Rick Steves's Blog, page 12

In this week’s roundup of news from our European guides, we learn that Europe’s gradual reopening is brightening spirits. While it’s still unclear how soon Americans will be able to visit Europe, Europeans are enjoying the chance to venture farther and farther from their homes.

Europe is hoping to have some tourism this summer, but it will most likely be intra-European. For example, Virginie Moré — who sent us a report from her farm quarantine last month — has started an Instagram account with t...

The crisis of this year has overshadowed one from last year: the shocking fire at France’s top church, Notre-Dame Cathedral. Like the rest of our world right now, that cathedral is damaged and on the mend…yet it survives, as ever, as a powerful symbol of France.

The coronavirus can derail our travel plans…but it can’t stop our travel dreams. And I believe a daily dose of travel dreaming can actually be good medicine. One of the great joys of travel is seeing art masterpieces in person. And I’m c...

I can’t wait to go back to Venice when this is all over. And when I do, I’ll look up at the balcony of St. Mark’s Basilica, where four bronze horses will nod their heads in greeting.

The coronavirus can derail our travel plans…but it can’t stop our travel dreams. And I believe a daily dose of travel dreaming can actually be good medicine. One of the great joys of travel is seeing art masterpieces in person. And I’m currently featuring 10 of my favorites — including this one.

Stepping lively in ...

The COVID-19 crisis can derail our travel plansbut it cant stop our travel dreams. Since the pandemic began in mid-March, Ive been sharing a Daily Dose of Europe: travel essays recounting my favorite memories (from my upcoming travel memoir, For the Love of Europe). Starting today, Im going to add European art masterpieces to that lineup.

One of the great joys of travel is seeing world-class art in personand understanding it. So, over the next two weeks, well be featuring 10 of Europes...

The Italian university town of Padua has a special place in my heart, because I happened to be there just a few days after 9/11. During our current crisis, Ive been thinking back on the very warm welcome the people of Pauda extended to me during that one.

Even if weve had to postpone trips to Europe, I believe a daily dose of travel dreaming can actually be good medicine. Heres another one of my favorite travel memories a reminder of whats waiting for you in Europe at the other end of this...

Years ago, when I got my history degree, I said to myself, Id better get a business degree, too, so I have something useful. But Ive learned over the years that if more people knew more about history, our world would be a better place.

Even if weve had to postpone trips to Europe, I believe a daily dose of travel dreaming can actually be good medicine. Heres another one of my favorite travel memories a reminder of whats waiting for you in Europe at the other end of this crisis.

History is...

For todays Daily Dose of Europe, were doing our weekly check-in with our guides all over Europe. This week, Europe continued its gradual reopening. For example, as of May 18, Italians are welcome to expand their bubbles and visit with friends. While our European colleagues like us are suffering quarantine fatigue, we continue to be impressed by their optimistic attitudes. Theyre finding creative and compassionate ways to make the most of their time.

In Southwest England, Paul Guest has been...

Its beautiful to think of how much history Westminster Abbey has seen both good times and bad. And through it all, Britains top church offers solace to its people.

Even if weve had to postpone trips to Europe, I believe a daily dose of travel dreaming can actually be good medicine. Heres another one of my favorite travel memories a reminder of whats waiting for you in Europe at the other end of this crisis.

Wearing a red robe and a warm smile, Eddie works as a verger at Londons Westminster...

I have a ritual when in Paris. I ask my cabbie to take me around the Arc de Triomphe two times, then drop me off to stroll down the citys grand boulevard, the Champs-Elysées.

Even if weve had to postpone trips to Europe, I believe a daily dose of travel dreaming can actually be good medicine. Heres another one of my favorite travel memories a reminder of whats waiting for you in Europe at the other end of this crisis.

We plunge into the grand traffic circle where a dozen venerable...

Im thinking back on my favorite European memories, and my favorite Europeansincluding Herr Jung, the German schoolteacher who passed away not long ago. When I close my eyes, I can still imagine Herr Jung walking me around his hometown

Even if weve had to postpone trips to Europe, I believe a daily dose of travel dreaming can actually be good medicine. Heres another one of my favorite travel memories a reminder of whats waiting for you in Europe at the other end of this crisis.

Cruising down...