Rick Steves Audio Europe: Recent Episodes
Rick Steves Audio Europe
Tour guide Tony Lewis shares the virtues of life on picturesque Lake Geneva, where Alps, vineyards, and Swiss and French culture meet.
Travel writer Neil Taylor champions the charms of tiny Estonia, including its vibrant capital Tallinn, well-preserved medieval heritage, lush nature, and resilient culture.
Portuguese tour guide Cláudia Costa chats about the Azores and Madeira, two island getaways where travelers can enjoy lush nature, outdoor recreation, and Portugal's famous fortified wine.
Venice tour guide Igor Scomparin offers tips for a rewarding visit to his popular home city and reflects on initiatives to manage crowds and climate change.
Italy tour guide Ann Long recommends small towns and relaxing side trips for travelers looking for a break from the crowds of the major cities.
Tour guides from Ireland share their recommendations for sights and experiences to make a first trip to the Emerald Isle a memorable one.
Tour guide Apostolos Douras shares recommendations for his favorite off-the-beaten-path Greek islands.
Kepnes shares practical tips for stretching your dollars while you're eating, sleeping, and sightseeing on the road.
Guidebook co-author Cameron Hewitt enthuses about the history, nature, and genuine welcome that await travelers venturing to the diverse Slavic nations of central and eastern Europe.
Blue Badge guide Katherine Alcock discusses how London's sights and spaces have transformed to stay relevant, and shares what's new and exciting in the venerable city.
Dutch tour guides Ellen Janzing and Jody van Engelsdorp Gastelaars illuminate the differences between the fairy-tale provinces of Holland and the country of the Netherlands.
A trio of France tour guides banter about the nuances of northern and southern France, from climate and demeanor to food and fashion.
English tour guide Jeanie Carmichael tells how the industrial titan has reinvented itself, with top-class museums, a vibrant culture, and — of course — the indelible imprint of the Beatles.
Turkish guide Lale Surmen Aran sheds light on this easily accessible region, overlooked by many tourists but favored by locals for its low-key charm and natural beauty.
From great cathedrals and Swedish islands to Viking ships and Legoland, tour guides Camilla Colding-Joergensen and Anja Cuznar share ideas for day trips from Copenhagen.
Polish tour guides Tomasz Klimek and Agnes Syroka chat with Rick about their proud country's rich and dramatic history, its grand cities, and its dynamic contemporary vibe.
Tour guides Francisco Glaría and William Rosendin enthuse about Spain's robust high-speed rail network and its aspects that they enjoy the most.
Guidebook researcher Cameron Hewitt shares discoveries from his travels in the Balkans, a scenic, affordable, and rewarding alternative to the tourist crowds of western Europe.
Belfast tour guide Lynn Corken explains why Northern Ireland, with its rugged beauty, complicated history, and enthusiastic welcome for visitors, is worth a visit.
Portuguese tour guides Cláudia Costa and Rafael Pereira explain how Lisbon's neighborhoods display the city's history and offer strategies for navigating its more crowded sights.
Tour guide Jim McDonough tells why the city of Potsdam — home to elegant Prussian palaces as well as sights of Cold War history — is worth the easy side trip from nearby Berlin.
English tour guide Charlie Rawson champions the charms of Bath's scrappy neighbor, Bristol, a former maritime powerhouse that today teems with an edgy, creative energy.
Author Diccon Bewes explains why the Swiss are deliberately different from the rest of their European neighbors.
Istanbul tour guide Lale Sürmen Aran shares the latest developments on sights in Turkey's thriving cultural capital.
Tour guides Jorge Román and Francisco Glária provide insight into the charming areas worth visiting on Spain's Costa del Sol.
Portugal tour guide Cristina Duarte tells us why Portugal's venerable, vibrant university town of Coimbra is such a delight to explore.
Dutch tour guide Dennis Gerrits discusses Amsterdam's iconic waterways and their significance in trade, travel, and simply enjoying life.
Bosnian tour guide Sanel Marić describes what his country, a generation after the Balkans war, has to teach us about getting along with our neighbors — and why the nation is growing as a travel destination.
Rick and Bulgarian tour guide Stefan Bozadzhiev talk about why the smaller Balkan countries of Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia are emerging as "back-door" destinations.
Bulgarian tour guide Stefan Bozadzhiev sings the praises of his country's vibrant cultural capital, Plovdiv — one of the oldest cities in Europe.
Author and Italophile John Keahey discusses the charms, the social fabric, and the rich culture of Sicily.
Italy tour guide Ann Long offers recommendations for enjoying Italy's gorgeous Amalfi Coast as the region grapples with ever-increasing crowds.
Tour guides share what's new in Dublin, including how to see the Book of Kells while its home in Trinity College undergoes renovation starting in late 2025.
Greece tour guide Apostolos Douros provides travel tips for the lesser-known island getaways in the Aegean and Ionian seas.
Athens tour guide Effie Perperi recommends easy day trips from the capital to see the historic Greek countryside and several ancient sites.
Tour guide Andrea Wolf offers tips for enjoying elegant Vienna, Austria's capital and the epicenter of a once-mighty empire.
Tour guides from Berlin discuss why they love living in a city so dense with history — and one that seems to be constantly reinventing itself.
Ken Follett, author of a book series based in medieval Europe, celebrates the much anticipated reopening of Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral five years after its devastating fire.
Author and French food lover Andrew Prior takes Rick on a culinary tour through Paris, highlighting the many ways to enjoy the city's delicious food scene.
Author Pamela Petro, who calls herself "less than Welsh, but more than American," shares her favorite spots worth seeing in southern Wales.
Tour guides Helen Houston and Liz Lister offer recommendations for enjoying scenic hiking trails in the Scottish countryside, from the hills to the coast.
Tour guide Charlie Rawson extols the benefits of tackling a segment of this rugged, picturesque path, where great landscapes and a sense of community abound.
Tour guide Don Chmura extols the stunning scenery and enduring culture of Switzerland's Berner Oberland.
Spain tour guides Federico Garcia Barroso and Amanda Buttinger chat about Spain's tapas bars and share some of their favorite bites.
Guide Curtis Rojak describes how Oslo's harborfront is a popular place to enjoy the city's art, culture, scenery, food, and even saunas.
Guide Pål Bjarne Johansen explains how Norway prioritizes its oil-industry revenues to support robust social benefits and infrastructure.
Father and son actors Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez relive their experience making a film about walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
George Gorayeb, an Arab-American Christian, discusses his mission to promote greater understanding of the Muslim world and Islam.
Tour guides Virginia Agostinelli and Vanessa Nicol tell us how Rome is adapting to deal with rising temperatures and surging crowds.
Author Phillip Barlag explains how much we can learn about the Roman Empire from its now 2,000-year-old rubble.
Rick chats with author Phillip Barlag about a dozen buildings and plazas in Rome that offer particularly fascinating insights into the city's rich history.
Italian-food expert Fred Plotkin describes a tempting array of Italy's countless varieties of pasta, highlighting some tasty regional favorites.
Rick checks in with Italian-food expert Fred Plotkin to talk about their guide to Italy's regional cuisine.
Journalist Beppe Severgnini helps us view life through an Italian lens, urging us to embrace the chaos — and to smile in spite of everything.
We learn some colorful phrases and hear about Italy's regional differences from one of the country's most popular newspaper columnists, Beppe Severgnini.
Irish writer Fintan O'Toole describes the role of the supernatural in Celtic traditions and in more recent Irish literature.
Irish writer Fintan O'Toole uses personal vignettes to illustrate the extraordinary transformation of the Republic of Ireland during his lifetime.
Greek tour guide Effie Perperi helps us get acquainted with the fascinating ancient structures atop Athens' Acropolis.
Communicating successfully with the French involves mastering the cultural nuances and unwritten rules of engagement of this rich language, as explained by the authors of "The Bonjour Effect."
Historian Jacob Mikanowski describes how the monolithic "Eastern Europe" of the Cold War has faded and the region is surging with life.
Two Spanish tour guides consider what makes their country one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.
We'll take a look at the impact of "nuisance tourists" in Amsterdam and its renovated riverfront that is a pleasant place to escape the crowded city center.
A Dutch tour guide discusses Amsterdam's reliance on bicycles — and what visitors should know before jumping into the bike lane.
A Florence-based tour guide shares her favorite food and wine shops for showing off her city's culinary delights.
Two local guides working in Venice recommend their favorite ways to find serenity in the "most serene" of cities, despite its often overwhelming tourist crowds.
Get tips for exploring scenic West Cork — an untamed alternative to the tourist-trodden Ring of Kerry — and other highlights of Ireland's south coast.
Hear about how hiring a local guide can add depth and conviviality to your next trip to the Emerald Isle.
Learn about visiting some of Athens' most interesting neighborhoods in the people-friendly core of the city.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland, Suzan G. LeVine recommends fun things to do in Switzerland year-round.
Author Cassandra Overby shares tips for exploring Europe on short- and long-distance hiking trails.
Author Susan Cahill reveals some of her favorite garden spots hidden around Paris, and shares their stories.
Get recommendations for visiting the vibrant, historic, and trendy cities of Kraków, Warsaw, and Gdańsk, some of Europe's best kept secrets.
A tour guide discusses what he enjoys most about Romania's less-traveled Old World scene.
Discover the charm of the smaller towns and historical cities scattered across the Czech Republic.
We'll travel back in time to the English countryside with a local guide to consider what remains today from 400 years of Roman rule in Britain.
A native-born Belgian shares what delights him most about his small but justifiably proud country.
Two Greek tour guides share some of their top reasons to visit the Peloponnese, the giant peninsula just an hour's drive south of Athens.
An Austrian guide takes us beyond the usual tourist sites in Vienna and Salzburg for summer vacation ideas in the Austrian countryside.
Author Susan Cahill recommends some of the most magnificent religious architecture to explore in Paris.
Cameron Hewitt, Rick Steves guidebook co-author, shares off-the-beaten path delights in Central and Eastern Europe from festivals to farm towns.
Two Hungarian guides take us on a stroll along the beautiful blue Danube in elegant Old World Budapest.
Soak in the history and the splendor of Bath, where Georgian architecture and mineral waters make it one of England's most attractive cities.
We'll visit Orkney with a local guide and contemplate the prehistoric stones that stand amid the stark beauty of these remote islands.
English tour guides share their enthusiasm for enjoying the riot of color and inspiration you'll find in England's best country gardens.
Two English tour guides discuss a time-honored way to enjoy the British countryside — "rambling" along Britain's well-marked system of hiking trails.
Tour guides from southwest England share their expert advice on where best to enjoy the coastal beauty of Cornwall and Devon — and the tourist traps to avoid.
Tour guides from France share tips on exploring the Loire Valley's many magnificent châteaux.
French tour guides provide insider advice for designing the perfect weeklong Paris itinerary.
German tour guides share tips on the historic towns and royal retreats that are easily enjoyed as day trips from Berlin.
Find out why Germany's "second city," the industrial northern port of Hamburg, is a favorite getaway among Germans.
Irish tour guide Barry Moloney explains why his hometown of Kinsale, on the scenic south coast of County Cork, is so popular among visitors.
Vintner and tour guide Cecilia Bottai shares tips for planning a getaway to the relaxed "green heart" of central Italy.
Two Italy-based tour guides take us to the resort lakes of northern Italy, where outdoor sports and celebrities compete with the scenery for visitors' attention.
Discover Dutch towns to explore beyond Amsterdam where you can view technological marvels as well as medieval charm.
A Brussels-based tour guide offers his recommendations for making the most of a weekend in the Belgian capital.
Tour guides from Portugal join Rick to share recommendations for planning a week's getaway to Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, and the colorful, historic towns in between.
A Welsh historian and guide gives us a good peek at the magical landscapes and attractions of his homeland.
A pair of tour guides from Madrid let us in on their favorite places to take visitors in Spain's majestic capital city.
British writer Lara Maiklem explains why low tide on the River Thames often brings pieces of London's past to the surface.
A pair of British tour guides recommend important historical sites to explore in the south of England.
Two German tour guides take us on a vicarious stroll down the famed tree-lined boulevard running through the heart of Berlin.
A pair of Italian tour guides share tips for people-watching among the high-fashion café society of Milan.
A pair of French tour guides tell us why Lyon is one of their favorite places in France.
A Belgian tour guide describes what visitors enjoy most when exploring the medieval town center of Bruges.
A tour guide from the Celtic corner of France explains what makes Brittany a special place to visit.
Guides from Athens tell us how their city became a cleaner, more attractive metropolis for exploring ancient and modern Greece after it was spiffed up for the 2004 Olympics.
Tour guides from Ireland offer insider advice for planning a week-long trip to the Emerald Isle.
Irish tour guides, Stephen McPhilemy and Pascal Fitzpatrick, share insider tips for exploring Galway and the west of Ireland.
Italy tour guide and art historian, Anna Piperato, describes the Renaissance treasures from 15th-century Florence.
Dutch tour guides help us plan a trip to the Netherlands, where they recommend Haarlem, cycling to the sea, and other attractions beyond the usual sights in Amsterdam.
Norwegian tour guide, Pål Johansen. shares his experiences sailing his country's coastline.
Two guides from Spain highlight the historical treasures you can find in Granada, including the impressive Islamic art of its Alhambra palace.
Turkish guide, Lale Surmen Aran, explains why a midday stop at the public market is always a good idea in Turkey.
A Spanish tour guide discusses what makes Barcelona a booming tourism destination, and offers suggestions for visiting the city's less touristy attractions.
Scottish tour guides share their best advice for a spirit-boosting trip to the enchanting isles of Scotland's Inner Hebrides.
A Danish tour guide explains what makes the small Danish island of Ærø a perfectly charming and cozy getaway.
A pair of tour guides explain what makes the coastline of southern Portugal's Algarve region an ideal destination for family vacations.
Rick learns how Warsaw, Poland's capital city, has shaken off its difficult 20th-century history to become a vibrant 21st-century metropolis.
Italian tour guides explain why the large island of Sicily is such a favorite with visitors, whether from elsewhere in Italy or abroad.
Tour guides from Ireland let us in on their favorite places to connect with the culture of the ancient Celts.
Author Emma Jacobs shares ideas for visiting some of Paris' unique, under-appreciated small museums.
French tour guides tell Rick what they love best about the cities along the Mediterranean's sparkling Cote d'Azur.
Tour guides from the border-straddling Basque Country of Spain and France share insights into their home turf, and advice for how to enjoy it.
A pair of British guides describe a few of their favorite historic villages in the west of England, where the scenic countryside traditions are alive and well.
Two tour guides from London team up with Rick to recommend an ideal sightseeing week in the British capital.
Two tour guides from Sofia explain why Bulgaria is one of Europe's most underrated travel destinations.
Copenhagen-native and tour guide Nina Seffusatti shares tips on planning a wonderful trip to the fun-loving city of Copenhagen.
Welsh tour guide Martin de Lewandowicz shares tips for making the most of your time visiting Wales' highest views at Snowdonia National Park.
Tour guides Agustín Ciriza and Federico Garcia Barroso explore why Galicia — a lesser-known corner of Spain — is where Spaniards like to escape from the heat and the crowds.
Slovenian tour guides Tina Hiti and Sašo Golub tell us about the natural wonders of Slovenia from mountains to lakes to elaborate underground caves.
Scottish tour guide and nature photographer James Macletchie shares tips for capturing the ambience, culture, and beautiful landscapes of Scotland through photographs.
Frances Mayes, author of "Under the Tuscan Sun," explains how piazzas play a vital role in the life of Italian towns and cities — and shares her personal favorites.
Tour guides Filippos Kanakaris and Ioanna Papakosta talk about the special places you can visit in Greece to better understand the world of Greek mythology.
German tour guides Barbara Schikofsky and Caroline Marburger discuss what makes Frankfurt unique and where to find street-level charms beyond its dazzling skyscrapers.
Rick Steves co-author Gene Openshaw describes Sainte-Chapelle's stained glass in beautiful detail painting pictures in prose of its medieval past.
Guides Darija Gotic and Ben Curtis share why Zagreb is a hidden gem for visitors to Eastern Europe, where tourist crowds have never been a problem.
Guides Patrick Vidal and Julie Sonveau share a French perspective on the serene region of Burgundy, where you'll find superior wine, fine cuisine, sleepy villages, and quintessential French culture.
Author Elaine Sciolino talks about the beautiful bridges that set the stage for a romatic walk in Paris along the Seine river.
Author Emma Jacobs shares the marvels and delights you'll find in Paris' many specialty museums and galleries, focusing on the lesser known gems of the city.
Author Cassandra Overby shares how to get away from crowds on your next trip to Europe — by taking a hike.
Three tour guides join Rick to uncover a hidden corner of the Balkans: Bosnia-Herzegovina, a backdoor destination just waiting to be explored.
Tour guide Francesca Caruso shares advice on how to navigate Rome's ancient sights, where viewing more than 2,000 years of history can teach us a few things about our own civilization.
A pair of millennial tour guides describe the fun their generation can have while in the Netherlands.
Guides from Scotland recommend stops to explore when you walk the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.
Three tour guides share their insights into Spanish culture and discuss what you shouldn't miss when you visit Spain's Andalucía region.
Swiss tour guide Mirjam Grob joins Rick as they explore the attractions of the most interesting cities in Switzerland.
Join Rick and guides Lale Surmen Aran and Yaren Turkoglu in learning about the traditional Turkish comfort foods and desserts that you can enjoy from the shops and street vendors of Istanbul.
Tour guide Ann Long shares insider information on enjoying Italy's scenic Amalfi Coast without getting stuck in tourist crowds or traffic.
Elaine Sciolino, author of "The Seine: The River That Made Paris," explains how the legendary Seine made Paris into one of the world's most vital and romantic cities.
Hungarian guides Monika Posch and George Farkas discuss what makes the old-world town of Eger such a popular weekend getaway from Budapest.
Local guides Agustín Ciriza and Claire Lohiague discuss the traditions behind the colorful Carnaval celebrations in the Basque Country of Spain and France.
Get tips on eating in Italy, exploring the fresh regional specialties, and finding a great trattoria from "Under the Tuscan Sun" author, Frances Mayes.
Spain guides Francisco Glaria and James Scanlon share insider's advice on how first-time visitors can avoid crowds and enjoy the best of Spain.
Join two Irish guides on a stroll through Dublin as they point out the highlights, from St. Stephen's Green to Trinity College and the sobering site of the Garden of Remembrance.
Guides from the west of Ireland explain the historical allure of the rugged Aran Islands and how it's worth a visit to see what Rick calls, "Irish culture in the extreme."
Rick and French tour guide Nina Seffusatti discuss the laidback lifestyle of Provence and the kid-friendly activities you can experience in the sunny south of France.
Greek guides discuss the cultural and historical significance of sights in Northern Greece, from immersive monastic experiences and outdoor explorations, to sunset views of Mount Olympus.
Local tour guides Alfredo Vitale and Marianna Iermano share tips on experiencing the local cuisine of Naples — and Rick tries some tasty Neapolitan treats.
Italian chef and TV show host Lidia Bastianich describes how the cuisines of Italy are as unique and diverse as the regions where they come from.
Dutch tour guide Elle Janzing explains how to be a mindful tourist while visiting Amsterdam and shares ways to avoid the crowds in this thriving city.
Tour guides Cameron Hewitt and Beata McCommas give a glimpse into Poland's port city and share tips on visiting this up-and-coming travel destination.
Rick and two local guides discuss the origins of Portugal's love of cod and its importance in Portuguese cuisine — even though it comes from nowhere near Portugal.
Two experts on hiking Italy's pilgrimage trails share what it's like to walk these paths and provide tips on how to start a pilgrimage on roads less traveled.
Tour guide Mariam Abdelghani shares why Istria, famous for its hilltowns and extra virgin olive oil, is the most beautiful peninsula on the Adriatic coast.
Tour guide Daniela Wedel highlights the best of Munich and Bavaria, what to expect in southern Germany during Oktoberfest, and some kid-friendly activities.
Tour guides Declan Field and Kieran O’Hare talk about visiting Ireland and how experiencing Irish social, cultural, and musical life is just one pint of beer away.
American-born Celtic singer Cathie Ryan talks about the charming allure of County Louth, its thriving sense of community, and experiences you can’t miss on your next trip there.
Tour guides Anna Piperato and Karin Kibby explain why experiencing the villages of Tuscany is a great way to savor the essence of Italy.
Venture to the capital of Slovenia with guides Barbara Jakopič and Cameron Hewitt as they explain what they love about the small, beautiful city of Ljubljana.
Guides Miriam Grob and Fabian Rueger join Rick to talk about what sets Switzerland apart from the rest of Europe.
Authors Julie Barlow and Jean-Benoit Nadeau discuss the intricacies of the French language and how it connects with French culture.
Guides Nina Bernardo and Tommaso Pantè share insider tips for finding the most delicious food in Sicily and quintessential Sicilian dishes.
Two Lisbon-based guides give advice on where to go in the vibrant Portuguese capital and how to enjoy their city like a local.
Two guides from Budapest share how to enjoy a cup of coffee like a real Hungarian, and what you need to know before going on a trip to Hungary.
Two Athens-based guides, Filippos Kanakaris and Maria Soulas, explain how Greece's cultural landscape is changing and reveal some hidden gems worth visiting.
Author Cassandra Overby recommends some of her favorite hiking trails in Europe and gives smart tips for exploring the great outdoors by foot.
Guides Lola Altman and Andy Steves (Rick's son), offer advice for enjoying the City of Light after dark just like the Parisian youth do.
Guides Nina Bernardo from Rome and Ann Long from Sorrento give tips on how to navigate the nuances of Italy to make the most of your vacation.
Tour guides Roy Nicholls and Gillian Chadwick describe England's beautiful and historically important cathedrals from Canterbury to York Minster.
English tour guides Liz Boardman and Jeanie Carmichael share their favorite garden parks in London.
The author of "Explore Europe on Foot" explains how to enjoy a quieter side of Europe from its many long-distance hiking trails.
Slovenian tour guides describe the comfort foods of their homeland, where the culinary influences of neighboring countries add variety to the menu.
Amsterdam tour guides Rolinka Bloeming and Tim Tendick recommend strategies for exploring this scenic city on foot.
Madrid tour guides Nygil Murrell and Jorge Román provide tips for planning a memorable trip to Spain.
A flamenco enthusiast from Sweden explains her lifelong passion for the fiery dance traditions of southern Spain.
Tour guides from London share budget travel tips to help you enjoy their expensive city.
Author Frances Mayes takes us deep into Italy, as she explores dozens of charming small towns and cities, away from the crush of Italy's top tourist destinations.
Italian tour guides living in Rome explain why they love their city, even with all its flaws.
Musician Kieran O'Hare explains why he prefers Ireland's version of the bagpipes, and he plays a few traditional tunes on the Irish tinwhistle.
Turkish tour guides discuss the other-worldly Cappadocia region of Turkey, where you can get face to face with Christian history from a thousand years ago.
Tour guides Don Chmura and Maisie Hitchcock give advice for touring Switzerland and hiking in the Alps.
Two guides who now call Italy home give their emiigrant's perspective on living in Italy.
An expert on Antoni Gaudí reveals what the Modernisme architect had envisioned for Barcelona's "Sagrada Família."
Find out how living in the crosshairs of cultural battle lines in the Balkans has made Bulgaria one of Europe's most interesting places to eat.
French guides take us through the only region in the world that can legally call its sparkling wine Champagne!
Balkans tour guides Tina Hiti and Marijan Kroskovic recommend their favorite uncrowded places to explore along the coast of Croatia.
Berlin tour guides Holger Zimmer, Maisie Hitchcock, and Caroline Marburger, explain why they love living in Germany's capital and suggest activities to enjoy in their city.
Italian guides Alfio DiMauro and Anna Piperato discuss how Italians make a daily habit of visiting their local coffee bar, and what you should know about Italy's coffee traditions.
Greek guides Anastasia Gaitanou and David Willett explain how the island of Crete offers an experience unlike any other.
Greek guide and theater director Filippos Kanakaris talks about the timeless traditions of ancient Greek theater, and how travelers can best experience these sites today.
Irish guide and renowned trad singer Cathie Ryan talks (and sings) about some of the greatest heroes in the folk songs of the Emerald Isles.
Guides James Macletchie and Anne Doig from Scotland share what they like best about visiting the magical Isle of Skye.
Rome guide Francesca Caruso recommends the best places to feel the centuries of history that surround you in the Eternal City.
England guides Roy Nicholls and Gillian Chadwick share scenic filming locations from popular Britcoms, dramas, and movies that you can visit in Britain.
Sicily tour guides Tommaso Pantè and Sarah Murdoch share how to enjoy the traditions of Italy's liveliest island.
Travel writer Dave Seminara joins Rick to describe the one-of-a-kind culture found among the Basque people of Spain and France. He writes about his overseas escapades and observations in his book "Bed, Breakfast and Drunken Threats."
French tour guides join Rick to discuss France's Alsace region, which incorporates the best of both French and German culture.
Bulgarian tour guide Stefan Bozadzhiev shares his Bulgarian pride and describes what makes Bulgaria such a fascinating place to explore.
When author Fred Plotkin goes to Paris, he avoids the crush by ambling through its neighborhoods, with no particular plan in mind. He joins Rick to explain why he thinks Paris is meant to be savored on foot.
Radio DJ Kevin Cole shares why he goes back to Iceland every year to explore the country's impressive contemporary music scene, dramatic landscapes, and ancient Viking culture.
Irish tour guide Dara Herlihy explains why his home turf on Ireland's Dingle Peninsula is his favorite corner of the country.
Historian Laurence Bergreen describes daily life in 18th-century Venice, when Casanova called it home and the once-mighty Republic began tipping into decline.
Author Ashley Steel and tour guide Tina Hiti share mom-tested advice for keeping everyone happy on an overseas trip with teenagers.
A Scottish tour guide describes daily life in the Hebrides — an island group off Scotland's west coast where you're more likely to overhear Gaelic than English.
Portuguese tour guides describe their nation's beloved fado music: sad songs that make everyone feel better.
Tour guides from France offer tips for exploring the Norman countryside, with its natural beauty and poignant vestiges of the D-Day battles fought there.
Travel writer Leif Pettersen describes what he enjoyed most about living in Romania, and why it's become one of the best bargain destinations in Europe.
Two Slavic tour guides offer advice for enjoying the strong, often homemade liquors that lend zest to celebrations across central and eastern Europe.
Two art enthusiasts describe top sites in Spain where you can experience firsthand the groundbreaking contributions of that nation's greatest artists.
A pair of documentary producers share what they learned interviewing the residents of Christiania, a communal society tucked right inside — and yet worlds away from — downtown Copenhagen.
Author Marjorie R. Williams takes us on a virtual stroll past the colorful, fragrant stalls of a Provençal farmers market.
Author Ashley Steel shares time-tested advice for traveling with children in Europe (and explains why it's worth it).
Two tour guides based in Italy share the secret to gelato's distinctive smooth texture, and give tips for picking the best gelato shop in any Italian town.
Fashion critic James Sherwood shares his picks for London's top posh spots, where even a commoner can feel like royalty.
Two curators of Atlas Obscura, the fascinating online almanac of unusual places, chat with Rick about their favorite quirky spots in Europe.
Two tour guides share insider advice for enjoying Naples — home to what has to be the liveliest street scene in Italy — without feeling put off by its in-your-face energy.
Two tour guides describe how Mostar — after suffering intense damage in the Bosnian War — has become an attractive tourist destination on the Adriatic cruise circuit, and then update us on its ongoing efforts to bridge old conflicts.
Two tour guides from Slovenia offer an insider's look at how the peace-loving Slovenians compare themselves to their many better-known neighbors.
Two Belgian tour guides get nostalgic as they discuss the hearty comfort foods of their homeland.
Germany-based tour guide Maisie Hitchcock explains how Germany's pop music continues to reflect the intense cultural changes experienced by the last two generations.
British tour guides explain why a hike in the wild and windy English moors can be a delightfully uncrowded way to escape into nature.
Author Dave Seminara describes what it's like to celebrate National Day in Liechtenstein, one of the world's smallest — and wealthiest — countries. His book is "Bed, Breakfast and Drunken Threats: Dispatches from the Margins of Europe."
Italy-based tour guide Anna Piperato describes this intense, twice-yearly horse race and explains why it's so important to Siena's competing neighborhoods.
Lisbon-based tour guides offer expert advice for enjoying the intimate neighborhoods of Portugal's historic capital.
The Palace of Versailles, near Paris, can be overwhelmed with visitors. Rick and two French guides offer expert tips for planning an enjoyable visit to Europe's most extravagant palace.
Macedonia's location in the crosshairs of competing ancient civilizations means the country has many stories to tell. Hear what makes this Balkan nation one of tour guide David Willett's favorite destinations anywhere.
Anastasia Gaitanou, a tour guide from Thessaloniki, tells us how to enjoy an authentic taste of local culture while out for an evening on the town in Greece.
There are hundreds of national and regional saints in Spain, and many of them have festivals that bring their communities out to celebrate. Tour guides from Spain explain the importance of local saints to their national identity.
Tour guide Concepción Delgado from Sevilla explains how the annual April Fair animates her city and anchors a season of outdoor festivals in southern Spain.
Rick is joined by three German tour guides to get a German perspective on Deutschland's recent emergence as the leading nation of the European Union. Then they take calls to help listeners plan memorable German getaways.
Tour guides from Britain explain why England's national public walking paths are worth fighting for, and share their favorite places to go walking in the countryside — rain or shine.
Rick checks in with tour guides from Edinburgh to get tips on visiting Scotland's whisky distilleries.
Pål Johansen, a Norwegian tour guide, describes how the summer solstice is celebrated in Scandinavia, where the official start of summer is a big party.
Rick chats with art historian Miles J. Unger about the Michelangelo masterpieces travelers can enjoy on a visit to the artist's hometown of Florence.
Author and radio commentator Sarah Vowell explains how Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette helped unify Americans after the contentious presidential election of 1824.
Sicilian tour guide Tommaso Pantè outlines the essentials for exploring his distinctive sun-drenched island.
Tour guides from Berlin discuss their favorite sausages from Germany's 1,500 varieties and explain why Germans love a good wurst no matter the time of year.
Historian Laurence Bergreen reveals what the adventurer Casanova's uncommon life can tell us about 18th-century Venice – gritty details and all. Bergreen's new book is titled "Casanova: The World of a Seductive Genius."
Germany's outdoor Christmas markets are a traditional way people young and old enjoy preparing for the holidays. Tour guides describe the markets that are in full swing in German cities and towns each December.
Fashion critic James Sherwood introduces Rick to some of London's most elegant and characteristic restaurants, hotels, specialty shops, and other stylish scenes. His witty guidebook is titled "James Sherwood's Discriminating Guide to London."
Madrid-based tour guides explain recent improvements to Spain's high-speed passenger trains and freeways.
Spanish tour guides recommend memorable side trips from Spain's modern capital, Madrid. Highlights include Toledo, El Escorial, Salamanca, Segovia, and Ávila.
Rick's son Andy Steves shares tips from his guidebook "Andy Steves' Europe: City-Hopping on a Budget." The advice in Andy's book comes from his experience helping American college students make the most of their time during study abroad in Europe.
Irish tour guides discuss travel in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in a post-Brexit world, and recommend their favorite destinations for visitors to explore.
Travel writer Leif Pettersen tells Rick about the ruthless 15th-century prince behind the legend of Dracula. The infamous character of Dracula is a major source of tourism to Romania today. Pettersen's book is "Backpacking with Dracula."
Archaeologist and author Dr. Salvatore Settis discusses Venice's population decline, which continues even as crowds of tourists and cruise-ship passengers overwhelm Italy's most beloved city. His book is titled "If Venice Dies."
Montreal-based authors Jean-Benoît Nadeau and Julie Barlow discuss the unwritten rules of conversation in France, and the communication hurdles visitors face — even those who speak perfect French. Their book is called "The Bonjour Effect."
Author Marjorie R. Williams shares tips for finding exceptional seasonal produce — and great souvenirs — in the south of France. She's collected her recommendations and personal favorites in her guide "Markets of Provence."
Rick and two Budapest-based tour guides take a look at Hungary's spicy culinary traditions.
Travelers to Greece often rave about how good and healthy the local food is. Greek tour guides help Rick unlock the magic of authentic Greek cuisine.
Endurance swimmer Diana Nyad tells Rick how she set a world record in long-distance, open water swimming on her 2013 swim from Havana to Key West. Her book is titled "Find a Way."
Andalucía is the Spanish region where travelers find many of the things that set Spain apart from other countries. Tour guide Concepción Delgado explains the culture of this stylish area in the south of Spain.
Scandinavian tour guides give a taste of Norse mythology to help travelers better understand the Vikings' complex view of the cosmos.
The Norwegian reality TV show "Alt for Norge" brings 12 Norwegian-Americans to Norway for the first time. A producer and contestant from the show describe what happens when the contestants compete to adapt to Norwegian everyday life.
Dutch tour guide Angelinque Mergler describes how even today, a walk around the historic town of Delft can make a traveler feel like part of a Vermeer painting.
Historian David McCullough shares some of the most memorable and inspirational places he's visited as a traveler and researcher.
Author and activist Gloria Steinem reflects on her decades of frequent travels, and how they gave her a sense of adventure from a young age. Her book about the topic is titled "My Life on the Road."
A Norwegian and a Swedish tour guide give an inside look at the (mostly) friendly rivalries between Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.
Greek tour guide Anastasia Gaitanou describes some of the customs that Greeks observe in the days leading up to Orthodox Easter, and how they differ from Western Easter traditions.
Bulgarian tour guide Stefan Bozadzhiev gives Rick a quick look at what makes his country an exotic and fun destination for the curious traveler since Bulgaria joined the EU in 2007.
Italy-based tour guide and art history professor Anna Piperato tells Rick how Siena's high-spirited Palio horse race is a high point of the Tuscan summertime.
Italy-based tour guide and art history professor Anna Piperato describes the importance of Catholic saints in Italian culture.
Historian David McCullough introduces Rick to some of the most influential "Americans in Paris" of the 19th century, detailed in his book "The Greater Journey."
New York Times correspondent Elaine Sciolino tells Rick what makes her own neighborhood in Paris feel like home and discusses her book "The Only Street in Paris."
German tour guides look at some of the most impressive memorials and monuments a traveler can visit to remember the lessons from Berlin's past.
Tour guides from Hungary discuss the country's love affair with hot springs and thermal baths in Budapest and beyond.
Tour guides give Rick insider advice on how to "do like the Romans do" and enjoy the buzz of Rome's modern-day neighborhoods.
Italian tour guide Cristina Pernechele gives Rick advice for enjoying the splendor of her hometown Padova. It's located just half an hour from the crowds of Venice, and is home to one of Europe's oldest universities.
Italian tour guide Cecilia Bottai joins Rick to recommend that travelers to Italy make time in their itinerary to enjoy rural "sagre" food festivals.
Italy-based tour guide and art history professor Anna Piperato tells Rick the stories of courageous women saints who continue to inspire and provide role models to people today.
Venice-based tour guide Stacy Gibboni gives Rick a look at how the Venetians celebrate Carnival and Mardi Gras. Venice's version of the festivities is one of the world's most elegant.
Author Diccon Bewes explains how tourism as we know it was invented by middle-class, Victorian-era English travelers seeking a pleasure trip in the Swiss Alps. His new book is titled "Slow Train to Switzerland."
Irish tour guide Dara Herlihy grew up speaking the Irish language as his first language. He describes how the once-banned language has reclaimed its role in Ireland's national identity.
Food and culture expert and author Fred Plotkin explains the variety of ways people across Europe prefer their coffee.
Irish tour guides explain the variety of Gaelic sports, and how these unique sports reflect a distinctly Irish identity.
A pair of native-born Sicilian tour guides tell Rick what matters most about the "intensified Italy" of the island they call home and clear up misunderstandings Americans may have.
Rick and two France-based tour guides celebrate Bastille Day, the big French national holiday that commemorates France's revolution to establish a government by, for, and of the people.
Martin de Lewandowicz, a tour guide from Wales, explains the pride that comes from belonging to the distinctive Welsh corner of Great Britain, with its own language and traditions.
Rothenburg — nearly a thousand years old — is one of the best-preserved medieval towns anywhere. It’s a world of cobbled lanes, half-timbered homes, and stone towers — all surrounded by a town wall.
Beata McCommas, a tour guide from Poland, and Cameron Hewitt, co-author of Rick's Eastern Europe guidebook, share tips for visiting Kraków, the cultural and spiritual capital of Poland.
Irish tour guides share the highlights of Ireland's Ring of Kerry, from its ancient ring forts and stunning scenery to its charming pubs and friendly locals.
Tour guides from Italy explain the after-dinner delights that await when you dine like a real Italian.
Spanish tour guide Federico Garcia Barroso introduces us to the regional musical styles of Spain.
Friends from Norway, Denmark, and Sweden compare notes on their favorite national dishes, from lutefisk and lefse to pickled herring and Swedish meatballs.
Friends from Scotland explain the cultural importance of their neighborhood pubs, and share tips for making yourself feel right at home in one, even as a visitor.
Rick talks with friends from Spain about why they're convinced their ham — or "jamón" — is the best in the world.
Italian-food experts and tour guides discuss Italy's huge variety of pasta variations — and the importance of selecting the right sauce.
Mark D. Van Ells, author of "America and WWI: A Traveler's Guide," suggests places you can visit to better understand the role American doughboys played on battlefields of Europe.
Two veteran guides from England introduce us to the villages that time forgot in the quintessentially English countryside.
Author Graham Robb introduces us to some of the people who've helped define today's stylish city of Paris.
Bath native Mark Seymour walks us through the streets, sights, and spas that have charmed travelers since Roman times.
Friends from Turkey explain what the magnificent ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus reveal about Greco-Roman life.
Tour guides Cristina Duarte and Robert Wright introduce us to the historic Portuguese city of Porto and the breathtaking Douro Valley wine region nearby.
Italian musician David Tordi guides us through some of Italy's various regional styles of folk and traditional music.
Two Blue Badge guides from Britain engage in a friendly quarrel over which of England's venerable university towns reigns supreme — for travelers.
Irish tour guides Stephen McPhilemy and Barry Moloney explain why revolutionary leader Michael Collins remains a controversial figure nearly a century after his death in the Irish Civil War.
Tour guides from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark discuss what unites, and what divides, these Scandinavian siblings.
Beloved historian David McCullough, whose works include a book about the Wright Brothers, shares some insights on this extraordinary pair and the impact of their travels.
Tour guides Lisa Rybloom and Pål Johansen explain how to enjoy Norway’s famous fjords, rich Viking heritage, and modern Scandinavian culture — without breaking the bank — in one of the world’s most expensive countries for travelers.
From the train station to Dam Square to Leidseplein, this 90-minute walk down the spine of the city is a great overview of the city's charms — canals, museums, shops, flowers, and Golden Age grandeur. Don't forget to download the PDF companion map.
This walk winds through an urban village of narrow lanes, panoramic piazzas, fanciful fountains, and some of Europe’s best people-watching. Don't forget to download the handy PDF companion map.
Three tour guides from former Soviet bloc countries, George Farkas, Katerina Svobodova, and Beatta McCommas, describe the sights and museums that illustrate what life was like behind the "iron curtain."
Although today their roles are largely ceremonial, a handful of royal families once ruled all of Europe. Ben Curtis, author of “The Habsburgs: The History of a Dynasty,” explains the lasting legacy of a bygone era, and gives tips on visiting royal sights in your travels.
Mathew Prichard talks about the world travels of his famous grandmother, mystery writer Agatha Christie.
Angelique Mergler, a tour guide from Delft, explains what sets Holland apart from the rest of the Netherlands.
Set in an immense and lavish papal palace decorated by the likes of Michelangelo and Raphael, the Vatican Museums are a treasure chest of the ancient world, holding some of the greatest art anywhere. This tour leads you right up to the Sistine Chapel, covered in a separate audio tour. Don't forget to download the handy PDF companion map.
American Stacy Gibboni fell in love with Venice (and with a Venetian chef), and now guides visitors around her adopted home. She gives advice for avoiding the crowds while enjoying a city like no other.
Rick takes a stroll around Dublin with his guide Joe Darcy, learning about the history of British empire’s “second city,” the role it played in the struggle for Irish independence, and the unique “Bloomsday” celebrations each June. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Greek guide Anastasia Gaitanou helps us understand the ancient stories and myths that inspired the art you'll encounter all over in Greece. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
English tour guides Tom Hooper, Gillian Chadwick, and Roy Nicholls explain what makes English gardens unique and tell which ones warrant a visit. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
English tour guides Roy Nicholls and Gillian Chadwick share tips for visiting the lavish estates and castles of the British aristocracy. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Guides from Spain introduce us to the underrated pleasures of their favorite Spanish wines, and offer advice on how to pair these high-quality, low-priced vintages with Spanish cuisine. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Mathew Prichard, the only grandson of Agatha Christie, talks about his grandmother’s legacy and explains how travelers can experience the “Queen of Crime” in their travels to England. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Tour guide and journalist Susie Millar talks about what visitors can expect to find in her hometown of Belfast, where sectarian violence is now a thing of the past. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
A tour guide gives us tips on finding inexpensive edibles in her home town of Istanbul, where some of the tastiest treats are sold right on the street. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Rick chats with astronaut Chris Hadfield about what he’s experienced and learned as a commander of multiple missions into outer space. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Actor Joanna Lumley fell in love with Greece decades ago, when she was just a teenager on her first visit. She chats with Rick about her latest Greek travels and her enduring passion for the resilient Greek people and their culture. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Belgian scholar Hilbren Buys describes the cultural fault line running right through Belgium, with the Germanic and the Latin part of Europe meeting in the middle of the country. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Concepción Delgado, a tour guide based in Seville, gives us a glimpse into Holy Week in Andalucía in southern Spain. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Author Don Wallace tells the tale of renovating a house on a remote island off the coast of Brittany. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick talks with artist and gardener Elizabeth Murray about the famous Giverny gardens French painter Claude Monet created at his house outside Paris, and hears her story of helping to restore them. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick talks with Trish Clark, author of “Good Night and God Bless,” about the unexpected delights of staying in the monasteries and convents in Italy. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Three American women chat with Rick about the unexpected joys and challenges of falling in love – and getting married – in Italy. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
With the help of Roy Nicholls, a Blue Badge guide from England, we explore how the Roman and pre-historic worlds are often just below the surface throughout Great Britain. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Scottish musician Jim Malcolm explains the enduring appeal of his countryman, beloved 18th-century Scottish poet Robert Burns, and shares songs fit for your next Burns Night. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
What Americans call Mardi Gras is also a big party in many pockets of Germany. German historian Fabian Rüger explains how Karneval is celebrated in the Rhineland. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Two Irish tour guides give Rick some advice on how to fit in like a local on your next visit to the “Emerald Isle.” For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Two friends from Ireland help us understand the Irish passion for poetry and for their Nobel Prize–winning poet, William Butler Yeats. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Barry Moloney talks about the sinking of the Lusitania off the coast of Ireland in 1915, which stoked support for American involvement in World War I. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Rick explores the pleasures of traditional Irish folk music with Cathie Ryan, a singer based in County Louth, Ireland, and Dara Herlihy, from the family-owned Dingle Music Shop. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Cristina Duarte and Robert Wright, two Portugal tour guides, explain the historic importance of decorative tiles in Portuguese architecture. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Berlin native Fabian Rueger joins Rick to talk about living with the Berlin Wall, and what it was like when the wall came down. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Mountain climbing legend Ed Viesturs tells Rick about his adventures climbing the world's highest peaks. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Tour guide Elisabeth Van Hest explains where to go to enjoy the best of French Impressionism in Paris. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Joan de Jean, author of "How Paris Became Paris," tells Rick how Louis XIV envisioned and built the city we know and love today. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Actor Joanna Lumley tells Rick about her trip to Bhutan and her work on behalf of the Ghurkas of Nepal. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Two tour guides from France, Elisabeth Van Hest and Antoine Bonfils, explain your options for visiting the top sights outside Paris. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Actor and author Madhur Jaffrey shares childhood memories of India. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Mary Bouron, an American who has made Paris her home, explains how to navigate the cuisine scene (and understand the mind-set of your French waiter) on your next trip to her adopted home town. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Astronaut Cady Coleman takes Rick on a virtual tour of her one-time home: The International Space Station. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Author Graham Robb explains what his bicycle adventure across the French countryside taught him about the provincial character of France. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Rick chats with a panel of European moms about the educational systems in their countries. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Marjorie R. Williams, co-author of "Markets of Paris," explains how to shop like a local at the many outdoor food markets of Paris. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
French tour guides Patrick Vidal and Virginie Moré offer tips on the best way to explore France's elegant Mediterranean coast. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Journalists from Germany and Britain compare notes with Rick on how the media operate differently in Europe and the U.S. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Author Tim Parks returns to discuss the role of the railway in Italian life, and how Italy's trains reflect and shape her culture. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
French tour guides Virginie Moré and Patrick Vidal offer tips on exploring the landscapes and villages of Provence. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Gene Openshaw, art history buff and Rick's high school travel buddy, chats with Rick about the intersecting lives of the great men of the Renaissance. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Rick learns more about the divisions and similarities among Italians with northerner Riccardo Panareo and southerner Aldo Valerio. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
There's no better introduction to Scotland's cultural capital than a walk straight down the spine of the Old Town. We'll walk from the hill-topping castle—past cafes, shops, and tiny lanes—to the historic palace. Be sure to download the companion map, also available in this playlist. Find related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick learns about the highlights of Monaco, the tiny sovereign city-state on the French Riviera. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Danielle Farineau shares more secrets for enjoying a trip to the Loire Valley chateaux country. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Working mothers from Sweden, Slovenia, and France contrast the challenges they face in their countries. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Martin Clunes, star of the popular British series, "Doc Martin," tells Rick what it's like to film his show on location in Cornwall. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Few cities can match Prague for over-the-top romance and evocative Old World charm. Starting on historic Wenceslas Square, we'll stroll through the Old Town and end on the ultra-atmospheric Charles Bridge. Be sure to download the companion map, also available in this playlist. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Virginie Moré and Mark Seymour, two tour guides based in Brittany, explore the Celtic roots and rugged beauty of France's northwest corner. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Author Graham Robb tells us about the accomplishments of the ancient Celts, and the sophisticated celestial-based geometry they used to organize their world. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Kathe Lison, author of "The Whole Fromage," gives Rick a lesson in enjoying the many varieties of French cheese. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
A pair of professional tour bus drivers offer tips for what you can expect when navigating the highways of Europe. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Kathe Lison, author of "The Whole Fromage," explains why cheese is so central to the culture of France. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Martin Clunes, the star of the "Doc Martin" TV series tells Rick what he discovered while filming a documentary on the far-flung outposts and islands that surround Great Britain. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Authors Sarah Turnbull and Nina Sovich both fell in love with Frenchmen. They tell Rick what French culture looks like from inside of a marriage. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Actor Joanna Lumley is best known for her role as Patsy in the British TV comedy, "Absolutely Fabulous," but she's also an intreprid traveler who traced the source of the Nile. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Tour guides from Italy tell Rick how they cope with the everyday chaos of their country, and offer tips for how you can prepare for surprises in your schedule when you visit Italy. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Scottish tour guide Anne Doig offers advice on exploring the ruggedly beautiful Hebrides islands off Scotland's west coast. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Trish Clark, author of "Good Night and God Bless," explains how you can save money by staying in Europe's monasteries and convents. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Oscar-winning producer Grant Heslov and author Robert Edsel join Rick to talk about the film, "The Monuments Men," and the ongoing effort to restore works of art stolen during World War II. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Rick chats with two guides about the sun-soaked islands, charming port towns, and Venetian-style architecture of the Adriatic Coast. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
The bottom of the "boot" of Italy is rarely visited by Americans, but it has a lot to offer the adventurous tourist. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
A pair of Irishmen explain their country's traditions about the different types of faery people, from leprechans to banshees. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Germany's historic capital—once war-torn and divided—is now reunited and vibrant. From the Reichstag, we'll enter the Brandenburg Gate and stroll down Unter den Linden boulevard to Alexanderplatz. Be sure to download the companion map, also available in this playlist. Find related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Actor and cookbook author Madhur Jaffrey examines the passion for Indian food in Britain, where the local pub is now serving curry along with the fish and chips. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Tour guides Ben Curtis and David Willett tell Rick why Albania's little-visited sights are getting more attention from travelers these days. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Turkish guide Yaren Turkoglu explains why Turks love the busy shipping canal separating the European side of Istanbul from Asia. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Ann Long and Aldo Valerio, two tour guides based in Italy, take us along the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, from Positano to the isle of Capri. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Two Irish tour guides offer transportation advice for exploring the Emerald Isle. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Three tour guides from Scotland offer insider tips for enjoying Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as exploring the Scottish borderlands, Highlands, and islands. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Oscar-winning producer Grant Heslov and author Robert Edsel join Rick to talk about the film, "The Monuments Men," and the ongoing effort to restore works of art stolen during World War II. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Czech tour guides Jana Hronková and Kateřina Svobodová explain how you can view ten centuries of architecture along the Coronation Way in Old Town Prague. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
A tour guide from Turkey describes what prompted her to join the protests on the streets of Istanbul, as thousands of her fellow citizens demonstrated against the policies of their government's ruling party. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Turkish tour guide Lale Surmen Aran explains how to make friends and enjoy the local culture in the small villages of Turkey. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Italian food expert Fred Plotkin explains how to seek out and savor the very best cuisine in Italy. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Czech tour guides Jana Hronková and Kateřina Svobodová walk us through the Jewish sites of Prague, once home to Europe's largest Jewish population. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Two friends from Ireland, Liam O'Riordan and Stephen McPhilemy, demonstrate the Irish art of "craic." For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Two tour guides to Switzerland explain how that country pulls different cultures and language together to forge a unique national identity. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Tim Parks, author of "Italian Ways: On and Off the Rails from Milan to Palermo," explains what he's learned about his adopted country from many decades of riding its trains. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Author Terry Tempest Williams tells Rick how she found solace and hope in Rwanda in the wake of 9/11. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Lisa Rybloom, tour guide to Scandinavia, tips for enjoying Norway's scenic fjord country. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Scottish folk singer Jim Malcolm shares some of the poetry embedded in the traditional music of Scotland. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Tour guide Åsa Danielsson from Stockholm explains how a strong sense of ethics and fairness shapes the social order in Sweden. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Two tour guides to Eastern Europe explain why St. Petersburg is Russia's most accessible city for Western travelers. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Rick finds sun, seafood, and sleepy fishing villages on Portugal's southern coast. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Martin De Lewandowicz and Stephen McPhilemy, guides from Wales and Ireland, share their favorite highlights of the Irish Sea that unites the Celtic lands of Britain and Ireland. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Austrian guide Andrea Wolf walks us through the elegant streets of the former Habsburg capital, where living well is a way of life. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Rick chats with two experienced guides about enjoying the best of the wide variety of Greek islands. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Three women from Italy — Francesca Caruso, Nina Bernardo, and Lisa Anderson — give us a candid take on the joys of challenges faced by the modern Italian woman. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Amsterdam-based tour guide Nica Johnson explains how visitors can enjoy her bike-friendly city on two wheels. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Amir Telibečirović and Ben Curtis share tips for visiting WWI sites in the Balkans, where "the war to end all wars" began. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
English tour guides Tom Hooper, Gillian Chadwick, and Roy Nichols discuss the enduring impact of World War I on Britain and describe sites in Britain that honor those who lost their lives in the "the war to end all wars." Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Fred Plotkin, author and connoisseur of Italian cuisine, offers some sweet advice on the regional delights of Italian desserts. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Rick chats with two German friends, historian Fabian Rueger and journalist Holger Zimmer, about the contemporary issues in Germany. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Dutch tour guide Nica Johnson fills Rick in on the latest in Amsterdam, including renovations to the city's great musuems. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Actor and cookbook author Madhur Jaffrey examines the passion for Indian food in Britain, where the local pub is now serving curry along with the fish and chips. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Italian tour guide Francesca Caruso and author Gene Openshaw take us on a walk through the romantic alleys and floodlit monuments of nighttime Rome. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Eszter Bokros and Cameron Hewitt, walk us through the highlights of Budapest, criss-crossing the Danube and soaking in the Habsburg-era elegance. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Guides to the ancient world, Colin Clement from Egypt and Anastasia Gaitanou from Greece, share more tips for sightseeing the historical highlights of the eastern Mediterranean. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Peter Wortsman, author of "Ghost Dance in Berlin," explains the ever-changing nature of his favorite European city. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Irish tour guide Susie Millar explains her country's connection to the infamous Titanic, from the shipyard that built it in Belfast to its final port of call in County Cork. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Martin Clunes, star of the popular British series, "Doc Martin," tells Rick what it's like to film his show on location in Cornwall. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Sicilian tour guide Alfio di Mauro explains the "laws" governing the preparation and consumption of pasta in Italy. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Amanda Buttinger and Federico Garcia Barroso, tour guides based in Madrid, offer tips on how to fit in next time you're in Spain. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Madrid-based tour guides Federico Garcia Barroso and Javier Menor explain how the southern region of Andalucía is home to many of the time-honored traditions of Spain. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Spanish tour guides Jorge Roman and Francisco Glaria chat with Rick about the highlights of their country's spiritual capital, Toledo. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Francisco Glaria and Agustin Ciriza, two guides from Basque country, walk us through their region's culinary specialties. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Rick provides a brief introduction to his Scandinavia/Baltics playlist, a collection of audio files designed to help you plan and enjoy your best possible trip. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Åsa Danielsson, a tour guide from Stockholm, shares her favorite spots in this charming city of islands and parks. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Two guides to Scandinavia talk about crime fiction from Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, where authors like Steig Larsson have used novels as a way to examine and critique their societies. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
In this excerpt from his book, Travel as a Political Act, Rick takes a look at the Danes' recipe for happiness, explores their strong social ethic, and spends time in Copenhagen's famous hippy commune, Christiania. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Travel writer Fred Plotkin, who calls Finland one of his favorite places, discusses the country's egalitarian, collaborative outlook and its devotion to the arts and nature. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Stockholm-based tour guide Marita Bergman provides a glimpse into her home city and gives suggestions for exploring the Swedish countryside. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Marita Bergman explains the rituals Swedes enjoy to accompany the long days marking the start of summer. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Swedish guide Marita Bergman explains how to get back to nature in the Swedish countryside. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick talks with two Baltics experts about Estonia. The country is turning into a popular destination for travelers who want to mix Old World charm with the energy of modern Europe. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Author Neil Taylor explains how much the Baltic countries have brightened up in the years since they shook off Soviet Communism. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick talks with travel writer Fred Plotkin about the art of the Finnish sauna. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick provides a brief introduction to his Paris playlist, a collection of audio files designed to help you plan and enjoy your best possible trip. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Marjorie R. Williams, co-author of "Markets of Paris," gives tips on enjoying Paris through its specialty street markets. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
A wine expert and TV personality from Paris gives Rick a humorous and wickedly honest portrait of the quirks of his fellow Parisians. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
American Mary Bouron, who married a Frenchman and now lives in Paris, shares her tips and tricks for walking, talking, and eating like a real Parisian. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Notre-Dame and Left Bank. Paris has been continuously inhabited for over 2,000 years, and this three-mile walk through the center of this cultural capital shows its rich history. We'll start where Paris did, on Ile de la Cité, dominated by the towers of cathedral Notre-Dame. Next, a foray onto the Left Bank, home to scholars, artists, and bohemians. We'll marvel at the colorful stained glass of Ste-Chapelle, and see the prison where Marie Antoinette pondered the guillotine. Allow four hours to lace together 80 generations of history: from Celtic fishing village to Roman city, bustling medieval capital, birthplace of the Revolution, and the bohemian haunt of the 1920s café scene. Best of all, for the entire walk, you're immersed in the fully-modern, globally-connected world of today's Paris. Don't forget to download the handy PDF companion maps. Sightseeing nitty-gritty: Many sights in this walk charge admission that is covered by the Paris Museum Pass, a great time- and money-saver, as it allows you to skip ticket-buying lines (2 days/€32, 4 days/€48, or 6 days/€64). Notre-Dame Cathedral is free, open daily 7:45–19:00, modest dress encouraged, tel. 01 42 34 56 10, www.cathedraledeparis.com. Metro stops Cité, Hôtel de Ville, or St. Michel. To climb the Notre-Dame Tower costs €8 (covered by Museum Pass, but no bypass line for pass-holders) and is open daily April–Sept 10:00–18:30, also June–Aug Sat–Sun until 23:00, Oct–March 10:00–17:30, last entry 45 min before closing; to avoid crowds in peak season, arrive before 10:00 or after 17:00. The Deportation Memorial is free, open daily April–Sept 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–19:00, Oct–March 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–17:00, tel. 01 49 74 34 00. Shakespeare and Company Bookstore is open daily 12:00–24:00, 37 rue de la Bûcherie, tel. 01 43 26 96 50. Sainte-Chapelle costs €8, covered by Museum Pass, and is open daily March–Oct 9:30–18:00, Nov–Feb 9:00–17:00, last entry 30 min before closing. It's at 4 boulevard du Palais, Mo: Cité, tel. 01 53 40 60 80, www.monum.fr. Expect a line to pass through security. The Conciergerie costs €7, covered by Museum Pass, and is open daily April–Oct 9:30–18:00, Nov–March 9:00–17:00, last entry 30 min before closing, 4 boulevard du Palais, Mo: Cité, tel. 01 53 40 60 80, www.monum.fr. Find WC's in front of Notre-Dame, at Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie, and cafés. [This audio tour was updated in 2015] For more specifics, consult my guidebook. This is excerpted from Rick Steves' Paris 2010. Copyright 2009 Avalon Travel. Related information at www.ricksteves.com.
Iconic statues and paintings. Paris, the City of Light, is a beacon of civilization, and the Louvre Museum presents a full inventory of Western culture. To cover the entire museum — the world's largest — in a single visit is impossible, so let's focus on the Louvre s specialties — Greek sculpture, Italian painting, and French painting. We'll see "Venuses" through history, from scrawny Stone Age fertility goddesses to the curvy Venus de Milo; from the wind-blown Winged Victory to placid medieval Madonnas; from Mona Lisa to Lady Liberty, the symbol of modern democracy. We'll see how each generation defines beauty differently, getting to know the people of the past by admiring the things they found beautiful. Along the way, are masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, the French painters, and many of the most iconic images of Western civilization. Don't forget to download the handy PDF companion maps. Sightseeing nitty-gritty: The Louvre costs €9 (€6 after 18:00 on Wed and Fri, free on first Sun of month) and is covered by the Paris Museum Pass. It's open Wed–Mon 9:00–18:00, closed Tue. Most wings stay open Wed and Fri until 21:45 (except on holidays). The last entry is 45 minutes before closing. It's located at Métro Palais Royal–Musée du Louvre or Louvre-Rivoli. Tel. 01 40 20 53 17, recorded info tel. 01 40 20 51 51, www.louvre.fr. Bus #69 serves the Marais and rue Cler, and taxis stop on rue de Rivoli. Lines to enter through the glass pyramid can be very long. Crowds are worst on Sun, Mon, Wed, and mornings. Museum Pass-holders can use the never-crowded group entrance in the pedestrian passageway (labeled Pavilion Richelieu) between the pyramid and rue de Rivoli. (It's under the arches, a few steps north of the pyramid; find the uniformed guard at the security checkpoint entrance, at the down escalator.) Or, enter through the underground shopping mall called the Carrousel du Louvre (at 99 rue de Rivoli or directly from the Palais Royale-Musee du Louvre Metro stop.) Once under the pyramid, buy tickets faster by using the automated machines. Baggage storage and WCs are located under the pyramid (WCs are scarce once you're in the galleries). For food, the Louvre has several cafés, but your best bet is the food court of the underground shopping mall. Photography without a flash is allowed. Consider an evening visit — it's peaceful, and the glass pyramid glows after dark. [This audio tour was updated in 2015] For more specifics, consult my guidebook. This is excerpted from Rick Steves' Paris 2010. Copyright 2009 Avalon Travel. Related information at www.ricksteves.com.
World's best Impressionism. The Orsay Museum, or Musée d'Orsay, houses French art of the 1800s, starring the Impressionists — the art of sun-dappled fields, bright colors, and crowded Parisian cafés. It's the best general collection anywhere of Manet, Monet, Renoir, Degas, van Gogh, Cézanne, and Gauguin. If you like Impressionism, visit this museum. If you don't like Impressionism, visit this museum. I personally find it a more enjoyable and rewarding place than the Louvre. Sure, ya gotta see the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, but after you get your gottas out of the way, enjoy the Orsay. Don't forget to download the handy PDF companion maps. Sightseeing nitty-gritty: The Orsay costs €8, €5.50 Fri–Wed after 16:15 and Thu after 18:00, free first Sun of month. It's open Tue–Sun 9:30–18:00, Thu until 21:45 year-round, last entry one hour before closing (45 min before on Thu), closed Mon. Contact the Orsay at tel 01 40 49 48 14 or www.musee-orsay.fr. Admission is covered by the Paris Museum Pass, which also lets you skip the long ticket-buying line — passholders enter on the right side of the museum (Entrance C). The Impressionist galleries begin closing 45 minutes early. Tuesdays are particularly crowded, because the Louvre is closed. The museum is at 1 rue de la Légion d'Honneur, at the RER-C stop called Musée d'Orsay. The nearest Métro stop is Solférino, three blocks southeast. From the Louvre, it's a lovely 15-minute walk through the Tuileries Garden. Also handy are bus #69 from the Marais or rue Cler, taxis, and the Batobus boat. A pricey but très elegant restaurant is on the second floor, with affordable tea and coffee served 15:00–17:30 (daily except Thu). A simple fifth-floor café is sandwiched between the Impressionists. Bag check is free. Photography without a flash is allowed. [This audio tour was updated in 2015] For more specifics, consult my guidebook. This was excerpted from Rick Steves' Paris 2010. Copyright 2009 Avalon Travel. Related information at www.ricksteves.com.
Ornate palaces and gardens. If you've ever wondered why your American passport has French writing in it, you'll find the answer at the Château de Versailles, Europe's greatest palace. Around 1700, Versailles was the cultural heartbeat of Europe, and French culture was at its zenith. Throughout Europe, every king wanted to be like Louis XIV, and everyone learned French. French taste in clothes, hairstyles, table manners, theater, music, art, and kissing spread across the Continent. That cultural dominance continued, to some extent, right up to the 20th century. On this tour, we'll explore the historic heart of the palace, now decorated with period furniture and the magnificent Hall of Mirrors. Then we'll stroll the immense landscaped gardens, dotted with fountains and sprinkled with smaller palaces, each an architectural gem. Don't forget to download the handy PDF companion maps. Sightseeing nitty-gritty: I recommend buying either a Paris Museum Pass (2 days/€32, 4 days/€48, or 6 days/€64) or Versailles' "Le Passeport" Pass (€20 Mon–Fri, €25 Sat–Sun; from Nov to March it's €16 Tue–Sun; buy at Versailles' TI or at www.chateauversailles.fr). Both passes let you skip major lines, and cover admission to the three most important parts of the complex — the Chateaux, Gardens, and Domaine de Marie-Antoinette. Versailles' fine website is www.chateauversailles.fr. The Château, the main palace, costs €13.50 (for an individual ticket), and is open Tue–Sun April–Oct 9:00–18:30 (perhaps later some summer Saturdays), Nov–March 9:00–17:30, closed Mon. The Domaine de Marie-Antoinette, the estate of the queen, gives you access to the far corner of the Gardens and entry into several small palaces. An individual ticket costs €10 April–Oct (€6 after 16:00 and Nov–March), and it's open daily April–Oct 12:00–18:30, Nov–March 12:00–17:30. The Gardens are free (except on weekends April–Sept, when the fountains blast and the price is €8), and are generally open daily 9:00 to sunset (17:30–21:30), but close at 18:00 on Sat in summer to prepare for evening events. Last entry to all of these areas is one hour before closing. Versailles is very crowded May–Sept 10:00–13:00, with especially big crowds all day Tue and Sun. Try arriving by 9:00, see the Chateau first, and then the Gardens. Or arrive later, tour the Gardens first, then the Château after 13:00 when crowds dissipate. TIs are near the train station (by the Pullman Hôtel, tel. 01 39 24 88 88) and the Château (left side of courtyard, tel. 08 10 81 16 14, often crowded). Photos are allowed indoors without a flash. Beware pickpockets. WCs are scarce: try the WC just before the palace gates, the one inside the Château, or several tucked away throughout the Gardens. For food, there are small cafes at the Chateau, near the Apollo Basin, or restaurants along pleasant rue de Satory between the station and the palace. Getting There: The town of Versailles is 30 minutes southwest of Paris. For most the best option is to take the RER-C train (4/hr, 30–40 min one-way, €6 round-trip) from any of these Paris RER stops: Gare d'Austerlitz, St. Michel, Musée d'Orsay, Invalides, Pont de l'Alma, and Champ de Mars. Any train whose name starts with a V (e.g., "Vick") goes to Versailles; don't board other trains. The Chateau is a 10-minute walk from the Versailles R.G. train station. All in all, with transportation, lines, and sightseeing, Versailles is an eight hour day-trip from Paris. [This audio tour was updated in 2015] For more specifics, consult my guidebook. This is excerpted from Rick Steves' Paris 2010. Copyright 2009 Avalon Travel. Related information at www.ricksteves.com.
Mary Bouron, an American who married a Frenchman, explains what it's like raising her first child in Paris. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Author Sedaris, who has lived in Europe and Japan, talks about irritating tourists in Paris, staying in hotels, and reveals a dirty little secret about some flight attendants. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Jill Jonnes, author of "Eiffel's Tower," discusses the iconic structure, which debuted at the Paris World's Fair of 1889. At 1,000 feet tall, the tower was the tallest in the world — and the French despised it. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Two Parisians offer advice for enjoying Paris in the winter. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick talks with Elaine Sciolino, a New York Times journalist based in Paris, about some of her favorite hideaways among the many quiet, hidden gardens scattered around the city. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
With more than a hundred museums, Paris is home to much more than the Louvre. A Paris-based guide joins Rick to explore Paris' smaller museums, where you can experience great art without standing in a long line. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Arnaud Servignat, tour guide based in Paris, joins Rick for a virtual late-night stroll and dinner, after dark in the City of Light. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Paris-based guide Elisabeth Van Hest explains how to move beyond the Louvre to experience the art treasures of Paris. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Arnaud Servignat and Kristen Michel, two guides from Paris, explain how cafés work as a part of daily life for Parisians, and how visitors can enjoy them, too. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Tour guide Patrick Vidal walks us through Paris, explaining the differences between Paris and the rest of France, and how to have a truly Parisian experience. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Tour guide Patrick Vidal walks us through Paris, explaining the differences between Paris and the rest of France, and how to have a truly Parisian experience. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Parisian Arnaud Servignat talks about the art of the daily meal, the ritual of shopping for quality and freshness, and how to eat escargot and steak tartare like the French. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
In this excerpt from Rick's travel memoir, he shops for food with a lively restaurateur on a market street, visits Mona at the Louvre, and experiences a musical Mass from the organist's loft. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Two tour guides based in Paris suggest ways to best explore the city on foot — including how to avoid the crush of rush hour on the Métro. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick provides a brief introduction to his Turkey playlist, a collection of audio files designed to help you plan and enjoy your best possible trip. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
A Turkish guide joins Rick for a look at the monuments and legacy of the Ottoman Empire in Turkey. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
A Turkish tour guide takes us on a tour of Turkey's less-touristed coast. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
One of the most important cities of the Roman Empire, Ephesus is among the world’s best ancient sites. We'll see stores where the ancients shopped, baths where they schmoozed, and a theater where St. Paul confronted the pagans. Find related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Turkish tour guides Taylan Tashbashi and Ayşegül Ünlü join Rick to offer a taste of what makes the west coast of Turkey such a popular destination, where the remains of classical cultures meet seaside fun on the Aegean. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Two politically savvy Turks explain the tricky political issues facing their country, including how to deal with deep-rooted ethnic conflicts and how to prepare for a formal relationship with the European Union. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Turkish tour guide Mehlika Seval explains to Rick why Turks revere Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of Turkey's modern, secular republic. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick's guest is Matthew Karanian, co-author of a guidebook to Armenia. Visitors can experience eco-tourism in its untouched countryside, and connect with a culture that has persisted for 3,000 years, despite many adversities. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Two friends from Turkey describe the other-worldly landscapes and underground cities of Cappadocia. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Turkish tour guide Mehlika Seval tells us why she loves the traditional eastern half of her country, where deeply-rooted cultures carry on with little interruption from tourism. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Turkish tour guides Tankut Aran and Lale Surmen Aran take Rick to the eastern reaches of their country, where few tourists venture. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick chats with tour guide Tankut Aran and documentary filmmaker Tim Frakes about the journeys of the Apostle Paul, who traveled 13,000 miles to spread Christianity around the Roman Empire. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick talks with Turkish tour guide Mehlika Seval about the enduring appeal of Rumi, an Islamic mystic and poet born 800 years ago. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Tankut Aran and Lale Surmen Aran, tour operators based in Istanbul, suggest ways to get beyond the city's tourist hot-spots by delving into the back streets — from overlooked corners of the Grand Bazaar to the traffic-free islands just off the coast. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Gökalp Kasim and Taylan Tasbasi, two tour guides from Istanbul, chat with Rick about their ideas for enjoying a night on the town in Istanbul — even during Ramadan. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick learns about expat life from Julie Cascioppo, a jazz and cabaret singer who splits her time between Istanbul and Seattle. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick talks with an American Muslim woman who spent a year on her own in the Middle East and a gay travel writer who was surprised by what he encountered in Afghanistan and Iraq. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Tankut Aran and Lale Surmen Aran, two of Rick's friends from Istanbul, help him learn more about Islam, and how it is practiced today in modern Turkey. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Tour guides Tankut Aran and Lale Surmen Aran, accustomed to working with Americans, share practical advice on visiting Istanbul. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick and tour guide Mehlika Seval describe the best options for exploring small-town Turkey, including using the country's inter-city bus lines, renting a car to explore back roads, or making a quick journey while your cruise ship is in port. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Mehlika Seval, a Turkish tour guide, explains how nationalism has shaped her country's democracy, and discusses how Turkey deals with Kurdish separatists inside and across its borders. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Two tour guides from Turkey describe the customs they're observing as they get ready for their own wedding day. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
TV travel host Samantha Brown confesses that she loves to fly, and shares tips on how to enjoy your next long flight overseas. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Phil Keoghan, host of "The Amazing Race," describes how a near-death experience at age 19 convinced him to make his travel fantasies come true. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Andrew McCarthy returns to share more travel stories, and explains how actors on location find ways to connect with the locals. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick provides a brief introduction to his Germany and Austria playlist, a collection of audio files designed to help you plan and enjoy your best possible trip. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Playwright Peter Wortsman tells Rick how his Jewish heritage has drawn him to make Berlin his second home. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
When most Americans think of travel in Germany, they think of the clichés of the south — of the Black Forest and lederhosen. Rick explores a very different part of Germany: the lesser-known — and less crowded — north. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Germany's most-livable city is both modern and built on a human scale. From the glockenspiel of Marienhof, we'll walk through pedestrian malls, Baroque churches, markets, beerhalls, and WWII history. Be sure to download the companion map, also available in this playlist. Find related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
By train, car, or boat, explore the best 36-mile stretch of the 800-mile Rhine River. It's a fairytale world of medieval castles, vine-covered hills, half-timbered towns, and soul-stirring legends. Find related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
The hills are alive with the sound of Rick's voice, as we visit the gracious city of Mozart, castles, baroque towers, pleasant cafes, and — everywhere you go — the Sound of Music. Find related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Vienna is rich in history, the cradle of classical music, and one of Europe's most livable cities. From the Opera House to the Cathedral and Hofburg Palace, we'll explore the city's shops, cafes, chocolate, and Sacher torte. Find related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
With its 450-foot steeple, this is the Gothic needle around which Vienna spins. Enjoy its soaring nave, a remarkable carved pulpit, and the chapel where Mozart was married. Find related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Vienna's ring road around the city center is lined with classy buildings and leafy parks. A tram ride here is a pleasant introduction to Vienna's sights and history, while you rub elbows with the Viennese of today. Find related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick provides a brief introduction to his Netherlands/Belgium playlist, a collection of audio files designed to help you plan and enjoy your best possible trip. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Stu Stuart, who regularly leads beer tours of Belgium, explains why Belgian brews are worth a special trip. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Jonathan Groubert recommends some of the fun places he and his family enjoy in the Netherlands. He also attempts to explain the appeal of Europe's guilty TV pleasure, the annual Eurovision Song Contest. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
American journalist Jonathan Groubert talks about the politics and culture of his adopted Dutch home. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
From the train station to Dam Square to Leidseplein, this 90-minute walk down the spine of the city is a great overview of the city's charms — canals, museums, shops, flowers, and Golden Age grandeur. Be sure to download the companion map, also available in this playlist. Find related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
To mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, a Lutheran pastor and her husband retraced Luther's trek from Germany to Rome. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Amsterdam's most historic neighborhood is also its most notorious. Here, sex is sold openly and marijuana smoked freely — and it's all legal. This 90-minute tour offers a safe, informative introduction. Be sure to download the companion map, also available in this playlist. Find related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick and German tour guide Christoph Dressler share stories of fresh air and relaxation about the beautiful Black Forest, where stressed-out Germans soak in mineral spas and "power hike" in the mountains. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Munich-born tour guide Daniela Wedel chats with Rick about laid-back, traditional Bavaria, where pretzels and beer combine with legendary castles and fairy-tale scenery. They also share ideas for enjoying Oktoberfest and the Passion Play performed every 10 years in Oberammergau. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
This quaint, residential neighborhood is home to quiet canals and the nearby Anne Frank House. It gives a behind-the-scenes look at the unique, laid-back lifestyle of Amsterdam's trendy residents. Be sure to download the companion map, also available in this playlist. Find related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
In this excerpt from his travel memoir, Rick contemplates contemporary Dutch culture, the persistent scars of World War II, the people's frugality, and the fundamental differences between Dutch and American attitudes toward sex. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
This excerpt from Rick's travel memoir "Postcards from Europe" describes a recent visit to Germany, mixed with memories of his first visit to Germany as a gum-chewing teenager in 1973, reluctantly dragged there by his parents. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick and Andrew Bender, author of the Lonely Planet guidebook to Amsterdam, discuss the city's underappreciated sights, including the Albert Cuyp Market, architecture of the Red Light District, Amstelkring Museum, and eastern docklands. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Belgian tour guide Ferdi Menghi joins Rick to talk about his country's easygoing flair and great food. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Guides from the Netherlands explain how the Dutch get along in their densely packed and efficient country, where millions live below sea level. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Travel writer Neil Taylor talks about the attractions of Berlin's overlooked neighbor, Potsdam, a one-time center of Prussian power and communist-era intrigue. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick chats with tour guide Ton Van Gardere about how Amsterdam's policy of "live and let live" works, what's behind the Dutch reputation for being tolerant, and the limits that tolerance is facing today. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Tour guide Fabian Rueger takes Rick on a tour of the distinctive regions of Germany. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
This densely populated little country is a role model for how to live together in a modern society. Dutch-born tour guide Rolinka Bloeming joins Rick to discuss what an American can expect from a visit to the Netherlands. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick talks with tour guide Ursula Klaus about her elegant hometown. Ursula walks us through Vienna, from experiencing its café culture to scoring an affordable ticket to the Opera. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Fred Plotkin, author of "Italy for the Gourmet Traveler" and "Opera 101," describes why Vienna is one of his favorite cities, where arts and culture are accessible to everyone. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick and Rolinka Bloeming talk about Dutch bicycle culture and offer suggestions for visiting the colorful spring flower festivals in the Netherlands. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Jonathan Groubert, an American journalist who has made the Netherlands his home for 20 years, gives us an insider's view of the Dutch culture and character, and talks about the forces challenging that country's traditions of tolerance. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Marilyn Tenoll, enthusiast of the formal ball season in Vienna, tells Rick what it's like to celebrate the New Year at one of the season's elegant balls. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Two natives of the Low Countries talk about the distinctive cultures of the Netherlands and Belgium. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick provides a brief introduction to his Eastern Europe playlist, a collection of audio files designed to help you plan and enjoy your best possible trip. (For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.)
Francis Tapon, author of "Hidden Europe: What Eastern Europeans Can Teach Us," spent three years traveleing and backpacking in Eastern Europe. He takes Rick on a virtual tour of his favorite Balkan finds. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Rick provides a brief introduction to his Italy playlist, a collection of audio files designed to help you plan and enjoy your best possible trip. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Ann Long and Riccardo Panareo, two guides based in Italy, share the highlights of northern Italy, from Milan to Lake Como, and recommend less-crowded small towns and lakes. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Tour guides Ann Long and Aldo Valerio explain how their cliffside city is an easy hop to historical and scenic adventures, and also a great place to relax with a chilled glass of homemade limoncello. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Ferenc Máté shares more of what he has learned from 20 years in Tuscany. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Two Italian tour guides help us understand the highlights for travelers of the "heel, toe and instep" of the boot of Italy. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Author and Italophile Fred Plotkin helps Rick take a closer look at the pleasure of eating like an Italian. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
With its hillside setting and medieval charm, Assisi is a slice of quintessential Italy. Wander the back lanes, enjoy staggering views, and see mementos of hometown boy, St. Francis. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
The huge church honors Assisi's most famous citizen. It has Francis' remains, some personal possessions, and frescoes by Giotto, who chronicled the remarkable life of this most human of saints. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick provides a brief introduction to his General Europe playlist, a collection of audio files designed to help you plan and enjoy your best possible trip. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Three ex-pat Americans share what it's really like to relocate to Europe, and give pointers on how others can also make a home abroad. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Travel writer David Farley tells Rick about an eccentric hill town near Rome, where a generation of Bohemian residents share space with a centuries-old mystery about a relic the Vatican would rather not talk about. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Italy is home to more of the world's artistic masterpieces than anywhere else. Rick talks with three art historians about how to discover, understand, and appreciate the art of Italy. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
The European Union makes it easy for citizens to make a new life in one of the other member countries, and Rick talks with two Europeans who have done just that. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Author and opera buff Fred Plotkin shares tips for incorporating an appreciation of opera into your travels. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Architecture professor Kathryn Rogers Merlino help make sense of such things as flying buttresses and Roman ruins. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick talks with a local about Cortona, the setting for Frances Mayes' book Under the Tuscan Sun. Cortona has been attracting foreigners for hundreds of years but you can still find the magic, despite the crowds. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Art history specialist Gene Openshaw gives a close-up view of masterpieces in painting, sculpture and architecture. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Ferenc Máté tells Rick what he's learned from 20 years in Tuscany, where he and his wife went to turn a 13th century building into their dream home. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Art historian Gene Openshaw explains how you don't have to go into the museums to experience great art in Europe. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick invites some of his friends from Europe to join him in a session comparing the beers and cultures of Europe. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Frances Mayes joins Rick to reflect on 20 years of living "Under the Tuscan Sun" — and how getting in tune with living in Italy can change your sense of time and even help prioritize what matters most in life. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick talks with bike tour guide Daniela Weidel about how to enjoy Europe by bike, and which routes are best for different levels of experience. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Tour guide and castle expert Martin de Lewandowicz from North Wales introduces us to the world of European castles. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Italy food expert Fred Plotkin explains why he thinks the northeast corner of Italy is one of the best places in the world for pairing fine wine with flavorful food. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Fred Plotkin, expert on Italian food and author of Italy for the Gourmet Traveler, teaches how to travel with an informed palate and where to look for great Italian food on a budget. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Ben Curtis, a tour guide and classical music afficionado, shares his favorite cities and venues for appreciating the music of Europe's great composers. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Experts from both sides of the Atlantic join Rick to discuss the current challenges faced by the European Union. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Two Italian food experts offer advice on how to eat well in Italy, discuss the country's regional cuisines, and introduce American listeners to culinary customs the Italians bring to the table. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Two seasoned tour bus drivers give Rick the inside scoop on the tour bus business in Europe. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Italian food expert Fred Plotkin takes Rick deep into the culture of enjoying a good meal in Italy. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick chats with fellow travel writer Cameron Hewitt about the last run of the famous train to the east, the Orient Express. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Two of Rick's liveliest Italian friends compare the loyalties, cuisine, accents, and attitudes of Italy's regions, and find some common ground in good food — and soccer. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
In this excerpt from his travel memoir, Postcards from Europe, Rick reminisces about his first trips to Europe. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick explores that option of agriturismos, farmhouse inns that open their doors, kitchens, and farms to travelers looking to experience rural Italian life up close. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Sicilian-based tour guide Tommaso Pante tells us why we should visit the often overlooked island of Malta, where the Arab world meets Europe in the middle of the Mediterranean. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Mary Murray Bosrock, a specialist in intercultural communication and behavior, explains what's considered appropriate behavior when conducting business in Europe. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick talks with Lisa Anderson, an American who fell in love with Italy — and an Italian. Lisa shares her thoughts on flirting, romance, marriage, and raising a family in northern Italy. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com. RETIRED
Nina Dierckx and Jamie Blair Gould, two guides who specialize in gourmet travels from their home base in Tuscany, describe the comfort foods of Western Europe. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
American Lisa Anderson returns with the next installment of her Italian love story: What happened when she became the mother to two Italian boys. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com. RETIRED
William Wallace, an expert on Michelangelo, joins Rick in a roundtable discussion about some of the personal influences on the great artist, and how he was very much a man of his time. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Guides from southern Italy chat with Rick about the attractions of energetic Naples and its nearby coastal and island resorts. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
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 Slovenia. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
With tour guide Jamie Blair Gould, Rick shares some of his delicacy discoveries from different parts of Europe that make travel a gastronomic treat. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Listen to Colleen Heater, author of Pilgrim's Italy, who finds inspiration from the spiritual sites of Italy; and to Roberto Bechi, a tour guide in Siena, who is helping to restore the pilgrim's trail from England to Rome. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
For those afraid to fly, Rick receives tips from Steve Hutchison, who leads a Fear of Flying workshop. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick provides a brief introduction to his Greece and Eastern Mediterranean playlist, a collection of audio files designed to help you plan and enjoy your best possible trip. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Two expert guides help Rick make sense of ancient stones and rubble left behind by the great cultures of the Mediterranean. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Tour guide and music expert Margret Hemmen provides tips for researching music festivals in Europe. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Nina Bernardo, a tour guide based in Rome, walks Rick through the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, frozen in time since the eruption of Mount Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick provides a brief introduction to his Spain playlist, a collection of audio files designed to help you plan and enjoy your best possible trip. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Margaret Hemmen, tour guide to Europe and vocal instructor at the University of Washington, explains the options for taking in a classical music concert while vacationing in Europe. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Two guides from the Basque Country of Spain discuss the enduring and unique qualities of one of Europe's oldest cultures. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Modern bustle, old sights. Athens' pedestrian-friendly center hums with trendy boutiques and atmospheric cafes. Get oriented to the sprawling city while exploring Athens' rich history and rubbing shoulders with Athenians today. Starring: Candlelit Orthodox churches, dusty Roman ruins, Acropolis views, and the chaotic streets of Athens. Practicalities: The walk starts at Syntagma Square, meanders through the Plaka, skirts Acropolis hill for great views, and ends at Monastiraki Square, in the center of the tourist action. The walk is best in the morning or evening, since many historic churches are closed from 1:00 to 5:00. Wearing shorts inside churches is frowned upon but tolerated. Allow at least two hours for this walk. More info: Excerpted from the book "Rick Steves' Greece," www. ricksteves.com
Two tour guides explain how they were able to renovate old farmhouses into their dream homes, in an un-touristed region of Italy called La Marche. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Leslie Carroll, author of Notorious Royal Marriages, unveils some of the juicy scandals from her book and talks about how sightseeing can bring history to life. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Virginia Agostinelli, a tour guide from Abruzzo, explains the uncrowded appeal of her home in the rugged Apennine mountains. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
A guide from Pamplona, Spain tells Rick about the annual San Fermín Festival, and explains what the running of the bulls is all about. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Rick learns what it takes to run a hostel in Europe from Stephen McPhilemy, who owns a hostel in Northern Ireland. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Famous hill with Parthenon. Athens' show-stopper is this dramatic hill topped with the ancient world's greatest temple, the Parthenon. Stroll among historic ruins and eroded statues, and appreciate those Golden Age people who set the tone for all of Western civilization. Starring: The Parthenon and its reliefs; the carayatid lady-statues of the Erechtheion; and expansive views over modern Athens. Practicalities: €12 ticket also includes the Agora. Open daily May-Sept 8:00–20:00, Oct-April 8:00–15:00. To avoid crowds, go before 10:00 or after 14:00. The bare hilltop can be blazingly hot and has no tourist services except WCs and drinking fountains, so plan ahead. Backpacks are allowed. Tel. 210-321-4172, www.culture.gr. More info: Excerpted from the book "Rick Steves' Greece," www. ricksteves.com
Italians seem to know how to enjoy some of the tastiest food on the planet. Fred Plotkin, author of Italy for the Gourmet Traveler, explains how knowing what's in season is important to the Italian way of life. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Two tour guides from Madrid take Rick on a virtual walk through their hometown. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Robert Edsel, author of The Monuments Men and director of The Monuments Men Foundation, tells the story of the people who helped rescue the masterpieces of Western art from the Nazis during and after World War Two. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick continues his virtual walk through the streets of Madrid. For more info on traveling in Europe, see www.ricksteves.com.
Ruins of old city center. The Agora was the heart of ancient Athens — its "downtown." Walk through the remains of former shopping malls, theaters, taverns, and government buildings. You'll see the dusty ruins come to life as Rick describes the fascinating people who once worked, shopped, and played here. Starring: Athens' best-preserved ancient temple, a rebuilt "stoa," a fine museum, and the footsteps of great Athenians. Practicalities: €4 or covered by €12 Acropolis ticket. Open daily May–Sept 8:00–20:00, Oct–April 8:00–15:00. Located at the foot of the Acropolis, Metro: Monastiraki. Tel. 210-321-0180, www.culture.gr. More info: Excerpted from the book "Rick Steves' Greece," www. ricksteves.com
With the help of two expert guides to Spain, Rick explores trendy Barcelona, where the works of modern artists such as Picasso, Gaudí, and Dalí are a highlight of any visit. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Two guides who specialize in Sicily explain why the Mediterranean's largest island is growing in popularity as a vacation destination. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
World-class ancient art. Trace the evolution of Greek statues, vases and paintings, from their roots to the flowering of the Golden Age and beyond. It's all beautifully displayed and in air-conditioned comfort. Starring: Prehistoric Barbie dolls, the golden Mask of Agamemnon, and the perfectly posed Artemision Bronze. Practicalities: €7. Open May–Sept Tue–Sun 8:00–20:00, Mon 13:30–20:00; Oct–April Tue–Sun 8:30–15:00, Mon 13:30–19:30. Photos okay without flash. Located at 44 Patission Street. Tel. 210-821-7717, www.namuseum.gr. More info: Excerpted from the book "Rick Steves' Greece," www. ricksteves.com
Robert Edsel returns to continue the story of the Monuments Men, who re-patriated Europe's treasures after the war — and the work that remains to be done today. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick gets insider tips from Sicilian tour guides on getting the most out of a vacation to Sicily. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick gets an insider's guide to the Castille region of central Spain, with pointers on sampling the sights of Toledo and Madrid from Spanish guide Federico García Barroso. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Sicily is "Italy in the extreme." Rick talks with Sicilian friends about learning to love the island and its organized chaos. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Author Robert Edsel is join by a real-life monument man, Harry Ettlinger, a German-born Jew whose family escaped to America. Ettlinger tells Rick how he helped retrieve the treasures of Europe from the caves and castles where the plunder was stashed by the Nazis. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
We make sense out of the rubble of antiquity with the help of guides from Greece and Egypt. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Aziz Begdouri, a teacher and independent tour guide based in Tangier, Morocco, offers suggestions for visiting his city as a day-trip from Spain, and describes the restoration of Tangier to its former glory. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Two Sicilian tour guides explain how to research your family tree in the old country, and how Sicilian culture offers an alternative to the frantic American pace of life. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Two tour guides — one from Greece and one from Turkey — discuss what's behind the tensions between their two countries. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Greek travel expert Penny Kolomvotsou discusses the spruced-up capital of Athens, the villages of the mainland and the islands, and how travelers can best experience Greece's rich history in the ruins of its ancient past. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Lucca-based tour guide Jamie Blair Gould describes how to assemble the ingredients for the perfect Tuscan picnic, complete with a picture-postcard view. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick chats with two sheep experts to learn about the sheep and lambs that dot the hills of rural Britain. They explain how you can interact with spring lambs, and the types of wool and meat they provide. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
David Willett, an Australian tour guide who spends much of the year showing off the sites of Greece, gives advice on how to find the real Greece beyond the blockbuster sights of Athens. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Guides from Madrid and Sevilla discuss the lively cities, whitewashed hill towns, traditions, and colorful spring festivals of Andalucía. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Two Greek travel experts share tips on what the Peloponnesian Peninsula has to offer travelers, from historical sites and mythology to laid-back small towns and uncrowded beaches. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Rick interviews writer Scott Huler about his voyage that retraced the mythical journey of Ulysses and the book it inspired. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Donald White, a tour guide based in Lombardy in northern Italy, offers tips for planning a ski trip to the Alps, where the slopes have some of the most impressive vertical drops anywhere. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
European Union experts Hilbren Buys and Ben Curtis return with an update on the E.U., to help us understand the roots of the current political tensions in Europe, and how government policies are impacting the average European. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Two Spaniards explain the role of the Spanish tradition of taking a midday nap — the siesta — in Spanish life, and discuss its uncertain future in modern Spain. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Sailing expert Anthony Sandberg gives Rick advice on how to experience the eastern Mediterranean — much like the ancients did — by island-hopping in a boat. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Carlos Galvin, a travel specialist from Madrid, gives an overview of Spain's distinctive regional cultures and languages, and gives advice on making the most of a visit to Spain. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
They're expensive, grow underground, are found by specially-trained dogs, and can be harvested only if you have a license. Siena-based tour guide Roberto Bechi explains how to locate, cook, and enjoy this delicacy. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.
Author Eva Marie Everson, who made a pilgrimage to the ancient religious sites of Israel, shares her memories, describes the sites that other modern pilgrims can visit, and offers advice for travelers. Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.