Hi from Rick: 51 Ways to Keep on Travelin’
Every year, I look forward to sending this email, because today is the most exciting day on the Rick Steves' Europe calendar: Our new season of tours is here!
And this year, new really does mean new. Not only have we released our full lineup of 2027 tours — that's tens of thousands of seats on routes all over Europe, from Ireland to Italy, Portugal to Poland, and Germany to Greece — but also, for the first time since 2019, we're rolling out brand-new itineraries.
In 2027, we're introducing five fresh adventures. Three are fully guided tours: the Best of Athens & Nafplio in 8 Days, the Heart of Portugal in 8 Days, and the Best of Scandinavian Capitals in 10 Days. For those who prefer a little more independence, we've also added two new, 11-day My Way Vacations: England and Ireland. And as always, we've lovingly fine-tuned our existing itineraries — including a rerouted 13-day Portugal itinerary with a new stop in the Algarve.
All told, that brings our grand total of Rick Steves' Europe tour itineraries to 51. (We've come a long way since we started with just one — the Best of Europe in 22 Days…back when I was the only "Rick Steves' Europe guide" and did the driving, too.)
I see that as 51 different ways you can see Europe…51 opportunities to connect with wonderful people and vivid cultures…51 unique trips with small groups of flexible travelers and great, passionate guides…and 51 different ways to keep on travelin'.
I say that a lot: Keep on travelin'. But it's more than just an empty tagline for signing off emails and public TV shows. It's an encouragement to stay curious, keep exploring, and actively choose to engage with the world, rather than retreat from it. And these days, that sentiment feels more appropriate than ever.
If your only window to the broader world is attention-grabbing headlines and viral social media posts, things can feel pretty overwhelming. But after spending nearly a third of my adult life living out of a carry-on-size bag overseas, it's clear to me that thoughtful travel is good for your soul, and good for our world.
Why? Because when we travel, we learn about other cultures directly, through people-to-people connections. We become inspired by their creative solutions to problems also facing our own society. We look back at our homeland from afar, gaining a fresh perspective on how others see us. We act as ambassadors for our country, becoming better global citizens and fitting more comfortably into our shrinking world. And we return home with the best souvenir of all: a broader perspective.
Our tours are designed to deliver those life-changing, good-for-your-soul moments. It's central to our winning formula — along with our great guides and "no grumps" policy.
And don't forget the fun! Just imagine: slurping escargots at a bustling Paris café…clasping hands with a local and shuffling your way through the sardana dance on a sun-drenched Barcelona plaza…swirling a glass of port wine while staring out over the rolling hills of Portugal's Douro Valley, draped in their green corduroy jackets of vineyards…or snapping a photo in front of the Colosseum and sending it back to your family as proof that you finally went on that long-awaited trip to Rome — and it's even better than you'd dreamed. These are the magic moments you'll cherish forever.
At Rick Steves' Europe, we're proud that you trust us with your travels. And in a fast-changing world, you can rest assured that we're as committed as ever to our mission: Your trip should be both meaningful and fun. That's why we're determined to keep on travelin'…and I can think of 51 ways you can, too.
If you'd like to jump on one of our buses, now's an ideal time to book. You're more than welcome to join us in 2026 — we still have plenty of seats available. And as of this week, you have your choice of 2027 departures. Best of all, if you book before July 7, you'll take advantage of our $100-per-seat early booking discount on any 2027 tour.
If you're pondering where to go in 2027, we can help you out in this month's Tour News: Jump-start your travel dreaming with a trio of slideshows covering our brand-new itineraries day by day, a few tour member raves about our top-notch guides, and a video test-drive of an actual Rick Steves tour — come ride along!
With 51 wonderful options, it can be hard to choose which one is right for you. That's why, through April 27, we're presenting our Festival of Tours: Hosted by our expert guides and well-traveled staff, this series of free virtual events is designed to help you choose among our destinations while getting to know the places (and people) that make our tours so special. We're halfway through this year's festival — but you can watch previous recordings and register for upcoming sessions of the Festival of Tours.
Above all, I hope to see you in Europe soon — whether this year, or next. I'm about to fly over for 50 days of research in Italy, Greece, Germany, and Switzerland. If you spot me, one of our guides, or a fellow traveler with a Rick Steves guidebook in their hand, don't hesitate to give a wave…and holler: "Keep on travelin'!"
Rick