Travel with Rick Steves

Brighten your socially distanced holidays by looking at the extra observances our friends in Europe normally celebrate this time of year. Listen in as Rick's friends from Germany, Spain, Sicily, Ireland, and Scotland tell us how they have traditionally enjoyed the holidays where they live.

Take a virtual vacation to spice up this year's stay-at-home holidays: We'll hear about the festive customs people in Holland, Venice, Santa Fe, and England have for celebrating the Christmas season, and listeners tell us where they'd like to travel again in December.

"Have you got a piano?" Sophy Roberts tells us how that simple question warmed her up to the people of Siberia on a search for historic pianos in the Russian Far East. Plus, find out how you can get close to the sites and treasures of the British royal family. And author Frances Mayes explains how piazzas play a vital role in the life of Italian towns and cities — and shares her personal favorites. 

Jessica Bruder, author of the book that the new movie "Nomadland" is based on, tells us how she learned firsthand how thousands of older Americans survive on seasonal temp work while living in RVs. We'll also hear about the wines Italians prefer and the songs that get requested the most in Italy. Plus, Rick describes the "bella chaos" he's enjoyed when strolling the streets of Naples.

Find out how living in the crosshairs of cultural battlelines in the Balkans has made Bulgaria one of Europe's most interesting places to eat. Food writer David McAninch reveals what makes the food traditions of Gascony different from the rest of France. And tour guides from southern Italy tell us what Italians expect in a good olive oil.

We look beyond the dazzling skyscrapers of Frankfurt to find the city's street-level charms, with the help of a friendly pair of German tour guides. Author Robert Macfarlane tells us about two of England's most mysterious landscapes, in Dorset and Suffolk, which he finds himself drawn to. And Rick checks with more listeners on how they're coping with this year's canceled travel plans.

Tour guides from Hungary set us straight on their country's love of paprika and what a good goulash is supposed to be. Author Marie Arana looks at how a thousand years of history can help explain the differences between the countries of Latin America and the US. And we'll explore why Galicia — a lesser-known corner of Spain — is where Spaniards like to escape from the heat and the crowds.

Just in time for Halloween and All Souls Day, we'll explore the legacy of the real-life pirates who operated off the Carolina coast of colonial America. A pair of Irishmen clue us in to their country's traditions about the different orders of faery people that some believe inhabit Ireland. And we'll learn about ghost sightings in San Francisco and the stories that come with them.

Rick compares notes with travel writer Dave Seminara on Medellín, Colombia, as the "City of Eternal Spring" tries to shake off its former reputation for cartel violence and promote itself as a safe and family-friendly destination. Plus, we relive two of our favorite interviews, hearing how important travel has been to the work of writer and activist Gloria Steinem and historian David McCullough.

Find out what the art of the Dutch Masters can reveal about the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, and why Holland and Belgium were so different from the rest of Europe. Learn about the intelligence and personalities of different bird species around the world, and what they might teach us about what it means to be human. Plus listeners share where they want to go next, after their travel plans have been postponed by this year's global shutdowns.

Author Jim Hinckley recommends Old West ghost towns you can still visit, before they fade away. Irish singer Cathie Ryan shares how Ireland remembers its heroes in the lyrics of traditional songs. And journalist Carl Hoffman tells us what he learned about the disappearance of Michael Rockefeller, who vanished in 1961 while on an art-buying expedition in the jungles of New Guinea.

Learn why Croatia's capital, Zagreb, is a hidden gem for visitors to eastern central Europe, where tourist crowds have never been a problem. Author Richard Grant tells us why Natchez is called the quirkiest town in Mississippi, and what its slave-owning history can teach America today. And reporter Conor Knighton tells us what he learned after spending a year exploring every US national park.

Get inspired to fly-fish in some of the world's most beautiful waters; hear what challenges people overcome every day in the countries that border the Indian Ocean; and get ready to enjoy yourself in convivial Copenhagen.

Travel writer Paul Theroux shares what he looks for when he travels — experiences that turn into best-selling books and take readers on adventures around the world. We'll also hear how festivals in Bulgaria celebrate the nation's history, folk culture, and the changing seasons. And listeners tell us where they hope to be able to travel next, when the pandemic is under control.

An American ex-pat tells us why he's made Mexico City his home for the past 25 years and how the Mexican capital is becoming a magnet for people from around the Americas. We'll also look at the fun things you can do only in Los Angeles, when the city gets back to its own version of normal again. And a language buff recommends the benefits of studying a new language overseas.

Rick tells us what it's like to spend his first summer at home in decades. We get an update on how Honolulu is faring without tourist crowds. We'll hear what the Greeks like best about their most popular vacation island, Santorini. And a marine biologist explains how being near the water — even if it's just in a bowl on the table — can help reduce stress and ease your state of mind.  

Explore the traditions of Scotland in a special studio concert with folk musicians Jim and Susie Malcolm. We'll also look at some of the quirkier festivals you can find in England. And we'll get you ready to cruise the inland back roads of California and the Pacific Northwest, in search of farm stands, scenic parks, and gentle touches of Americana.

Get an inside look at the mostly friendly rivalry between Sweden and Norway (naturally, it comes with a few old jokes). We'll also meet the traveling Elliott family, who visited Rick in the middle of a pre-Covid, cross-country road trip; they have tips for making a long road trip work for the whole family. And we'll explore Australia's urbanized east coast, from Melbourne to Brisbane.

Writer Pico Iyer looks for silver linings to the pandemic lockdowns. Eric Weiner explores the life lessons he gained by visiting the home turf of the world's great thinkers and philosophers. And the author of a guidebook to Fiji shares the tourism highlights of the South Pacific nation where her family has lived for generations.

Join us for a jolly good "Hour of London": Once we can fly to Europe again, hear how you can plan a quick visit to the city when you have a long layover at Heathrow. Get inspired by nearby day trips that are easy to arrange when you're staying in London. And discover why there's a Ravenmaster who guards a thousand years of history at the Tower of London.

Meet the first woman — and youngest contestant — to win the world's longest endurance horse race across the wilds of Mongolia. Explore the beauty of Iceland on a day trip from the capital, Reykjavík. And hear what the pandemic lockdown has been like for Rick's friends in Belgium and Switzerland.

Singer Buffy Sainte-Marie tells us how her activist album "Medicine Songs" raises awareness about our place in today's world. Author Kim Dinan tells us how a yellow envelope a friend gave her set the tone for a three-year, round-the-world adventure. And listeners share concerns they have as they plan their next overseas travels.    

As a summer close-to-home unfolds, Rick checks in with friends in New York and Italy: Cultural maven Fred Plotkin tells us how he's used the downtime to start new projects, and tour guides from Rome, Venice, and Siena describe what their cities' gradual re-openings have meant to them. Plus, nature writer Gary Ferguson shares eight master lessons Mother Nature wants to teach us.

There's always something new to discover and enjoy when you visit Paris. We'll take a closer look at the beautiful bridges that set the stage for a romantic walk along the Seine as well as the marvels and delights you can find in the city's many specialty museums and galleries. And for the pleasure of slowing down to savor the moment, we'll explore Burgundy, a couple hours south of the capital.

After visiting battlefield monuments and memorials, Jason Cochran saw how American history has been written and re-written. He tells us how the Civil War still factors into how his native South views itself. We'll also look at the ultimate summer adventure in social distancing on the Alaska Peninsula and hear how a group of high-school buddies road-tripped to every Major League Baseball stadium.

Eager for the Canada-US border to reopen? Whet your appetite to visit Vancouver and Buffalo: A former tourism exec explains issues the industry faces in Canada's West Coast metropolis, and a travel writer from Buffalo rediscovers his hometown's resilience and the fun you can find on either side of the Niagara River. We'll also hear what Bosnia offers as a diamond-in-the-rough destination. 

An architecture professor from Italy compares the scope of today's mega-cities with the more human scale of Venice. A pair of documentary producers tell us what they found when they got to know the residents of a legendary commune in the middle of Copenhagen. And we get mom-tested advice for making everyone happy on an overseas trip with teenagers.

Chandler O'Leary recommends highlights for a drive up the Pacific Coast Highway, from San Diego to the Olympic Peninsula. Matthew Gavin Frank describes some of the quintessential local dishes you can enjoy across the South. And listeners remember people they encountered in their travels, where a simple act of kindness became a lifelong memory.

A pair of millennial tour guides from the Netherlands describe the fun their generation looks forward to having again when their country returns to normal. Scottish guides recommend stops to explore when you walk the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Hear what you shouldn't miss when you visit the Andalucía region of southern Spain. And Rick develops a case of "Venus envy" in the museums of Europe. 

Get stoked for when we can travel again with expert advice on enjoying Lisbon's intimate and historic neighborhoods. Architecture critic James Gardner tells us why he bought an apartment in Buenos Aires, where European elegance and Latin culture combine. And frequent traveler Wendy Simmons shares tips for enjoying your time in the air the next time you take a long-distance flight.

Learn about the traditional Turkish comfort foods and desserts that you can enjoy from the shops and street vendors of Istanbul. An American who's married to an artist in Bhutan explains what's required for visitors to tour the Himalayan kingdom. And guides from Germany describe the monuments to their country's turbulent history that you'll find in Berlin.

Is it really too late? A mountain-climbing journalist explains why he says the accelerating effects of global warming have put the earth in hospice — and what it requires to turn it around. We'll also hear what the original Earth Day accomplished 50 years ago, and we'll take a closer look at Rome, where viewing more than 2,000 years of history can teach us a few things about our own civilization.

Find out how the Disney and Universal theme parks compete for your time and money, and what other things you can plan to enjoy when attractions open up again in Orlando and central Florida. And get inspired to build a day hike into your travel plans or explore the attractions of Switzerland's most interesting cities the next time you're in Europe.

On our 15th-anniversary edition of Travel with Rick Steves, Rick explores designing your own spiritual pilgrimage: Tim Egan shares what the trail from Canterbury to Rome showed him about his own religious skepticism; Lori Erickson explains how spiritual travels informed her view of the world as a clergywoman; and Elaine Sciolino remembers how the world responded to the fire at Notre-Dame.

We revisit interviews from 2017 about the motor-free Gili Islands of Indonesia as alternatives to the crowded tourist scene on nearby Bali. A guide from Australia shares all-season recommendations for getting away from it all Down Under. And listeners tell us about their most memorable travel adventures.

Get inspired to rediscover the world when it's safe to travel again with an episode that takes us to a number of special outdoor venues. We'll get more ideas for exploring the long-distance hiking trails of Europe, find out about improvements to the neighborhoods of Athens, and discover the world's most interesting contemporary gardens.

Tour guides from Spain explain the importance of saints to the Spanish national identity — and as a reason for holding a festival. Actor David Suchet tells us what he discovered about his faith when he filmed a documentary about the first-century travels of St. Paul. And Rick chats with art historian Miles J. Unger about the masterpieces Michelangelo created in Florence.

Find out why the Old-World town of Eger, in northern Hungary, is such a popular weekend getaway from Budapest. The head of the Young China Group updates us on how the millennial generation has been coping lately in China. And listeners remind Rick that you're never too old to travel.

Author Terry Tempest Williams explains why she purchased oil leases near her home in the Utah desert to protest removing protections in a national monument. Travel writer Kiki Deere tells us why the Philippines is one of her favorite countries to visit. And a tour guide who mapped hiking trails in Switzerland's Lauterbrunnen Valley talks about the area's Alpine thrills.

Learn about the important role lighthouses played in the 19th century, and find out where you can visit interesting ones in the US and France. We'll also hear from a Welsh tour guide on the pride that comes from belonging to a distinctive corner of Great Britain, with its own language and traditions. And Rick visits England's Stanway House, a slightly eccentric version of Downton Abbey.

It's an all-Irish hour, as tour guides from Dublin and the West point out what you can find on a walking tour of the Irish capital and share why the rugged Aran Islands are one of the top sites to explore Ireland's traditions. And author Timothy Egan explains the legacy of the most famous Irish American immigrant of the 19th century.

Discover why the city of San Miguel de Allende is attracting artists and retirees to Mexico, and why food in Italy is reliably good — even in restaurants you might find on a road trip. We'll also hear from a pair of pro-independence Scots on how Scottish nationalism is different by being left-of-center, and a Greek tour guide explains the origins of the Olympic Flame Lighting ceremony.

Learn how Spanish became one of the world's most important languages, and get tips for enjoying your first trip to Spain and for tackling the massive art collection at the Prado in Madrid.

Learn why acqua alta episodes are flooding Venice more frequently — and what it was like to live through a week of near-record floods last November. Hear what it takes to hike across Papua New Guinea on the notorious Kokoda Trail. And discover the traditions behind the February "Carnaval" celebrations in the Basque Country of France and Spain.

Learn why Monet created colorful gardens at his house near Paris from an artist who helped restore them. Hear how renovating a house on an island off the coast of Brittany can feed your wild side. Three Americans explain the expectations of being married to an Italian (and living next to the in-laws). And an adventure cyclist shares the story of a timely romantic surprise.

Writer Elaine Sciolino explains how the legendary Seine River made Paris into the vital, romantic city you find today. We'll also hear from German tour guides on how their country views its important social issues, and we'll learn the differences between the Belgians and the Dutch.

Writer Euny Hong explains how a Korean system of non-verbal social skills works, and how it can help in your travels and your life. We also get insider information on enjoying Italy's scenic Amalfi Coast without getting stuck in tourist crowds or traffic. And listeners check in with Rick about travel concerns for shoulder season and where you may need to look over your shoulder.

The folks from Atlas Obscura tell us about many of the remarkable traditions they've encountered, including a few of the creepiest. We'll also discover the timeless character of Scotland's Hebrides islands — where you're more likely to overhear conversations in Scots Gaelic than English — and learn how to turn the blues into songs that make you feel better with the fado music of Portugal.

We admire the seafaring prowess of the Polynesians and hear how a cultural faux pas led to Captain James Cook's fateful encounter with 18th-century Hawaiians. Then tour guides from Athens and Thessaloniki recommend attractions to visit in northern Greece, and The New Yorker’s "Comma Queen," Mary Norris, explains what an appreciation for Greek language and mythology can add to your own Greek odyssey.

On the 10th anniversary of the earthquake that devastated Haiti, journalist Catherine Porter tells Rick how the rescue of a 2-year-old girl brought hope to a desperate country — and changed her life, too. Plus, adventure traveler Christopher Solomon tells us what a recent trip to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge showed him about the forces battling over the largest wilderness refuge in the US.