Travel with Rick Steves
Episodes
298 History of the US Passport; Americans Living in Europe
01 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
If you dread the mug shot that passes as your passport photo, you're not alone. We examine how the passport became the required document for internati...
252a Off the Grid in Mexico; Baltic Cities; Paul Theroux's Dark Star Safari
25 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Theroux describes what a trip the length of Africa taught him, 40 years after serving with the Peace Corps in a village in Malawi. Frugal Travele...
297 Open Phones: Ask Rick; Francis Tapon Explores Eastern Europe
18 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Francis Tapon describes his three-year excursion into every country in the eastern half of Europe. He shares how the Balkans and the former Soviet sta...
296 Appalachian Trails
11 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Some things haven't changed much over the years in Appalachia. Rock the cradle of country music, from kitchy Dollywood, to all-day mountain music jams...
299 Exploring Art in Southeast Asia and Ireland; Open Phones: Travel Kindness
08 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Get better acquainted with Southeast Asia and Ireland through the eyes of its artists. We'll explore how understanding the stories behind paintings, a...
295 Fracturing the United Kingdom; Living as a Borderless European
04 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
The future of the United Kingdom is on the table when Scotland votes in 2014 on whether or not to form a completely independent government from the re...
255a More Summer Road Food USA; Interstate-75 Road Trip; Richard Bangs' Adventures
28 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Get inspired by Jane and Michael Stern for a summer road trip to find classic American dishes with a regional twist, like chowder and barbecue —...
294 Pico Iyer: A Traveler's Home is a Verb; Cape Town, South Africa
21 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Celebrated author, Pico Iyer, shares how going it alone can actually clue you in to the global village that already surrounds you. Also, travel writer...
293 Stuff Parisians Like; Canal Barges of France
14 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
It's said that the French consider people who live in Paris to be abnormal. A wine expert and TV personality from Paris joins us with tips for blendin...
292 Running with the Dogs; Running of the Bulls; Scandinavian Crime Fiction
07 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
We'll hear about this year's Iditarod sled dog race across Alaska from a rookie racer, Rick's younger sister. A guide from Pamplona, Spain tells us ab...
211a Spirit Of America: Smithsonian DC; America From the Air; Butterflies of Grand Canyon
30 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Guides from the Museum of American History prepare us for a patriotic pilgrimage to the historical attractions along the National Mall. Next, a noveli...
291 European Impressions of America; Open Phones: Making Connections
23 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Three of Rick's European friends share their impressions of being in America, and contrast it to life in their home turf in Italy, Ireland, and Sloven...
290 The Ballpark Boys; Chasing the Sun
16 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Before embarking on their college careers, the "Ballpark Boys," a group of lifelong friends from Seattle, planned an epic roadtrip across the USA, to ...
289 Underground Zanzibar; Rugged Abruzzo Italy; Southeast Asia Overview
09 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Adventure traveler and author Richard Grant describes the craziness he encountered on the island of Zanzibar. A native of small town Italy explains th...
288 Visiting the Mundo Maya; A Walk Across Prague
02 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Get tips for visiting evocative pre-Columbian sites. Learn how you can be a houseguest of today's Mayans, too. Plus, Rick joins a guide from Prague fo...
217a Barcelona; Michelangelo's Rome
26 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
We'll explore trendy Barcelona with the help of two expert guides to Spain. Viewing the works of modern artists such as Picasso, Gaudi, and Dali is a ...
287 Glasgow; Roman Britain; Pompeii
19 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Rick plans a visit to the well-preserved ruins of Pompeii, near Naples, explores ancient monuments scattered across the countryside of England and lea...
286 Mothers Day: Sweet Home Croatia; An American Mother in Paris
12 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Author Jennifer Wilson describes what it was like to relocate her family to the same mountain village in Croatia her great-grandparents emigrated from...
285 Italian Food Culture; The Perfect Tuscan Picnic
05 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Italian food expert Fred Plotkin takes American visitors deeper into the culture of enjoying a good meal, and tour guide Jamie Blair Gould from Lucca ...
284 Diving Adventures; Instant Cities; Unconquered Amazon
21 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
This week, a diving enthusiast highlights the underwater world, from the turquoise coasts of Central America to the cold jade waters of Puget Sound. N...
283 London Celebrates 2012; Orthodox Easter
14 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Tour guides from London join Rick to point how you can join the crowds, or avoid them, for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the Summer Olympics, and lots ...
282 Easter in the Holy Land; Even More Places To See Before You Die; Travels of Andrew McCarthy
07 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
"One Thousand Places to See Before You Die" author Patricia Schultz shares new places she's included in the updated version of her book, actor and tra...
281 Open Phones: Making Friends; Sarajevo — 20 Years After the Siege
31 Mar 2012
Contributed by Lukas
A Bosnian journalist tells Rick what it was like to live through the Siege of Sarajevo twenty years ago, and what it's like to visit the city today. R...
190a The Pilgrim's Italy; Hape Kerkeling's Santiago de Compostela
24 Mar 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Colleen Heater, author of "The Pilgrim's Italy", describes how 21st century travelers can find inspiration at Italy's many religious shrines; a tour g...
280 Rewards of a Road Trip Pilgrim; Exploring Ireland 2012
17 Mar 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Rick discusses the rewards of being a "road trip pilgrim" with author and traveler Dan Austin, and, in the spirit of Saint Patrick's Day, Irish tour g...
279 Visiting Post-Tsunami Japan; Living in the Arab Awakening
10 Mar 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Guests from Egypt and Morocco discuss the "Arab Spring" movement and explain what the upheaval is about from an insider's perspective, and Rick chats ...
278 Adam Gopnik: The Table Comes First in France; A Taste of Portugal
03 Mar 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Adam Gopnik discusses why the rituals associated with mealtime are often as important to the French as their recipes, and explains why "The Table Come...
277 Flying with Johnny Jet; The State of the European Union
25 Feb 2012
Contributed by Lukas
European Union experts join Rick to discuss the roots of the current political tensions in Europe, and how government policies are impacting the avera...
201a Beer In Europe; An Irreverent Curiosity
18 Feb 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Rick invites some of his European friends to compare the beers of Europe and discuss the cultures that go with them, and travel writer David Farley ta...
276 Midnight In Paris; Hidden Gardens of Paris; Richard Wiese: Born to Explore
11 Feb 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Rick speaks with Parisians who inspire travelers to explore their city, from its relaxing parks and public spaces to late night strolls and memorable ...
275 The Pilgrimage of Annie Leibovitz; Open Phones: Extraordinary Travels
04 Feb 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Photographer Annie Leibovitz talks about her pilgrimage to the homes of famous people from our history across the United States and describes what it ...
197a Richard Ellis: Polar Bears on Thin Ice; Open Phones: Travel Reports
28 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Marine wildlife expert Richard Ellis explains how the loss of the ice cap in the Arctic is accelerating, why wildlife in the region cannot adapt to th...
274 Offbeat Turkey: Historical Dives and Exploring the East; Richard Grant's Crazy Adventures In East Africa
21 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Guides from Turkey dive into underwater archeology along with sights of Eastern Turkey and adventure traveler Richard Grant explores East Africa in se...
273 Two Sides of Mexico: From the Drug War in the North to the Mundo Maya in the South
14 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Ed Vulliamy investigates the escalating bloodshed from drug gangs in Northern Mexico and shares what he found in a "post-political" war zone, where fe...
272 Steve Inskeep's Foreign Intelligence; Vienna a la Fred Plotkin; Open Phones: Travel Resolutions
07 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Steve Inskeep assesses international news coverage in the U.S. media, Fred Plotkin describes why Vienna is one of his favorite cities, and listeners s...
271 Winter In Paris; International New Years Party
01 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Rick uncovers holiday traditions from such places as Sicily and Croatia, Scotland and Brazil and gets suggestions for enjoying winter in P...
270 International Christmas Party
25 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Rick celebrates Christmas with friends from near and far, hearing about holiday traditions from Holland and Hungary, Sicily and Scotland, learning a...
228a European Christmas Prep 2
18 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Rick is introduced to Santa's European relatives including Baba Noël, Grandfather Frost, Saint Nicholas, Krampus, and even Sammi Claus and Schw...
269 Listener Feedback; Agriturismos In Italy; Key West
11 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
It's a tropical party town that hosted some of America's best known writers. William McKeen explains the appeal of Key West during its artistic heyd...
268 Race to the South Pole; Karachi for Travelers; Changing Dutch Society
04 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Rick checks in with a Norwegian team skiing across Antarctica to commemorate the trek of countryman Roald Amundsen; plus, NPR's Steve Inskeep shares w...
198a Pilot's Advice to Reduce Travel Stress; Jane & Michael Stern's 'Road Food USA'
27 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Jane and Michael Stern share their findings on the best Road Food and authentic regional food specialties they've found around the country and ...
267 Food Adventures; Going Casual; Travel Reports from Challenged Places
20 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Rick explores the flavorful benefits of street food vendors and decidedly unfancy hang outs and checks in with listener travel reports from the...
266 Sojourning Further; Being Human; Turkish Nomads
13 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Rick checks in with Reverend Jim Wallis and with "The Darwinian Tourist" to discover what they've learned from their travels to far away lands; hear...
265 Paris Art Scene; Irish Writers; Michelangelo's Florence
06 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Rick discovers the high form of art in Ireland, language, where the works of poets and playwrights add color to parks and pubs. Plus, he g...
264 Saving Paris Art; Malta; Open Phones: Haunted Europe
30 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Rick learns about the extraordinary measures taken by the citizens of Paris in 1939 to protect thousands of priceless art treasures at the Louv...
263 Open Phones: Looking Up Ancestors in Europe; Irish Roots; Highlights of the Low Countries
23 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Rick checks in with European tour guides on researching family history in Ireland; listeners discuss meeting relatives in Sweden and Lithuania; ...
223a The Lunatic Express; Open Phones: Travel Discoveries
16 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Carl Hoffman explains what it was like to travel the world on the most notorious, over-crowded trains, planes, busses and ferries — ...
262 Open Phones: Visiting France; Regions of Germany; Cappadocia
09 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Guides from Turkey tell us about the surreal scenery of Cappadocia, where you can glide over an endless panorama of colorful "fairy chimneys," or du...
261 Understanding the French
02 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
We continue our exploration of the differences between French and American culture, with the help of a local tour guide who contrasts the expectatio...
219a From Tuscany to Tango; Finnish Sauna
25 Sep 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Ferenc Mate shares lessons from 20 years in Tuscany, where he and his wife went to turn a 13th century building into their dream home; Camille ...
260 Western Whitewater Adventures; A Readers Grand Tour; Tapas in Spain
18 Sep 2011
Contributed by Lukas
A seasoned river guide explains how a camping trip down the Colorado River can be a life altering experience; Nancy Pearl recommends more of her fav...
259 Poetry After 9/11; Paul Theroux's Tao of Travel
11 Sep 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Theroux commemorates fifty years of adventures by comparing notes with Rick on how best to engage with the world and the editors of "Poetr...
258 Medieval Castles-Old and New; American Nobleman in Prague
04 Sep 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Rick learns how medieval castles are being built by hand in France and Arkansas, and gets a closer look at how castles functioned in ancient times. ...
179a Misadventures of Rolf Potts; Open Phones: Budget Eating Tricks
28 Aug 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Rolf Potts shares his misadventures in Turkey and Libya, and describes how he looks for treasure in towns around the world, including one unassuming...
257 Potsdam; Athens; Open Phones: Favorite Cities
21 Aug 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Rick explores the historical riches of Potsdam, Germany and dicusses how Athens has grown into a visitor-friendly destination, complete with a ...
256 Building the Berlin Wall; The Mongol Rally; The Darwinian Tourist
14 Aug 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Rick looks back fifty years to when the Berlin Wall was built, and discusses with a Berliner what it meant to split the city in half. Also, two...
255 More Summer Road Food USA; Interstate-75 Road Trip; Richard Bangs' Adventures
07 Aug 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Jane and Michael Stern inspire travelers with tales of finding classic American dishes with a regional twist; author Dave Hunter offers ti...
172a Rome Beneath the Surface
31 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Rick is joined by a tour guide raised in Rome who knows her city inside out. We'll check in on the city's now-trendy Jewish Ghetto, get practical ti...
254 Flirtatious France; Walk Across Israel
24 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Two American journalists explain what they've discovered by living in Paris, and by walking across Israel. Elaine Sciolino explains the many ways se...
253 Going Beyond: Composer Sites in Europe; Portugal Beyond Lisbon; Food Adventures
17 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Hear how attending a performance at one of Europe's great concert venues can add to your enjoyment of classical music. A guide from Portugal introdu...
252 Off the Grid in Mexico; Baltic Cities; Paul Theroux's Dark Star Safari
10 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Theroux describes what a trip the length of Africa taught him, 40 years after serving with the Peace Corps in a village in Malawi. Frugal Trave...
251 Running a Summer Crepe Stand in France; Washington DC Insider; National Parks in the USA
03 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Ken Burns explains why he thinks the National Parks are some of the best things about the United States; a Washington D.C. guide offers tips fo...
195a Fred Plotkin's Finland; Greece & Turkey: Uneasy Cousins?
26 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Rick discusses the tensions behind Greece and Turkey's tumultuous relationship with two women from Greece and Turkey, and travel writer Fred Plotkin...
250 Europe On A Student's Budget
19 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Rick chats with his son, Andy Steves, a recent college grad who's learned a few tricks of his own for low-cost travel options in Europe. We'll also ...
249 A Proper English Hour: Home, High Tea, and Jane Austen's England
12 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Bill Bryson examines private life during the Victorian age; London guide Britt Lonsdale explains how to enjoy a proper afternoon tea service; and sc...
248 America's Best Zoos; Dutch Society From the Inside Out
05 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
We'll look at what makes one expert's list for the best zoos in America. And to better understand how one European country stands apart from the res...
183a Mexico City
29 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
In terms of culture, history, street life and great food Mexico City is the western hemisphere's equal to many of Europe's great cities —...
247 Hungarian Countryside; Scottish Highlands and Islands
22 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
We're heading past the major cities to explore the countryside of both Hungary and Scotland. We'll find out why Lake Balaton has been a favorite get...
246 Contemporary EU Issues; Lesser-Known Paris Museums
15 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how Europeans are dealing with current economic challenges, and why their approach differs from their American cousins. Also, a Paris-based gu...
245 Cross-Cultural Family in Italy; Sicilian Vacation
08 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
What would your life be like if you fell in love overseas, got married, and started to raise a family in another culture? Find out how it works for ...
182a The Urge to Preserve: British Banter, Holy Bones, & Inspired Globe-Jotting
01 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Rick explores the slang that separates Brits from their American cousins in an attempt to help travelers avoid being "gob-smacked" by what the local...
244 Footsteps of Martin Luther; Orthodox Easter
24 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Retracing Luther's trek from Germany to Rome, a Lutheran pastor and her husband explain how they traveled as a way to encourage harmony among religi...
243 Simon Winchester's Atlantic; Jim Wallis' Travels
17 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Simon Winchester describes what he's learned about the world's busiest ocean, the Atlantic, and the many stories it still has to tell. And Reverend ...
242 Ken Burns and the American Civil War; Nancy Pearl's Armchair Travels
10 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Filmmaker Ken Burns joins Rick to discuss the American Civil War and what the research for his documentary series taught him. Also, Nancy Pearl...
241 Changing Face of London; Royal Wedding; Turkish Wedding Traditions
03 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Neil Taylor discusses how the streets of London are gaining an international flavor with a growing immigrant population and Rick gets a local p...
240 Drying the Blue Nile; Naples and Nearby
27 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Adventure traveler Richard Bangs discusses the water rights dispute he found surrounding the source of the Blue Nile in Ethiopia when he t...
239 Polar Witness: The Last Polar Bear; Penguins on the Brink
20 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Wilderness photographer Steven Kazlowski joins Rick to describe how climate change is impacting Polar Bears as well as the wildlife and Native peopl...
238 Ireland's County Cork; Rolf Potts: Around the World Luggage-Free
13 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Irish tour guide Barry Moloney talks of his home turf in Cork, long considered the "rebel south" of Ireland, now gaining a reputation for gastr...
237 Paul Theroux and the Peace Corps; The Frugal Traveler's Latin America
06 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
We commemorate the early days of the Peace Corps with travel writer Paul Theroux, who served as a teacher in Africa in 1963. He'll also share his pe...
236 Jeff Greenwald's Nepal; Open Phones: Spirit-Lifting Travels
27 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Travel writer Jeff Greenwald returns to Nepal every year, where ancient Hindu and Buddhist customs are challenged by modern pressures and recent pol...
235 Alps Skiing; The Monuments Men Today
20 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Rick chats with one of the original "Monuments Men," a German-born Jew whose family escaped to America and now helps repatriate the treasu...
184a The Scent Trail; Open Phones: More Kindness of Strangers
13 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
We're exploring the perfect souvenir for the person who already has everything. Celia Lyttelton describes how she traveled the world to collect the ...
234 Paris Cafes; Celtic Singing Cultures
06 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Enjoy Paris like a Parisian as two local guides join us to explain how cafes work as a part of daily life for Parisians, and how visitors can enjoy ...
233 Open Phones: Travel Tricks; Lesser-Known Italy: Fred Plotkin's Friuli-Venezia Giulia; Restoring a Farmhouse in Italy's La Marche
30 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Rick discusses basic budget tricks for getting travelers up close to amazing places and people who inhabit them. Also, Italy food expert Fred P...
232 Brazil on a Budget; Croatian Vacation
23 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The Frugal Traveler for the New York Times joins us with advice for enjoying Sao Paolo, Rio and the Amazon on a budget. Also, with a history dating ...
178a Eccentric Islands; Backstreet Istanbul
16 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The busy city of Istanbul has grown to be the home and cultural centerpiece for millions of Turks. It's also turning into a popular destination for ...
231 European Food Specialties; Eating Saigon
09 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
What appears gross to one person, is sometimes a gourmet delicacy for another. Rick puts our appetites to the test as an entrée to under...
230 Waltzing Vienna; The Trip that Changed Me; Africa Road Trip
02 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Listeners share memories of trips that made lasting impressions and opened up a world unknown to many Americans, including one man's summer roa...
229 European Christmas, Part 3 (Greece, Ulster, Umbria); New Year's in Sweden, Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Belgium, Wales, Scotland
26 Dec 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Rick celebrates the holidays by exploring the distinctive ways people observe the Christmas season in Greece, Italy and Ireland and preparing t...
228 European Christmas Preparations, Part 2
19 Dec 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Friends from Madrid, Rome, Lisbon, and London tell us about their cities' holiday traditions, and we'll check in on Bulgaria, Switzerland and Austri...
227 European Christmas Prep, Part 1: Croatia, Sweden, Belgium, Italian Riviera & The West of Ireland; Enjoying Winter In Paris
12 Dec 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for Part 1 of this year's European Christmas series as we discuss holiday traditions in Croatia, Sweden, Belgium, the Italian Riviera and th...
226 Bill Bryson at Home; Antiquities and Archeology; Open Phones: Budget Travel Tricks
05 Dec 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Bill Bryson found the ultimate bargain travel destination, by staying home to get acquainted with the 19th century English parsonage he lives in. We...
175a Art in Italy
28 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Gene Openshaw, co-author of Europe 101, joins Rick to discuss how art can change the way people view the world and certified gui...
189a The Whiskey Trail; More British Slang
21 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Kate Hopkins, "The Accidental Hedonist," shares what she learned about whiskey while visiting distilleries across Ireland, Scotland, Canada and Appa...
225 Even More Road Food; Lisbon City Guide
14 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Listeners share unforgettable taste treats from their travels while Jane and Michael Stern suggest even more classic American road food wo...
224 Getting Around Europe: Bike Touring; Driving a Tour Bus on the Continent; Walking Across England
07 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Rick explores the various ways to see the countryside in Europe, from bike touring at your own pace, to taking the driver's seat on a...
223 The Lunatic Express; Open Phones: Travel Discoveries
31 Oct 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Carl Hoffman describes his experiences traveling on the most notorious, over-crowded trains, planes, busses and ferries from India to the Andes...
177a More Geography of Bliss; Open Phones: Travel Fears and Advice
24 Oct 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Eric Weiner describes what he discovered during his year of researching how people in different countries define happiness and listeners share how t...
222 British B and Bs; Aegean Turkey; An Ounce of Prevention
17 Oct 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Rick explores the benefits of Britain's bed-and-breakfast system, gets a taste of seaside fun and classical culture along the west coast of Turkey a...
221 Seasons of Italy: Fred Plotkin, and Listener Discoveries
10 Oct 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Fred Plotkin, the author of the newly-updated "Italy for the Gourmet Traveler," explains how knowing what food is in season is important to the Ital...