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Register for The 2025 Travel Festival — January 13–23, 2025

Europe is always changing. And, while the fundamentals of good travel are perennial, it's smart to be prepared for what's new in 2025. That's where the Rick Steves' Europe 2025 Travel Festival comes in! This eight-night virtual series is designed to help you anticipate the trends and challenges you might encounter on the road in the year ahead.

To kick things off, Rick sets the stage by reliving his early travels on the "Hippie Trail" and sharing how those experiences gave rise to our travel philosophy. From there, a host of Rick Steves' Europe travel experts explore how Europe is always evolving and how smart travelers can best navigate those changes, from skirting tourist crowds to beating the heat to planning ahead for brand-new entry requirements. Plus, our staffers share their favorite villages and second cities across Europe's lesser-known, relatively untrampled destinations that can inject extra cultural flavor (with fewer crowds) into any itinerary.

It's all free, and you can sign up for any (or all) of these timely sessions using the links below. Join us to ensure you're packing along the best information available on your next European adventure.

For more destination-specific presentations, check out the video recordings from our 2024 Festival of Europe.

Watch Our Travel Festival Video Recordings
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Monday, January 20: Inauguration Day Special: European Travel in the Age of Trump with Cameron Hewitt and Ben Curtis

6:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. ET | REGISTER

The inauguration of Donald Trump will herald a new age of traveling in Europe. The new administration's policies will have a huge impact overseas, and Europeans are likely to have concerns and pointed questions for us American travelers. With help from a variety of European experts, we gain an international perspective on the second "Age of Trump," consider how it might affect Europe, and share tips on how to travel as good global citizens in all political seasons.

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Tuesday, January 21: Village Europe with Lisa Friend

6:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. ET | REGISTER

Many of Europe's best sights are hidden beyond its big cities. With over 25 years of European travel experience, travel expert Lisa Friend knows that many travelers' "wow" moments occur not at famous museums and landmarks, but in small, slower-paced places where people are friendly, culture is deep, and timed-entry reservations are nonexistent. On this tour of Europe’s small-town, big-charm destinations, Lisa guides us from Ireland's winsome Dingle to the historic hamlets of Normandy and explores a variety of villages that will tempt foodies, hikers, music lovers, and history buffs alike.

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Wednesday, January 22: Italy: This or That? with Robyn Stencil

6:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. ET | REGISTER

With the Cinque Terre's harbors, Venice's canals, Florence's David, Rome's Colosseum, and so much more in between, Italy offers enough places to visit, sights to see — and meals to eat! — to fill a lifetime of travel. So, how do you decide what to include on your finite itinerary and what to save for another time? Tour-program manager Robyn Stencil shares her candid takes on Italy's top attractions and their perhaps unexpected alternatives, such as Rome's Catacombs of Priscilla and the Amalfi Coast town of Minori. Join us for a comparative look at Italy's incomparable sights before you plan your next trip!

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Thursday, January 23: Rick Steves Tours: How and Why They're So Dang Good

6:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. ET | REGISTER

Each year, 30,000 travelers trust a Rick Steves tour to make their European travel dreams come true — many of whom have taken a dozen or more of our tours. Join Rick as he shares the story of how his tour program began, how it evolved, and what makes a Rick Steves tour unique. He explains his philosophy — 50 years in the making — of training the best guides, building the best itineraries, and giving his travelers the best possible experience. Whether considering a tour or just planning a DIY adventure, join us for this fun and fascinating hour.