Listen to Travel with Rick Steves online

Eric Weiner and The Geography of Bliss

Sun, Apr 27

When self-described grump Eric Weiner took a year off from being an NPR correspondent to search for the happiest countries in the world he found some surprising reasons why people are content with the places they call home. Eric joins Rick to discuss what makes the Dutch, Swiss, Icelanders, East Indians, Thais, and even the Bhutanese happy with their lot in life. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit...

Earth Day 2008: Sailing & Endangered Sites

Sun, Apr 20

Rick reviews the World Monuments Fund list of the "100 Most Endangered Sites" and finds out what's putting them at risk, and what we can do to help. Also, Rick is joined by the founder of the Olympic Circle Sailing Club in Berkeley, California, and looks at the role sailing clubs are playing as they bring people together to let wind power take them near and far. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit...

An American Travel Guide to China

Sun, Apr 13

The old China travelers once knew is undergoing radical changes, mixing some of the world's oldest cultural heritage with futuristic city sklines and making way for the next generation of tourists. In fact, it's changing so rapidly, travelers need more than a good guidebook to get around. Rick learns how to get the most out of a visit to China from three experts on Chinese culture and society and finds out what visitors to today's China can expect. For more information on Travel with Rick...

Paris City Guide

Sun, Apr 6

If you haven't seen Paris you haven't tasted the best of Europe. French tour guide Patrick Vidal joins Rick for an insider's perspective on the style and substance that make Paris a cultural capital. We'll also hear from listeners with their own suggestions for what makes Paris one of the world's favorite cities. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Alaska Overview & Road Tripping with Kids

Sun, Mar 30

Alaska is a dream destination for many, but the cost and logistics of traveling to America's last frontier can seem almost as imposing as the spectacular scenery. Lonely Planet author Aaron Spitzer joins Rick to discuss travel options for first-timers to Alaska and compare crusing the Southeast to road tripping through Mount Denali and the Kenai Peninsula. Also, Jeff Campbell offers practical tips on how to make a summer road trip with small children memorable for all the right reasons. For...

Road Trip Pilgrim

Sun, Mar 23

Rick's guest Dan Austin describes what it takes to be a "Road Trip Pilgrim," and how a tiny travel budget can actually enhance your experience. Even if you don't want to climb a mountain, there are many ways to add a deeper sense of purpose to your travels. We'll share pratical ideas on taking take time off to recharge your spirit in another part of the world, no matter what your age or income. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives...

Dublin City Guide

Sun, Mar 16

Irish tour guide Stephen McPhilmey takes listener calls to explain how the high-tech boom and pop-culture scene have skyrocketed Dublin's stature in recent years and how that's changing the character of the Irish capital. Find out why people across the country are calling Dublin one of their favorite cities -- even though it has become one of its most expensive for American visitors. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and...

Berlin City Guide

Sun, Mar 9

Berlin is re-asserting itself as one of the world's powerhouse cities, and one of Europe's more-affordable cities for newcomers. Rick gets an update on the city's attractions and energy from an American who now calls Berlin his home and discovers how Berlin's intense re-construction project promises to reveal a re-invented German capital soon. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

The Celtic Fringes of Britain: Wales & Scotland

Sun, Mar 2

Two of Rick's favorite tour guides from Scotland and Wales join Rick to contrast the charms of Wales and Scotland and discuss the distinctions travelers can find in the United Kingdom, including a far more interesting taste of the authentic culture than you'll find from the standard romanticized tourists cliches. And another round of listener poetry about Winter in Ireland. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details...

Traveling on your stomach: Everyday Italian Cuisine

Sun, Feb 24

Italy's distinctive regional cuisines are a high point for many travelers, but the disinctive customs Italians have for their food and drink sometimes baffles American visitors. Two Italian food guides chat with Rick to lay out the tenents of good everyday food -- Italian style. And, we'll help you enjoy eating like an Italian, without letting low exchange rate get in the way of enjoying authentic Italian cuisine. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode...

Thorny Issues: Turkey and Tibet

Sun, Feb 17

With the help of two politically-savvy Turks from Istanbul, we'll discuss some of the trickier political issues facing both Turkey and Tibet today and hear how Turkey is preparing for a formal relationship with the European Union. And, a Lonely Planet author explains how China's political control is changing Tibet, and offers tips for finding its traditional Buddhist culture. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related...

Romance and Authenticity

Sun, Feb 10

Rick and travel guru Don George share advice with listeners about romantic getaways, B&Bs, and connecting with the locals. We'll also hear Jennifer Cox's story of traveling the world to find a soulmate -- and where she found him -- and get a first-hand report from Siena in central Italy about how to savor the moment, Tuscan-style. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rescuing Da Vinci: How the Allies Saved The World's Masterpieces from World

Sun, Feb 3

Robert Edsel, author of "Rescuing DaVinci" and producer of the documentary film "The Rape of Europa" joins Rick to describe Hitler's obsession with art, and how a special unit of Allies, known as the Monuments Men, re-patriated Europe's treasures after the war -- and the work that remains to be done today. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Australia & Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Sun, Jan 27

From kangaroos to Carnival, Rick focuses on the attractions of Australia, and the celebrations surrounding Mardi Gras parties and parades in New Orleans. Rick explores Aussie culture and New Orleans with Lonely Planet experts. We'll also hear how Mardi Gras is a series of celebrations for all ages, and why it's so important in helping revive the spirit of New Orleans. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details --...

Retiring in Mexico

Sun, Jan 20

Rick and his guests Carl Franz and Lorena Havens, authors of the "People's Guide to Mexico," discuss what it takes to retire in Mexico and reminisce about how they first met in the 1970s and what "following your bliss" entailed back during the early days of Carl and Lorena's adventures in Mexico. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

More on London 2008

Sun, Jan 13

We're including material we weren't able to fit into last week's program about London in this podcast and web extra feature. Tour guides Tom Hooper and Gillian Chadwick return with Rick to take calls from a couple of Seattle-area listeners to KUOW. They clear up the meaning of the "Bank Holiday" at the end of May, the significance of Guy Fawkes Day observances in November, and commiserate about the confusing congestion when making connecting flights at Heathrow Airport. (runs 6:11) For more...

London 2008

Sat, Jan 5

Two of Rick's favorite London guides clue us in on what's new for 2008 and offer tips on how to navigate the city sprawl while finding characteristic neighborhoods without getting lost in the Underground. And we'll compare notes with listeners on budget tricks and free attractions that make London one of the world's top travel destinations. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

International New Year's Traditions

Sun, Dec 30

Explore the many ways our friends from Scotland, Holland, Hungary, Spain, Sicily, Turkey and even Australia welcome in the new year and get a report from one of our traveling listeners about his recent trip-of-a-lifetime to Ecuador. We've all got to share one planet, so come along as we explore our world, and welcome in the new year in style. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

European Christmas Traditions

Sun, Dec 23

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

International Christmas Traditions.

Sun, Dec 16

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

Visiting Vienna

Sun, Dec 9

From experiencing Vienna's cafe culture, to getting an affordable ticket to the Opera, Viennese tour guide Ursula Klaus walks us through her city. Rick finds out what makes Vienna shine as one of the world's most graceful and elegant capitols and checks in with our traveling listeners' tales from their trips. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Open Phones and Traveler Faux Pas

Sun, Dec 2

Rick fields listener calls and emails dealing with stories of travel adventures -- and a few misadventures. From faux pas to favorite food overseas, Rick spends a full hour on the lessons learned from "travelers' school of hard knocks." For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Tony Wheeler's "Lonely Planet"

Sun, Nov 25

Tony Wheeler, founder of what has become the world's largest travel empire, Lonely Planet, shares some of the tales that he chronicles in his new book, "Unlikely Destinations: The Lonely Planet Story." Rick compares notes with Tony as he recalls the early travel adventures that formed the foundation of a pre-eminent publishing house known for helping independent travelers find their way through even the smallest and thorniest of countries. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves --...

Conscientious Travel; Oceania to Amsterdam

Sun, Nov 18

Some of the best souvenirs from a trip overseas are making connections with people and cultures on local terms. Rick takes a closer look at how we can have a positive impact on the places we visit, and Jeff Greenwald of EthicalTraveler.org shares his tips for being a first-class ambassador to the third world. Plus, Moon Handbook South Pacific author David Stanley gives Rick an overview of "Oceania" and Rick compares notes with Lonely Planet author Andy Bender on some of his favorite "Back...

Travel Stories and Today's Republic of Turkey

Sun, Nov 4

With recent concerns about how Turkey deals with Kurdish separatists inside and across its borders, it's a good time to get a local's take on how the country functions in a rough and tumble corner of the world. Meli Seval returns to explain how nationalism helps shape Turkish democracy and what it means to Turkish citizens as the country celebrates its 84th anniversary as a republic. We'll also hear from listeners on how spending time abroad has spiced up their lives. For more information on...

Off the Beaten Track Emails, Amazon Adventures, and Maori Culture

Sun, Oct 28

Travel writer Don George joins Rick to field listener emails about travel to the developing world. We'll also get pointers for touring the massive Amazon River region of Brazil, where river transportation is like a non-stop party boat, and learn about the indigenous Maori culture of New Zealand. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Time and Money; Looking Up Relatives in Sicily

Sun, Oct 21

Listeners share secrets on traveling on a budget, and learn the price of being an over-worked American. Also, we'll get tips on researching family trees in Europe from two of our Sicilian friends, and look at the influence of Sicilian culture as an alternative to the frantic American pace of life. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Podcast Special

Sun, Oct 14

Don George joins Rick to answer listener e-mails about different accommodation options around the world.

Southern Exposure: New Zealand & Baja California, Mexico

Sun, Oct 7

Lonely Planet author Errol Hunt paints a vivid picture of his homeland, New Zealand, and its distinct social mix including the Polynesian Maori culture. And, for a sunny getaway closer to home, Rick explores Mexico's Baja California peninsula from it...

Podcast Special: Tibet with Michael Kohn

Sun, Sep 30

Lonely Planet author Michael Kohn updates us on the scene in Tibet, from the influence of the Chinese government over the indigenous Tibetan culture, to practical tips that will help travelers plan a trip there.

Travel with Rick Steves (Interviews)