This Thanksgiving I’m considering our work, the world, our health and our blessings. While times are tough economically, and our future comes with impressive challenges, we have lots to be thankful for. This morning my neighbor told me that, having saved diligently for years, her retirement account took a big hit this month. Yet she doesn’t regret having spent money on leading a full life, saying that every memory she’s built through travel and embracing a life with experiences still enriches her life.
I know fewer people will travel in 2009. We’ve been at this since the late 1970s, and there have been plenty of ups and downs. One thing I’ve learned is that while some people are hell-bent on travel and will take a trip regardless of an economic downturn, for many, travel will have to wait. And for those who wait, they spring back and we see travel booms following every downturn.
My philosophy as president of our tour company is to offer the very best tour value possible every year. We make the most out of every dollar invested, take good care of every minute spent and take full advantage of each opportunity to learn and experience our world.
Our staff of expert guides is thankful to have work in 2009, and we are thankful to have lots of great tours filled to capacity, and to be able to promise piles of travel fun. (I expect we’ll be about 25 percent down from the 400 tours we led in 2008.)
My business team just asked me if it wouldn’t be prudent to scale back our Christmas party for this year. (We’re renting the local senior center and employing a local caterer.) I said no. We will be lean and mean…but we won’t pull the rug out from those businesses. We’ll enjoy the holidays, work harder than ever, and share in the discovery and learning of a great year of touring in 2009.
While our tour department is excited about new itineraries, I am feeling the breeze of a torrent of new productions: Our country guidebooks now have great built-in maps; I’ve made exciting improvements to the tenth-anniversary edition of my Postcards from Europe book (due out this spring); we’re putting out new books on Athens, Vienna and Budapest; my new Travel as a Political Act book is nearing completion; our new TV series hits the airwaves this month and our Iran special will come out — with great national prime-time carriage — in January; our radio program now airs on about 110 public radio stations for an hour each week; and an exciting new leader on our staff (who came to us from Nike and Amazon) is about to take our website to new levels. And I’m still speaking out: Two days ago I was in Spokane’s Bing Crosby Theater working for the ACLU and talking about ending the prohibition of marijuana to 600 caring people (law professors, bar association people, doctors and ACLU types from eastern Washington, Idaho and Montana).
Tomorrow I hit the road, visiting eight cities in as many days (San Francisco, LA, San Diego, Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Boston, Portland). My personal approach to our economic challenges: Work hard, produce and be thankful for what we have. And, as I say to end each of my shows…”Keep on travelin’.” Have a thankful holiday.
I really enjoyed to read your Article and got a lot of experience, Actually i will be travelling to Europe next year so i am searching some good Travel Websites to Europe so far i could not find except one website. http://www.ExploreEuro.Com This website contains a lot of information about European Union Countries and Europe.
I enjoyed this Rick! I saw you in Austin at Bookpeople. Nice to hear you speak again. India is on my mind, and let’s pray for all the victims. Love and Joy to you all, Lisa P.
Happy Thanksgiving to all at ETBD. I will be traveling with you next year and looking forward to it. I may not spend as much money as I have in the past but I’m going to create more memories. Thank you Rick & staff. Mr. Humberd, glad to see you back. I’ve missed you the past week.
Happy Thanksgiving!
It is very nice to have the ability to adjust to difficult times. Keeps life interesting. It was also very nice to see our new President and his family helping the poor without any fanfare. That beautiful family set a wonderful example for us all.
Hello Rick I just finished watching your special on Tuscany. Four friends and myself are planning a trip to Zurich next year. Not sure that is going to happen because I have now fallen in love with Tuscany, especially the little Provence of Volttera. I noticed you do not speak Italian, would you suggest we start lessons or wing it? Also should we plan to spend 7 or 10 days? I like the idea of staying in a bed & breakfast rather than a hotel. We prefer the rustic life as long as their is modern/indoor plumbing. Thank you for having such a passionate heart for travel. All the best for 2009…Jen
Great post Rick………….SO GLAD you will have maps that work in your books now….was a problem for me in the past….much aggravation…….arriving in Krakow 5 AM on frigid winter morning no tourist office open……not many locals to ask in deserted streets for directions….map in book barely functional to find my hotel…..had to walk around for an hour until I met someone to ask for directions in snow and cold…could have found hotel myself in 10 minutes with a good map…..rest of books, DVDs etc. are gems with great info and time and money saving info and enhance each trip immensely … Happy ThxG….
My company has made small changes to it’s national meeting that we normally hold. We are now having regional meetings and will save some money and help many folks in the process. The Christmas party goes on and I try to hit as many Independent business owners with my business as I can. The economy can’t collapse and we all have to pitch in and tighten our belts and work smarter. I am thankful for many things this past year and wish all of you the same.
Great Thanksgiving post. My wife and I are traveling with you next year. It’ll be our second tour with ETBD. Like the earlier poster we’ll cut a few corners here and there, but we are determined to continue to travel, to learn, and to enjoy this great world.
Yes, my business has made small changes, but nothing too drastic. I hope to get organized after the holidays and take advantage of lower priced travel or purchases or something while we can. There is always a silver lining in everything. I think the world really needed this wakeup call. But change is slow and never easy! Happy Thanksgiving to all Judy
Rick, great thoughtful post. This has been a fairly productive week for the stock market, things are moving in a positive direction with Obama show caseing his new economic team and a trickel of good news that things may start to slowly turn around in the second half of 2009. You would indeed be blessed if you are only down 25 percent but like you said it ebbs and flows.
When you mention that people not being able to travel as much in 2009 as before well that applies to me. However I see that you have many DVDs for sale so now is the time to get as many as I can. For 2009 I’ll travel with you on your DVDs. My whole family loves them. Happy holidays!
Rick, on a topic somewhat related to what you blog about, there’s an interesting article in today’s NYTimes about the recent tragic events in Mumbai. This writer has some very interesting perspectives and a very “Rick Steves” way of looking at travel as a political and social act. The link is here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/29/opinion/29mehta.html?_r=1&em
Hi Rick, I was Christened Clifford Patrick in 1943 and called ‘Rick’ for the rest of my life until coming to the states in 2001. Actually it was 2003 when I my mother died and I reverted to Patrick my preffered name. Rick was supposed to be short for Patrick and I did not want to be associated with a ‘big red dog’ as Clifford. Google ‘patrick lockyer’ to see my rants and videos. As I have not been able to go back to the UK since ariving here I love your programs and my American wife Barbara cannot wait until we can go. We watch avidly. sometimes though I cannot help refect how we each see things. Barb and I were both in Tennesee in October and we each took about a thousand pics each on our little sony cams and I made 150 short videos. All on a camera to fit in your top pocket. Like you I have traveled extensively in Europe. I was a soldier based in Germany 1961-66. My point really is that when I went to Munich and Berlin and Rome in the nineties I saw it differently from you. I was always working on a shoestring. For example I went to Rome but flew to a secondary airport and hitchhiked to Anzio. The accomomdation was so cheap there out of season. It was funny. I was sunbathing on the beach and a lady walked by me in a fur coat and gloves pushing a pram. I was able to buy a six day travel on anything ticket so cheap. I was able to use it to go to rome (30 mins) and then on tram and bus and rail. It was awesome on a crowded tram when there was a shreik and the tram stopped and a lady hugging a baby just ran out the door and pulled off the coat and the false baby. Her hands had been hard at work ‘through flaps’ in her coat. I also saw a guy put his prothesis into a left luggage compartment at the main station and then drop onto a skateboard to beg. I had dozens of incidents and did not eve get to see the sistine chapel as the line was too long comingin so far. We really saw Rome though. A lady with a leather pouch and a magnet was trolling the Trevi Fountain also?
I meant really to say that in these times how about a series showing how to really travel on the cheap. I arrived in Munich late at night from a cheap flight with no where to stay. I was able to really negotiate a high class room at half its normal price. Time for a look at Europe from a more ‘down to earth’ viewpoint??…discussion?
In Anzio can be found the Anzio Beachhead British Military Cemetery and a Beachhead Museum. The American Military Cemetery is in Nettuno. About 8 km north of the town there is a WWF park with sulfur springs and a medieval tower, Tor Caldara. All along the coast a large number of beaches and sea resorts can be found, including hotels and the famous fish restaurants of the port of Anzio. The city once hosted a Casino that is no longer active and now hosts cultural events. In the southern part of the town, close to the border with Nettuno, are many Italian art nouveau style houses. [edit] Transportation Anzio is connected to Rome by the Via Nettunense (SS207), the Via Ardeatina (SS601) and by the Roma-Nettuno railroad that stops in the stations of Lavinio, Villa Claudia, Marechiaro, Anzio Colonia and Anzio. informazioni.turistiche@comune.anzio.roma.it
I was about to post about how thankful I am that we got rid of that mean, stupid Mr. Bush and elected that nice, smart Mr. Obama, so the world can like us again, just as Rick told us. But then I read about how the terrorists in India roamed through the hotel looking for Americans to kill. So I’m confused…is it only the European leftist appeasers who like us for voting Democrat? Whom do we have to vote for to make the Islamic radicals like us? Please clear this up for us, Rick.
Mole’, do you have a point? Besides getting Rick’s words Roved up, that is?
Mole’, don’t you understand that the evil, stupid, manipulative criminal Bush has so poisoned the waters of international love that it will take our sainted new leader at least two terms to undo all the harm done in the last eight years by Bush, Fox News, Cheney, Rove, Limbaugh, O’Reilly, Hannity, Libby, Halliburton, Beck, Ingraham, etc? Don’t worry. In eight years, radical Islamist violence will be a thing of the past, and if its still around, it’ll be Bush’s fault.
I don’t think the extreme radical Islamics care who we vote for. We are Christians as they see it and there is no changing that. Even if you change over to their religion you were not born that way and they want all Christians to die.
Rick, your Blog was a good reminder that we should always remember to be thankful, even during difficult times. I suspect that most people in North America and Europe will be affected by the economic situation in some way. Despite the current situation, I’m also planning to travel with you again in 2009. Unfortunately, due to some “uncertainties” in my work schedule, I won’t be able to do any planning until after the New Year. As others have mentioned here I’ll also have to try and “cut some corners”, especially as the exchange rate on the Cdn.$ is not as favourable as it was when I booked my last tour in the spring.
Mole’, once upon a time there was a little boy with a box of matches. He would light the matches and throw them in all directions. Fires started up all over, some large and some small. Everyone yelled at the little boy to stop, but he just smirked and kept thowing, matches onto ant hills, into bird nests, onto dry grass fields, into houses and at gas stations. Finally, it seemed the whole world was on fire and the people grabbed the boy and took his matches away. Then they all started joining together to put out all the fires. They knew it was going to take a long time, but they had hope that once they were all out, the grass and trees would grow from the ashes again.
Like I said, why blame the terrorists themselves, or their hateful agendas, when you can just blame President Bush, and compare him to a careless child. It’s so much simpler that way. Simple analogies and simple answers for simple people.
After thinking it over, I realized that the whole world kind of likes us now, because we elected Obama. But they don’t totally like us yet, because Bush is still in office. After Obama is inaugurated, that’s when they’ll all really like us, and the Islamists won’t want to kill our children. And if there are any problems, Secretary of State Hillary will smooth them over with her vast experience and stature. I should have grasped this crucial distinction earlier. I sure hope Rick has a chapter on this in his new political book.
What is “simple” is thinking terrorists just happened. Nothing contributed to their creation. No one invaded their countries, no one killed their families, no one robbed their natural resources, no one installed puppet governments. No one tortured anyone. Yeah, there is no law of nature called cause and effect. What a nice simple world we live in.
The No. 1 reason foreign fighters flocked there (Iraq)to fight were the abuses carried out at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo. Our policy of torture was directly and swiftly recruiting fighters for al-Qaeda in Iraq. The large majority of suicide bombings in Iraq are still carried out by these foreigners. They are also involved in most of the attacks on U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq. It’s no exaggeration to say that at least half of our losses and casualties in that country have come at the hands of foreigners who joined the fray because of our program of detainee abuse. The number of U.S. soldiers who have died because of our torture policy will never be definitively known, but it is fair to say that it is close to the number of lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. How anyone can say that torture keeps Americans safe is beyond me — unless you don’t count American soldiers as Americans. Matthew Alexander. Senior Interrogator. Iraq.
Rick, I have to say that one of my blessings is being able to come here often and learn more about other countries. I appreciate your willingness to travel to Iran and get to know the people. Reading your blog here often gives me just enough of a mini-vacation that I can happily continue throughout the day. This coming year I may not get to Europe. My wife and I have chosen instead to send our daughter with my wife (a mother/daughter get-away) to France for just over a week. I wish I could go, but with the slow economy, we thought it best for me to stay home. Your web site will be a great resource in planning their trip for which we are grateful. Thank you Rick. As an aside, in regards to these peculiar political conversations when discussing thanks-giving, there is not “a” reason for anything. Live is complex and reasons are multifaceted. To paint with such broad brush strokes leaves a painting compeltely devoid of detail, form, and often color. To do so and then claim you have addressed detail, is to demonstrate an astonishing lack of understanding and causes others to distrust your opinion. Peace, health, and good cheer to all this holiday season.
Steve, Your books and shows are the best around. Keep up the good work!
jack we are infidels and that is why they hate us.
> Steve, Your books and shows are the best around. Keep up the good work! Yeah, and *Rick’s* books are pretty good too!
I have and have had too many middle eastern friends in my life to believe simple, one dimensional explanations of their cultures. They have expressed some commonalities, but I also have known them to be as widely different as Americans. It is no more fair for them to think we are all just like Bush and the boys (or the KKK)than it is for us to think Iranians and Iraqis are pretty much the same. However, we as Americans do just that. I guess that most Americans are still Christians. As such they believe in the bible. Unfortunately, the bible does a pretty good job of demonizing middle eastern people and selecting a “chosen” people. I guess when you are chosen, you are special and if you are not…well, you just don’t measure up. All my life I have heard Christians speak poorly of middle eastern people. Often actions have followed their words. MIght be a good reason for middle eastern people to call names.
If someone is looking for a reason to hate, they will find it. If they want to find a reason for love, they can find it. I’m glad people who look for reasons to hate are less successful than those who look for peace.
Holy Mother of God, people, you can’t even let a Thanksgiving post pass without getting snide and bitter about the election. Note Rick did NOT write about politics, which drives you absolutely insane when he does, but you had to insert it anyway.
Clarification: SOME of you can’t even let a Thanksgiving post pass without getting snide and bitter about the election.
Personally, I’m not too concerned about the right wing guys on this site having a hard time adjusting to their parties loss. I seem to recall the lefties having a similarly hard adjustment when Bush was elected and re-elected. Just nature, folks. Being hurt, mean, sarcastic, jubilant, philosophical, in denial, destructive and loving, etc. is all part of the process. My guy won, so it is easy to write this post. It is easy for me to say: Let’s all join hands for the common good. You sure couldn’t have expected me to be receptive to that crap when Bush was winning. I guess it is the balance that is built into our human system. I guess that is what I am thankful for this holiday season.
The partisan poision lives on long after the candidates concede on election night. The hate that was incubated by a party’s campaign strategy creates a life of its own long after the calls for unity. If McCain’s crowd suggested that Obama was a Muslim, and McCain denies it in his concession speech, the paranoia manifested during the campaign does not cease to exist. Once a seed is planted it will start to grow. One day this will become self evident to the status quo and one party or the other will fall in short time, to be replaced by a more nimble and bi-partisan party. Only time will tell.
I like the way you think Rick. I like to think you of as an old friend..Also…any chance you may be coming to the Cleveland area? Also I like the way you speak the truth about things.
Rick, keep speaking out. I don’t always agree with you on politics, but free debate is what makes this country great. A comment about your business, BTW — I understand that you have preferred hotels, places that you’ve used for years and that you know & trust. Given that you expect your business to be down 25%, that’s 25% fewer rooms you’ll be renting. Have you considered helping those hotels by offering to help your clients rent them? For example someone is taking your Germany tour but wants to spend a few days in France; when they book their tour your office could also help them with renting rooms in France at your hotels. One other request — blue-ray is coming on strong now that the format wars are over. A lot of places are already offering players under $200 for Xmas. Since you film your shows in HDTV these days, are you looking into releasing them on blue-ray as well as DVD?
I am seriously affected by this economy. I own vacation rental property and vacation (as Rick knows) is the first thing people cut when money gets tight. Also with the mortgage mess, I can’t refinance any of my homes to pull money out. However, I am one of those people who will travel no matter what. I am going on the RS Turkey tour in 2009 even if I have to wait tables to pay for it. I find the more I travel,the more I learn and want to learn more. I wish everyone a happy holiday season and hopefully a better economy in 2009. Viva Obama!
Thanx 4 Shearing with us.. Adeel Khan Sherwani from Austin