Travel with Rick Steves

A travel writer shares how a trip to Antarctica helped him see that continent through the eyes of the early polar explorers. Then a reporter focused on climate change and conservation explains how some North American tree species are migrating to survive the planet's rising temperatures. And two Italy-based tour guides take us to the resort lakes of northern Italy, where the glamour extends beyond the natural scenery. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 26 April 2025

Learn about the customs that Greeks observe as Orthodox Easter draws near. Then contemplate the massive undertaking of building a cathedral centuries ago and how these monuments to faith and devotion helped shape their locales. And get acquainted with southern Spain's elaborate Semana Santa observances, which fill the streets of Andalucía in the week leading up to Easter. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 19 April 2025

Hear from tour guides about Spain's robust high-speed rail network and all the places it can take you. Then hit the road vicariously with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nicholas Kristof for a taste of life as a foreign correspondent. And take a closer look at the surprising and fascinating ways in which borders have shaped our world. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 12 April 2025

Rick marks 20 years of his radio show by revisiting some memorable guests and what they've taught us about travel. Then author Paul Theroux celebrates his 84th birthday as he contemplates the passage of time in his new short-story collection, "The Vanishing Point." And actor Martin Sheen describes how his experiences filming overseas have come to influence his political activism. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 5 April 2025

Europe brims with world-class art, and we contemplate some of the continent's truly outstanding paintings, sculptures, and historic edifices. Then we learn about the historic and ecological importance of the Gulf of Mexico from a professor in neighboring Florida. And we consider the humble guidebook and what its pages can tell us, both in the moment and long after the trip is done. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 29 March 2025

A tour guide from Greece delves into the importance of food, family, and traditions in his homeland. Then a Francophile offers advice on how to take on the vast collection of the world's largest — and arguably greatest — museum. And guidebook researcher Cameron Hewitt shares discoveries from his travels in the Balkans, an affordable and rewarding alternative to the tourist crowds of western Europe. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 22 March 2025

Two countrymen explore Ireland's reverence for their national poet, W. B. Yeats. Then a Dublin journalist shares what it was like to grow up amid the turbulent societal changes in his city during the 1960s and '70s. And a guide from Belfast tells us why an Emerald Isle itinerary should include a visit to Northern Ireland. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 15 March 2025

Delve into the remote outposts and refuges across the globe where travelers have stopped along the course of their adventures. Then hear about the highest views in Wales — and how to reach them — and learn about the country's slate mining heritage. And from Alps to caves, vineyards to beehives, catch the buzz of the natural wonders on display in Slovenia. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 8 March 2025

Look at what's behind Carnival and Mardi Gras celebrations around the world by learning about the festive season's origins and customs in Germany's Rhineland. Then hear what's been added to the World Monuments Fund's latest "watch list" of endangered cultural sites around the world. And get recommendations for must-see experiences in Alaska, along with tips for planning adventures across the Last Frontier. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 1 March 2025

Two English tour guides explain what Brits mean by a "rough and ready" pub and how to find some of the UK's best pub grub. Then a father-and-son tour-guiding duo invite us to fall in love with their favorite corner of France. And BBC journalist Eliot Stein shares insights from his travels in search of the world's oldest disappearing traditions, giving us a peek into what it's like to be the last to carry a cultural torch. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 22 February 2025

Listen in as an artist who helped restore Monet's gardens explains why the French painter first created these colorful gardens at his house outside Paris. Then hear how renovating a house on an island off the coast of Brittany can feed your wild side. And find out what happens when you marry an Italian…and your new in-laws live next door. Plus, an adventure cyclist shares the story of a timely romantic surprise that came when he needed it most. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 15 February 2025

This week we explore three of the most charming — and most popular — of Europe's Old World cities: Two tour guides get cheeky as they make the case for which of their own hometowns — Prague or Budapest — offer the best experiences for visitors with limited time in central Europe. And expert locals catch us up on changes afoot in Lisbon, offering strategies for navigating its more crowded sights so that you can still enjoy an authentic taste of today's Portugal. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 8 February 2025

We hear why the city of Potsdam — home to elegant Prussian palaces and parklands, all in quick reach of central Berlin — is worth a day's visit. Then we get a sense of what life was really like for the emperors of ancient Rome, with the help of classicist Mary Beard. And we travel back to 1978 with Rick and his longtime buddy Gene Openshaw as they retrace their post-college adventures along the infamous "Hippie Trail" from Istanbul to Afghanistan to India, all the way to Kathmandu. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 1 February 2025

Two German tour guides let us in on the back story behind Berlin's most memorable monuments to their country's turbulent history. Then two Turks tuck into a discussion of the traditional Turkish street eats, comfort foods, and desserts they recommend for a tasty visit to Istanbul. And an American who met — then married — a local artist in Bhutan shares tips for surmounting the logistical hurdles of visiting this remote Himalayan kingdom. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 25 January 2025

Travel Channel host Oneika Raymond recommends her favorite Miami neighborhoods to explore on a sunny getaway. Then friends from Scotland discuss the uniquely Scottish cultural icons that reinforce the small nation's strong sense of identity. And just in time for Burns Night, Perthshire-based troubadour Jim Malcolm explains what Robert Burns' poetry means to his compatriots — and sings some favorite Burns tunes. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 18 January 2025

Consider three distinctly different styles of historic European cities as we hear how Bristol has transformed itself from an industrial and maritime powerhouse into a creative center for the southwest of England — and how it rewards visitors who set aside at least a day for this city just a half-hour from well-touristed Bath. Then learn from a local about how the Catalan culture of Barcelona sets it apart from the rest of Spain. And discover what visitors have enjoyed for centuries along the cobbled medieval streets of the beautifully Belgian burg of Bruges. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 11 January 2025

The author of a guidebook to Costa Rica discusses what the phrase "pura vida" conveys amid the tropical abundance of her adopted Central American eco-paradise. Then a Morocco expert and fellow guidebook writer recommends the best cities for immersing yourself in the Old World atmosphere of Morocco's intimate, car-free medina neighborhoods. 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.

Transcribed - Published: 4 January 2025

The "world's leading snowman expert" joins Rick to explore the somewhat dark — and certainly cold — origins of the tradition of building snowmen, and what Frosty and his ilk have come to mean across different societies. Then two Rome-based tour guides unpack some of the cultural treasures crammed into the world's tiniest country, while sharing tips and secrets for a successful visit to Vatican City amid the Jubilee-year pilgrimage that's sure to keep the city packed throughout 2025. And to welcome the new year, two France experts raise a glass to Champagne — both the bubbly and its region of origin — before Scottish tour guides revel in describing the lively New Year's Eve traditions they observe in Edinburgh as "Hogmanay." For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 28 December 2024

Rick gathers some old friends to hear about their childhood Christmases in Spain, Italy, and New Mexico. Then he brings in more friends to describe what you're likely to find this time of year in Austria, Australia, Japan…and Antarctica. Plus, a Brit from Bath explains how the English tradition of wassailing developed as a way to guarantee a good apple harvest — or at least an occasion to enjoy a warm drink with neighbors. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 21 December 2024

Old World traditions — fasting, feasting, incense, and song — make Bulgaria's Christmas season special, and tour guide Stefan Bozadzhiev invites us to imagine it with him. Then an Istanbul guide updates us on the latest big news in Turkey's cultural capital, and a culinary historian inspires us to peruse our spice racks as she discusses the often surprising origins of the eight flavors that unite America's diverse cuisines. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 14 December 2024

Ken Follett, author of a monumental series of novels based in medieval Europe, celebrates the much anticipated — and hotly debated — reopening of Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral five years after its devastating fire. Also, the New York Times' former Paris correspondent Elaine Sciolino tells us what makes her own Paris neighborhood feel like home. And a peace activist from Jerusalem shares a suggestion to help people of different religions get along better. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 7 December 2024

A tour guide from England's scenic Lake District recommends two areas — in Switzerland and Iceland — offering even more stunning landscapes to explore. Then a historian invites us to reconsider how we orient ourselves in time and space as he shares insights he's gained from exploring how we arrived at our modern sense of direction. And a former NPR correspondent discusses what happens when a place gets a new name, and how an altered identity can transform the place itself. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 30 November 2024

Indulge your ears in an audio feast by listening in on delectable discussions of the don't-miss traditional foods of the Netherlands and Spain. Hear about how the French structure their day around meal times, as observed by an Australian chef who's settled in central France. And learn about the special cakes that Norwegians enjoy for the holidays. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 23 November 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 16 November 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 9 November 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 2 November 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 26 October 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 19 October 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 12 October 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 5 October 2024

Coming soon. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 28 September 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 28 September 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 21 September 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 14 September 2024

Coming soon. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 7 September 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 31 August 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 24 August 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 17 August 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 10 August 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 3 August 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 27 July 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 20 July 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 13 July 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 6 July 2024

A Newfoundland musician lets us in on the sights he recommends to best enjoy the rugged beauty of his Atlantic island home. Then an award-winning Canadian TV personality shares his own favorite places and things to enjoy across Canada. Plus, a culinary historian raises a glass to New Orleans and unveils how to appreciate the history of America's most "spirited" city through its distinctive cocktails. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 29 June 2024

Hear about the slower pace of life on Bowen Island, just offshore from bustling Vancouver, British Columbia. Then get tips for exploring Alaska beyond its cruise ship ports. And vicariously experience a summer hike across Iceland's dramatic backcountry. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 22 June 2024

Hear from a scuba diving enthusiast how the scenery beneath the surface can be breathtaking in unexpected ways. Then get tips from a tour guide for enjoying Italy's gorgeous Amalfi Coast in spite of the crowds. And discover how you can enjoy a ramble on one of England's most popular hiking trails, the South West Coast Path. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 15 June 2024

The Iberian Peninsula takes center stage as tour guides tell us what they like best about the scenic Algarve region of Portugal, and recommend where to find the charming parts of Spain's crowded and touristy Costa del Sol. Plus, futurist Kevin Kelly tells us what traditional aspects of Asia have impressed him the most over fifty years of photo journeys across the continent. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 8 June 2024

A self-described "Rome nerd" helps us picture what it was like to live in the Roman Empire and explains how much we can learn about the era from its now 2,000-year-old rubble. Then a tour guide from Bulgaria sings the praises of its cultural capital, Plovdiv — one of the oldest cities in Europe, possibly in the whole world. And listeners share serendipitous stories from their European travels. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 1 June 2024

Historian, novelist, and legendary editor Michael Korda invites us to look back on World War I through the eyes of its soldier poets, whose works — often composed in the trenches — offer an unusually personal and uncensored perspective on the horrors of "the war to end all wars." And a Turkish tour guide takes listener calls while offering advice for finding a friendly welcome in the rural villages of Turkey, where the main attraction might just be…you. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Transcribed - Published: 25 May 2024