Travel with Rick Steves

Rick checks in with Reverend Jim Wallis and with "The Darwinian Tourist" to discover what they've learned from their travels to far away lands; hears how life is changing for nomadic sheep herders in Turkey; and celebrates cyclist Willie Weir's birthday in Portugal. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick discovers the high form of art in Ireland, language, where the works of poets and playwrights add color to parks and pubs. Plus, he gets tips for enjoying speciality museums in Paris, and explores how growing up in Renaissance-era Florence shaped Michelangelo into one of the greatest artists of all time. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick learns about the extraordinary measures taken by the citizens of Paris in 1939 to protect thousands of priceless art treasures at the Louvre from the coming Nazi invaders and is introduced to the nation of Malta; listeners share stories about the haunted places they've visited in Europe. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick checks in with European tour guides on researching family history in Ireland; listeners discuss meeting relatives in Sweden and Lithuania; and Low Countries Belgium and the Netherlands, where cozy medieval cities or bike rides to the sea are just a short ride away, are examined. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Carl Hoffman explains what it was like to travel the world on the most notorious, over-crowded trains, planes, busses and ferries —  the way most of the planet gets from one city to another. And listeners share their own travel discoveries and suggestions for seeing the world. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Guides from Turkey tell us about the surreal scenery of Cappadocia, where you can glide over an endless panorama of colorful "fairy chimneys," or duck your head in a labyrinth of underground cave cities, decorated with Byzantine murals. We'll also get acquainted with the regional distinctions of modern Germany, and Rick takes listener calls about their favorite parts of France. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

We continue our exploration of the differences between French and American culture, with the help of a local tour guide who contrasts the expectations of American and French tourists. Also, a journalist based in Paris returns to delve deeper into understanding the seductive nature of the French. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Ferenc Mate shares lessons from 20 years in Tuscany, where he and his wife went to turn a 13th century building into their dream home; Camille Cusumano explains how a passion for the tango made her relocate to Buenos Aires; and Fred Plotkin describes the simple pleasure of a cleansing sauna in Finland. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

A seasoned river guide explains how a camping trip down the Colorado River can be a life altering experience; Nancy Pearl recommends more of her favorite books for armchair adventures; and two guides from Madrid explain the protocol for enjoying local specialties. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Paul Theroux commemorates fifty years of adventures by comparing notes with Rick on how best to engage with the world and the editors of "Poetry After 9-11" discuss how New Yorkers are dealing with the shock of the September 11th attacks ten years later by composing poetry. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick learns how medieval castles are being built by hand in France and Arkansas, and gets a closer look at how castles functioned in ancient times. Also, William Lobkowicz, American heir to one of Europe's most famous royal families, shares stories of overseeing his family's palace, castles, and treasures in Prague. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rolf Potts shares his misadventures in Turkey and Libya, and describes how he looks for treasure in towns around the world, including one unassuming hamlet off I-70 in central Kansas. Also, listeners offer tips on good eating, within a travel budget, while vacationing overseas. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick explores the historical riches of Potsdam, Germany and dicusses how Athens has grown into a visitor-friendly destination, complete with a new Acropolis museum. Also, adventure cyclist Willie Weir joins Rick from his favorite square in Madrid, and listeners nominate favorite cities to explore. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick looks back fifty years to when the Berlin Wall was built, and discusses with a Berliner what it meant to split the city in half. Also, two participants from a madcap road race from London to Mongolia explain what it's like to finish the Mongol Rally in one piece. Also, a biologist explains how travelers can examine the natural world through the eyes of a Darwinian Tourist. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Jane and Michael Stern inspire travelers with tales of finding classic American dishes with a regional twist; author Dave Hunter offers tips for navigating Interstate-75 between Michigan and Florida; and Richard Bangs dishes on how adventure travel can change the way you view the world. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick is joined by a tour guide raised in Rome who knows her city inside out. We'll check in on the city's now-trendy Jewish Ghetto, get practical tips for planning a visit, and hear what some of our listeners have discovered in Rome. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Two American journalists explain what they've discovered by living in Paris, and by walking across Israel. Elaine Sciolino explains the many ways seduction operates as part of day to day life in France. Also, Martin Fletcher describes what a good long walk down the coast of Israel showed him after 30 years of reporting from the Middle East. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Hear how attending a performance at one of Europe's great concert venues can add to your enjoyment of classical music. A guide from Portugal introduces us to some of the high points away from Lisbon. Also, travel writer Don George shares stories of life-changing food adventures around the world. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Paul Theroux describes what a trip the length of Africa taught him, 40 years after serving with the Peace Corps in a village in Malawi. Frugal Traveler Seth Kugel tells us what it was like to spend a week in a small Mexican town he picked at random, off the tourist grid. And Neil Taylor explains how much the Baltic countries have brightened up in 20 years, since they shook off Soviet Communism. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Ken Burns explains why he thinks the National Parks are some of the best things about the United States; a Washington D.C. guide offers tips for enjoying the Nation's Capital like the locals do;  and Rick discovers what it's like to run a summer crepe stand on the coast of France. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick discusses the tensions behind Greece and Turkey's tumultuous relationship with two women from Greece and Turkey, and travel writer Fred Plotkin shares why Finland is one of his favorite places, especially when the midnight sun produces some of the sweetest berries you'll find anywhere. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick chats with his son, Andy Steves, a recent college grad who's learned a few tricks of his own for low-cost travel options in Europe. We'll also check in with the owners of dorm-style lodgings in Northern Ireland and the Swiss Alps, to get a glimpse inside the world of hostelling. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Bill Bryson examines private life during the Victorian age; London guide Britt Lonsdale explains how to enjoy a proper afternoon tea service; and screenwriter Andrew Davies  shares his appreciation for the works of Jane Austen, whose books about the gentle folk of rural England were first published 200 years ago. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

We'll look at what makes one expert's list for the best zoos in America. And to better understand how one European country stands apart from the rest, we've invited two guides from the Netherlands to explain how the Dutch get along in their densely-packed and efficient country, where millions live below sea level. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

In terms of culture, history, street life and great food Mexico City is the western hemisphere's equal to many of Europe's great cities — and one of the largest cities in the world. Two former New Yorkers tell us why they were charmed by Mexico City, why they moved there, and wrote guides to help visitors enjoy it, too. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

We're heading past the major cities to explore the countryside of both Hungary and Scotland. We'll find out why Lake Balaton has been a favorite getaway for Hungarian families for years. Also, we'll recognize where in Scotland's Highlands and western islands you can taste a spiritual energy — along with a good whisky — far from the tourist crowds. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Learn how Europeans are dealing with current economic challenges, and why their approach differs from their American cousins. Also, a Paris-based guide joins Rick to suggest venues where you can get a real taste of Medieval and Impressionist art. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

What would your life be like if you fell in love overseas, got married, and started to raise a family in another culture? Find out how it works for American Lisa Anderson, who's raising two boys in her husband's hometown in northern Italy. Also, two guides who specialize in Sicily explain why the Mediterranean's largest island is growing in popularity as a vacation destination. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick explores the slang that separates Brits from their American cousins in an attempt to help travelers avoid being "gob-smacked" by what the locals might say, or labeled as a "plonker." We'll also examine how relics of many kinds have changed the world and share tips for making travel journals a fun and important way to preserve vacation memories. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Retracing Luther's trek from Germany to Rome, a Lutheran pastor and her husband explain how they traveled as a way to encourage harmony among religious groups in the 21st century. We'll also hear how Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria and Greece get ready for Easter and why it's their biggest holiday of the year. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Simon Winchester describes what he's learned about the world's busiest ocean, the Atlantic, and the many stories it still has to tell. And Reverend Jim Wallis describes how venturing to war zones and even to the "other side of the tracks" can change your perspective on the world. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Filmmaker Ken Burns joins Rick to discuss the American Civil War and what the research for his documentary series taught him. Also, Nancy Pearl recommends favorite armchair travel books and authors who have a gift for conveying the real atmosphere of a foreign place. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Neil Taylor discusses how the streets of London are gaining an international flavor with a growing immigrant population and Rick gets a local perspective on the upcoming Royal Wedding at Westminster Abbey, including tips on experiencing royal traditions while sightseeing. Also, two tour guides from Turkey describe the customs they're observing as they get ready for their own wedding day, and how they aim to keep everyone happy. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Adventure traveler Richard Bangs discusses the water rights dispute he found surrounding the source of the Blue Nile in Ethiopia when he thought he was going whitewater rafting, and guides from southern Italy describe the energetic attractions Naples, and its nearby coastal and island resorts. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Wilderness photographer Steven Kazlowski joins Rick to describe how climate change is impacting Polar Bears as well as the wildlife and Native people of the Arctic. Also,  author Fen Montaigne explains what he witnessed at a penguin research station about the rapid warming on the Antarctic Peninsula. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Irish tour guide Barry Moloney talks of his home turf in Cork, long considered the "rebel south" of Ireland, now gaining a reputation for gastronomy, and travel writer Rolf Potts describes how he was able to journey around the world for six weeks without any luggage and still have fun. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

We commemorate the early days of the Peace Corps with travel writer Paul Theroux, who served as a teacher in Africa in 1963. He'll also share his perspective on when foreign aid does and does not work. Also, Seth Kugel shares highlights from his inaugural trip as the Frugal Traveler for the New York Times when he spent 13 weeks on a budget to see the sights from Brazil to New York by way of Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala and Nicaragua. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Travel writer Jeff Greenwald returns to Nepal every year, where ancient Hindu and Buddhist customs are challenged by modern pressures and recent political turmoil. Jeff joins us to describe how much the scene is changing in Nepal, as well as what's timeless about the Himalayan culture, and keeps him going back year after year. We'll also check in with listeners for travel reports about destinations that lift the spirit. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick chats with one of the original "Monuments Men," a German-born Jew whose family escaped to America and now helps repatriate the treasures of Europe from the caves and castles where the plunder was stashed and later gets tips for planning ski trips to the Alps, where the slopes have some of the most impressive vertical drops anywhere. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

We're exploring the perfect souvenir for the person who already has everything. Celia Lyttelton describes how she traveled the world to collect the ingredients for creating her own perfect personal perfume. She explains the powerful connection fragrances have between places, memories, and our emotions. Also, travel writer Don George and callers share stories of how the kindness of strangers saved the day in their overseas travels. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Enjoy Paris like a Parisian as two local guides join us to explain how cafes work as a part of daily life for Parisians, and how visitors can enjoy them, too. Also, guides from Ireland and Wales underscore the reason singing is so important in their cultures, and how the music traditions differ among themselves. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick discusses basic budget tricks for getting travelers up close to amazing places and people who inhabit them. Also, Italy food expert Fred Plotkin explains why he finds the northeast corner of Italy one of the best places in the world for pairing fine wine with flavorful food, and two tour guides explain how they turn old farmhouses into dream homes in the un-touristed region of Italy called La Marche. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

The Frugal Traveler for the New York Times joins us with advice for enjoying Sao Paolo, Rio and the Amazon on a budget. Also, with a history dating back to the 7th century, Croatia has yet to see 20 years as an independent nation. A sense of optimism comes with the stunning scenery and visitor-friendly coast, where Slavic culture meets the Mediterannean. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

The busy city of Istanbul has grown to be the home and cultural centerpiece for millions of Turks. It's also turning into a popular destination for visitors to witness many layers of history on the edge of Europe and Asia. We're detouring into the backstreets of Istanbul, with suggestions for enjoying the city like the locals do — from corners of the Grand Bazaar that tourists often miss, to the romantic traffic-free islands just off the coast.  We'll also pay tribute to the late writer Bill Holm, who shared his thoughts about "eccentric islands" with Rick. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

What appears gross to one person, is sometimes a gourmet delicacy for another. Rick puts our appetites to the test as an entrée to understanding a culture while two guides who specialize in gourmet travels from their home base in Tuscany describe the comfort foods of Western Europe and travel writer David Farley tells us about his recent foodie trip to Saigon. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Listeners share memories of trips that made lasting impressions and opened up a world unknown to many Americans, including one man's summer road trip down the length of East Africa. And we'll see how easy it is to celebrate the New Year, waltzing in style at one of the season's elegant balls in Vienna. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick celebrates the holidays by exploring the distinctive ways people observe the Christmas season in Greece, Italy and Ireland and preparing to greet the New Year like locals in Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Croatia, Wales and Scotland. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Friends from Madrid, Rome, Lisbon, and London tell us about their cities' holiday traditions, and we'll check in on Bulgaria, Switzerland and Austria, plus a listener report about the big Christmas market in Nuremburg, Germany. Get to know such characters as Baba Noël, Grandfather Frost, the Cristkind, Saint Nicholas, Krampus, Sammi Claus and Schwartzley, and expand your holidays with us on the next Travel with Rick Steves. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Join us for Part 1 of this year's European Christmas series as we discuss holiday traditions in Croatia, Sweden, Belgium, the Italian Riviera and the rural West of Ireland. and get tips on enjoying Paris in the winter from two locals. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Bill Bryson found the ultimate bargain travel destination, by staying home to get acquainted with the 19th century English parsonage he lives in. We'll glimpse into just how much the comforts of home have changed in only a few generations' time. We'll also make sense out of the rubble of antiquity with the help of guides from Greece and Egypt. Listeners offer their tips for saving money on a place to call home on your next vacation to Europe. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.