Guidebook author and travel TV host Rick Steves is America's most respected authority on European travel. Rick took his first trip to Europe in 1969, visiting piano factories with his father, a piano importer. As an 18-year-old, Rick began traveling on his own, funding his trips by teaching piano lessons. In 1976, he started his business, Europe Through the Back Door, which has grown from a one-man operation to a company with a staff of 80 full-time, well-travelled employees at his headquarters in Washington state. There he produces more than 50 guidebooks on European travel, America's most popular travel series on public television, a weekly hour-long national public radio show, a weekly syndicated column, and free travel information available through his travel center and website. Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door also runs a successful European tour program. Rick Steves lives and works in his hometown of Edmonds, Washington. His office window overlooks his old junior high school.
Email Rick at rick@ricksteves.com, or write to him c/o P.O. Box 2009, Edmonds, WA 98020.
Rick Steves advocates smart, affordable, perspective-broadening travel. As host and writer of the popular public television series Rick Steves' Europe, and best-selling author of over 50 European travel books, he encourages Americans to travel as "temporary locals." He helps American travelers connect much more intimately and authentically with Europe — and Europeans — for a fraction of what mainstream tourists pay.
Over the past 20 years, Rick has hosted over 100 travel shows for public television, and numerous pledge specials (raising millions of dollars for local stations). His Rick Steves' Europe TV series is carried by over 300 stations, reaching 95 percent of US markets. Rick has also created two award-winning specials for public television: Rick Steves' European Christmas and the ground-breaking Rick Steves' Iran. Rick writes and co-produces his television programs through his media company, Back Door Productions.
Rick Steves also hosts a weekly public radio program, Travel with Rick Steves. With a broader approach to travel everywhere, in each hour-long program Rick interviews guest travel experts, followed by listener call-ins. Travel with Rick Steves airs across the country and has spawned a popular podcast. Rick has also created a series of audio walking tours for museums and neighborhoods in Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice, London, and Athens.
Rick self-published the first edition of his travel skills book, Europe Through the Back Door (now updated annually), in 1980. He has also written more than 50 other guidebooks, phrase books, and "pocket" guides. For several years, Rick Steves' Italy has been the bestselling international guidebook sold in the US. In 2009, Rick tackled a new genre of travel writing with Travel as a Political Act, reflecting on how a life of travel has broadened his own perspectives, and travel can be a significant force for peace and understanding in the world. Rick's books are published by Avalon Travel, a member of the Perseus Books Group.
In addition to his guidebooks, TV and radio work, Rick is a syndicated newspaper columnist with the Tribune Media Services. He appears frequently on television, radio, and online as the leading authority on European travel. He is also an active blogger on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Rick took his first trip to Europe in 1969, visiting piano factories with his father, a piano importer. By the time he reached 18, Rick jokes, "I realized I didn't need my parents to travel!" He began traveling on his own, funding his trips by teaching piano lessons. In 1976, he started Europe Through the Back Door (ETBD), a business that has grown from a one-man operation to a company with a well-traveled staff of 80 full-time employees. ETBD offers free travel information through its Travel Center, website (www.ricksteves.com), and travel newsletters. ETBD also runs a successful European tour program that attracts around 18,000 travelers annually.
Rick is outspoken on the need for Americans to fit better into our planet by broadening our perspectives through travel. He is also committed to his own neighborhood. He's an active member of the Lutheran church (and has hosted the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's national video productions). He's a board member of NORML (the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws). And Rick has provided his local YWCA with a 24-unit apartment building with which to house homeless mothers.
Rick Steves spends about a third of every year in Europe, researching guidebooks, filming TV shows, and making new discoveries for travelers. Rick was divorced in March 2010. He lives and works in his hometown of Edmonds, Washington, where his office window overlooks his old junior high school.
Rick and His Business
Rick Steves: The Traveler's Aid
CBS followed Rick while he researched his guidebook series in 2005
A profile of Rick conducting guidebook research in Europe
Rick Steves has the inside track to Europe
Rick Steves' travel empire is moving as fast as a Europe-bound 747
Rick Steves built his travel business through the back door
If it's Europe it must be Rick
Rick gives us a peek at what it takes to update his guidebooks.
Travel guru roams far, but his roots are in Edmonds
Outspoken Travel Guru Rooted in Edmonds
Travel as a Political Act
Rick's 2-hour talk on Travel as a Political Act
Rick Steves: One of the most thoughtful travel writers today
Write Like Rick Steves: Travel Writer Extraordinaire
Rick writes an op-ed about how travel helps gain global perspective
Rick comments on recent elections in Iran
Travel guru Rick Steves says travel with an open mind and think globally
G is for Geopolitical: Rick Steves Revealed
Rick Steves discusses terrorism and 9/11 five years later
Rick Steves talks about his new book with Here on Earth
Travel reading: Rick Steves gets philosophical in new book
Interview with Rick Steves: 'Travel as a Political Act'
The World According to Rick Steves
Learn why Rick is dedicated to thoughtful travel
Rick talks about how Europe perceives the United States
Rick writes an op-ed about what he sees as the real threat to U.S. security
Rick writes an op-ed about global warming
Outspoken Travel Guru Rooted in Edmonds
Rick writes an op-ed about what he sees as the real threat to U.S. security
Drug Policy Reform
A coalition that includes Rick Steves to launch an initiative that would legalize marijuana in Washington State
Rick Steves discusses global perspectives and drug policy reform
Rick Steves offers a European take on America’s drug war
Rick sums up his drug policy views in this 8-min video
Fresh ideas on a tired crusade
Rick’s op-ed on “Europe: Curing, Not Punishing Addicts”
Listen to Rick’s speech on drug policy
Rick Steves’ writes on “We need to get smart about marijuana”
Rick's LA Times op-ed listed as one of the "Top 10 Reasons for Optimism"
Travel guru stands firm on war and weed
Pulling the Lid off Pot
Rick's Products & Travel Advice
Rick's guidebooks endorsed
Rick writes an op-ed about why a weaker dollar can actually give you a richer travel experience
Rick Steves, Through the Front Door
SFGate.com (20-minute radio podcast interview)
What's New in Travel
Steves is good, so is Symphonic Journey
Discover how travel has shaped Rick's outspoken social activism, advocacy of drug policy reform, and other political work.
In this collection of articles, Rick shares how travel (as Thomas Jefferson put it) makes a person "wiser, if less happy."
Concerned about homelessness in his own community, Rick purchased a 24-unit apartment complex to house homeless mothers and their children (administered by the YWCA).
Bringing a European perspective to the issue, Rick believes rather than "soft on drugs" or "hard on drugs," America can be "smart on drugs." Rick explains why he supports ending the current prohibition on marijuana.
Rick explains how taking down the flag can actually be a patriotic act when a "tyranny of the majority" cheapens Old Glory by turning it into a logo for a political agenda.
Rick's Business Supports Global Causes
Beneficiaries include Bread for the World (lobbying our government to be mindful of the needs of homeless and hungry people both at home and abroad).
Rick Steves doesn’t worry about his provocative politics creating unwanted baggage.
