Rick Steves

Free online event: The Traveler and the Bishop – on “No Kings” and “Christian Nationalism” Tuesday, Oct 27, 6pm PT (9pm ET) Join me for a European take on the state of American democracy. Then, Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee will share a look at Christian Nationalism. Register: shorturl.at/FnjwS

Join me tonight (October 5, 6pm PT/9pm ET) as I report on today's social and political realities in Guatemala and El Salvador, while exploring magnificent Mayan sites that flourished long before Columbus "discovered" America. It's free, but you need to register: www.ricksteves.com/mnt

Join @ricksteves.bsky.social for two evenings of virtual armchair travel. First, stow away with Rick “On the Hippie Trail” on October 4 at 5pm PT. Then, meet Rick in Central America on October 5 at 6pm PT, as he reports on an educational tour to Guatemala and El Salvador. Registration 🔗 in comments!

Available for Preorder: “Italy for Food Lovers” in Hardcover! Whether you're traveling to Italy or simply an armchair aficionado, the new edition of "Italy for Food Lovers" shows you how to experience the best of Italy through the timeless pleasures of its cuisine. Preorder: shorturl.at/oPYtY

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and I’m asking our community to help spread the word: the earlier prostate cancer is found, the better your chances are of beating it. Visit cancer.org/getscreened to learn more from the americancancersoc.bsky.social and find a screening location.

My friend Olle loves to leave me with a memory every time I visit Gimmelwald. Last time, we harnessed up and did the via ferrata (Italian for “iron way”), a 3-hour trek across the cliff between Mürren and Gimmelwald. This time it was tandem paragliding over the Lauterbrunnen Valley.

Make hay while the sun shines…and if you’re in a hurry, hire a helicopter. It costs a Swiss farmer about $3000 an hour to haul hay. Watching this, I was struck by how fast they worked…but at $50 a minute, it made sense. What surprised me was that hay would be worth it. Enjoy your cheese.

I love the Swiss Alps. But I also love the great Swiss cities: Zurich, Bern, Lausanne, and Luzern. Here’s a quick peek at Luzern—locals leaping into their river, wooden bridges complete with centuries-old paintings, a snowcapped Alpine backdrop, and an inspirational urbanity.

For years as a tour guide, I had a love-hate relationship with sleeping on the Rhine—great towns...but hotels over-looking the train tracks with trains rampaging through all night. But now it’s four panes of modern glass and when a thunderous train screams by the building rumbles…you hear nothing.

It’s easy to put down Mykonos and Santorini for crowds and high prices, but I came away from this year’s research liking both even more. Here’s a moment of Mykonos bliss…two boys lost in friendship, sharing a moment oblivious to everything but their soccer ball.

You’ll find three basic categories of Greek beaches: fancy beaches with $50-a-day chair and umbrella rentals, family-friendly beaches in town, and secluded, undeveloped beaches. Whatever you choose, pack the three essentials: sun hat, sunscreen, and water.

One of the great sights from antiquity is the uninhabited island of Delos, 20 minutes away from Mykonos by shuttle boat. Here’s a look at Delos (and why I much prefer visiting in the early evening, on the last shuttle of the day).   What’s your favorite ancient Greek sight?

Santorini? It’s easy to complain about Santorini…too crowded, touristy, and expensive. But I love it. This clip, during my recent guidebook research trip, shows why. What is your key to enjoying Santorini?

One of the great joys of getting into the traveling groove on the Greek Isles is getting comfortable with the ferries. One warning: the ferries are on a tear to stay on schedule, so move quickly when you hear the call to disembark.

One thing predictable about lesser-known Greek islands (along with a more traditional scene and few tourists) is great rustic restaurants, wonderful Greek salads, and a culture that encourages splitting plates. Here, my guide, Kosta Panagos (on Rhodos), coaches me. Kalí órexi!

I love Vernazza. Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve enjoyed a mindless stroll down my favorite Riviera town anywhere on the Mediterranean, Vernazza. Join me for two minutes of Cinque Terre delight.     This is my favorite piece of Mediterranean coastline — what’s yours?

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is no longer at risk of falling down thanks to a herculean and high-tech effort. A highlight for many is to climb the tower — here’s what it’s like.   What bell towers and church towers—without elevators—have you felt are well worth the climb?

Pisa's Piazza of Miracles is an amazing collection of architectural sights (cathedral, baptistry, cemetery, and the bell tower). It has another dimension I find endlessly entertaining: tourists posing for a good photo while instructing friends exactly how to shoot it. (I have fun with this too.)

@nbcnews.com featured me in its "Great Americans" series. The story reflects my passion for broadening Americans' perspectives through travel. As we celebrate our nation's 250th, one of the best ways to appreciate America is to understand the world beyond it.  www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news...

Palazzo Davanzati is one of Florence’s underrated sights. It’s also an opportunity to appreciate how people lived 600 years ago in Italy. Running water? No…but from the 4th floor, you have bucket access to the cistern well.   What’s your favorite glimpse of medieval life at a European sight?

The Great Collapsible Florence Market We all love Europe’s old town street markets, but where do they go at night? Check out this creative solution in Florence. What late-night observations have you enjoyed in your travels?

Watch Now — My Spring 2026 Trip Report: 50 Days and 50 Nights in Europe   More than 3,000 travelers joined me live on Monday Night Travel as I shared photos, stories, and lessons learned from nearly two months of guidebook research across Europe. Watch a recording: www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/...

One of the joys of travel is meeting the locals. On my recent trip to the Greek Isles, I made a new friend: "Sponge Bob." To meet him and learn about the discoveries of my spring research trip, join me tonight (June 29, 6pm PT/9pm ET) on Monday Night Travel. Register: www.ricksteves.com/mnt

Guest Column by Rick Steves: Among the things I love about Italy is how the Renaissance can be spliced into your travels. In Florence, you can sleep in a converted 16th-century monastery that’s just a block from Michelangelo’s “David.”

On the island of Naxos, meet a 15-foot-tall boy who broke his leg 2,600 years ago. The Flerio Kouros hasn’t healed...he seems kind of lonely...and you can enjoy an unforgettable moment alone in a shady corner of that sun-burnt island with him. Look for our new Greek Isles guidebook in 2027!

I’m just finishing up two weeks of pedal-to-the-metal research as we update our “Rick Steves Greece” guidebook and work on a new Greek Islands guidebook, coming in 2027. Every day, I’ve found new ways to connect vividly with the local culture... which often involves eating and drinking.

Out now! David Beckmann calls us to push back, restore progress against injustice, and turn values into action. With a foreword by celebrated writer Rick Steves. Order now: https://bit.ly/3OxwJPz Read a preview: https://bit.ly/481Lzo6

Now’s a good time for a rewatch of Rick Steves’ The Story of Fascism in Europe.... youtu.be/JU1IVW6uqM0?...

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Don’t miss a rollicking evening of travel fun and magic moments with me as I cap off our 2026 virtual Festival of Tours on Monday, April 27, at 6pm PT/9pm ET. Register now at www.ricksteves.com/tours/festival (it's free & easy!) — and let's raise a nice glass of red wine to happy travels together!

Back in 1978, when I was just 23 years old, I traveled with my best friend from Istanbul to Kathmandu — and almost 50 years later, my journal from that trip became a NYT Best Seller. Pick up a paperback edition of “On the Hippie Trail” today — and stow away with me on the adventure of a lifetime!

Going abroad as an American in today's world? Get ready to explain the electoral college, travel guru Rick Steves says.

Thanks for including On the Hippie Trail, @latimes.com!

The Edmonds-based travel writer and TV personality says: “A new tax on fat paychecks like mine was just signed into law in my home state — and I like it.”

Everyone from @eiagrossepointe.bsky.social is so thankful for @ricksteves.bsky.social for speaking at #NoKings in Grosse Pointe, Michigan!

Travel writer Rick Steves on Washington's newly signed "Millionaires Tax"

Did you catch #MondayNightTravel with @ricksteves.bsky.social and @bread4theworld.bsky.social's EugeneCho? It was an informative conversation about hunger—and I was thrilled they talked about my forthcoming book: #PovertyAbolitionists www.davidbeckmann.net/post/eugene-...

Rick Steves: "Know people before you bomb them." On Death, Sex & Money, the travel writer reflects on the 2009 episode of his show on Iran. Watch now on YouTube: youtu.be/MGQw7_-6uCw?...

studies of rick steves and his camera crew in iran