Forty Years Ago, I Became a Travel Writer Here, in Southwest England

Rick Steves as a teenager and as an adult

Stumbling upon evocative and offbeat corners of Europe as a teenaged vagabond, I realized my niche in life: discovering, and then sharing, the best of Europe. And now, 40 years later, it’s fun to go back and revisit to some of these early oh-wow travel moments. It’s thought-provoking to consider how places — and I — both change and stay the same. Here, on a blustery rock just off the coast of Cornwall, is Tintagel Castle, the legendary birthplace of King Arthur. I’ve changed a lot more than the door and the view…but I still get the same charge out of the breathtaking setting.

Comments

5 Replies to “Forty Years Ago, I Became a Travel Writer Here, in Southwest England”

  1. Hello Rick, I was wondering if you were willing to share any thoughts about what it is like to revisit a place many years later (as in the above example of Cornwall). I am thinking of revisiting some places that I visited nearly 25 years ago as a just-out-of-college backpacker (armed with your book, “Europe Through the Back Door”). It was a different world for me then. I have definitely changed profoundly since then. In addition to reconnecting with several much beloved places, I will be reconnecting with a much younger me. This could be a joyous thing, or it could be a maudlin thing — or both. Any thoughts on this? I know that you have revisited places, while progressing from single to married to father of increasingly mature children. How does revisiting places affect your understanding of your personal growth? Thanks — Alex

  2. Love this post! Thank you Rick, for discovering your passion, following your dreams, and teaching your devoted fans about travel.

  3. Rick,

    I’m so glad you closed down your piano studio in favour of a travel shop!

    We are all benefitting from your life-changing decision.

    Thank you kindly,

    Jeff
    WEDU
    Tampa

  4. Hi Rick,

    Your “before and after” photos at Tintagel are terrific! My sister and I visited Tintagel last March, and we saved your teenage photo in our iPhone so that we could try and create our very own moment in the doorway. We did. Fabulous memory! I will go over to your Facebook page and post my photo there now.

    Thank you for all your travel inspiration!
    Polly

  5. Glad you are my age, I like the fact that you don’t encourage sleeping out of a van now. Age makes you better!

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