• Chartres Cathedral with snowy lights, Paris, France

December Travel News

Hi from Rick: The Gift of Travel

December is when I wear my red scarf and recall seeing my breath between sips of hot spiced wine from an old-fashioned mug at Nürnberg's much-loved Christmas market.

It was here that I realized why so many people go reindeer-crazy for Germany's holiday markets. All around me, a happy crowd of revelers and wonderstruck children sampling fresh gingerbread roamed a festive scene of roving brass quintets, sausages sizzling on the grill, and a world of artfully hand-crafted traditional little treasures: whirling candle chimes, carved and gaily painted nutcrackers eager to chomp on anything with a shell, and folk dolls with dried-apple faces… Read more

In this issue


Girl with tabbed guidebook, London, England

Tips for Researching Your Trip

Europe is always changing, and it's essential to plan and travel with the most up-to-date information. Study before you go. Guidebooks, maps, travel apps, and websites are all key resources… Read more


Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, France

Notre-Dame Cathedral Reopens

Five years after being devastated by a shocking fire, Paris' venerated Notre-Dame Cathedral finally reopens on Dec. 8. This will come with crowd limits, a new ticketing system… Read more


Prinzen, Kosovo

Cameron’s Blog: Travel Like an Impressionist

"Slow travel" has more than its share of advocates. And often, I do love to linger. But in my recent travels, I'm surprised to find myself cultivating a new appreciation for "fast travel"… Read more


Santa Lucia girls, Drøbak, Norway

Video of the Month: Christmas in Norway

Norwegians celebrate St. Lucia Day on Dec. 13, when candle-bearing girls bring light to the middle of winter. Join Rick as he travels to Drøbak, Norway's self-proclaimed capital of Christmas… Watch the video


monday night travel beyond prague

Wrap Up 2024 with Monday Night Travel

Join us for the final two shows of the year: Czech Favorites Beyond Prague with guide Jana Hronková on Dec. 9 and Rick's European Sleigh Ride: A Review of Top 2024 Travel Experiences on Dec. 16… Register


seasons-givings

Season’s Givings & Tours on Sale

Book a seat on any 2025 tour by Dec. 31, and we'll donate $100 on your behalf to your choice of an important cause. Plus, we're offering extra savings on dozens of select 2025 departures… Read more


hippie-trail-book-cover

Stow Away on the Hippie Trail

Pre-order your copy of Rick's newest book, On the Hippie Trail from Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer. Pre-order as a Christmas gift and we'll send a special gift message from Rick… Read more


Rail Passes on Sale

Traveling along Europe's rails is fast, convenient, and affordable — and an even better value when you can save 25 percent! Save on Eurail Global Passes and most one-country passes through Dec. 17… Read more