Monday Night Travel FAQ

How can I mirror or cast Monday Night Travel from my smart phone or tablet to my TV?

Instructions for mirroring or casting from a handheld device to a TV vary depending on the type of handheld device or TV you have. To find detailed instructions by device, refer to this handy article from Digital Trends on how to mirror your device.

Why am I experiencing audio issues? 

If you cannot hear the Monday Night Travel presenters or the video content, first check the audio settings on your device to make sure that the sound is not muted or set to a low volume.

If your audio controls are set normally, try leaving and re-entering the Zoom webinar via the same link. This has resolved audio issues for some attendees in the past.

If the issue persists, click on "Audio Settings" or the arrow next to the microphone icon to change speakers and find additional audio settings.

Make sure that you don't have headphones unintentionally plugged in. Or, check to see if earbuds or a blue tooth speaker is connected.

Additionally, some users experience differences in volume between the live presenters and the pre-recorded video content. The Monday Night Travel team tries to balance these sound levels as well as possible, but there appears to be some variation between devices.

Why am I experiencing video issues?

If your video is lagging or is not displaying, first check your wifi connection.

If your wifi connection is strong, try leaving and re-entering the Zoom webinar via the same link. This has resolved video issues for some attendees in the past.

Also, please note that Monday Night Travel is not broadcast in HD. You can watch Rick Steves' Europe TV episodes in HD anytime for free.

Is my audio or video being recorded during Monday Night Travel?

Attendees are not recorded during Monday Night Travel. When the Zoom webinar begins, you will receive a notification that the event is being recorded. However, both video and audio are disabled for attendees, so no one will see or hear you during the live show or on the recording. Only hosts and panelists are recorded.

Do I need a Zoom account to watch events?

No. attendees don't need to have their own Zoom account to sign up or watch a show. All you need to do to watch is complete the registration form for the event you want to attend. Get started where it says "Register" alongside the listings for upcoming events. A confirmation email will then be sent to you with a link to join the event. Reminder emails with the link will also be sent one day and one hour before the event.

Why isn't my link working to join the show?

If your link to join the show isn't working, the first thing you should do is download the latest version of Zoom, then try clicking the link to join the show again.

If the link still doesn't work, after the event has already started, try completing the registration form (again) by selecting "Register" alongside the current event. When you do so, a button should appear inviting you to join the event live.

If all else fails, please send an email to rick@ricksteves.com describing the error. Please also indicate your device, internet browser, and email provider.

Why am I not getting the confirmation email?

If you are not receiving confirmation or reminder emails after registering for the show, first check your junk or promotions folders in your email inbox to make sure that Zoom emails aren't being filtered there.

If you still cannot find the emails, download the latest version of Zoom and try registering for the show again.

If the problem persists, please send an email to rick@ricksteves.com describing the error. Please also indicate your device, internet browser, and email provider.

In the meantime, there is also a workaround for this issue: Complete the registration form (again) by selecting "Register" alongside the current event. When you do so, a button should appear inviting you to join the event live.

How can I get the resource links that are posted in the Chat widget during the show?

Zoom does not allow webinar attendees to copy and paste information posted in the Chat widget. If there are any resource links that interest you, you can click the URLs posted in the Chat widget during the show to access the resources.

Otherwise, if you would like to access the resource links posted in the Chat widget after the show has ended, please check the follow-up email from Zoom sent to all registrants 24 hours after the show.

How do I disable closed captions? 

To ensure a fun and accessible Monday Night Travel experience for everyone, we use Zoom's automatic live transcription feature. To turn off these closed captions, please follow these instructions:  

Desktop/Laptop Computer: Click the "CC" icon on the main Zoom toolbar to switch between displaying and hiding captions.

Smart Phone: If you're watching on your phone, it's a bit trickier — but once you change your settings, you won't need to do so again for future shows. Here's how:

• Click the "… more" icon.
• Click "Minimize Webinar." (The show will still be running for you in the background.)
• Click the "Settings" icon.
• Click "Meetings."
• Toggle "Show Closed Captioning" to off.
• Tap the little insert of the webinar.

How can I change the font size of the closed captions?

To adjust the font size for the closed captions, follow these instructions:

• Click the "CC" icon on the main Zoom toolbar.
• Click the arrow to the right of the "CC" icon.
• Click "Caption Settings" on the pop-up menu.
• At the top of the pop-up window, click and drag the marker on the "Font Size" scale to adjust the text between small and large.

Are the 5:00 and 7:00 show the same?

While no two live shows are ever the same, both the early and late shows of Monday Night Travel address the same topic and follow the same outline. The late show often runs slightly longer because there is no time constraint, but otherwise the two shows are very similar.

Will a recording of the past Monday Night Travel show be posted online? Where can I find the recording? 

Yes! All Monday Night Travel shows are recorded and posted below the listings of upcoming Monday Night Travel events and on Facebook by 5 p.m. PT on Wednesday each week.

The videos are also posted to the Rick Steves Travel Talks YouTube channel a few weeks later.

How do I submit a travel video?

Traveling to Europe soon? Send us a video!

The Monday Night Travel team is collecting 10-second video submissions from our MNT viewers to compile into fun travel videos that will be shared on future MNT shows. Please say your name, where you are from, and where you are traveling in the short clip. Videos can be sent to rick@ricksteves.com.

How can I get information about Rick Steves' Europe tours?

Find out all about Rick Steves European tours! If you have any questions about our more than 45 itineraries, please email our knowledgeable Tour Sales and Services team at tour@ricksteves.com.

Get free updates from Rick about our European tours, special tour promotions, new tour destinations, and more by signing up for Rick's monthly Tour News.

How can I find more information to help me prepare for a trip I'm planning independently?

The best tool for planning independent travel in Europe is a Rick Steves guidebook. Head to our online shop to find our full selection of guidebooks.

You can also find an abundance of free resources — including articles, photos, videos, and more — when you Explore Europe.

Finally, you can pose questions to enthusiastic fellow travelers on our lively Travel Forum.

How do I know if there are any travel restrictions related to COVID-19 when traveling to a specific destination?

Overall, COVID-19 travel restrictions have been relaxed across Europe, but it is still important to check the latest entry and exit requirements. In the days leading up to your departure, consider checking the State Department for your arrival country. For more helpful country-by-country information, check Sherpa.