Travel with Rick Steves

751 Eyewitness to Climate Change; Endangered Eating; Shakespeare in Stratford and South Sudan

20 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Celebrate Earth Day by considering the ways you can address climate change at home, with practical advice from a scientist who's seen its effects arou...

591a Polynesian Explorers; Northern Greece; Greek to Me

13 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We admire the seafaring prowess of the Polynesians and hear how a cultural faux pas led to Captain James Cook's fateful encounter with 18th-century Ha...

750 Mini Italian Lesson; Geography of Genius; Timbuktu Haircut

06 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We learn some surprisingly useful Italian phrases from one of Italy's most popular newspaper columnists, then consider why certain places have fostere...

749 Totally Eclipsed; Mekong Paddle Pilgrim; Strange Food

30 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A nature filmmaker and self-proclaimed "umbraphile" shares tips for viewing the next total solar eclipse, when the moon will cast its otherworldly sha...

748 Quirky Oslo; Last Empty Places; Herbal

23 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

An American expat in Oslo shares some of the quirks and customs of life in his adopted home. Then, a wilderness and history author recounts what he fo...

597a Dublin Walk; The Immortal Irishman; Aran Islands

16 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this all-Irish hour, tour guides describe some of the intriguing sights you'd encounter on a walking tour of Dublin and explain why the rugged Aran...

747 Ireland in 100 Objects; Midlife Michelangelo; Language City New York

09 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A columnist for the Irish Times describes some of the historical objects so cherished by his compatriots that they're considered key to Ireland's nati...

746 Goodbye Eastern Europe; The Long Field in Wales

02 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A historian describes how eastern European countries have modernized since the Cold War and examines the kinds of challenges they face today. And an A...

641a Finding Europe in America; Cruise Ship Nightmare; Iceland Backcountry

24 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Get ideas and tips from TV host Samantha Brown for finding little corners of Europe in the New World, then hear an author's dramatic firsthand account...

745 Orkney Living; Walkable European Cities; Nomads of Europe

17 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hear what it's like to live on one of the windswept Orkney Islands off the northern tip of Scotland, where people have lived since before recorded his...

744 Falling for Saturn; Heart of Martin Sheen; Florentine Favorites

10 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Astronomer Philip Plait — who fell in love with Saturn after first viewing the gas giant, with its mesmerizing rings and moons, through a telesc...

743 Happens in Vegas; Morocco's Sahara

03 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The most popular storyteller of our time, author James Patterson, shares insights from the people who work behind the scenes to turn Las Vegas into Am...

742 Sharks; Beyond Havana; Pompeii

27 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A deep-sea diving instructor from Australia explains why he's not afraid of sharks — well, most of them. Then a Cuba travel expert looks at the ...

595a The Story of Spanish; First Timer's Spain

20 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hear the unlikely story of how Spanish grew from a Latin dialect in northern Iberia to become one of the world's most important and widely spoken lang...

741 Visiting Vienna; Visiting Bosnia; Athens Acropolis

13 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Get tips for enjoying elegant, easily navigated Vienna, Austria's capital and the epicenter of a once-mighty empire. Then hear a Bosnian describe what...

740 Cruising the Nile; Paradise on Earth; Lost Pianos of Siberia

06 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A tour specialist from Cairo explains how you can cruise through five thousand years of history on the Nile River in Egypt. Author Pico Iyer suggests ...

739 Travel Like a Diplomat; Making a Difference; German Pop

30 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Get some travel advice from the former U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria, who recommends his favorite vacation getaways in the Balkans. Then listen in as a ...

738 Christmastime in Bavaria, Croatia, Sweden, Rome, Sardinia, Costa Rica, Amsterdam

23 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Brighten your holidays with an international perspective on Christmas celebrations: Learn about Europe's Old World holiday traditions, and meet some o...

587a Cod in Portugal; Eating in Naples; Dingle Bells; Christmas Travels

16 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hear about why cod is so popular among the Portuguese — especially at this time of year — and get a taste of the culinary treats to try in...

737 A History of Modern Ireland; Following Caesar

09 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A columnist for the Irish Times discusses the dramatic recent changes in public opinion and attitude in Republic of Ireland, and how he's seen it beco...

736 The Swiss; Sightseer's Guide to the Solar System; Winter in Anchorage

02 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A former US ambassador to Switzerland shares her insights into what makes the Swiss tick — and what their society gets right. Then an astronomer...

630a Portugal's Art and Architecture; Breakfast With Polygamists; Jack London's Yukon

25 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tour guides from Lisbon paint audio pictures of the vivid art that colors the streets of Portugal, then a journalist and former diplomat tells of how ...

735 American Thanksgiving; Feeding the World; Tom Miller; German Sausages

18 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A culinary historian tells us what's traditionally been on the Thanksgiving table over the years. The head of the World Food Program USA updates us on...

734 Saving Europe's Art; Overlooked Cuisines of Italy; Belgian Treats

11 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hear about the risks and heroism it took to protect Europe's art treasures during World War II. Then vicariously eat your way through four of Italy's ...

733 Walls Around the World; Tourism in Spain; Tecumseh

04 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A Jerusalem-raised Palestinian tour operator explains how he works to reconcile divided communities — in his home country, and far beyond. Then ...

732 Vampires of Eastern Europe; Supernatural Ireland; Haunted Europe

28 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

At a time of year when, according to some cultures, the worlds of the living and the dead come a little closer together, a historian joins us to expla...

731 Hiking Iceland; Disappearing Asia; England Journeys & Slang

21 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A creative-writing professor discusses Icelandic mythology, as told in the Viking-inspired sagas — and how a summer backpacking trek around the ...

619a Paprika; Silver Sword and Stone; Galicia

14 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tour guides from Hungary discuss their country's love of paprika and set us straight on what makes for good goulash. Then the literary director of the...

730 Wandering Indonesia; Italian Lessons; Czech Towns

07 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Get a sneak peek at some of the surprises you might encounter when exploring one or more of Indonesia's 13,000 islands. Then hear from a journalist ab...

729 A Pilot's View; Cuba 2023; Traveling Again, Part 2

30 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Commercial pilot and very frequent flier Mark Vanhoenacker shares stories from his many brief excursions to cities around the world. Then Cuba travel ...

728 Beyond New Orleans; View from Germany; Traveling Again, Part 1

23 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Take a look at the historical attractions of southeast Louisiana that are easy day trips from New Orleans. Listen in to a German journalist comparing ...

610a London Layover; Tower of London; London Day Trips

16 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Get tips for making the most of a long layover in Heathrow Airport with a quick visit into central London. Then meet the Tower of London's "Ravenmaste...

727 Enjoying Venice; History of Rome in 12 Buildings; Michelangelo's Rome

09 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Two local guides working in Venice recommend their favorite ways to find serenity in the "most serene" of cities, despite its often overwhelming touri...

726 Orkney Vikings; Favorite American Cities; Chopin's Piano

02 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Consider your options for encountering the thousand-year-old culture of the Vikings on a visit to Scotland's Orkney Islands. Then listen in as a frequ...

725 Crystal Bridges; Route 66 Kicks; Amsterdam By Bike

26 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The director of the new Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art tells us how a small city in Arkansas became home to a major art museum. Then author Ri...

724 Tangier; Costa Rica's Pura Vida; Lingo of Europe

19 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Guidebook authors from Morocco and Costa Rica explain why Tangier serves as a handy entry point into Morocco, discuss the meaning of "pura vida" in th...

366b Correspondent in India; World of Madhur Jaffrey; Chaos, Italian Style

12 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

BBC reporter Nick Bryant gives us a personal look at India as he discusses what he learned about its society while he was stationed in New Delhi. Then...

723 Fragile Countries; Hiking with Children; Exploring Romania

05 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A journalist explains why she travels to countries that most people would have a good reason to avoid. Then an alpine guide discusses why she enjoys e...

722 Mid-American Feast; Ambassador's Guide to Switzerland; Diver's Guide to the World

29 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A creative-writing instructor with an appetite for American comfort food describes some of his favorite quintessentially Midwestern dishes, and a form...

260b Western Whitewater Adventures; A Readers Grand Tour; Tapas in Spain

22 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Find out how a camping trip down the Colorado River can be a life-altering experience. Hear about Nancy Pearl's favorite books for armchair adventures...

721 The French; Hidden Gardens in Paris

15 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The authors of "The Bonjour Effect" explain how many of the problems foreigners encounter in France are a disconnect with how the French expect you to...

720 Ceramic Arts of Portugal; Poland 2023; Nomads

08 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how colorful ceramic tiles have long been an important part of the scene in Portugal. Get recommendations from Cameron Hewitt, Rick's senior res...

719 Rocky Mountaineer; Gulf Islands BC; Global Perspective; Piecing Together America

01 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hear about making family memories in western Canada along the historic Rocky Mountaineer train line. Explore the Gulf Islands in the Salish Sea. Learn...

616a Zagreb; Natchez; Leave Only Footprints

24 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hear how Croatia's capital city Zagreb is a hidden gem of Central Europe, a respite from the tourist crowds of other more-famous cities. Listen in as ...

718 Pastas You Should Know; In Sardinia; Gelato

17 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Italian food expert Fred Plotkin describes some of the unusual varieties of pasta that you can find in Italy — and the reason behind their diffe...

717 Bill Bryson At Home; Pico Iyer In Search of Paradise; Walkable Cities

10 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Author Bill Bryson describes how buying an old house in England has made him appreciate how dramatically domestic life has changed in just a few gener...

716 Roman England; Ottoman Turkey; Crossing Boundaries

03 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join us as we travel back in time to Roman England to consider what remains today from 400 years of Roman rule in Britain. Then hear about the most sp...

612a Inland West Coast Roadtrips; Making Scottish Music; Oddball English Festivals

27 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Get tips for discovering the delightful bits of Americana that await along the scenic inland back roads of California and the Pacific Northwest. Then ...

715 San Juan Islands; Martin Sheen’s Travels; Imagine a City

20 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hear about the "personalities" that differentiate the biggest of the San Juan Islands, which cluster in the northwest corner of Washington State. Then...

714 Uniquely Georgian; Amsterdam 2023; Puzzle of Polynesia

13 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hear about the natural beauty and rich culture that await visitors in the Republic of Georgia, where Europe meets Asia. Then get an update on the trav...

713 The Way of Saint James; Rewilding Europe

06 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Actors Martin Sheen and his son Emilio Estevez relive their experience filming a movie about walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain, and describe how...

410b Marrying an American; Flatlands; Sightseeing Communist History

29 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hear what kind of cross-cultural issues emerge when Europeans marry Americans, then listen in as we discuss the allure of a road trip around America's...

712 Party of Trees; Vanishing Asia; Living with Caribou

22 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Journalist Zach Saint George describes the slow-motion migration of several North American tree species seeking to evade environmental threats. Then W...

711 Greek Godmother; Favorite Athens Neighborhoods; Appreciating Islam; Tibetan Prayer Flags

15 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hear about the importance of extended family in Greece, where the honor of being named a godmother comes with real responsibilities, and learn about s...

710 Saints of Italy; Pilgrim Trails; Holy Bones

08 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Get to know some of the most notable of Italy's many patron saints, and why they remain important to so many. Then hear what journalist Tim Egan spent...

709 America’s Favorite City Parks; Europe’s Great Trails; Egypt 2023

01 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about the thoughtful design behind America's elegant city parks of the 19th century, which continue to provide green space for millions of urban...

607a Bridges and Little Museums of Paris; Burgundy

25 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We'll take an up-close look at some of Paris' most beautiful bridges as well as its most intriguing specialty museums and galleries, where you can esc...

708 Favorite Tours in Ireland; Celtic Middle Earth; Ireland’s South Coast

18 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hear about how a locally operated tour can add depth and conviviality to your next trip to the Emerald Isle, then learn about the sophisticated ways a...

707 Islands of Britain; Italy for Food Lovers; Flavors of Florence

11 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

English actor Martin Clunes recommends some of his favorite smaller British isles among the many he visited while filming a travel documentary. Then R...

706 Budapest Riverwalk; Megalithic Orkney; Travel Kindness

04 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We'll take an audio stroll along the Danube waterfront in elegant, Old World Budapest, then contemplate the prehistoric stones that stand amid the sta...

515a Artists of Spain; Being Welsh; Being Bosnian

25 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We look at the top sites where you can experience firsthand the groundbreaking contributions of Spain's greatest artists. Then tour guides from Wales ...

705 Basque and Balkan Carnival; Sicilians; World Lit

18 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hear how ancient pagan traditions spice up carnival season in the Basque Country and the Balkans — two regions that celebrate the days preceding...

704 Casanova's Venice; China 2023

11 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Historian Laurence Bergreen takes us to 18th-century Venice — the time of Casanova, when this "Most Serene Republic" had become the Sin City of ...

703 Yucatan Holiday; Ambassador to Switzerland; Finding Atlantis

04 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Author Mark Adams reveals four possible Mediterranean locations where the legendary lost city of Atlantis could have been. The former U-S Ambassador t...

582a Istria; Wee County Louth; Tides

28 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Explore two of Europe's less-crowded scenic peninsulas! Rick visits with local tour guides from Pula, on Croatia's Istrian Peninsula, and from Ireland...

702 Touring Bath; Joy of Travel Writing; Ghost Dance in Berlin

21 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Soak in the history and the splendor of Bath, where Georgian architecture and mineral waters make it one of England's most attractive cities. Get a be...

701 The US Civil Rights Trail; Wild Arctic Svalbard

14 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hear how the US Civil Rights Trail, with 100 stops across 14 states, was organized to help all Americans get an up-close look at the movement to disma...

700 Pleasures of Mexico City; Why We Travel; Classical Music in Europe

07 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A tour guide from Mexico City describes some of the most pleasant surprises he enjoys sharing about his adopted home. Then the author of the "Thousand...

699 New Year's Traditions; New Orleans Originals; David McCullough Tribute

31 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Consider new ideas for greeting the new year by learning about some of the unusual traditions — and a few superstitions — with which Swede...

548b German Christmas Markets; Christmas in Madrid, Sicily, Ireland, Hebrides

24 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We'll hear how the traditional Christmas markets of Germanic Europe set the mood for the season. And we'll learn about Christmastime events that bring...

698 Ready for Christmas Near and Far; Wassailing

17 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the first of two holiday-themed shows, Rick's guests recall their childhood Christmases in the Netherlands, Italy, and New Mexico. Then more friend...

697 Sacred Paris; Raising a Family in France; A Place in the World

10 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Susan Cahill recommends some of the most magnificent religious architecture to explore in Paris, then an American who married a Frenchman descr...

696 For the Love of Guidebooks; The Gulf; Greatest Art In Europe

03 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We look at the must-see paintings, sculptures and historic edifices across Europe. University of Florida professor Jack E. Davis notes the many roles ...

695 Belgium Pride; Favorite Gardens; Arctic Trails

26 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A native-born Belgian shares what delights him most about his small, but justifiably proud country. Then author Catie Marron recommends some of her fa...

584a My Town; Lidia's Flavors of Italy; Wine Educator

19 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Listeners tell us what makes their hometowns feel special, then the host of the TV show Lidia's Italy describes the remarkable diversity among the reg...

694 Highlands of Scotland; Art of Spain; Sweet Home Alabama

12 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Get expert advice for planning a trip to the majestic Scottish Highlands. Then hear about some of Spain's most influential artists, from El Greco to t...

453a Rome Neighborhoods; Crazy Rides; Ex-Yugoslavia

05 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Get tips for how to "do as the Romans do" in Rome's modern-day neighborhoods. Hear about the travel writer Will Hide's latest crazy rides, from cyclin...

693 Dracula’s Romania; Spooky New Orleans; Mary Morris in India

29 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Uncover the truth behind Count Dracula in Romania. Find out where the most haunted house is located in New Orleans, and what's behind local customs su...

586a Travel Writers Travels; Autumn Light in Japan; Swedish Values

22 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pico Iyer explains why autumn is the perfect season for understanding the soul of Japan. Robert Reid recommends how to amp up your next vacation, by t...

692 Making the Art of Europe; 20 Years of Ireland; Experiencing Austria

15 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Get a taste of Austria beyond the usual tourist sites in Vienna and Salzburg, where farmstays and festivals can make you want to wear lederhosen for a...

691 Climate Change Watch; The Art of Rome; Seeing the Ancient World

08 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Learn to see Rome — the way the ancient Romans did — as the opulent and innovative city that gave Europe a common culture. Look closer at ...

690 Hamburg; The Art of Europe; Extreme Sports

01 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Find out why Germany's "second city," the industrial northern port of Hamburg, is a favorite getaway among Germans. Then get the inside scoop on Rick'...

578a Walking Ljubljana; Munich and Bavaria; Wild Animals

24 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The co-author of Rick's Eastern Europe guidebook and a Ljubljana-based tour guide discuss the laid-back charms of Slovenia's capital. Then a tour guid...

689 Ambassador to Bulgaria; Senior Nomads 2022; Himalaya Hike

17 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Diplomat and former ambassador Eric Rubin gives us a look at how the foreign service works on behalf of American interests in Bulgaria. Then "Senior N...

688 Maeve Higgins’ County Cork; Southwest England; Glasgow Cool

10 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Humorist Maeve Higgins recommends places to visit in her home turf of Ireland's County Cork. Then tour guides from southwest England share their exper...

687 More California Day Trips; Olmsted Bicentennial; Celebrating Eastern Europe

03 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Travel writer Chris Baker returns with more ideas for fun day trips from LA and San Francisco, including his home base of Palm Springs. Then historian...

579a Kerouac’s Firewatch; Erosion; USA National Parks

27 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

British travel writer Dan Richards describes his hike to the remote post in Washington's North Cascades where Jack Kerouac spent two months as a fire ...

686 New Orleans by Foot; The Orchestra Conductor

20 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tour guides from New Orleans examine the historical, musical, and culinary elements that make their city one of the most exceptional places anywhere i...

685 Joanna Lumley’s Nile Adventure; Samantha Brown’s Happy Travels

13 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Actress Joanna Lumley details her 4,000-mile trek up the Nile River to the river's fabled source in Rwanda. Joanna shares what she learned from people...

684 Obscure Museums; Peloponnesian and Mythical Greece

06 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rick checks in with Dylan Thuras from Atlas Obscura to discuss a few of their favorite small, sometimes eccentric museums around the world. Then autho...

683 English Country Gardens; On Becoming a Gardener; In Praise of Wasting Time

30 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

English tour guides share their enthusiasm for enjoying the riot of color and inspiration you'll find in England's best country gardens. Then author C...

480b Turn Right at Machu Picchu; Lafayette in the USA; Scotch

23 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Mark Adams shares what he learned about Incan history while trekking to Machu Picchu. Then author Sarah Vowell explains how Revolutionary War h...

682 Europe by the Book; Berlin Day Trips; Mexico City 2022

16 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Enjoy some of the best-ever writing on life in far-away places with a recommended reading list from a Harvard professor of comparative literature. The...

681 French Impressionism; Perfect Week in Paris; First Timer’s Louvre

09 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Celebrate Bastille Day with French guides. They'll explain the impressionist techniques perfected in the early 20th century, provide insider advice fo...

680 The Last Cowboys; Perfect Day California; American Bald Eagle

02 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

New York Times reporter John Branch tells us how one family in southern Utah keeps a cowboy tradition alive at rodeos across the West. Chris Baker rec...

529a Newfoundland Tour; Canada Day; Drink Dat New Orleans

25 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Explore what Canada has to offer! Newfoundland's Alan Doyle recommends sights to enjoy the rugged beauty of his Atlantic island home. Comedian and aut...

679 Nordic Roots; Dutch Towns; Bridge to Nicaragua

18 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Hear how the characters of Nordic mythology can help you better understand the past, and how they influence the epic tales that entertain us today. Di...

567a Hokkaido; Arctic Solitaire; Bloomsday in Dublin

11 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Get tips from an American-Japanese author for experiencing the rugged allure of Japan's northern island of Hokkaido. Then hear from a nature photograp...

678 Hiking in England; British Footnotes; High Tea in London

04 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Two English tour guides discuss a time-honored way to enjoy the British countryside: "rambling" along Britain's well-marked system of hiking trails. T...

201b Beer In Europe, Irreverent Curiosity

28 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Get in a festive mood as Rick invites a few of his friends to compare the beer styles of Europe, and the cultures that go with them. Also, writer Davi...