Travel with Rick Steves

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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

Recent Episodes
  • 653a Ærø Island Denmark; Emilia-Romagna; Italian View of Sicily
    Nov 16, 2024 – 52:00
  • 772 Michelangelo’s Tomb; What’s New in Dublin; Seeing the Art We Love
    Nov 9, 2024 – 52:00
  • 771 What’s New in Berlin; Reflections on the Peace Corps
    Nov 2, 2024 – 52:00
  • 542b Wild West Ghost Towns; Heroes of Ireland; Savage Harvest
    Oct 26, 2024 – 52:00
  • 770 Sagre Festivals of Italy; Rome Today; Eyewitness in Hungary 1956
    Oct 19, 2024 – 52:00
  • 695a Belgium Pride; Favorite Gardens; Arctic Trails
    Oct 12, 2024 – 52:00
  • 769 Asian-American Immigration; Democracy in Europe
    Oct 5, 2024 – 52:00
  • 768 Pan-American Road Trip; Filming the World’s Backyard; Travel Pursuits
    Sep 28, 2024 – 52:00
  • 578b Walking Ljubljana; Munich and Bavaria; Wild Animals
    Sep 21, 2024 – 52:00
  • 767 Eastern European Folklore; Unknown Balkans; Milan
    Sep 14, 2024 – 52:00
  • 766 Endangered European Languages; Black Women Travelers; Beating the Crowds, Part 2
    Sep 7, 2024 – 52:00
  • 765 Sicilian Splendors; Off the Rails; Favorite Hot Springs
    Aug 31, 2024 – 52:00
  • 697a Sacred Paris; Raising a Family in France; A Place in the World
    Aug 24, 2024 – 52:00
  • 764 South Wales; Two Years in Kazakhstan; Global Empty Spaces
    Aug 17, 2024 – 52:00
  • 763 Favorite Scottish Walks; Oslo Harbor Front; Beating the Crowds
    Aug 10, 2024 – 52:00
  • 762 Athens Day Trips; More Greek Islands; Joanna Lumley in Northern Greece
    Aug 3, 2024 – 52:00
  • 658a Humble American Bragging; Why I Love Madrid; Deep Time Journey
    Jul 27, 2024 – 52:00
  • 761 Nicholas Kristof Chasing Hope; Fabulous Food in Paris
    Jul 20, 2024 – 52:00
  • 644a Underappreciated Paris Museums; Many Lives of the Louvre; Cote d'Azur
    Jul 13, 2024 – 52:00
  • 760 Sweet Southern Treats; Ben Franklin and Me; Nearby Travels
    Jul 6, 2024 – 52:00
  • 529b Newfoundland with Alan Doyle; Rick Mercer's Canada Day; Drink Dat New Orleans
    Jun 29, 2024 – 52:00
  • 759 Bowen Island, BC; Alaska Beyond the Cruise Ports; Iceland Summer
    Jun 22, 2024 – 52:00
  • 758 Reasons to Scuba Dive; Italy's Amalfi Coast; England's SW Coast Path
    Jun 15, 2024 – 52:00
  • 757 Portugal's Algarve; Spain's Costa del Sol; Vanishing Traditions of Asia
    Jun 8, 2024 – 52:00
  • 756 Resurrecting Roman Rubble; Plovdiv, Bulgaria; European Travel Serendipity
    Jun 1, 2024 – 52:00
  • 755 Soldier Poets of WWI; Village Turkey
    May 25, 2024 – 52:00
  • 754 Central Europe; Norway’s Prosperity; Somali Pirates
    May 18, 2024 – 52:00
  • 367a Driving in Europe; Getting Around Ireland; Exploring Provence
    May 11, 2024 – 52:00
  • 753 German Views; Mudlarking the Thames
    May 4, 2024 – 52:00
  • 752 Amsterdam Canals; The Last Island; Coimbra
    Apr 27, 2024 – 52:00
  • 751 Eyewitness to Climate Change; Endangered Eating; Shakespeare in Stratford and South Sudan
    Apr 20, 2024 – 52:00
  • 591a Polynesian Explorers; Northern Greece; Greek to Me
    Apr 13, 2024 – 52:00
  • 750 Mini Italian Lesson; Geography of Genius; Timbuktu Haircut
    Apr 6, 2024 – 52:00
  • 749 Totally Eclipsed; Mekong Paddle Pilgrim; Strange Food
    Mar 30, 2024 – 52:00
  • 748 Quirky Oslo; Last Empty Places; Herbal
    Mar 23, 2024 – 52:00
  • 597a Dublin Walk; The Immortal Irishman; Aran Islands
    Mar 16, 2024 – 52:00
  • 747 Ireland in 100 Objects; Midlife Michelangelo; Language City New York
    Mar 9, 2024 – 52:00
  • 746 Goodbye Eastern Europe; The Long Field in Wales
    Mar 2, 2024 – 52:00
  • 641a Finding Europe in America; Cruise Ship Nightmare; Iceland Backcountry
    Feb 24, 2024 – 52:00
  • 745 Orkney Living; Walkable European Cities; Nomads of Europe
    Feb 17, 2024 – 52:00
  • 744 Falling for Saturn; Heart of Martin Sheen; Florentine Favorites
    Feb 10, 2024 – 52:00
  • 743 Happens in Vegas; Morocco's Sahara
    Feb 3, 2024 – 52:00
  • 742 Sharks; Beyond Havana; Pompeii
    Jan 27, 2024 – 52:00
  • 595a The Story of Spanish; First Timer's Spain
    Jan 20, 2024 – 52:00
  • 741 Visiting Vienna; Visiting Bosnia; Athens Acropolis
    Jan 13, 2024 – 52:00
  • 740 Cruising the Nile; Paradise on Earth; Lost Pianos of Siberia
    Jan 6, 2024 – 52:00
  • 739 Travel Like a Diplomat; Making a Difference; German Pop
    Dec 30, 2023 – 52:00
  • 738 Christmastime in Bavaria, Croatia, Sweden, Rome, Sardinia, Costa Rica, Amsterdam
    Dec 23, 2023 – 52:00
  • 587a Cod in Portugal; Eating in Naples; Dingle Bells; Christmas Travels
    Dec 16, 2023 – 52:00
  • 737 A History of Modern Ireland; Following Caesar
    Dec 9, 2023 – 52:00
Recent Reviews
  • Hallo Tuesday
    Great content but host interrupts the guests
    Steve I appreciate your shows and podcast and learn many wonderful things from your guests. However it would be much more enjoyable and respectful to please let your guests finish their sentence and not interrupt or talk over them. I know it’s not your intent but as a listener it’s hard to hear. Otherwise please continue bringing interesting perspectives and cultures to the show.
  • Bargaret Mreim
    America Hater
    I very rarely cancel or boycott someone for their politics but after several years of listening I can’t take Rick’s absolute disdain for Americans and for the US. So tired of hearing we are rude, fat, lazy, and stupid. Also Rick - the US Senate is not a “problem to be solved.” The balance of popular will and states rights is BY DESIGN from the founding. Stop portraying it as a flaw. Sorry you don’t get everything you want in government. That’s our system and it works, so coastal libs don’t get to steamroll the rest of the country. If he had a whole lot of new content I might stomach this nonsense another day. But he’s been on repeat since the shutdown. So long.
  • Amy673946G
    You don't need to agree with someone to learn something
    Rick and I don't see eye to eye on everything but I appreciate his research and experience and take them into consideration. I like to garden and listen and dream about far away places. Thanks, Rick!
  • Cornhusker55
    Communist leaning
    Rick is a communist thru and thru. You would think with his deep hatred for the USA he would leave?
  • Bob3 St bun
    Liberalism
    Dude is obsessed with Trump.
  • gus 24!
    A change of focus
    Love Rick and been loyally watching and listening for years, but have little/no interest in u.s. destinations…sure I’ve traveled around the u.s. a lot but I come to Rick for Europe, where I prefer to spend my vacation time. Also not loving the travel-adjacent topics: I really want practical travel information on European destinations, not reasons to scuba dive, or a writer’s discussion of his life in Cambodia, etc
  • babybluesblind
    Ugh
    It’s getting very preachy
  • Steve.…
    Thank you Rick
    Thanks for putting these together Rick
  • Laupadz
    Stop interrupting your guests
    I really enjoy Rick Steve TV programs. I like the content and interviews here. But it is difficult to hear Rick Steve regularly interrupt or interject abruptly before his guests are done talking. Annoying habit.Let your guests finish their thoughts!
  • fred225(
    Lost a step
    Rick’s guide books are the best. Podcast has lost a step over the years. It needs to focus on on destinations with tour guide interviews and real life traveler experience and stories. Throw in travel Authors selling their book ! Rick has a lot of political views on the show with a lot of leading questions ONLY because he can afford to. He can walk away tomorrow and doesn’t need your money. So, When he says a lazy and ignorant statement like MAGA people don’t like immigration (no difference between open borders and immigration???) he does so because someone still listening believes the same.
  • BillBlaster1
    Rick’s Podcast is Really Great
    I enjoy his PBS shows and his podcast, which covers more than just Europe. He has an incredible variety of destinations that he covers, and has local guides/experts to opine. Try this travel podcast if you enjoy taking a journey without leaving your home. Very entertaining.
  • Alternative Milks
    Love and Respect
    Rick promotes travel as a way to learn about and engage with the diverse human experience of places other than our own. The sad discourse on some of these reviews paints him simultaneously as a raging anti-American communist and a preachy Christian missionary. Pathetic! Rest assured Rick only wants you to learn about others and break your own prejudices. Have fun!
  • LifeLongerlearner
    You Are Traveling WITH Rick Steves
    There are other travel podcasts to listen to if one is not onboard traveling WITH Rick. There are various reasons WHY people make their travel destination choices. Personally, I don’t know how one can avoid religion and politics when traveling to other countries/cultures (even our own) or entering a museum / historical site-unless it’s for food, spa, or entertainment. Oh, and this podcast covers that, too. Rick presents a wide range of travel ideas to a wide range audience. Bravo!
  • Kathleen M Hall
    Fountain of incredible info
    As someone who lives and owns a travel business in Central America, Rick’s takes on this part of the world always leave me asking new questions about my home here. Which is humbling and exciting, two feelings I think resonate among people who travel the world. Amazing work, love listening!
  • like satie
    too religious
    I enjoy hearing about travels. I fast forward through the religious stories. Sadly it seems I’m having to fast forward through more than ever. I understand Rick’s 2nd wife is a pastor. But please don’t impose all that religiousity on listeners. Yes, I’ve accepted that his program focuses on religion around the holidays but it’s now May. Is it going to be year round
  • C Go 1
    Thank you for no ads!
    Thank you for considering your listeners and avoiding ads. Your show is already great, and that’s the cherry on top. We appreciate you!!
  • TriciaMackay
    Thank you for all of your outstanding resources!
    Really enjoy your interview questions and so appreciate all of the tips. Thank you!!
  • bericjohnson
    Amazing!
    Amazing podcast thanks Rick!!!
  • SystemError99
    LOL at folks complaining about “politics”
    If you think you can have a podcast about global travel and history without ever discussing politics I don’t know what to tell you. Keep up the good work, Rick.
  • Venice in January
    Venice
    Rick Thanks for your tip of visiting Venice in January. OK we were lucky with the weather this year but it’s a walking city and the ability to enjoy Venice without crowds, little to no queues and an excellent range of restaurants even though some do close after epiphany. It was a fantastic 4 nights. Beginning in Nice ( it was warm enough for a dip in the Med ) where we have family, we then traveled to Venice by train and included Bologna - an easy train ride from Venice for 2 nights which was busier with all the students but refreshingly alive and vibrant as well as historically enchanting. With 3 nights in the Nice area we felt we had been away for ever despite it being only a 10 day trip. We plan to venture out again during the off season in regions that we would find too hot for us in the summer months.
  • SherrBher
    Amateur Traveler
    I’ve started listening to The Amateur Traveler podcast A good no frill travel podcast without the side of deprecating comments about the U.S. that Rick Steves snidely drops frequently
  • brother-dan
    Love it
    One of the best travel pods out there. Don’t let the snowflakes try and censor you, I haven’t heard any political takes that have melted me so far. Keep up the good work!
  • GbFayz
    Keep up the great work Rick!
    I’ve been a fan of Rick’s work for years and am always impressed with his tireless commitment to thoughtful travel. I understand that some folks only want travel info, but I applaud Rick for voicing his opinions and concerns even at the risk of losing customers. Bravo!
  • nro2
    Rick leads by example
    Rick teaches all of us how well & ethically business can be run & how travel fosters international understanding. Blessings to you Rick!
  • moving on-missu
    Why ruin it
    Too preachy. Don’t want to hear about your political thoughts. Just want to know about travel on vacation or future retirement. You don’t want to hear me preach about my political feelings, hold on to yours please.
  • @memetwoandthree
    Pleasant show, unpleasant editing- updated
    I love this show! However, the editing is anxiety producing... I assume it's in an effort to save time, but each speaker's natural pause in speech is edited out, and the effect is unnerving. It also makes it seem as though Rick speaks over and interrupts his guests. I like to listen to this show to savor all the delicious details about travel I'm longing for, but when it's being crammed in like this it kind of defeats the purpose. Just keep it natural, please, and thank you either way for bringing this much needed content. UPDATE: I continue to listen, but it's become clear that it's not just the editing; Rick does actually speak over and cut off his guests mid-comment. Very cringy and unfortunate.
  • piperlou
    Please don’t make political!
    I’m begging you Rick! Please don’t let politics infiltrate your awesome work! Please!!! I lean a certain way and if there are too many guests that bring a certain ideology to the show and podcast I can’t listen anymore and I adore you and your work! Please don’t let guests bring politics into the fold! Love love love Rick Steve’s show and podcast episodes!
  • traditionalgirl
    Too political for me.
    Rick & his guest take jabs at America & Americans every chance they get. Socialism might work for some small European countries, but not here. Capitalism is what helped you create the empire you have profited from, Rick.
  • adopt more cats
    Concerning commentary from guests
    I am usually fan of this podcast, however, after listening to the first ten minutes of the episode about New Orleans, I have some serious concerns. The guests on this episode are Caucasian-presenting tour guides. I had to stop listening when the man was discussing what “Creole” means and the origins of jambalaya. He describes the dish’s origins and how the enslaved Africans attempted to create paella, and through language barriers and with only local ingredients at hand, arrived at “the mess that is jambalaya.” Why wouldn’t the team behind this production reach out to representatives of this community to speak on the history and heritage of their culture? Why are they only relying on white people to educate on the history of communities of color of New Orleans?
  • oaktown shepherd
    Why bother with guests?
    The content is solid and the guests are knowledgeable, but why bother host guests if they aren’t allowed to finish a sentence? Rick asks and answers all of his questions before the guest can offer an opinion.
  • ohi:)
    my first podcast
    Mindful and informative without being boring. Great for falling asleep to. The interruptions tho
  • abcfeinglf d
    Thank you for your valued opinion.
    Crazy media.
  • I B Reading
    Rick is still amazing!
    I grew up watching Rick on PBS with my parents, and these moments inspired me to become a travel writer. I love this show and Rick’s travel style. He has a wonderful curiosity about the world, and he focuses on people, not politics. Love this show!
  • migirltravels
    Genuine feedback
    Let your guests finish their sentences.
  • Ralanas84
    Very Enjoyable
    I really do love this podcast and enjoy the topics very much. However, I have to mention that I find Rick talking over and interrupting the guest speakers very hard to listen to. He does it constantly and I find myself cringing out of the awkwardness of it throughout the episodes. Rick, please allow the guests to answer your questions and share their knowledge with us too.
  • dsmlistener
    Informative and entertaining, but …
    Rick often strikes just the right balance of information and entertainment - but please stop interrupting and talking over your guests. Sometimes I wonder why the guests are even there, Rick asks a question then immediately interrupts and answers the question himself. It’s awkward and annoying.
  • Xodus23896
    Weird reviews. Good show
    Iv never found Rick Steve’s episodes to be extreme left views or political. He uses common sense and decency. I think the trump supporters should go listen to another podcast the crybaby’s!
  • mollyscissorhand
    Steve Is A Treasure
    Through my college travels in the 1990s to the present, Rick has been there with his signature blend of Western Civ, gastronomy, and insightful understanding of human relations. I am delighted to have this podcast as an additional way to connect with other world citizens.
  • divebookreader
    Great show
    Never miss an episode!
  • Shrieks fed
    Rick sure has changed!!!
    I grew up watching Rick’s travel show on PBS & throughly enjoyed it. Now I am listening to his podcasts & he turned into a socialist commi! C’est dommage! Very disappointing! ☹️
  • kfn#
    Enjoyable But
    I really enjoy listening to this podcast. But I don’t like the political influence. I find it uncomfortable.
  • Moe Loog
    Excellent insights on the value of travel
    This program continues to give tips on itineracy but more importantly the attitude of traveling. If jumping off and on the bus after numerous selfies is your idea of travel this could help transform your experience
  • Robbiepolitico
    I love this podcast but please no politics
    I’m a former local politician who is disillusioned by the state of our politics. I love Rick Steves and specifically listen to it to get away from the disappointments that I encounter in the news daily. I want to beg you. Please, please stop using your platform to promote a political party ideology. We are currently having to endure the politicization of absolutely everything from the partisan way we are forced to choose between a pair of sneakers to trying to attend a game or concert and being compelled to take a side. We are judged for our politics by the car we drive in and even the grocery store we go to. We need one space to go where we can get away from this and escape.
  • Dr Monero
    I’ve listened to many episodes
    I describe Rick Steves as a “political extremist.” He must have become radicalized over time. It’s important to keep fanatics from abusing us in neutral forums like this so for this reason I will no longer subscribe. I find the podcast stressful.
  • CupertinoJay
    Let the guests talk!
    I’m a fan of Rick Steves but for the love of god, let your guests talk! He asks a question and then immediately interrupts his guests while they’re trying to respond. It drives me nuts. I have to stop listening to this.
  • honolululistenet
    Worth while listen , but
    Love and adore you Steve, but please make an effort not to talk over your guests .
  • COCO Kershul
    Big Pharma Shill
    I used to love Rick Steves programs. But as a social psychologist who has worked as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster children and an advocate for victims of sexual assault, I have to say his stance on vaccine passports is disgusting. I have worked for years to convince shattered children and women that NO ONE has a right over their bodies. That they are sovereign, whole people, whose bodily autonomy was given to them by God and is protected by the US Constitution. Just as an abuser’s anger doesn’t give them the right to strike a child, and a rapist’s desire doesn’t give them the right to assault a woman, so too, a hypochondriac’s fear doesn’t give them the right to inject anyone with anything against their will. This is fascism. Plain and simple. And the fact that Rick Steves has done programs on the rise of the Third Reich and then shills for Big Pharma, medical apartheid, and a return to “papers please” is grotesque. Shame on you, Rick Steves. If we don’t have bodily autonomy we are nothing but slaves. By denying other healing modalities including native medicines, Ayurveda, etc. you are behaving like a patriarchal, neocolonial, racist. Have you stopped to ask why 75% of the black population in DC has refused the jab? Do you really think they don’t know what’s best for their bodies? What about the 99% of indigenous people on certain reservations in this country? Do their bodies need to be forcibly colonized by White man’s poison to alleviate your fear? This entire charade is just shameful. I’ve followed you for years, and you are not a thoughtless person. So I conclude you must be bought and paid for by the same Big Pharma companies that fund PBS.
  • Reviewer JJR
    N.P. Dinner Party
    I love this show but the author interviewed for this episode is unbelievably pretentious.
  • banned4bimbo
    Inspiring future travels
    Every time I listen to Rick’s podcast, I add a new destination to my travel list.
  • Kakali_pnw
    Indian ocean journeys
    I have been a huge fan of your podcasts, but this episode really shocked me! You and your guest focussed only on the ‘intensity’ of crowds and traffic in Delhi! Not one word about the beautiful Mughal architecture all over Delhi, the charm of old Delhi, the history of Indian independence that is rooted in Delhi. Would you review a historic destination in Europe and only highlight the problems? I don’t think so!
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