Travel with Rick Steves

Get a peek behind the news to hear first-hand how Spaniards and Greeks are coping with Europe’s economic crisis — then hear the other side of the debate as we turn to look at thriving Berlin, which has continually attracted newcomers ever since it reunited 25 years ago.

One of America's top experts on European train travel shares her tips for making the most of Europe's extensive train network, and explains how rail passes work — and how to know when they’re a bargain. Then Road Food experts Jane and Michael Stern tell us what they look for in hometown "comfort food" restaurants, where everyone feels welcome. And listeners check in with reports on special travel moments from France, Spain, Poland, and Italy.

Get personal insights on what persuaded the Scottish people to vote 'Nae' in their recent independence referendum, and hear an overview of the two personalities that comprise Belgium. Then listen in as we learn more about the doomed Lusitania, which was sunk off the coast of Ireland 100 years ago this year, and about some of Europe's greatest unfinished artistic masterpieces.

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, and hear how renovating a house on an island off the coast of Brittany can feed your wild side. Then American tour guides let us in on what happens when you marry an Italian...and the in-laws live next door. And an adventure cyclist shares the story of a timely romantic surprise that came when he needed it most.

Get tips for eating well on the cheap in Istanbul, where street vendors and inexpensive cafeterias offer great local food amid the city’s vibrant street life. Then hear about the Karneval street parties that have livened up Germany’s Rhineland for centuries, and the pre-Lenten festivities that kick off spring in Croatia and Slovenia. Plus, listen in as listeners share impressions from their visits to the Holy Land.

Find out what's been threatening the mid-Pacific...and what’s being done to protect it. Then learn about an unusual — and often comfortable — alternative to hotels and B&Bs: convents and monasteries, many of which welcome travelers in some of the world’s prime locales. And listen in while the man behind The Long Winters tells tales from his band’s tours around Europe, and reveals where they’ve found the biggest fans for American rock and roll.

Join us as we take a look at regional highlights beyond Paris, such as the vineyards and mansions of the Loire Valley. We'll also learn about the weathered prehistoric stone formations on the hillsides of Brittany and how they link us to France’s mysterious past.

We look at how important the poet W. B Yeats is to the Irish, then Agatha Christie’s grandson recommends places in England where you experience the world of her mystery novels. And, just in time for Burns Night, Scottish troubadour Jim Malcolm explains what Robert Burns means to the Scots — and sings some of his favorite Burns tunes.

Explore the highlights of the South Carolina Low Country, home to antebellum architecture, wildlife preserves, and plenty of rice and seafood. Then discover how you can stay high in the Andes with an indigenous family, right on the lake where Incas believe life began. And learn how Latinos in the United States are gaining influence — and what politicians need to understand to earn their vote.

Francis Tapon checks in with Rick at the halfway point of his goal to explore each of Africa's 54 countries. African historian Martin Meredith explains the lasting impact of the continent's colonial legacy. Also, Sasha Martin shares how to introduce your family to the favorite foods of every nation on earth.

Hear how people in Sweden, Croatia, Wales, and Scotland welcome in the new year, then learn how Spanish wines are making a splash — and get tips for pairing up its major varietals. And listen in as an Australian photojournalist describes how his expeditions in Central Asia led him to new insights on Alexander the Great.

In Europe, Santa Claus has some rather interesting relatives. Get acquainted with such characters as Baba Noel, Grandfather Frost, Saint Nicholas, Krampus, and even Samichlaus and Schmutzli. Listen in as friends from Madrid, Rome, London, and Lisbon tell us about their cities’ Christmas traditions, then hear how the holidays are celebrated in Bulgaria, the Swiss and Austrian Alps, and in the Low Countries.

Look at the world in a whole new light: Hear about a view that's "out of this world" as astronaut Commander Chris Hadfield describes the photos he took of Mother Earth from 250 miles away, and what they revealed. We also explore how the Roman and pre-historic worlds are within reach when you dig a little beneath the surface in Britain. And listeners share the highlights of their travels in the Holy Land.

Experience vicarious time travel as actress Joanna Lumley describes the memorable connections she made at the iconic sites of ancient Greece, then hear about some of the holiday traditions that get the season underway in the Netherlands and Sweden. Plus we’ll discuss how easy it is to enjoy the grandeur of great churches all over Europe, no matter what your beliefs.

Find out how to make traveling abroad into a favorite family pastime, as two moms share their tips, and enthusiasm, for overseas travel with kids. Then hear how listeners have enjoyed exploring places like Iceland and Austria during the winter months.

Adam Gopnik explains why "The Table Comes First in France," and how taking time to eat with joy and appreciation can make every dinnertime into an occasion at your house. Also, guides from Portugal share the highlights of their country's cuisine, from Atlantic seafood, to the hearty stews enjoyed in the mountains.

Hear how the light and color of the Caribbean inspired a dazzling photo book by novelist Ferenc Máté – who, having sailed to the West Indies island of St. Vincent, liked the gentle island life style so much he didn't want to leave. Then we'll explore options for touring the Hebrides, the isles off Scotland’s west coast. Plus, author Sarah Turnbull explains how she adjusted to life on "island time" when she moved from Paris to Tahiti.

Learn how recent upgrades have helped turn Oklahoma City into a "big-league city."  And hear what people are talking about in Honolulu, and how this city’s cultural offerings can enhance any trip to Hawaii. Plus, author Wallace J. Nichols explains how being near water really can benefit your state of mind, even if it just means taking a long bath now and then.

Hear about why Buenos Aires is one of the world’s most popular cities from an American who's made Argentina his home.  Then learn how to fit in with the locals in Spain, where the daily rhythms of life beat differently than they do in the US.  And listeners follow up with Rick about what they've heard in recent episodes of this show.

We'll explore the legacy of the real-life pirates who operated off the Carolina coast in colonial America. Next, a pair of Irishmen clue us in on the various sorts of faery people that some still believe inhabit the Emerald Isle, and we'll learn about the ghost stories of San Francisco.

Get tips for viewing ancient temples, amphitheaters and cities in Greece, Turkey and Egypt through the eyes of the people who lived there long ago. Find out about visiting Tangier on the Moroccan side of the Strait of Gibraltar. We'll also look at vacation options for Turkey's un-touristy Black Sea coast.

In Italy, the journey is always an adventure. Author Tim Parks helps us appreciate how the Italian rail system works, and why it's more than mere transportation. Plus, a pair of tour guides from opposite parts of Italy highlight the differences you'll notice — and even enjoy — between the north and the south of their country.

Learn about the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia and the serious threats it's facing to its survival. Also, author J Maarten Troost introduces the remote Pacific Island nations of Kiribati and Vanuatu, and we'll learn how people have lived for centuries on a series of coral atolls and on rugged islands that include an active volcano.

A guide shows us how to enjoy the Swedish capital al fresco, where the locals make it a priority to get outdoors, any time of year. We'll also explore the mysteries of the ancient stone circles and prehistoric monuments of England.  And we'll hear how taking a sauna is an important part of life in Finland.

Find out how easy it is to cycle almost anywhere in The Netherlands. Also, learn how Paris was a leader in designing attractive plazas and parks that anyone can enjoy like an outdoor living room, whether you live there, or are just planning a visit.

We'll explore some options for enjoying the climate and culture of Greece — with or without cruise-ship crowds — and get some advice on choosing between Greece’s many islands. We'll also compare the British and German media with what we've come to expect in the US. And listen in as Rick savors the relaxing ritual of taking a coffee break an atmospheric European café.

Hear about how the Bosphorus — the busy shipping canal that separates the European side of Istanbul from Asia — is a sentimental favorite among Turks. We’ll also learn why Croatia’s Adriatic coast tops so many travelers’ “must see” lists, and get inspired to enjoy Impressionist art in and around Paris, where it originated.

Lisa Napoli tells us about the Himalayas and her time helping to start a radio station in Bhutan. Photographer Phil Borges describes how much things have changed on a recent return to rural Tibet and what's threatening its indigenous people.  Also, author Pico Iyer explains the appeal of spending time in some of the world's least likely places for tourism.

Road Food experts Jane and Michael Stern share their favorite comfort food discoveries, including sour cream raisin pie, from road trips across the Midwest. Our panel of European moms returns from France, Sweden and Slovenia to explain how education policies are changing where they live. Also, listeners share fond memories of their travels.

Hear how you can view ten centuries of architecture along the Coronation Way in Old Town Prague. Find out about the Algarve region of Portugal where the beach, sun and seafood are now the main attraction. Or, try life in an RV the way author Christina Nealson did for five years exploring the back roads of the West.

Find out what's new in Amsterdam, including all the changes at the city's recently renovated art museums. Then hear how Switzerland pulls neighboring European cultures together into a uniquely Swiss identity, and discover the variety of outdoor recreation you can enjoy in Spain, from mountain hiking to ocean kayaking and paddle boarding.

Martin Clunes, star of the Doc Martin TV series, tells us what he discovered while filming a documentary on the far flung outposts and islands that surround Great Britain. Voters in Scotland are considering particular issues as they prepare to vote on whether or not to secede from the United Kingdom. Also, working mothers from Sweden, Slovenia, and France contrast the challenges they face in their countries.

Italian food expert, Fred Plotkin, takes us wide-eyed visitors deeper into the culture of enjoying a good meal in Italy. Jamie Blair Gould, a tour guide from Lucca, helps listeners assemble the ingredients for the perfect Tuscan picnic.

Hear why Albania ranks high for seasoned travelers on the list of places to discover as it emerges from decades of isolation. Get tips for enjoying the arts and comforts of Vienna where every day is like a Sunday afternoon. Find out what the freedom to relocate within the European Union feels like.  Rick also recounts his first unescorted trip to Europe out of high school in the summer of  '73.

French tour guides share tips for enjoying the highlights of the glittering Côte d'Azur, as well as recommendations for elegant day trips from Paris. Plus, author Graham Robb tells us what his bicycle adventure across the French countryside taught him about France's provincial character and history.

Discover a great American getaway as Pauline Frommer shares some of her favorite tips for enjoying New York City like a local, and hear about the pleasures of Savannah, Georgia, where artistic energy mixes with the antebellum architecture of the Old South…then travel farther south to learn how legendarily bohemian Key West continues to delight visitors today.

If you had wings, where would you fly? Learn how studying the remarkable intelligence of birds can take you around the world, and even teach us what it means to be human. We'll also hear about an amazing hiking journey across one of Alaska's least-visited wilderness reserves, then get a journalist's view on how Japanese society is coping with its economic pressures.

Hear what Londoners have nicknamed the latest skyscrapers popping up around their city, and get tips for exploring the lesser-known parts of Turkey, where the main attraction just might be you. Then learn about what options cruise-ship passengers have for seeing the impressive sights of St. Petersburg.

Cruise your way around Provence and Ireland: We'll look at your options for getting around the Emerald Isle, and for exploring the floral landscapes and villages of southern France. And a pair of professional tour-bus drivers offer tips on what you can expect when navigating the highways of Europe.

Get a personal look at India: BBC reporter Nick Bryant tells us what he learned about Indian society while he was stationed in New Delhi, and actress Madhur Jaffrey shares childhood memories from the last days of British colonialism. Plus, friends from Italy tell Rick how they cope with the everyday chaos of their country, and offer tips for handling the kind of schedule surprises you may encounter while traveling in Italy.

This show goes to great depths: A diving enthusiast highlights the underwater world, from the turquoise coasts of Central America to the cold jade waters of Puget Sound. Then NPR's Steve Inskeep explains what Karachi showed him about the world's mushrooming mega-cities. And author Scott Wallace describes his trek deep into the Amazon, and the efforts to protect the fierce Arrow people from contact with the outside world.

To mark the centenary of the start of World War I, we'll hear how the British are remembering the Great War, and what's afoot in London this year, where WWI sites, events, and memorials make good on the British promise to "never forget." Then we'll visit the areas of the former Yugoslavia, where the war started, to hear what it's like today. We'll also get a taste of the best regional foods you can enjoy on a road trip across the Southern US, from "Road Food" specialists Jane and Michael Stern.

Get tips for enjoying the scenic fjord country of Norway, currently celebrating its 200 years as a nation. Then listen in as we chat about what makes the tiny Riviera principality of Monaco sparkle, and listeners share tales of faux pas they committed while traveling abroad.

Do a little vicarious traveling for Mother's Day: Listen in as American author Jennifer Wilson describes her experience of relocating her family to the same Croatian village that her great-grandparents had emigrated from. Then, an American who married a Frenchman explains what it's like to raise a child in Paris, and friends from Sicily discuss how their mammas have taken center stage throughout their kids' lives. And Rick shares how his own mother influenced him to become a traveler.

Join us for a generous dose of convivial banter about Scotland: We'll hear all about this year's Scottish "Homecoming," then get insider tips for enjoying Edinburgh and Glasgow, and exploring the Scotland's borderlands, Highlands, and islands. Plus, folk singer Jim Malcolm shares some of the poetry embedded in the traditional music that so evocatively reflects the history and character of his fellow Scots.

Enjoy Mexico and the Netherlands like you're one of the family: The authors of "The People's Guide to Mexico" share tips for making your next trip south of the border extra-fun and culturally rewarding. Then we'll look into family-friendly cultural treats in the Netherlands, including Europe's guilty TV pleasure, the annual Eurovision Song Contest.

Listen in as we chat about experiencing impressive site-specific art in the Americas, then learn about endangered heritage sites in Latin America and Iberia. We'll also explore some quiet "sacred places" scattered across New Mexico’s dramatic landscapes.

Learn how Ireland is displaying its connections with the infamous Titanic — in Belfast, where it was built, and in County Cork, its final port of call. We'll also explore the historic synagogues and neighborhoods of Prague, once home to Europe's largest Jewish population. And we'll meet a woman who's been helping former enemies make peace in a number of the world's hot spots.

British actress and global traveler Joanna Lumley tells Rick why her family is revered in Bhutan, then Spanish tour guides describe the highlights of their country's spiritual capital, Toledo. Plus, guidebook author Trish Clark shares tips for finding an affordable room and a good breakfast in Europe's convents and monasteries.

Author Ferenc Máté shares the rewards of relying on one another, instead of our gadgets, and filmmaker Dan Austin describes how a low-budget bike journey changed his view of the world — and spurred him to do the same for others. Plus, listeners share teachable moments they encountered while traveling in Germany.