Travel with Rick Steves
A weekly one-hour conversation with guest experts and callers about travel, cultures, people, and the things we find around the world that give life its extra sparkle. Rick Steves is America's leading authority on travel to Europe and beyond. Host and writer of over a hundred public television travel shows and author of 30 best-selling guidebooks, Rick now brings his passion for exploring and understanding our world to public radio. Related travel information and message boards on www.ricksteves.com.
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Castles in Europe; High School Visionaries
Castles were the high points of their communities for centuries. We will experience castles in Europe with an expert guide from Wales. And we'll get listener recommendations for castles to visit - from historical ruins to converted B&Bs - all the way to Transylvania. We'll also hear how American hi …
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Rome: Beneath the Surface
Rick brings centuries of Roman history to life as he takes a closer look at some of the sites found on the streets of Rome, checks in on the city's now-trendy Jewish Ghetto, offers practical tips for planning a visit, hears what some of our listeners have discovered in their own travels and chats wi …
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The European Union in 2009
After World War Two, European visionaries dreamed of cooperation and peace between countries in the hopes to prevent another devastating war. Today, we celebrate this vision through Europe Day and the European Union with a panel of European citizens who discuss the political and social issues facing …
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Music Festivals in Europe; Ask Arthur Frommer
Budget travel guru Arthur Frommer joins Rick to compare notes on recent travel trends, and share ideas for seeing the world in a down economy. Also, Margret Hemmen provides tips on how to research for some of the year's biggest music festivals, since 2009 will include anniversaries of many major cla …
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Smart Help for the Developing World
We explore practical solutions to addressing world hunger. Rick's guests include a preacher-economist who heads a non-profit agency that advocates for the interests of hungry people around the world. And we'll hear from a Kenyan agricultural specialist who's helping to address policies and markets …
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Easter in the Holy Land; Footsteps of Saint Paul
Rick celebrates Easter by learning about Christian pilgrimages to Israel and the Mediterranean region, where Saint Paul traveled, calling one of our listeners to hear about her year spent volunteering at non-profit projects around the world, and exploring inspirational religious sites in the Middle …
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Spain and the Spring Festivals of Andalucia
Local guides from Madrid and Seville share tips on how to experience Spain's colorful southern festivals, from lively cities to white-washed hill towns, explain how Spaniards maintain traditions in Seville, and discuss why many consider it the most romantic city in the country. For more information …
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Barging Thru France & Open Phones: Kindness of Strangers
The captain of a passenger barge based in Burgundy joins Rick to explain the fine art of cruising France's intimate network of canals and how this dimension of traveling through the French countryside brings with it new pleasures. And we'll hear stories from listeners who experienced simple acts of …
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A Brilliant Teacher Around the World; Southern California Sidetrips
If travel is the best education - imagine what you could learn when you take a year off to take your family around the world? We'll hear how an average family of five engaged in "world schooling," and how it brought them closer together as they spent time in a variety of cultures all over the worl …
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Ireland: 2009
Recent changes in the global economy are showing up now in Ireland -- which the European Union used to call one of its best examples of investing in small countries. We'll get an update on the downturn of the "Celtic Tiger," which promises to keep prices in check for visitors to Ireland this year. R …
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Bill Holm: American in Iceland; Winter in Alaska
Writer Bill Holm explains how the view from his cottage on the coast of Iceland illumanates the view of his home in small town Minnesota, and contrasts American culture with that of economically-strapped Iceland. Also, from Homer, Alaska, Geo Beach inspires travelers to enjoy wintertime fun in his h …
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Everyday Italian Cuisine
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 …
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Estonia
Estonia is emerging from years under Soviet domination and turning into a popular destination for travelers looking to mix old world charm with the energy of the "new Europe." Join Rick as he uncovers Estonia, one of Europe's little surpises, from the medievel capital of Tallinn, to rusting ex-milit …
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Romantic Travel Destinations
Rick chats with listeners about finding time for a little romance in our travels and takes calls and emails about the most romantic destinations, including the perfect place for a proposal or honeymoon. Join us for a Valentine's theme with your suggestions of favorite romantic travel destinations on …
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Springtime in The Netherlands; Cycling Across Colombia
Bicycles are a popular way to get around town in the Netherlands as part of the efficient Dutch culture. We're checking in on one of Europe's most well-ordered countries, including suggestions for taking in the extraordinary spring flower festivals in the Netherlands. In addition, adventure cyclis …
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Helen Thayer: Walking the Gobi Desert
Helen Thayer, one of the most remarkable adventure travelers of our time, dreamed of trekking across Mongolia since she was a schoolgirl. At the age of 63, she and her husband became the first people to walk the entire length of the Gobi desert -- the long way. Find out what they learned about the d …
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Prague and the Czech Countryside
Prague has become a contender as one of Europe's most popular cities for visitors. On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, two tour guides based in Prague join Rick and our listeners to describe the scene in the Czech capital. They'll offer tips on avoiding the summer flood of tourists, and how …
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Rick Steves in Iran, part two: Iran for Tourists
We conclude our two-part series about Iran on the next Travel with Rick Steves... with an exploration of what the country offers as a tourist destination. Rick is joined by the Lonely Planet's "Iran" guidebook author, and by a tour organizer who specializes in the ins and outs of taking America …
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Rick Steves in Iran: Perplexing Issues
We start a two-part series about one of the most perplexing countries in the Middle East on this week's Travel with Rick Steves. Rick learns about the culture, politics, and people of Iran from two Iranian-American experts, a journalist and a professor. Their recent books deal with the conflict …
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International New Years Eve Traditions
One of the delights of traveling to other countries is finding new ways to celebrate familiar holidays. This week, we explore some of the many ways to welcome in the new year with friends from Scotland, Holland, Hungary, Spain, Sicily, Turkey and even Australia and Japan. And we'll get tips, dire …

Travel with Rick Steves