Rick Steves's Blog, page 22

These days in Europe — even at 10,000 feet above sea level — you’ll find tourist crowds. But a traveler can almost always find a way to be alone with the wonder of the moment…as illustrated in this clip, atop the Schilthorn in the Swiss Alps. Join me for a magic bit of peace and quiet on the scalp of my favorite Alp. 

As a traveler, I see signs of climate change everywhere. Europe is grappling with unpredictable weather in lots of different ways — and in the Alps, that means artificial snow.

It’s summer here now, and this area is filled with hikers. But in the winter, this is ski country — and the local economy depends on ski tourism. All across the Alps, ski slopes are being plumbed for artificial snow. Take a look with me now at some of the reservoirs that supply water to this mountain’s snowmaking machi...

Hello from the Alps of northeastern Italy! I’m here in the Dolomites with my friend Stefan, just grabbing a sunny day and making the most of it. The wonders of nature are so accessible here — we just rode the Seceda lift up, and here we are.  

I’m here to film three new episodes of Rick Steves’ Europe about the Alps — Italian, Austrian, Swiss, and French. Stay tuned for more.  

Stefan runs the Hotel Cavallino d‘Oro in Castelrotto (a.k.a. Kastelruth), where I like to stay when in this region....

Join me now for a magic moment in the little town of Hall, Austria — just enjoying good friends, some spaetzle and dumplings, and the mellow tempo of life. The locals here have a name for this cozy feeling: “Gemütlichkeit.” And right now, under this chestnut tree with old friends…it’s Gemütlichkeit. 

I’ve traveled to the Alps with my crew to film three new episodes of Rick Steves’ Europe, and we’re off to a great start. We’ve traveled together for decades, and I’ve never seen my cameraman Kar...

Join me at Walderalm, a cluster of traditional family farms where 70 cows share their meadow with the clouds. We drove up to Hinterhornalm — a couple of miles above Innsbruck’s tourist crowds — and from there, it’s just a short walk to this little piece of alpine wonder.

I’m here with my TV crew, kicking off a three-episode shoot through the Austrian, Italian, Swiss, and French Alps — and this is an example of the peaceful and pristine side of the Alps that we’ll be featuring. I’d love to pac...

I’ve spent over 30 summers in Europe, lovingly updating my guidebooks. It’s kind of funny…I just can’t stop. It’s what I do, and I find it endlessly challenging and rewarding. This year, I’ve already spent 60 days researching.

As I encourage my fellow researchers, “We need to live the book as we do our research.” And a big part of the work is finding new restaurants to recommend to our readers. I was just enjoying a place a Scottish friend told me about, and I thought I’d share a few off-the-...

Hello from Edinburgh! I’m in Scotland’s most important church: St. Giles’ Cathedral. This place is filled with Scottish history and pride — and today, it’s also filled with the sounds of a visiting choir from America (Capriccio Columbus, from Ohio).

Edinburgh is packed with tourists who all seem to stick to the touristy zones. This clip illustrates how to fill your days with fun travel memories. You just need to take a few steps away from the crowds, know the context of what you’re looking a...

Join me now in York, at the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall — a vast half-timbered building with creaky floorboards, beautiful woodwork, and guild banners that go back centuries. My guide Alfred shares some insight into how, centuries ago, guilds brought Bible stories to the people through theater. And just imagining this place as the Old York Stock Exchange is fun.

Andy, my guide in the Lake District, has spent a lifetime exploring Cumbria — and I’m enjoying an entire day with him. Join us as we go over Kirkstone Pass — 1,500 feet above sea level is a big deal around here — and listen in as he tells me why, centuries ago, farmers built all these impressive dry-stone walls. 

An intimate moment…just me and the sheep…I had to whisper. It was late in the day (at this latitude, it’s light until 10 pm), and I was really tired, but I had to make a little Castlerigg detour before reaching my destination for the night and my B&B. Join me for this private stone circle moment — and share one of your own…if you dare.