Meet Our Customer Experience Team

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Hi, you've reached the Rick Steves' Europe Customer Experience team.

And that means…you've reached an actual person! In today's world of automated support, phone trees, and AI "help" widgets, we feel your trip is just too valuable to be handled by a bot. Instead, it deserves a human touch and a traveler's opinion. Our team of 20 brings a combined 200 years of experience with Rick Steves' Europe, including 40 cumulative years spent on the road in nearly 50 European countries and territories. We know our guidebooks, tour itineraries, and travel gear inside and out…because we use them ourselves. So, whether you're mapping out your dream itinerary, choosing the perfect carry-on, or curious about our tours, reach out to us. Not only will you speak to a real-life human, you'll speak to a real-life traveler.

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We love what we do, and we love helping you make the most of your time in Europe!

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Traveler Feedback

"Absolutely LOVE the customer service from Rick Steves Tours and you, Rich, are a prince!"


"It's always a pleasure to call the Rick Steves office. This time when I called, I spoke with Ruth Ann, who was so helpful and so polite. That's what I expect when I call Rick Steves office and I'm always rewarded."


"Marta was super attentive and answered all of my hyper-specific questions on travel and accessories with the utmost patience and humor."


"Everyone I dealt with at Rick Steves was kind, patient, friendly, nice, and sympathetic. What a joy to deal with such a fantastic group of people and company. It's why I praise your company to everyone I know."


"Karyn has helped me get excited to travel again! I had so many questions and needed help figuring out some issues today. She went above and beyond!"


"I want to express my gratitude for Kaitlin's wonderful customer service and the culture of service that you and all of your team embrace. The Rick Steves "brand", if you will, symbolizes courtesy, kindness, helpfulness, and love of travel that develops relationships world-wide, bringing us all closer together and celebrating our diversity. You are plain and simply, just good people, and we appreciate you!"

Meet Our Well-Traveled Team


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Rich

Dream tour: Best of Scandinavian Capitals in 10 Days

Favorite travel essential: Hide-Away Tote Bag. I always travel with this.

Tip from the road: I print out a calendar page for my trip and write my plans on each day so I can clearly see the flow of my itinerary laid out.


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Marta

Dream tour: My Way Ireland in 11 Days

Favorite travel essential: Travel Dreams Sleep Mask

Tip from the road: Choose activities and sights that resonate with you, not necessarily what is on the top 10 must-see list.


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Emily

Dream tour: Paris & the Heart of France in 11 Days

Favorite travel essential: Soap Bar Case

Tip from the road: Practice good hygiene while traveling. Wash your hands well and stay hydrated as much as you can to keep your energy up and help prevent illness from disrupting your trip.


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Stacy

Dream tour: Best of Eastern France in 14 Days

Favorite travel essential: Rolling Carry-On

Tip from the road: Bring at least a 6-foot-long charging cord. Historic hotels tend to have their outlets far from the bed or behind furniture.


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Divya

Dream tour: Best of Turkey in 13 Days

Favorite travel essential: Packable Backpack

Tip from the road: Start your trip well rested, if you can. If you begin your trip with little sleep, you'll be starting from a deficit.


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Stephen

Dream tour: Basque Country of Spain & France in 9 Days

Favorite travel essential: Travel Umbrella

Tip from the road: Use Hopper or Google Flights to get notified on the best time to book flights.


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Lisa

Dream tour: Best of Berlin, Prague & Vienna in 12 Days

Favorite travel essential: Copenhagen Crossbody Bag

Tip from the road: Pack for the best-case scenario, not the "what if."


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Jen

Dream tour: Village Italy in 14 Days

Favorite travel essential: Packing Cube Set

Tip from the road: Make sure to leave some space in your itinerary to wander and let the day unfold naturally. While planning is important, it’s often those spontaneous detours that become your favorite memories.


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Kaitlin

Dream tour: Best of Poland in 10 Days

Favorite travel essential: Traveling Toiletries Kit

Tip from the road: RFID is a hoax. If you are worried, just wrap your credit card or passport in aluminum foil.


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Heidi

Dream tour: Best of Scandinavia in 14 Days

Favorite travel essential: Hide-Away Tote Bag — great for laundry, souvenirs, picnics, and beach days.

Tip from the road: Bring a variety of Ziploc bags. You'd be surprised how often they come in handy. A gallon Ziploc bag makes an easy agitator/soaker for hand laundry.


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Jenn

Dream tour: My Way Alpine Europe in 12 Days

Favorite travel essential: Oslo Backpack

Tip from the road: I always pack a portable fan to use on stuffy plane trips, as white noise while I sleep, or in my hotel room if there is no A/C.


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Karyn

Dream tour: Best of Portugal in 13 Days

Favorite travel essential: Rick Steves Pocket Guidebooks

Tip from the road: Keep smiling! The unexpected moments and days that might not go as planned often turn into the best stories later.


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Keith

Dream tour: Athens & the Heart of Greece in 14 Days

Favorite travel essential: Europe Through the Back Door T-Shirt

Tip from the road: Try and get up early and venture out. Especially try to get in a couple of sunrises wherever you might be. The world is a lot different in the early morning. The city is quiet. The streets are empty. You’ll get to experience the city when it’s all yours. 


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Leah

Dream tour: Best of Athens & Nafplio in 8 Days

Favorite travel essential: Small Gadget Pouch

Tip from the road: Have a dedicated pouch that can hold everything you need on the plane/train/bus (e.g. wallet, earplugs, eye mask, lip balm, charger, headphones) so you don't have to rifle through your bag to look for everything after you sit down or constantly need to get up to look for something.


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Zoe

Dream tour: Heart of Portugal in 8 Days

Favorite travel essential: My two favorite Rick Steves books – For the Love of Europe and On the Hippie Trail

Tip from the road: Pack light with a carry-on size soft backpack, like the Convertible Carry-On, for comfort and mobility.


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Wendy

Dream tour: Best of Bulgaria in 12 Days

Favorite travel essential: Spinner Carry-On

Tip from the road: Don't be afraid to try new foods when given the opportunity! And ALWAYS keep a portable phone charger with you.


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Ruth Ann

Dream tour: Best of Sicily in 12 Days

Favorite travel essential: Copenhagen Crossbody Bag — I use it not only for travel but for my everyday life, too.

Tip from the road: Don't bring brand new shoes. Always break them in first.


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Aggie

Dream tour: Central Europe: Prague to Slovenia in 15 Days

Favorite travel essential: Guidebook. Guidebook. Guidebook. It's the core of my trip planning and travel experience.

Tip from the road: I always, always go to a grocery store when I’m abroad. What they have is such a fun way of learning about a culture. It’s also a less expensive and enjoyable way to create a picnic.


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Andy

Dream tour: Best of the Adriatic in 14 Days

Favorite travel essential: Civita Day Pack

Tip from the road: Pack wool base layers – socks and long underwear – for cooler/rainy climates. It makes a world of difference to stay comfortable while out all day.


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Laura

Dream tour: Best of Italy in 17 Days

Favorite travel essential: Velocé  Guide Bag for iPad — just the right size.

Tip from the road: Take as much time as you can — there is so much to explore, learn, and enjoy.