Rick Steves's Blog, page 21

Sometimes I love it when an episode of Rick Steves’ Europe goes out of date. And that just happened with my Majesty of Madrid episode. Francisco Franco, the fascist dictator of Spain, was long buried in the vast, underground Valley of the Fallen memorial, along with thousands of his victims. And now, his remains have finally been removed from that site, so sacred to Spaniards.

Federico García Barroso, one of our tour program’s wonderful Spanish guides, sent me this note:

Dear Rick,
November 25th 1975: Generalisimo Franco...

In the last month, I’ve traveled to both Denver and Palo Alto to share my experiences in the Holy Land and help raise money for Bright Stars of Bethlehem, a nonprofit that promotes peace and justice in Palestine through Bethlehem’s Dar al-Kalima University of Arts & Culture. Policymaking in the US and the Middle East has been impulsive and erratic lately, making it more important than ever for American citizens to reach out and gain a little context on the Holy Land — and that was the focus of my talk.

I pu...

I’m really happy today because a tour guiding dream of mine has just come true. My newest book, Europe’s Top 100 Masterpieces: Art for the Traveler, has arrived — and it actually exceeds my very high expectations, taking our travelers on a vivid sweep through European art history.

From Venus to Versailles, Apollo to David, and Mona Lisa to The Kiss — with tight descriptions and big, gorgeous photos — Gene Openshaw and I take you on a chronological tour of Europe’s greatest paintings, sculptures, and historic buildings. Wh...

When you look back on your life as a traveler, which trip do you remember the most? For a lot of us, our happiest travels were the ones we did on a shoestring, slumming around with a backpack. Why? Because these were real adventures: riding serendipity like the wind, taking risks, and enjoying how having no money forced us into the arms of strangers.

I’ve been thinking today about 1973, when my friend Gene and I first experienced “Europe Through the Gutter.” In so many ways, this trip — star...

I speak only English. But I know the importance of communicating when traveling. The best travelers make a point to connect with the people they meet, and they understand the value of a good phrase book to do it. So, over decades of travel, I’ve learned which words and phrases are most helpful on the road, along with the most important communication tips, and woven them all into a series of European phrase books. 

What’s a monoglot like me doing designing a phrase book series? The fact that I...

I just wrapped up a wonderful visit to Denver, where I joined the Colorado Symphony for a live performance of my public television concert Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic Journey. Together, we shared seven stirring anthems from the Romantic era that celebrate how different European countries mix a love of music with patriotism. I got to be the tour guide, setting up each piece with historical and cultural context — and then, as gorgeous images were projected on a huge screen, the orchestra t...

Leaning back on my bench, I marveled at the floodlit facade of Chartres Cathedral. Munching on my baguette with brie, I was pondering how, for centuries, nobles and peasants alike have been awestruck by this view. Then in my periphery, I noticed a bum on the next bench, reaching toward me — and offering me a swig of red wine from his battered 1.5-liter plastic water bottle. Backlit by the floodlighting and with a twinkle in his friendly eyes, he looked like a character in an over-the-top rom...

I was just in the Alps with my TV crew, filming three new episodes of Rick Steves’ Europe. We spent a couple of days hiking (and filming) on the Tour du Mont Blanc trail, in the French Alps. It’s a whole parallel world there, away from the tourist crowds and intensity of the Alpine resorts, and really peaceful.  

After just a taste of this classic long-distance hike, I am dreaming of coming back and doing the entire loop — and once again, I’m reminded that you can never run out of rewarding c...

I think I’m in love…

…with the Matterhorn.

It’s my third visit to Zermatt, and I’ve finally seen the Matterhorn. (And now I finally get why this town is so popular.) Here’s a little before-bedtime review from my hotel balcony.

Join me and my TV crew in Zermatt as we enjoy a simple (yet delicious) Swiss meal: melted Raclette cheese, boiled potatoes, pickles, some cute little onions — and Fendant, a lovely white wine.