Travel with Rick Steves

Rick Steves

A weekly one-hour conversation with guest experts and callers about travel, cultures, people, and the things we find around the world that give life its extra sparkle. Rick Steves is America's leading authority on travel to Europe and beyond. Host and writer of over a hundred public television travel shows and author of 30 best-selling guidebooks, Rick now brings his passion for exploring and understanding our world to public radio. Related travel information and message boards on www.ricksteves.com read less

Our Editor's Take

The Travel with Rick Steves podcast will prepare listeners for a great adventure. With over 700 episodes, each under an hour, there's a whole archive of compelling travel content to enjoy. Host Rick Steves is tour guide extraordinaire. He has spent most of his life encouraging others to explore the world. His primary focus has been on showing Americans what Europe can offer through his travel business Rick Steves' Europe. He is also the author of many bestselling guide books with easy-read itineraries.

Rick Steve's engaging podcast answers the question of why we travel. He invites travel enthusiasts to his show to share their stories and experiences. In the first episode, Rick talks to author Kerry Moran, who wrote about her adventures in Nepal. She talks about her love of trekking in the Himalayan mountains. In the same episode, Rick also chats with cyclist Willie Weir. Willie talks about why traveling by bike is a great way to explore a country. Throughout each episode, Rick also spends time answering listener questions.

Through this informative podcast, listeners will feel inspired to explore somewhere new. Along the way, they will also discover great tips on how to travel smarter and cheaper. Each episode explores a different city or country with a fresh perspective. In one episode, Rick examines the food and music that make New Orleans famous. In another, Rick focuses on European art and the pieces listeners must see. With each guest, listeners will get a better understanding of each place. Rick shares his own experiences, as well as those from locals and experts who know them best.

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653a Ærø Island Denmark; Emilia-Romagna; Italian View of Sicily

653a Ærø Island Denmark; Emilia-Romagna; Italian View of Sicily

Find out what makes the small Danish island of Ærø a perfectly charming and cozy getaway, which region Italophile Fred Plotkin considers Italy's greatest source of culinary and cultural achievements, and why Sicily is such a favorite with visitors, whether from elsewhere in Italy or abroad. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Episodes

653a Ærø Island Denmark; Emilia-Romagna; Italian View of Sicily

653a Ærø Island Denmark; Emilia-Romagna; Italian View of Sicily

Find out what makes the small Danish island of Ærø a perfectly charming and cozy getaway, which region Italophile Fred Plotkin considers Italy's greatest source of culinary and cultural achievements, and why Sicily is such a favorite with visitors, whether from elsewhere in Italy or abroad. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

772 Michelangelo’s Tomb; What’s New in Dublin; Seeing the Art We Love

772 Michelangelo’s Tomb; What’s New in Dublin; Seeing the Art We Love

Hear about Michelangelo's life-consuming struggle to create the grand papal tomb that was supposed to be his magnum opus, but is largely ignored today. Then get an update on what's new this year in Dublin, where a major renovation at Trinity College's Old Library has turned viewing the Book of Kells, one of Ireland's greatest treasures, into an immersive experience. And join fellow listeners in considering how the thrill of viewing a great work of art in person can be reason enough to plan a trip. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

771 What’s New in Berlin; Reflections on the Peace Corps

771 What’s New in Berlin; Reflections on the Peace Corps

Tour guides from Berlin update us on what's new in the German capital, and discuss why they love living in a city so dense with history — and one that seems to be constantly reinventing itself. And a former Peace Corps volunteer reflects on the value of his two-year stint, which had him, right out of college, living and teaching halfway around the world. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

542b Wild West Ghost Towns; Heroes of Ireland; Savage Harvest

542b Wild West Ghost Towns; Heroes of Ireland; Savage Harvest

American road-trip aficionado Jim Hinckley recommends Old West ghost towns to visit before they fade away. Then Irish singer Cathie Ryan explains — and demonstrates — how Ireland remembers its heroes in song. And journalist Carl Hoffman lets us in on what he's concluded after researching the disappearance of banking scion Michael Rockefeller, who vanished in 1961 while on an art-buying expedition in the jungles of New Guinea. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

770 Sagre Festivals of Italy; Rome Today; Eyewitness in Hungary 1956

770 Sagre Festivals of Italy; Rome Today; Eyewitness in Hungary 1956

Learn about Italy's sagre — traditional country fairs, often centering on the local harvest, that usually feature colorful historical pageantry. Then hear what's new in old Rome as it spiffs up for the coming Jubilee Year celebrations. Then listen in as venerated writer and editor Michael Korda recounts his experiences amid one of the Cold War's most dramatic events: the Hungarian uprising of October 1956. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

695a Belgium Pride; Favorite Gardens; Arctic Trails

695a Belgium Pride; Favorite Gardens; Arctic Trails

A native-born Belgian shares what delights him most about his small, but justifiably proud country. Then an expert in public green spaces recommends some of her favorite gardens around the world — plus the most enticing ones she's yet to visit. And a writer who was raised way off the grid in northwest Alaska alerts us to the increasing threats to the people and wildlife of the Alaskan Arctic. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

769 Asian-American Immigration; Democracy in Europe

769 Asian-American Immigration; Democracy in Europe

A Harvard historian discusses how the impact of the Immigration Act of 1965 continues to reverberate in American society, and in particular what the US gained in becoming far more welcoming to Asian immigrants than ever before. And tour guides from Hungary, Poland, and Portugal update us on some of the profound political issues under debate in their countries, and what we Americans might learn from their experiences. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

768 Pan-American Road Trip; Filming the World’s Backyard; Travel Pursuits

768 Pan-American Road Trip; Filming the World’s Backyard; Travel Pursuits

An American memoirist describes what she learned when retracing an epic — and poignant — family road trip all the way from Oregon to the southern tip of South America. Then a film producer recounts some of the exhilarating travels he's turned into spectacular IMAX nature films. And fellow listeners call in to share how their passions and hobbies have provided a framework for memorable overseas travels. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

578b Walking Ljubljana; Munich and Bavaria; Wild Animals

578b Walking Ljubljana; Munich and Bavaria; Wild Animals

The co-author of Rick's Central Europe guidebook and a Ljubljana-based tour guide discuss the charms of Slovenia's laid-back capital. Then a tour guide from Munich shares her insider tips for becoming a temporary Bavarian at Oktoberfest, and a naturalist with a knack for adventure explains why even the creepiest critters deserve a little respect. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

767 Eastern European Folklore; Unknown Balkans; Milan

767 Eastern European Folklore; Unknown Balkans; Milan

A historian discusses some of the most salient narratives about themselves that eastern Europeans have been passing down through generations of folklore. Then a Bulgarian tour guide lets us in on why the smaller Balkan countries of Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia are emerging as "back-door" destinations. And tour guides from Italy share tips for people-watching among the chic and sleek in Milan's fashionable café scene — and the cocktails to enjoy while doing so. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

766 Endangered European Languages; Black Women Travelers; Beating the Crowds, Part 2

766 Endangered European Languages; Black Women Travelers; Beating the Crowds, Part 2

A linguist who studies disappearing languages lets us in on some of Europe's lesser-known lingos and discusses how languages help define cultures. Then travel journalist Oneika Raymond shares some of the insights she's gained as a "serial expat" and why she encourages fellow women of color to explore the world on their own, despite the extra challenges. And listeners offer more strategies for avoiding, or at least managing, crowds when traveling in Europe. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

765 Sicilian Splendors; Off the Rails; Favorite Hot Springs

765 Sicilian Splendors; Off the Rails; Favorite Hot Springs

A longtime Italophile shares the charms and rich culture of Sicily. Then a popular columnist and avowed train buff recounts tales of his rail travels the world over. And a photojournalist takes a deep dive into the ways we soak, swim, and slow down in hot springs. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

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

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

Author Susan Cahill recommends some of the most magnificent religious architecture to explore in Paris, then an American who married a Frenchman describes her experiences raising three young children in a small town outside Paris. And writer Frances Mayes, who lives in both Tuscany and North Carolina, discusses just what makes a place feel like home. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

764 South Wales; Two Years in Kazakhstan; Global Empty Spaces

764 South Wales; Two Years in Kazakhstan; Global Empty Spaces

Delve into southern Wales and its evocative landscape of castles, pilgrim trails, and coal mines. Then get a rare glimpse into Central Asia's largest country from a former Peace Corps volunteer. And vicariously explore some of our world's remaining desolate places. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

763 Favorite Scottish Walks; Oslo Harbor Front; Beating the Crowds

763 Favorite Scottish Walks; Oslo Harbor Front; Beating the Crowds

Get recommendations for enjoying scenic hiking trails in the Scottish countryside. Then learn how Oslo's renovated harbor front has become a popular place to enjoy the city's art, culture, scenery, food, and even saunas. And hear how fellow listeners have been coping with crowds at Europe's major sights. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

762 Athens Day Trips; More Greek Islands; Joanna Lumley in Northern Greece

762 Athens Day Trips; More Greek Islands; Joanna Lumley in Northern Greece

Tour guides from Athens recommend easy day trips from the capital into the historic Greek countryside, then let us in on some lesser-known island getaways in the Aegean and Ionian seas. Plus, British actress Dame Joanna Lumley shares her favorite highlights from exploring northern Greece for a TV special she filmed there. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

658a Humble American Bragging; Why I Love Madrid; Deep Time Journey

658a Humble American Bragging; Why I Love Madrid; Deep Time Journey

British travel writer Richard Grant discusses the sporting sense of humor he's observed (and appreciated) behind the distinctly American talent for over-the-top bragging. Then tour guides from Madrid let us in on their favorite places to take visitors in the Spanish capital. And we ponder our place in the planet's history with author Robert Macfarlane, who shares insights gained from a decade of investigating, from a perspective of geologic time, humanity's relationship with our landscape. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

761 Nicholas Kristof Chasing Hope; Fabulous Food in Paris

761 Nicholas Kristof Chasing Hope; Fabulous Food in Paris

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nicholas Kristof has witnessed his share of danger and strife as a foreign correspondent. Listen in as he reflects on his career and helps us look for hope beyond the headlines that bombard us daily. Plus, get a taste of the culinary delights of Paris with a foodie so enamored of France that he moved there from Australia. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

644a Underappreciated Paris Museums; Many Lives of the Louvre; Cote d'Azur

644a Underappreciated Paris Museums; Many Lives of the Louvre; Cote d'Azur

Get ideas for visiting some of Paris' unique, under-appreciated small museums, as well as tips for tackling its massive grande dame, the Louvre — and an author's insights into the former palace's remarkable history. And French tour guides tell us what they love best about the cities along the Mediterranean's sparkling Cote d'Azur. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

760 Sweet Southern Treats; Ben Franklin and Me; Nearby Travels

760 Sweet Southern Treats; Ben Franklin and Me; Nearby Travels

Get a taste of the hearty, homespun cuisine of the American South from a writer who has documented our nation through the foods we celebrate. Then hear about a man's quest to trace the travels of Ben Franklin — and to uncover the founder's life lessons. And listen in as callers recount meaningful travel experiences close to home in North America. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.