Now Playing on Travel with Rick Steves
Program 799: Irish Oddities; Viking Sights; Cycling the Silk Road
Release Date: 07-26-2025
Description
Meet an Irishman who scours the Emerald Isle to report on oddities and lesser-known facets of his country's culture. Then learn about the lasting impact of the Viking era in Norway and where to observe it on your next visit. And hear what it's like to bicycle 10,000 miles along the old Silk Road, from Turkey to Tibet.
Guests
- Brinsley McNamara, podcast host and author of "Weird Ireland" (Hachette Books Ireland)
- Norwegian tour guide Pål Bjarne Johansen
- Kate Harris, author of "Lands of Lost Borders" (Dey St.)
Additional Info
- Brinsley McNamara is the host of the "Weird Ireland" podcast and videos, and author of the book "Weird Ireland." His video series is also found on Instagram and TikTok.
- Pål Bjarne Johansen offers private tours in Norway and Scandinavia, and posts videos about his life in Oslo on his YouTube channel and at his "Norway with Pal" website.
- Rick writes about visiting Viking ship museums in Scandinavia.
- Pål recommends visiting the Midgard Vikingsenter in Borre, Norway, while awaiting the 2027 opening of the Museum of the Viking Age in Oslo.
- Kate Harris is the author of "Land of Lost Borders." She includes video and photo highlights from her 10,000k Silk Road bicycle adventure on her website.