Rick celebrates Christmas with friends from near and far, hearing about holiday traditions from Holland and Hungary, Sicily and Scotland, learning about the unique ways people light up the season in Santa Fe, and discovering how scientists at a research station in Antarctica make merry, plus listeners share some of their favorite Christmas memories from holiday travels.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick is introduced to Santa's European relatives including Baba Noël, Grandfather Frost, Saint Nicholas, Krampus, and even Sammi Claus and Schwartzley. Also friends from Madrid, Rome, London and Lisbon discuss their cities' traditions for the Christmas season, and Rick learns how the holidays are celebrated in Bulgaria, the Swiss Alps, Austria and the Low Countries.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

It's a tropical party town that hosted some of America's best known writers. William McKeen explains the appeal of Key West during its artistic heyday of the 1970s, and as a resort town today. We'll also explore the advantages of staying at a farmhouse "agriturismo" in Italy, as a relaxing alternative to the busy city scene. And Rick shares listener comments from recent shows.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick checks in with a Norwegian team skiing across Antarctica to commemorate the trek of countryman Roald Amundsen; plus, NPR's Steve Inskeep shares what he discovered in the urban muddle of Karachi, Pakistan, and a journalist from The Netherlands outlines political changes on the Dutch horizon.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Jane and Michael Stern share their findings on the best Road Food and authentic regional food specialties they've found around the country and Rick gets a view from the cockpit on ways to help reduce the stress factors associated with flying.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick explores the flavorful benefits of street food vendors and decidedly unfancy hang outs and checks in with listener travel reports from the tsunami zone in northeast Japan, as well as Mexico City and East Timor.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick checks in with Reverend Jim Wallis and with "The Darwinian Tourist" to discover what they've learned from their travels to far away lands; hears how life is changing for nomadic sheep herders in Turkey; and celebrates cyclist Willie Weir's birthday in Portugal.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick discovers the high form of art in Ireland, language, where the works of poets and playwrights add color to parks and pubs. Plus, he gets tips for enjoying speciality museums in Paris, and explores how growing up in Renaissance-era Florence shaped Michelangelo into one of the greatest artists of all time.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick learns about the extraordinary measures taken by the citizens of Paris in 1939 to protect thousands of priceless art treasures at the Louvre from the coming Nazi invaders and is introduced to the nation of Malta; listeners share stories about the haunted places they've visited in Europe.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick checks in with European tour guides on researching family history in Ireland; listeners discuss meeting relatives in Sweden and Lithuania; and Low Countries Belgium and the Netherlands, where cozy medieval cities or bike rides to the sea are just a short ride away, are examined.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Carl Hoffman explains what it was like to travel the world on the most notorious, over-crowded trains, planes, busses and ferries —  the way most of the planet gets from one city to another. And listeners share their own travel discoveries and suggestions for seeing the world.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Guides from Turkey tell us about the surreal scenery of Cappadocia, where you can glide over an endless panorama of colorful "fairy chimneys," or duck your head in a labyrinth of underground cave cities, decorated with Byzantine murals.

We'll also get acquainted with the regional distinctions of modern Germany, and Rick takes listener calls about their favorite parts of France.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

We continue our exploration of the differences between French and American culture, with the help of a local tour guide who contrasts the expectations of American and French tourists. Also, a journalist based in Paris returns to delve deeper into understanding the seductive nature of the French.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Ferenc Mate shares lessons from 20 years in Tuscany, where he and his wife went to turn a 13th century building into their dream home; Camille Cusumano explains how a passion for the tango made her relocate to Buenos Aires; and Fred Plotkin describes the simple pleasure of a cleansing sauna in Finland.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

A seasoned river guide explains how a camping trip down the Colorado River can be a life altering experience; Nancy Pearl recommends more of her favorite books for armchair adventures; and two guides from Madrid explain the protocol for enjoying local specialties.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Paul Theroux commemorates fifty years of adventures by comparing notes with Rick on how best to engage with the world and the editors of "Poetry After 9-11" discuss how New Yorkers are dealing with the shock of the September 11th attacks ten years later by composing poetry.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick learns how medieval castles are being built by hand in France and Arkansas, and gets a closer look at how castles functioned in ancient times. Also, William Lobkowicz, American heir to one of Europe's most famous royal families, shares stories of overseeing his family's palace, castles, and treasures in Prague.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rolf Potts shares his misadventures in Turkey and Libya, and describes how he looks for treasure in towns around the world, including one unassuming hamlet off I-70 in central Kansas. Also, listeners offer tips on good eating, within a travel budget, while vacationing overseas.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick explores the historical riches of Potsdam, Germany and dicusses how Athens has grown into a visitor-friendly destination, complete with a new Acropolis museum. Also, adventure cyclist Willie Weir joins Rick from his favorite square in Madrid, and listeners nominate favorite cities to explore.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick looks back fifty years to when the Berlin Wall was built, and discusses with a Berliner what it meant to split the city in half. Also, two participants from a madcap road race from London to Mongolia explain what it's like to finish the Mongol Rally in one piece. Also, a biologist explains how travelers can examine the natural world through the eyes of a Darwinian Tourist.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Jane and Michael Stern inspire travelers with tales of finding classic American dishes with a regional twist; author Dave Hunter offers tips for navigating Interstate-75 between Michigan and Florida; and Richard Bangs dishes on how adventure travel can change the way you view the world.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick is joined by a tour guide raised in Rome who knows her city inside out. We'll check in on the city's now-trendy Jewish Ghetto, get practical tips for planning a visit, and hear what some of our listeners have discovered in Rome.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Two American journalists explain what they've discovered by living in Paris, and by walking across Israel. Elaine Sciolino explains the many ways seduction operates as part of day to day life in France. Also, Martin Fletcher describes what a good long walk down the coast of Israel showed him after 30 years of reporting from the Middle East.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Hear how attending a performance at one of Europe's great concert venues can add to your enjoyment of classical music. A guide from Portugal introduces us to some of the high points away from Lisbon. Also, travel writer Don George shares stories of life-changing food adventures around the world.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Paul Theroux describes what a trip the length of Africa taught him, 40 years after serving with the Peace Corps in a village in Malawi. Frugal Traveler Seth Kugel tells us what it was like to spend a week in a small Mexican town he picked at random, off the tourist grid. And Neil Taylor explains how much the Baltic countries have brightened up in 20 years, since they shook off Soviet Communism.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Ken Burns explains why he thinks the National Parks are some of the best things about the United States; a Washington D.C. guide offers tips for enjoying the Nation's Capital like the locals do;  and Rick discovers what it's like to run a summer crepe stand on the coast of France.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick discusses the tensions behind Greece and Turkey's tumultuous relationship with two women from Greece and Turkey, and travel writer Fred Plotkin shares why Finland is one of his favorite places, especially when the midnight sun produces some of the sweetest berries you'll find anywhere.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick chats with his son, Andy Steves, a recent college grad who's learned a few tricks of his own for low-cost travel options in Europe. We'll also check in with the owners of dorm-style lodgings in Northern Ireland and the Swiss Alps, to get a glimpse inside the world of hostelling.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Bill Bryson examines private life during the Victorian age; London guide Britt Lonsdale explains how to enjoy a proper afternoon tea service; and screenwriter Andrew Davies  shares his appreciation for the works of Jane Austen, whose books about the gentle folk of rural England were first published 200 years ago.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

We'll look at what makes one expert's list for the best zoos in America. And to better understand how one European country stands apart from the rest, we've invited two guides from the Netherlands to explain how the Dutch get along in their densely-packed and efficient country, where millions live below sea level.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

In terms of culture, history, street life and great food Mexico City is the western hemisphere's equal to many of Europe's great cities — and one of the largest cities in the world. Two former New Yorkers tell us why they were charmed by Mexico City, why they moved there, and wrote guides to help visitors enjoy it, too.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

We're heading past the major cities to explore the countryside of both Hungary and Scotland. We'll find out why Lake Balaton has been a favorite getaway for Hungarian families for years. Also, we'll recognize where in Scotland's Highlands and western islands you can taste a spiritual energy — along with a good whisky — far from the tourist crowds.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Learn how Europeans are dealing with current economic challenges, and why their approach differs from their American cousins. Also, a Paris-based guide joins Rick to suggest venues where you can get a real taste of Medieval and Impressionist art.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

What would your life be like if you fell in love overseas, got married, and started to raise a family in another culture? Find out how it works for American Lisa Anderson, who's raising two boys in her husband's hometown in northern Italy. Also, two guides who specialize in Sicily explain why the Mediterranean's largest island is growing in popularity as a vacation destination.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick explores the slang that separates Brits from their American cousins in an attempt to help travelers avoid being "gob-smacked" by what the locals might say, or labeled as a "plonker." We'll also examine how relics of many kinds have changed the world and share tips for making travel journals a fun and important way to preserve vacation memories.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Retracing Luther's trek from Germany to Rome, a Lutheran pastor and her husband explain how they traveled as a way to encourage harmony among religious groups in the 21st century. We'll also hear how Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria and Greece get ready for Easter and why it's their biggest holiday of the year.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Simon Winchester describes what he's learned about the world's busiest ocean, the Atlantic, and the many stories it still has to tell. And Reverend Jim Wallis describes how venturing to war zones and even to the "other side of the tracks" can change your perspective on the world.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Filmmaker Ken Burns joins Rick to discuss the American Civil War and what the research for his documentary series taught him. Also, Nancy Pearl recommends favorite armchair travel books and authors who have a gift for conveying the real atmosphere of a foreign place.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Neil Taylor discusses how the streets of London are gaining an international flavor with a growing immigrant population and Rick gets a local perspective on the upcoming Royal Wedding at Westminster Abbey, including tips on experiencing royal traditions while sightseeing. Also, two tour guides from Turkey describe the customs they're observing as they get ready for their own wedding day, and how they aim to keep everyone happy.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Adventure traveler Richard Bangs discusses the water rights dispute he found surrounding the source of the Blue Nile in Ethiopia when he thought he was going whitewater rafting, and guides from southern Italy describe the energetic attractions Naples, and its nearby coastal and island resorts.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Wilderness photographer Steven Kazlowski joins Rick to describe how climate change is impacting Polar Bears as well as the wildlife and Native people of the Arctic. Also,  author Fen Montaigne explains what he witnessed at a penguin research station about the rapid warming on the Antarctic Peninsula.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Irish tour guide Barry Moloney talks of his home turf in Cork, long considered the "rebel south" of Ireland, now gaining a reputation for gastronomy, and travel writer Rolf Potts describes how he was able to journey around the world for six weeks without any luggage and still have fun.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

We commemorate the early days of the Peace Corps with travel writer Paul Theroux, who served as a teacher in Africa in 1963. He'll also share his perspective on when foreign aid does and does not work. Also, Seth Kugel shares highlights from his inaugural trip as the Frugal Traveler for the New York Times when he spent 13 weeks on a budget to see the sights from Brazil to New York by way of Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala and Nicaragua.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Travel writer Jeff Greenwald returns to Nepal every year, where ancient Hindu and Buddhist customs are challenged by modern pressures and recent political turmoil. Jeff joins us to describe how much the scene is changing in Nepal, as well as what's timeless about the Himalayan culture, and keeps him going back year after year. We'll also check in with listeners for travel reports about destinations that lift the spirit.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick chats with one of the original "Monuments Men," a German-born Jew whose family escaped to America and now helps repatriate the treasures of Europe from the caves and castles where the plunder was stashed and later gets tips for planning ski trips to the Alps, where the slopes have some of the most impressive vertical drops anywhere.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

We're exploring the perfect souvenir for the person who already has everything. Celia Lyttelton describes how she traveled the world to collect the ingredients for creating her own perfect personal perfume. She explains the powerful connection fragrances have between places, memories, and our emotions. Also, travel writer Don George and callers share stories of how the kindness of strangers saved the day in their overseas travels.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Enjoy Paris like a Parisian as two local guides join us to explain how cafes work as a part of daily life for Parisians, and how visitors can enjoy them, too. Also, guides from Ireland and Wales underscore the reason singing is so important in their cultures, and how the music traditions differ among themselves.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick discusses basic budget tricks for getting travelers up close to amazing places and people who inhabit them. Also, Italy food expert Fred Plotkin explains why he finds the northeast corner of Italy one of the best places in the world for pairing fine wine with flavorful food, and two tour guides explain how they turn old farmhouses into dream homes in the un-touristed region of Italy called La Marche.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

The Frugal Traveler for the New York Times joins us with advice for enjoying Sao Paolo, Rio and the Amazon on a budget. Also, with a history dating back to the 7th century, Croatia has yet to see 20 years as an independent nation. A sense of optimism comes with the stunning scenery and visitor-friendly coast, where Slavic culture meets the Mediterannean.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

The busy city of Istanbul has grown to be the home and cultural centerpiece for millions of Turks. It's also turning into a popular destination for visitors to witness many layers of history on the edge of Europe and Asia. We're detouring into the backstreets of Istanbul, with suggestions for enjoying the city like the locals do — from corners of the Grand Bazaar that tourists often miss, to the romantic traffic-free islands just off the coast.  We'll also pay tribute to the late writer Bill Holm, who shared his thoughts about "eccentric islands" with Rick.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

What appears gross to one person, is sometimes a gourmet delicacy for another. Rick puts our appetites to the test as an entrée to understanding a culture while two guides who specialize in gourmet travels from their home base in Tuscany describe the comfort foods of Western Europe and travel writer David Farley tells us about his recent foodie trip to Saigon.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Listeners share memories of trips that made lasting impressions and opened up a world unknown to many Americans, including one man's summer road trip down the length of East Africa. And we'll see how easy it is to celebrate the New Year, waltzing in style at one of the season's elegant balls in Vienna.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick celebrates the holidays by exploring the distinctive ways people observe the Christmas season in Greece, Italy and Ireland and preparing to greet the New Year like locals in Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Croatia, Wales and Scotland.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Friends from Madrid, Rome, Lisbon, and London tell us about their cities' holiday traditions, and we'll check in on Bulgaria, Switzerland and Austria, plus a listener report about the big Christmas market in Nuremburg, Germany. Get to know such characters as Baba Noël, Grandfather Frost, the Cristkind, Saint Nicholas, Krampus, Sammi Claus and Schwartzley, and expand your holidays with us on the next Travel with Rick Steves.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Join us for Part 1 of this year's European Christmas series as we discuss holiday traditions in Croatia, Sweden, Belgium, the Italian Riviera and the rural West of Ireland. and get tips on enjoying Paris in the winter from two locals.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Bill Bryson found the ultimate bargain travel destination, by staying home to get acquainted with the 19th century English parsonage he lives in. We'll glimpse into just how much the comforts of home have changed in only a few generations' time. We'll also make sense out of the rubble of antiquity with the help of guides from Greece and Egypt. Listeners offer their tips for saving money on a place to call home on your next vacation to Europe.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Gene Openshaw, co-author of Europe 101, joins Rick to discuss how art can change the way people view the world and certified guides from Rome and Florence share ideas for discovering new ways to look at masterpieces in Italy.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Kate Hopkins, "The Accidental Hedonist," shares what she learned about whiskey while visiting distilleries across Ireland, Scotland, Canada and Appalachia and Chris Rae investigates the slang that's familiar to Brits, but drives the rest of us bonkers.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Listeners share unforgettable taste treats from their travels while Jane and Michael Stern suggest even more classic American road food worth writing home about. And two Lisbon guides describe the highlights Portugal's capital, where there's always time to be friendly, and a great view around the corner.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick explores the various ways to see the countryside in Europe, from bike touring at your own pace, to taking the driver's seat on a tour bus, and hiking the English countryside on centuries-old trails.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Carl Hoffman describes his experiences traveling on the most notorious, over-crowded trains, planes, busses and ferries from India to the Andes and listeners share their own travel discoveries and suggestions for seeing the world.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Eric Weiner describes what he discovered during his year of researching how people in different countries define happiness and listeners share how they've learned to conquer fear of the unknown in overseas travels.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick explores the benefits of Britain's bed-and-breakfast system, gets a taste of seaside fun and classical culture along the west coast of Turkey and receives tips from a travel medicine epert on what precautions to take before venturing into the developing world.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Fred Plotkin, the author of the newly-updated "Italy for the Gourmet Traveler," explains how knowing what food is in season is important to the Italian way of life. And we'll check in with listeners who have stories of what they discovered while on vacation in Italy.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Parisian guides offer suggestions on the best ways to explore the city on foot — including how to avoid the crush of rush hour on the Metro — and a Paris-based New York Times journalist shares favorite hideaways among the many quiet, hidden gardens scattered around the city.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Columbus was just one in a long line of trans-Atlantic travelers. On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, travel writer Tony Horwitz retraces the North American routes of 16th century explorers, and how they changed America before the big waves of European settlers arrived. And sailing expert Anthony Sandberg reveals what we'll find in today's hot spot for discovery - Antarctica.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Ferenc Máté tells us what he's learned from 20 years in Tuscany, where he and his wife went to turn a 13th century building into their dream home. Camille Cusumano also joins Rick to explain how a passion for tango led her to live in Buenos Aires and re-awaken her spirit.
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Lord Alderdice, one of the key political figures who helped bring peace to Northern Ireland, provides us with a look at the personal reasons that fuel political conflict and provoke terrorist acts. He shares his approach for addressing the tensions that face the United States and its allies today, with suggestions for overcoming terrorism and designing "road maps to peace." For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Join Rick for stories about how a whitewater river expedition in the western U.S. can be a life-altering experience -- even if you're over age 50. And for city adventures, we'll explore how to best take in the art and culture at Smithsonian's 17 museums in Washington D-C.
Rick also checks in with listeners and shares tips for getting out into the world. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

The Rhine family of Salem, Oregon explains how they came closer together and what they learned while immersing themselves in a variety of cultures. Also, Rick checks in with a Lonely Planet author who has tips on finding the world, and family fun, in Southern California, and listeners send us their haiku about Seattle. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

With the help of two expert guides to Spain, we'll explore trendy Barcelona where the works of modern artists such as Picasso, Gaudí, and Dalí are a highlight of any visit. Also, travel blogger Angela Nickerson shares the highlights from researching her book "A Journey into Michelangelo's Rome."
For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Elizabeth Gilbert shares what she's learned about life's most important relationships. Author Leslie Carroll unveils some of the juicy scandals from "Notorious Royal Marriages." Also art history expert William Wallace discusses the early influences Michelangelo had in his hometown of Florence, and what you can still see of it today. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Guides from Stockholm and Istanbul tell us how to get back to nature in the Swedish countryside, and ideas for enjoying a night on the town in Istanbul -- even during Ramadan. Rick also checks in with listeners about their experiences dealing with medical problems while visiting Europe. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Join Rick as we explore options for getting beyond the busy capital of Budapest and into the heart of Europe in the countryside of Hungary. Tour guide Peter Polczman takes your calls to highlight the scenic Danube Bend, Lake Balaton, and the winemaking center of Eger, known for its strong "bull's blood" wine. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick swaps tales of both American and European road trips; Road Food experts Jane and Michael Stern offer new tips for digging into local specialties; and a longtime river guide shares the thrill of a whitewater adventure. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Two locally-based guides help melt the age-old rivalries between the regions of Tuscany and its neighbor Umbria in Italy and take a closer look at what makes both such clasic destinations for exploring Italy's scenic small towns and countryside. Plus Rick checks in with listeners for reports of faux pas and misunderstandings, and what they learned from their travels. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

London guides Gillian Chadwick and Tom Hooper discuss the many free activities that make London a top-notch city for visitors. Plus, Rick and British history expert Roy Nicholls describe mysterious sites from ancient and prehistoric times in England worthy of a look.

For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Explore the spirit of America with Rick as guides from the Museum of American History prep for a patriotic pilgrimage to the sights in the nation's capitol, a novelist reveals how the overwhelming beauty of Grand Canyon inspires her writing, and a geologist explains what really comes into view through the window of domestic flights. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Richard Starks and Miriam Murcutt's assignment to chart a strange river in the jungles of Venezuela turned into an adventure complete with poisoned arrows and guerilla kidnappers that almost did them in. Also, Harry Rutstein shares his three expeditions retracing Marco Polo's legendary trade route to China. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Christopher Baker, one of today's top travel writers, describes the "pura vida" that makes Costa Rica, with seaside resorts on two coasts, an active volcano travlers can safely watch while sipping a nightcap, rainforest and jungle expeditions, and more species of birds and butterflies than almost anywhere else on earth is Central America's most popular destination. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Two guides from Lisbon describe what makes Portugal distinctive today, and share itinerary suggestions for a country that used to be a colonial powerhouse but is now a bargain "backdoor" destination for travelers wanting to enjoy a Mediterranean-style climate without the crowds. Also, Rick opens the phones to share stories of how to connect with the locals in our travels. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Marita Bergman explains the rituals Swedes enjoy to accompany the long days marking the start of summer. Also, tour guide Colin Clement describes what drew him to make Alexandria, Egypt his home. He'll tell us what remains visible from the city's prominent role in the ancient world, and how it contrasts with Cairo today as Egypt's "second city." For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Road Food experts Jane and Michael Stern discuss the best places to find good ol' American breakfasts, hamburgers, or pie a la mode and tour guides from Brittany share tips for a road trip through the villages and battle sites in Northwestern France. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

We're looking at African wildlife eye to eye, through the perspective of Fred Krakowiak, a wildlife painter who shares his love for Africa with us in his vivid descriptions of a safari. Rick will also interview Doctor Edward Chapnick, the head of travel medicine at a major hospital in Brooklyn. Dr. Chapnick answers questions about precautions you need to take for visits to lesser developed countries, as well as the plane ride over. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

The policies of Portugal and Bhutan are on the agenda. We'll talk to the man who authored Portugal's law that dropped criminal penalties against all narcotics users. He'll explain what the intention of the revamped policy was, and how it's actually working out after nearly ten years.

And the Himalayan country of Bhutan has strict rules that only allow a small number of escorted tourists in each year. We'll hear how the country that just got TV and the internet in the last decade makes it a priority to promote "gross national happiness." For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Frances Mayes joins Rick to reflect on 20 years of living "Under the Tuscan Sun" -- and how getting in tune with living in Italy can change your sense of time and even help prioritize what matters most in life. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

From stately gardens and picturesque villages to pre-historic stone circles and hillsides haunted by wild ponies, Rick explores the small towns and shires of England and options for touring the enchanting countryside. And, the people of Poland prepare to celebrate the 200th birthday of native son Frydryk Chopin. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

A local Munich guide describes how laid-back, traditional Bavaria, where pretzels and beer combine with legendary castles and fairy tale scenery, plays host to some important anniversaries this year including Oktoberfest and Passion Play. Plus, listeners describe some of their memorable faux-pas experiences in Germany. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

A native-born guide describes how ancient traditions cross paths with post-Soviet capitalist energy, and the stuffed pepper is king in Bulgaria. Also, nature photographer James Martin shares what he discovered about the world's icy environments -- from the North and South Poles to the Himalayas. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

After many centuries, Istanbul still one of the world's greatest and largest cities where neighborhoods retain an intimate character and echoes of past generations remain evident in its narrow streets and ornate monuments. Tan and Lale Aran join Rick and take listener calls for a full hour devoted to Turkey's capital. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Appreciate beer like a European along with Rick in a session comparing the beers and cultures of Europe. Travel writer David Farley also tells us about an eccentric hill town, not far from Rome. It's where a generation of Bohemian residents share space with a centuries-old mystery about a relic the Vatican would rather not talk about. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

The essence of ancient Greece is actually an easy drive from the busy city of Athens. We're looking at the pleasures of the Peloponessian Peninsula where historical sites and mythology mix with laid-back small towns and uncrowded beaches. Also, an expert on Michelangelo highlights some of the personal influences that helped define him as the epitome of the Renaissance man. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Another season of spicy, colorful festivals is getting underway in southern Spain. Local guides from Madrid and Seville point out how visitors can take in the traditions, from lively cities to white washed hill towns in the sunny south. They'll explain how Spaniards maintain their traditions in Seville, and why many consider it the most romantic city in the country. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick gets ready for St Patrick's Day with a closer look at the traditional side of Ireland and exploring the customs of a traditional Irish music session in its natural habitat -- a pub. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Around the USA, there are hundreds of affordable, unpretentious, "yum" places serving home cooked meals.
Jane and Michael Stern share some of their findings about the best Road Food they've found around the country. They provide a few suggestions for places where you can enjoy authentic regional food specialties. Also, get a view from the cockpit on ways to help reduce the stress factor for your next flight. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Marine wildlife expert Richard Ellis explains how the loss of the ice cap in the Arctic is accelerating, why the wildlife of the region cannot adapt to the effects of global warming, and why this should matter to everyone. Rick also takes listener calls for stories of lessons learned when we are immersed in another culture. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Even if you don't want to climb a mountain, there are many ways to add a deeper sense of purpose to your travels. Dan Austin describes what it takes to be a "Road Trip Pilgrim," and how a tiny travel budget can actually enhance your experience. We'll share pratical ideas on taking take time off to recharge your spirit in another part of the world, no matter what your age or income. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

The persistent problems Haiti endures are just one example of the need to go beyond relief aid to tackle the root causes of poverty around the world. Greg Mortenson, author of the bestselling "Three Cups of Tea" tells us how he's able to build schools in the heart of Taliban country. Also Bread for the World founder Art Simon explains his efforts to change the system that keeps so much of the world poor and hungry. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick finds out what's behind the tensions between neighboring countries Greece & Turkey and travel writer Fred Plotkin talks Finland. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.

The city that defined the word "civilization" 2000 years ago, Rome today boasts an extravagant collection of more history, art, and culture than any other city in the world. Two locals offer Rick insider tips on experiencing the less crowded corners of the city and making the past come alive. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves -- including episode descriptions, program archives and related details -- visit www.ricksteves.com.