: November 11, 2006
Could Americans and Europeans benefit from an honest conversation with each other about different ways of viewing society and the world? Rick invites Bernard-Henri Levy, best-selling French author and philosopher, into the studio to discuss some of the French stereotypes that fuel American prejudices. They examine issues France faces as part of the European Union, and suggest ways that our two societies can learn from each other.
Plus, Rick offers suggestions to listeners considering an off-season trip to Europe or traveling with teenage grandkids, on this week's Travel with Rick Steves.
Additional Links:
Airdate: November 4, 2006
In recent years, South Africa has emerged from its apartheid-induced embargo to become one of the continent's most popular destinations. While the country offers plenty to visitors, including a mix of vibrant cultures and spectacular natural beauty, it's the kind of place Back Door travelers will experience more confidently if they've done their homework first.
Rick learns about the emerging tourism industry in South Africa from Capetown native Carmin Arnot, who plans adventure travel for North American visitors.
Additional Links:
Streaming Extras:
Airdate: October 28, 2006
Because it had a tense relationship with the United States for many years, Nicaragua remains a rather mysterious destination for many Norte Americanos.
On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, Rick chats with Randall Wood, who married into the culture and authored two guidebooks to Nicaragua. He'll take listener calls and provide an overview of how the country is doing today.
Additional Links:
Airdate: October 14, 2006
Knowing what's behind the walls, as well as what goes into them, can be quite the illuminating experience. Rick invites architecture professor Kathryn Rogers Merlino from the University of Washington to help make sense of flying buttresses and Roman ruins.
And, for something exotic, we'll also get a snapshot of what it's like to visit Katmandu, and read our latest round of listeners' travel haiku.
Additional Links:
Airdate: October 7, 2006
For some Americans, the frenzied yet laid-back style of Italy's big southern island can be a bit overwhelming. Alfio di Mauro joins Rick to take listener calls and offer insider tips on getting the most out of a vacation to Sicily.
And, for something completely different, Christoph Dressler returns with an overview of the Black Forest region, where Germans are prescribed time off from work to soak in mineral spas and to "power hike" in the mountains.
Airdate: September 30, 2006
Christoph Dressler was raised a few miles east of the Berlin wall. Now, he earns a living taking tourists around his re-unified country. He describes the scene that few American tourists ever experience in the Eastern parts of Germany, and takes listener calls about the must-see sites in Berlin, Dresden, and in the land of Luther.
Airdate: September 16, 2006
It's one of the newest nations in the world, and one of its oldest civilizations. This week, while Armenia is celebrating 15 years as an independent republic, we'll find out why it's a classic "back door" destination.
Rick's guest is Matthew Karanian, an American drawn to the land of his grandparents, who has co-authored a definitive guidebook to Armenia and the neighboring disputed land of Karabagh. We'll learn how Armenia provides a unique link to the ancient world, with some of the earliest Christian churches, a distinct language from its Indo-European neighbors, eco-tourism in its untouched countryside, and a society that has persisted for three thousand years, despite many adversaries.
Airdate: September 9, 2006
You probably already know that the flamenco, Sunday evening bullfights, tapas, and sangria are some of the flavors of Spain. Now, as part of the European Union, Spain is a re-energized democracy that might also provide us examples for coping with the threats of terrorism.
Carlos Galvin, a travel specialist from Madrid, joins Rick to describe today's scene in his homeland, and to take listener calls about visiting Spain.
Also, we'll learn how the Spanish tradition of taking a midday nap — the siesta — has been helping Spaniards beat stress for centuries...and how its days may be numbered in modern, urban culture. Julio Astor of the Spanish Tourism Board joins Rick to explain the role of "the siesta."
Airdate: August 26, 2006
It's long been a tradition in academia and many religious institutions, but it turns out anyone can benefit from a little time off the regular routine with a "sabbatical." On the next Travel with Rick Steves, we examine the practicalities and benefits of taking a sabbatical.
Airdate: August 19, 2006
Whether you're ready for a night at the opera, or a day "taking the curative waters" at a hot spring, Hungary has a classy way of making you feel welcome. And its hearty wine and cuisine will keep you satisfied for hours.
Join Rick as he and a tour guide friend and teacher from Hungary take listener calls and tell us what her country is like in today's post-Soviet era.
Airdate: August 12, 2006
Rick updates our itineraries on Scotland with native-born tour guide Ken Hanley. They discuss the tensions Scotland has had over the years with England, and take listener calls about visiting the trendy cities and lonely outer islands that make Scotland so special.
And, we'll get more of your stories about the best, and worst, food you've encountered in your travels and award another round of listener travel haiku.
Additional Links:
Airdate: August 5, 2006
R-V camping has become a popular way to take the great American roadtrip — even if the roads are overseas. Rick learns about the R-V subculture from Chuck Woodbury, who runs an online site for R-V travel. Also, adventure bicyclist Willie Weir tells us about his most recent bike trip thrrough Northern Thailand and Laos.
Additional Links:
Airdate: July 22, 2006
Naples is one of the most intense and chaotic urban scenes in all of Europe. American-born tour guide Nina Bernardo, who now lives there, joins us to help clear the misconceptions about Napoli and to discuss Sorrento and Capri. Also, ways to fend off the scam artists at the Naples train station.
Airdate: July 15, 2006
Tensions between Americans and the French are often rooted in perfectly avoidable cultural misunderstandings. We'll take a deeper look at the cultural faux pas some travelers have experienced in that proud and complicated country, with insights from a couple of native-born French tour guides. We'll also hear about listeners' best — and worst — food experiences while traveling.
Airdate: July 8, 2006
Good things often come in small packages. Belgium is a tiny country with a remarkably easy-going flair, and great food. Native son and tour guide Ferdi Menghi joins Rick to take listener calls about Belgium. Then, Kurt Kutay introduces us to an indigenous tour guide in Belize, for an overview of this popular destination for adventure travelers.
Additional Links:
Airdate: July 1, 2006
For travelers to Las Vegas, high stakes entertainment has replaced the ultra-cheap deals for which the Strip was once famous. Rick Garman has a new guidebook to the city, and tells us how to enjoy today's Vegas without losing your shirt. Then we'll cool off in the mountains with Ann Marie Brown's insider tips on California's Yosemite National Park.
Additional Links:
Airdate: June 24, 2006
This week, we're celebrating 15 years of independence in Slovenia and Croatia with two of Rick's Slovenian tour guide friends. They will fill us in on why their small country, a pastoral land with storybook castles and turbo-folk musichas has become the destination for a no-pressure, bargain European escape.
Airdate: June 17, 2006
Get up close to African wildlife and forge an emotional connection with an ancient indigenous culture as we explore what it takes to go on an eco-friendly safari. A representative of the Maasai people and the head of an adventure travel company join Rick in the studio to take your calls about visiting Maasai country. We're planning for the trip of a lifetime on a safari to East Africa on this week's Travel with Rick Steves.
Additional Links:
Airdate: June 10, 2006
Adventurous travelers know that Turkey is the welcoming entree to a secularized Muslim society. On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, tour guide Lale Surman Aran joins Rick to help plan listeners' sight seeing itineraries to Turkey's significant ancient sites, by land and by sea...
And, travel writer David Stanley reports on what he found on a recent visit to the Persian Gulf region, whose small nations are emerging as important centers for international business, and pleasure, in the middle of the Arab world.
Additional Links:
Airdate: June 3, 2006
Take a holiday to Mona Lisa's backyard on this week's Travel with Rick Steves. We'll examine the enormous appeal of Italy's Tuscany region, and its quieter neighbor Umbria. Rick chats with Cecelia Bottai, a winemaker from Orvieto, about how visitors can experience authentic local culture in central Italy's hilltowns and estates. Grab a glass of Orvieto Classico and a seat on the piazza as we talk about Tuscany and Umbria.
Additional Links:
Airdate: May 27, 2006
It's been almost 50 years since Arthur Frommer first published his groundbreaking travel guidebook "Europe on Five Dollars a Day." In the 1970s, Frommer's books helped instruct a young Rick Steves how to travel light, on a tight budget, and "through the back door" to interact with the people and authentic cultures overseas. Arthur Frommer is Rick's special guest as they reminisce and chat about how much international travel has changed over the past half-century.
Additional Links:
Airdate: May 20, 2006
Is an organized tour right for you? This week, Rick explores the advantages of, and some potential problems with, "big bus tourism," with industry consultant Rick Hazen. He offers tips on safeguarding against potential rip-offs, and explains how the tour industry works. Find out how bus tours and cruise ship operators make money, and how to get the most out of your vacation budget on a group tour, as we get the inside scoop on tour companies.
Additional Links:
Airdate: April 29, 2006
Rick removes some of the mystery, but not the glamour, of European Royalty with help from guests Roy Nichols and Norway's Princess Märtha Louise. Tour guide Roy Nichols gives Rick an overview of the British royal family and discusses why they remain an important instituion to the average Briton. Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, who has written a children's book, "Why Kings and Queens Don't Wear Crowns" explains the modern realities of being from a royal family.
Airdate: April 22, 2006
Does travel have to be bad for the environment? Does eco-tourism really help the planet — or just hurt it less? What's an ethical traveler to do? On this week's Travel with Rick Steves we'll discuss the goals and impacts of eco-tourism with Jeff Greenwald of Ethical Traveler, and ponder the future of some noteworthy "Vanishing Places" on our planet with travel writer Michael Shapiro.
Additional Links:
Airdate: April 15, 2006
2006 is being celebrated as Mozart's 250th birthday, reminding us that your next destination's music scene can provide a theme (pun intended) for your trip. On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, our guest is Margaret Hemmen, a professional musician who leads music-oriented tours through Europe. Whether your next trip includes visits to concert halls, tossing coins at street musicians, or shopping for that special hand-crafted instrument... this show will have you tapping your toes in anticipation.
Airdate: April 8, 2006
When Ella Fitzgerald sang "April in Paris," she knew the perfect place to combine fresh flowers, spring showers, and romance. Half a century later, no other city comes close.
Whether you're dreaming of your first trip to Paris, or planning a return, you'll enjoy Parisian tour guide Arnaud Servignat's inside look at his home town. We'll also take listener calls about cultural faux pas they've experienced in their visits to the City of Light — all on this week's Travel with Rick Steves.
Additional Links:
Airdate: March 25, 2006
What better way to enjoy the world in bloom than to wander through an English country garden? Rick Steves asks British tour guide Roy Nichols about the English passion for elaborate gardens. Then Rick and Roy take listener calls and share tips to help you to experience the wide variety of gardens in Great Britain.
Additional Links:
Airdate: March 18, 2006
Rick Steves meets French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy, a household name in his home country where they simply call him "BHL."
During the height of recent tensions between political factions in the US and "old Europe," BHL traveled across America, to such places as Savannah, Cooperstown New York, and Mount Rushmore. He met with average Americans of all types, and wrote a book about the country's cultural identity, patriotism, and the creed that holds the U-S together as a nation. His assertions may surprise you.
Additional Links:
Airdate: March 11, 2006
Daydreaming about a trip to Ireland sometimes evokes images of deep green, rocky hills and the smell of a peat logs burning in the fireplace. But it's the Irish people that travelers remembers best. On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, Rick invites back two of his Irish tour guide friends for a little help understanding modern Ireland, whose newfound affluence has made it one of the more expensive destinations in Europe.
Airdate: March 4, 2006
Egypt is a land of mysteries — and the biggest mystery travelers face is what to expect while visiting there. On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, Colin Clement joins Rick from his home in Alexandria, Egypt to take your calls and discuss how you can get the most out of your vacation in Egypt. Plus listeners add advice for planning vacation trips to Europe, and we announce our latest round of listener haiku awards.
Additional Links:
Airdate: February 25, 2006
After Italy hosts the Winter Olympics, Germany heats up for the championship games of the World Cup soccer tournament in June. On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, Rick assembles a panel of European soccer fanatics to explain what the excitement is all about. Whether your summer travel plans include trying to take in some of the action around the games, or trying to avoid it, you'll want to hear what's behind the world's biggest, and most passionate, sporting competition.
Additional Links:
Airdate: February 18, 2006
200 years ago, Lewis and Clark charted the rivers of what is now Northwestern America. In the 21st Century, travelers seek the same mountains and rivers to get away from their crowded urban lives. Rick discusses the basics of back-country river rafting with Peter Grub, who runs River Odysseys West, a river adventure company in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. We'll also chat with Julian Smith about the Four Corners area of the US Desert Southwest, talk with listeners about travel plans and challenges, and take a tour of Montreal with a listener who lives there.
Additional Links:
Airdate: February 4, 2006
Millions of people scratch their travel itch each week by reading their newspaper's travel section. Rick takes us behind the scenes at the San Francisco Chronicle to find out what its senior travel editor is looking for as he assembles the paper's storyboards each week. Whether readers are looking for the latest on exotic destinations, or just want an interesting place to take a Sunday drive, John Flinn knows that his newspaper often plays an important part in shaping their travel dreams — and the fortunes of the travel industry.
We'll also present our latest round of listener travel haiku awards, and open the phones for listener questions and ideas.
Additional Links:
Airdate: January 28, 2006
In the past decade and a half, Berlin has re-emerged as one of Europe's major capitals — it's changing so quickly even tourism officials have difficulty keeping up. Rick gets the latest on Berlin's rebirth from EurAide's Lee Evans. Berlin is also one of the major worldwide destinations favored by gay and lesbian travelers. We'll learn what's happening in this travel market with Ed Salvato, editor of OutandAbout.com, a website run by the largest gay publisher in North America.
Additional Links:
Airdate: January 21, 2006
Mexico is the perfect destination for North Americans seeking sun, fun, and a colorful, distinctive culture. Rick explores some of the popular Pacific coast destinations of Mexico, from Puerto Vallarta down to Acapulco and Oaxaca, with guidebook author Bruce Whipperman.
We visit with a singer who spends part of the year working to make a living in Seattle, but lives like royalty when she's got a gig in Istanbul. Julie Cascioppo tells us how her career as a singer helps her to travel in style.
Additional Links:
Airdate: January 14, 2006
From the newly spruced up capital of Athens, to the sun-drenched villages of the mainland and the islands, it's no myth that Greece is a pleasure to experience. Greece provides countless opportunities for travelers to experience its rich history in the ruins of its ancient past. Yet modern-day Greece carries its own weight as a desirable destination. Visiting ancient sites in Greece is something every seasoned traveler should do at least once, and this week Rick gets an insider's perspective on visiting Greece from tour guide Penny Kolomvatsou.
Additional Links:
Airdate: January 7, 2006
Italy has become one of the hottest destinations for European travel — and for good reason. Smart travelers know how to avoid crowds and, as a result, enjoy a genuine experience of Italy. Rick chats with a local from Cortona, the hilltown known to Americans as the setting for "Under the Tuscan Sun," and for those afraid to fly, Rick receives tips from Steve Hutchison, who leads a Fear of Flying workshop.
Additional Links:
Airdate: December 31, 2005
We'll visit with three of Rick Steves' tour guide friends from Eastern Europe. We'll find out what it was like being raised in different types of Communist countries, and how their lives have changed since capitalism was introduced to Poland and the republics of the former Yugoslavia.
Airdate: December 24, 2005
Join us this holiday season for Travel with Rick Steves Christmas in Europe radio special! During the program, Rick hears how his European friends prepare for and celebrate Christmas. Listeners learn the common threads of religious tradition and family, get acquainted with some of Santa's cousins in the old country, as well as experience extended interviews.
Additional Links:
Airdate: December 10, 2005
Travel journalist Michael Shapiro set out on a literary project to interview 18 travel authors to see what makes their work such a pleasure. He turned his interviews into a book called "A Sense of Place." This week, Rick turns the tables on Michael to find out what he discovered about his favorite travel authors — including Rick. We'll learn about the roots of some of today's most celebrated nomads, and perhaps refine our own palette for wanderlust.
Additional Links:
Airdate: December 3, 2005
This week, Rick learns from guidebook author Chris Humphrey about Honduras — a laid back part of Central America with endless beaches, a huge undeveloped roadless jungle and cloud forest, and a growing American ex-pat community. Or, if you prefer a more cosmopolitan side of Latin America, we'll also chat with an American now living in Rio de Janeiro to see how easy it is to fit into Brazilian society.
Additional Links:
Airdate: November 19, 2005
This week, we'll learn some of the basics of eating out in France and how to enjoy such foods as crèpes, escargot, truffles and steak tartare. But the culture of everyday life in France is different enough for travelers that it sometimes causes misunderstandings and embarrassment. We'll touch on some of the faux pas visitors face when encountering French society on its own terms.
Airdate: November 12, 2005
This week, we will "Ask the Pilot" about how an over-active imagination can create a fear of flying. Commercial pilot, author, and salon.com columnist Patrick Smith joins Rick to explain what's going on from the cockpit to the runway. And Holly Morris, author of "Adventure Divas," will discuss her exploration of the planet in search of impressive and influential women to interview.
Additional Links:
Airdate: November 5, 2005
Mention the French Riviera, and images of glamorous celebrities may come to mind. But the Mediterranean coast of France was also the inspiration for some of the great impressionist and modern artists, and has plenty of charm to spare year-round for all kinds of travelers. On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, tour guide Pascale Rucker is our guest, bringing us an insider's guide to help you experience the sensual pleasures of the French Riviera.
Airdate: October 29, 2005
Rick learns about Islam — where it's commonly practiced in Turkey — from friends who live in Istanbul. He then places a call to Rome to chat with a resident of that city's little-known Jewish Ghetto, whose family emigrated there from Jerusalem two thousand years ago. We'll also hear from a listener who recently returned from a trip to Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.
Additional Links:
Airdate: October 22, 2005
This week, Rick Steves learns about Belize, Central America's relatively new country, from guidebook author Joshua Berman. It's a little bit Caribbean, a little bit Latin American, and all with a British heritage. Then, European tour guide Donald White stops in to describe his home in Northern Italy, with suggestions for lake and ski resorts in the Alps.
Additional Links:
Airdate: October 8, 2005
This week, Rick learns what special arrangements you need to make to visit the Galapagos Islands, what the cultural influence of Turkey means for the emerging Central Asia republics, and how to experience a road trip in the desert southwest and Indian reservations of the USA. It's not your average itinerary as we travel around the world and off the beaten path
Additional Links:
Airdate: October 1, 2005
Guidebook Author Bill Frier spent his childhood in Panama, and lets us know about post-Noriega Panama... where one U.S. dollar will buy you dinner. He'll also discuss how travelers can easily find a tropical landscape shared more by birds and butterflies than with other tourists. We'll then learn more about the 'gite' ("jheet") system of renting a French country home by the week, from an American who bought one in Burgundy.
Additional Links:
Airdate: September 24, 2005
Prague is so popular with western visitors, and we'll find out why from Tour Guide Honza Vihan, a native of the golden city of a hundred spires. Rick also makes time for listener calls, including one report about their month in Egypt. Rick calls a youth hostel high in the Swiss Alps to see how things are going on a typical evening as new friends gather together. We're getting plenty of mileage this week from Prague to Cairo to Gimmelwald.
Additional Links:
Airdate: September 17, 2005
A trip to the cobblestoned streets of Europe can be a nightmare for anyone in a wheelchair or who has difficulty walking. This week, Rick talks to Ken Plattner, an activist for disabled persons. Ken recently teamed with Rick to create a guidebook for persons with accessibility issues. We'll also get suggestions from Jamie Jensen on another set of USA Roadtrips — this time in the Rockies and Pacific Northwest.
Additional Links:
Airdate: September 3, 2005
Rick will get an insider's view of London from Gillian Chadwick, a certified blue badge guide. She and Rick share pointers on what's new and how to get the most out of this crowded, expensive, and amazing city. Then Rick heads west to Bermuda with guidebook author Rosemary Jones.
Additional Links:
Airdate: August 27, 2005
One place Americans can find European-style charm at bargain prices is Argentina. Rick learns from tour guide Robert Wright why he moved to Buenos Aires from Spain. We'll also get the inside story on the business of writing guidebooks for a living as Rick chats with one of his favorite travel writers, David Stanley.
Additional Links:
Airdate: August 20, 2005
When time is short, some people prefer a guided tour of their chosen destination. So how can you find the Rick Steves-type of "Back Door" experiences while being led in a group? Rick learns how things work behind the scenes and behind the wheel from Belgian-based guide and tour bus driver Ferdi Menghi. Plus, Jennifer Cox returns with tips on packing light for an extended round the world trip — where looking good is part of the itinerary.
Additional Links:
Airdate: August 13, 2005
It's hard to beat Italy as a romantic destination, unless you actually fall in love and make it your home. Rick chats with two American women who have married Italian men and settled in Italy. Former Seattleite Lisa Anderson describes her experience moving to Italy and eventually starting a family in a small town in the Piedmont region. And former Washington D.C. resident Annie Adair also met her spouse in Italy and now runs a wedding planning and tour guide company from Volterra in Tuscany.
Additional Links:
Airdate: August 6, 2005
Yearning for some of the lesser-explored adventures at home and overseas? Today we will learn about the country of Slovenia, where the slow food movement and the polka are popular. And, we get ideas for exploring the back roads of the American desert southwest, its national parks and Indian Country, from Road Trip USA author Jamie Jensen.
Additional Links:
Airdate: July 30, 2005
Costa Rica stands out from its neighbors in Central America due to its relatively stable government and high standard of living. It's a favorite destination for North Americans because of its dedication to preservation. Erin Van Rheenen spent enough time there that she wrote the guidebook, Living Abroad in Costa Rica.
Additional Links:
Airdate: July 23, 2005
Rick learns the finer points of sampling wine with Italian vintner Cecelia Bottai and Ruth Arista. Cecelia's family has been growing grapes for 2000 years in Italy's Umbria region, and Ruth operates a wine shop near Seattle. They discuss the differences between European red, white and rosé wines, and what to look for when sampling a good glass of wine. Plus, Rick takes listener calls on planning family trips to Northern Italy and to Ireland.
Additional Links:
Airdate: July 16, 2005
The sea helps define two destinations Rick discusses with his guests on this week's Travel with Rick Steves.
Netherlands is one of the real powerhouses of Europe, despite its small geography. You'll find industrial innovation, Spring flowers on a massive scale, and a role model for how to live together in a crowded modern society. Tour guide Rolinka Bloeming takes listener calls to discuss what an American can expect from a visit to the Netherlands.
David Stanley has written the definitive guidebook to the islands of the South Pacific, collectively known as Oceania. He provides an overview to this often-overlooked part of the planet, including how they're anticipating the effects of global warming on their island nations.
Additional Links:
Airdate: July 9, 2005
What kind of reaction do you get when you mention France? During the program, Rick and his guest Steve Smith, an American who divides his time between Seattle and Burgundy, will look at how Americans can understand France on its own terms, and become comfortable with its rich civilization without being frustrated by the inevitable cultural faux pas. Then, French tour guides William and Marie Altman and Patrick Vidal will discuss the pleasures of taking a vacation on a canal barge in rural France.
Additional Links:
Airdate: July 2, 2005
Travelers to both Turkey and Dixie have one thing in common: they come back from their trips full of stories and enthusiasm for the people they met. This week we will meet a married tour guide couple from Istanbul, Turkey who are here to dispel some American misconceptions about their country. They will then give us an overview of what you'll find in the cities and the countryside of Turkey.
We will also learn the essence of "Shun-piking" with backroad car trip suggestions from guidebook author Jamie Jensen. Our callers will highlight some of the Southeast's attractions from Key West to Tidewater, and Louisiana to the Blue Ridge mountains.
Additional Links:
Airdate: June 25, 2005
From the newly-beautified old town district of Quito two miles high in the Andes to the ecological marvels of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador is one of South America's must-experience treats for any world traveler. So how can you make contact with the native Quechua people and what safety precautions should you take? Rick finds out from Julian Smith, author of the Moon Handbook to Ecuador.
And we often hope that our travels will lead to positive life-changing experiences. So why not travel around the world in search of a soulmate? Jennifer Cox quit her job in Britain and made plans to date 80 men in 18 countries around the world. She met Mr. Right in the Nevada Desert. She explains to Rick how that happened in her new book, "Around the World in 80 Dates."
Additional Links:
Airdate: June 18, 2005
Japan has long held a fascination for travelers from around the world. But its culture and language have often proved impenetrable for outsiders. This week we'll get an insider's perspective on having a rich experience when traveling to Japan. Ruth Kanagy has written a Living Abroad in Japan guidebook based on her years of experience as an American raised in Japan. And, we get another taste of USA Road Trip fever as Jamie Jensen talks to Rick and callers about approaching the roads less traveled in the USA.
Airdate: June 11, 2005
This week we will talk about Ireland with two of Rick's tour guide friends from the North and South. We'll find out how much Ireland has changed in recent years due to its impressive economic surge. The cost of travel has skyrocketed for Americans, but as guests Declan Field and Stephen McPhilemy and our callers confirm, it's the Irish people that make visiting a priceless experience.
Airdate, June 4, 2005
How can you travel for ten weeks with one suitcase? Rick says it is important to travel light, and to pack only one carry-on's worth of clothes and accessories. He shares packing tips for different climates, and learns about packing light for women from Joan Robinson, who leads frequent workshops on the topic. Also, Rick talks to one of his mentors in the field of travel writing, South Pacific guidebook author David Stanley.
Airdate: May 28, 2005
Rick learns about the history and present-day allure of the Scottish highlands from Arthur Smith, a proprietor and true gentleman of the auld cloth, who ran a bed and breakfast in Glencoe, Scotland until his recent passing. Rick then fields calls from a young woman planning a trip with her sister and mother, and from a listener who gets philosophical on the last trip he'd want to make in his life.
Airdate: Airdate: May 21, 2005
Rick discusses the appeal of our neighbors in Mexico, from the frenzy of its must-see capital to the shores around Cancún. Listeners will also learn about Mayan artifacts of the Yucatán Peninsula.
Airdate: May 14, 2005
Rick learns how quickly Poland has modernized in the past ten years in a conversation with Polish tour guide Kasia Derlicka. Kasia offers ideas for travelers investigating genealogical roots and history and explains some of the soul of Poland, as reflected in the music of native-born Frederick Chopin. Also, Cameron Hewitt, co-author of Rick's Eastern European guidebook, found himself in Krakow on the April night word spread that the Pope had died. He describes the scene and its place in modern Polish history.
Additional Links:
Airdate: May 7, 2005
Rick learns about the charms of Wales from Welsh tour guide Martin de Lewandowicz, and attempts to speak some otherwise undecipherable phrases in the Welsh Celtic language. Then, Rick chats with Jamie Jensen, author of an extensive guidebook on road trips in the USA and Canada, and takes listener calls on their recommended back highway trips.
Additional Links:
Airdate: April 30, 2005
Rick discusses travel to Cuba, and how and why Americans vacation there despite the official embargo. Christopher P. Baker, author of Moon Handbooks: Cuba, will join Rick in explaining what travelers will discover when visiting this fascinating destination. More information about Cuba Education Tours.
Additional Links:
Airdate: April 23, 2005
Rick shares some of his delicacy discoveries found in different parts of Europe that make travel a gastronomic treat. Tour guide Jamie Blair Gould discusses different kinds of Italian olives and olive oils, and describes where he lives. Then, he and Rick field listener calls on such topics as white asparagus, porcini mushrooms, in-season tomatoes, paella, truffles, and finding a smoke-free ambiance in European restaurants.
Additional Links:
Airdate: April 16, 2005
Rick will interview tour guide Colin Clement about the highlights of traveling to Egypt, and travel agent Elizabeth Holmes about recent changes to the travel industry. We'll also take calls from travelers planning their summer vacations, and listen to some of our winning haiku entries.
Additional Links:
Airdate: April 9, 2005
Rick learns how a bicycle can get you into more places than you'd ever expect from adventure bicycling enthusiast Willie Weir, and explores the magic of trekking the Himalayans in Nepal with Moon Handbook author, Kerry Moran. Enjoy these guests, as well as phone calls and emails from listeners eager to talk about their travel plans.
Additional Links: