Program 807: Islands of Portugal; Easter Island; Endangered Languages

A Portugal tour guide describes the scenic and culinary rewards that await visitors to the country's mid-Atlantic island getaways. Then a Scotsman who spent over two decades living on Easter Island takes us behind the mysteries of its famous stone figures and shares what daily life is like in the remote outpost. And a New York linguist reminds us of the benefits of preserving our world's diverse dialects.

• Portuguese tour guide Cláudia da Costa, based in Lisbon
• James Grant-Peterkin, author of "A Companion to Easter Island" and "The Travel Enrichment Series: South Pacific" (self-published)
• Ross Perlin, co-director of the Endangered Language Alliance, and author of “Language City: The Fight to Preserve Endangered Mother Tongues In New York” (Grove Atlantic)

• Cláudia Costa provides custom tours of Lisbon, and has a presence on Facebook under "Everywhere in Portugal."
• Cláudia talked with Rick previously on Travel with Rick Steves program #782 (in February 2025) about "What's New in Lisbon," on program #769 as part of a 2024 panel about challenges to "Democracy in Europe," and on program #676 in 2022 with suggestions for spending a "Perfect Week in Portugal."
• James Grant-Peterkin writes about Easter Island in his guide, "A Companion to Easter Island." It's available in seven different languages. James lists the different tours he offers on the island at his Easter Island Spirit website, and reminds us that visitors to cultural sites in the Easter Island National Park are required to be accompanied by a local guide.
• James also lists his many lecture topics and his cruise line appearance schedule on his website, and posts from his travels on Facebook.
• Ross Perlin wrote "Language City: The Fight to Preserve Endangered Mother Tongues In New York" to profile how six New York City residents are working to document or possibly revive their native language before it disappears. Ross is also co-director of the Endangered Language Academy.