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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Airdate: March 15, 2008
Irish tour guide Stephen McPhilmey 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.
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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
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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People's Guide to Mexico
(Original Airdate February 3, 2007)
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Tuscany & Umbria
(Original Airdate June 3, 2006)
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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Airdate: July 14, 2007
Ever wish you could take a vacation where you just lay low and let the scenery come to you? This week on Travel with Rick Steves, the captain of a passenger barge based in Burgundy explains the fine art of crusing France's intimate network of canals. It's where "go with the flow" takes on a new dimension, when paired with the pleasures of the French countryside. And we'll hear listeners' stories of the simple acts of kindness they found from strangers in their travels that they'll apprreciate for the rest of their lives. Come along, on the next Travel with Rick Steves.
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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.
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Small Wonders: Belgium and Belize
(Original Airdate July 8, 2006)
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 burni