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TED Talk by Rick Steves: Why Travel Is Well Worth the Money

Rick Steves writes European guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. His company, Rick Steves’ Europe, currently employs a well-traveled staff of 80 and offers a wealth of free travel information through its website, in-person Travel Center, and travel e-newsletters. In addition, Rick designs and sells fully-guided European bus tours and a line of travel gear that includes carry-on bags and accessories.

If you'd like to interview Rick Steves, please email Ashley Sytsma or call 425-608-4293.

Interview Rick

If you'd like to interview Rick Steves, please email Ashley Sytsma or call 425-608-4293. Here are some possible story angles:

Story Angles

Coping with the Robust Euro
We Americans have a stubborn "travel streak." When the economy is jittery or the dollar is down, we need to travel a little smarter to turn our dreams into smooth, affordable reality. Here are Rick's favorite tips for doing just that.

Ugly American Sentiment Abroad
Recently, much has been written about Americans being chastised or targeted in Europe because of the United States' foreign policy. Rick believes that although most Europeans take issue with US foreign policy, they feel differently about the American people. The following information, excerpted from Europe Through the Back Door, demonstrates how Americans can keep these "ugly" stereotypes just that.

Safe Travel
Many Americans are nervous about traveling now more than ever. And while the concern is natural, you're safer going to Europe than getting behind the wheel of your car.

Rick's Business
Rick Steves offers a tremendous amount of free travel information through his bi-annual travel newsletter, European travel classes, and his 3,000+ page website. The different components of Rick's business — his tours, travel store, railpasses, television and radio productions, and guidebooks — feed off each other to create overall brand awareness. Furthermore, his business (Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door, Inc.) has grown from a one-man operation to a thriving 70-employee office, and it sells more tours to Europe than ever before. Rick is the author of 30 guidebooks, and his guidebook to Italy is the bestselling guidebook to any foreign destination in the United States. Check out a recent Q&A with Rick about his business.

Rick Supports Public Radio and Television
Rick raises millions of dollars annually for public radio and television. At a time when public radio and television stations are struggling financially, Rick enthusiastically raises money for public broadcasting.

Rick's Travel Philosophy
Travel is freedom...one of the last great sources of legal adventure. Travel is intensified living, with maximum thrills per minute. It's recess, and we need it. Experiencing the real Europe requires catching it by surprise, going casual...Through the Back Door. Check out Rick's travel philosophy.

Rick's Social Activism
Rick believes that travel is more a vital force for peace than ever. He believes the most effective way individual Americans can contribute to our "Homeland Security" is to travel a lot, learn about the world, come home, and help the United States fit better into this ever-smaller planet. He also believes that America's current stand on world trade and the environment is in the world minority, and that the world's well-being depends on travel so we can understand other countries' policies on these issues. Learn more about Rick's social activism.

Download Print-Quality Publicity Photos

You may publish these photos free of charge. The files are all 300 dpi JPEGs saved with the highest quality compression. Please note that some of these photos are high-definition screen captures from our shows and are smaller in size.

To download images, click on a link for the image you want below. Once the image finishes loading, right-click on it and choose "Save Link As." If you would like assistance in downloading these images, or prefer another format, please email Ashley Sytsma or call 425-608-4293. All photos were taken from the filming of Rick Steves' Europe, unless otherwise noted.

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