Stations can publish these two articles (of varying lengths), free of charge, to promote the special. Feel free to edit as needed. You can also download high resolution photos (see "Download Promotional Media" below).

Rick Steves' Delicious Europe [249 words]

When it comes to good eating, Europe is a food lover's wonderland: elegant cuisine, rustic delights, seasonal treats, beloved bakeries, a passion for wine, and slow food rather than fast food. However you slice it, Europeans take pride in their food: eating well is living well.

In one of the tastiest half-hours ever, you'll dine with Rick Steves as he enjoys Europe's very best — from gourmet tapas in Galicia to the trattoria of your dreams in Rome, and from the catch of the day in Greece to the ancient vines and wines of Burgundy.

Enjoying Europe's diverse and endlessly rewarding cuisine is akin to appreciating her art. Like great paintings hanging on gallery walls, the appreciation of food is a dimension of a proud culture that any thoughtful traveler can experience; when done right, eating connects us with local people at ease and enjoying life. When you know where to go to clink glasses with the locals and how to "eat with the season" in a region, the amount you spend has little to do with the experience you'll enjoy.

In twenty years of TV production, bringing home well over a hundred shows, Rick Steves has never produced an episode without a great meal in a memorable place. In this special, Rick shares his favorites with you.

For tasty tapas, garlicky snails, creamy buffalo mozzarella, savory bouillabaisse, seasonal specialties, the best of the wurst, and much more, join Rick Steves in this celebration of culture and cuisine — Delicious Europe.

Rick Steves' Delicious Europe [163 words]

When it comes to good eating, Europe is a food lover's wonderland: elegant cuisine, rustic delights, seasonal treats, beloved bakeries, a passion for wine, and slow food rather than fast food. However you slice it, Europeans take pride in their food: eating well is living well.

In one of the tastiest half-hours ever, you'll dine with Rick Steves as he enjoys Europe's very best — from gourmet tapas in Galicia to the trattoria of your dreams in Rome, and from the catch of the day in Greece to the ancient vines and wines of Burgundy.

In twenty years of TV production, bringing home well over a hundred shows, Rick Steves has never produced an episode without a great meal in a memorable place. In this special, Rick shares his favorites with you.

For tasty tapas, garlicky snails, creamy buffalo mozzarella, savory bouillabaisse, seasonal specialties, the best of the wurst, and much more, join Rick Steves in this celebration of culture and cuisine — Delicious Europe.

Rick Steves advocates smart, affordable, perspective-broadening travel. As host and writer of the popular public television series Rick Steves' Europe, and best-selling author of over 50 European travel books, he encourages Americans to travel as "temporary locals." He helps American travelers connect much more intimately and authentically with Europe — and Europeans — for a fraction of what mainstream tourists pay.

Over the past 20 years, Rick has hosted over 100 travel shows for public television, and numerous pledge specials (raising millions of dollars for local stations). His Rick Steves' Europe TV series is carried by over 300 stations, reaching 95 percent of U.S. markets. Rick has also created two award-winning specials for public television: Rick Steves' European Christmas and the ground-breaking Rick Steves' Iran. Rick writes and co-produces his television programs through his company, Back Door Productions.

Rick Steves also hosts a weekly public radio program, Travel with Rick Steves. With a broader approach to travel everywhere, in each hour-long program Rick interviews guest travel expert, followed by listener call-ins. Travel with Rick Steves airs across the country and has spawned a popular podcast. Rick has also created a series of audio walking tour podcasts for museums and neighborhoods in Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice, London and Athens.

Rick self-published the first edition of his travel skills book, Europe Through the Back Door (now updated annually), in 1980. He has also written more than 50 other country, city and regional guidebooks, phrase books, and "snapshot" guides. For several years, Rick Steves' Italy has been the bestselling international guidebook sold in the U.S. In 2009, Rick tackled a new genre of travel writing with Travel as a Political Act, reflecting on how a life of travel has broadened his own perspectives, and travel can be a significant force for peace and understanding in the world. Rick's books are published by Avalon Travel, a member of the Perseus Books Group.

In addition to his guidebooks, TV and radio work, Rick is a syndicated newspaper columnist with the Tribune Media Services. He appears frequently on television, radio, and online as the leading authority on European travel.

Rick took his first trip to Europe in 1969, visiting piano factories with his father, a piano importer. By the time he reached 18, Rick jokes, "I realized I didn't need my parents to travel!" He began traveling on his own, funding his trips by teaching piano lessons. In 1976, he started Europe Through the Back Door (ETBD), a business which has grown from a one-man operation to a company with a well-traveled staff of 80 full-time employees. ETBD offers free travel information through its travel center, website, European Railpass Guide, and free travel newsletters. ETBD also runs a successful European tour program with more than 450 departures — attracting around 12,000 travelers — annually.

Rick is outspoken on the need for Americans to fit better into our planet by broadening their perspectives through travel. He is also committed to his own neighborhood. He's an active member of the Lutheran church (and has hosted the ELCA's national video productions). He's a board member of NORML (The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws). And Rick has provided his local YWCA with a 24-unit apartment building with which to house homeless mothers.

Rick Steves spends about a third of every year in Europe, researching guidebooks, filming TV shows, and making new discoveries for travelers. Rick was divorced in March, 2010. He lives and works in his hometown of Edmonds, Washington, where his office window overlooks his old junior high school.

Episode Description

When it comes to good eating, Europe is a food lover's wonderland: elegant cuisine, rustic delights, seasonal treats, beloved bakeries, a passion for wine, and slow food rather than fast food. However you slice it, Europeans take pride in their food: eating well is living well. In one of the tastiest half-hours ever, we dine with Rick Steves as he enjoys Europe's very best — from gourmet tapas in Galicia to the trattoria of your dreams in Rome, and from the catch of the day in Greece to the ancient vines and wines of Burgundy. For garlicky snails, creamy buffalo mozzarella, savory bouillabaisse, the best of the wurst, and much more, join Rick on this fun celebration of European cuisine — Delicious Europe.

Program Information

RICK STEVES' DELICIOUS EUROPE Pledge Event (1/30) (Stereo,CC)
RSDE 000 HD-Pledge Event Revision 001 
Sunday, February 24, 2013
1600-1630ET /HD04

RICK STEVES' DELICIOUS EUROPE *Create* Pledge Event (1/30) (Stereo,CC)
RSDC 000 HD-Pledge Event Revision 001 
Sunday, February 24, 2013
1830-1900ET /HD04

Thank You Gifts for Pledge Supporters

Rick Steves' Delicious Europe is produced as a fundraiser for public television stations. To encourage viewers to call in pledges of support, stations and Rick are offering thank you packages of $60 and $160 gift levels. Read a full description of the items offered (see "Station Gift Descriptions" below).

$60 Level

• Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door book (most recent year)
  • Station Kit Cost: $10.00
  • Market Value: $24.99
  • Item #: ZZ-DELICIOUS-60

$160 Level

• Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door book (most recent year)
• Rick Steves' 100 Shows DVD Box Set 2000-2014
  • Station Cost: $31.00
  • Retail Value: $124.98
  • Item #: ZZ-DELICIOUS-160

All levels will include Rick Steves' Travel Skills DVD and Best Destinations Newsletter.

Stations pay all shipping charges.

Questions: angie@ricksteves.com

To order, please contact:
 

pledge@ricksteves.com
Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door
130 Fourth Avenue North
P.O. Box 2009
Edmonds, WA 98020
Tel: 425-771-8303
Fax: 425-771-0833

Here you will find everything you will need to promote Rick Steves' Delicious Europe Pledge Special. If you would like assistance in downloading these images, or prefer another format, please email Ashley Sytsma (ashley@ricksteves.com) or call 425-608-4293.

Rick Steves' Delicious Europe Photos: High-resolution photos for viewer guides, websites, and other publications.

Rick Steves' Delicious Europe Pledge Premium Images: Completed Screenshots or composite images to create your own.

Rick Steves' Delicious Europe Preview Video

A Rick Steves' Delicious Europe preview is available for download and can be used directly on your public television website.

• Download the 30-second promo (please right click and select "Save Target As")

Rick Steves' Delicious Europe Photos

Pledge Premium Images

Below are composite JPEGs of each of the pledge levels shown below, formatted for a 1920 x 1080 screen.

You can download a zipped archive that contains high resolution JPEGs of all four pledge premiums, flat or 3-dimensional, for use in your own layouts.

A layered Photoshop file containing each pledge level as an editable group (with rasterized type) is also available for download.

Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door book (most recent year)

Packed with lessons gleaned from more than 30 years of budget European travel, Rick's travel handbook answers all the questions you have now — and those you wouldn't have asked until faced with them on your trip.
(Retail Price $24.99)

Rick Steves' Travel Skills DVD

Rick Steves, the best-selling author of more than 40 travel guidebooks and host of public television's Rick Steves' Europe and public radio's Travel with Rick Steves, shares his expertise on how to travel smoothly and affordably through Europe. Learn practical tips on planning a trip, getting around, finding accommodations, staying safe, packing right and more!
(No Retail Value)

Rick Steves' 100 Shows DVD Box Set 2000-2014

You'll get all 100 Rick Steves' Europe TV shows and specials on 14 DVDs with outtakes and interviews.
(Retail Price $99.99)

All levels will include Rick Steves' Travel Skills DVD and Best Destinations Newsletter.

Stations pay all shipping charges.

Questions: angie@ricksteves.com

To order, please contact:
 

pledge@ricksteves.com
Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door
130 Fourth Avenue North
P.O. Box 2009
Edmonds, WA 98020
Tel: 425-771-8303
Fax: 425-771-0833