Destination: Uncategorized

I decided long ago that life is too short to work with people you don’t enjoy. I realize some people aren’t as blessed as I am to be in a position to choose their coworkers. But it’s a luxury I treasure. I work hard in Europe, and to do it with talented people who are just as committed to our excellence — people like Steve, Cameron, Simon, and our local tour guides — is like skiing with just the right wax, skating with sharp blades, playing on a newly tuned piano, sailing with a nice steady breeze, or bungee jumping with a short-enough cord.

Co-authors like Steve Smith (in France), who help craft our guidebooks with love.

Cameron Hewitt, who takes me through Eastern Europe without shooting myself in the foot, and artfully makes my writing concise and well-structured.

Simon Griffith, the producer with the big tripod and a “cool” light on the TV production warpath. Simon ventures fearlessly where no tripod has gone before (and his is huge!).

Local guides everywhere in Europe (like Cristina Duarte in Portugal) who take my passion for helping American travelers create vivid and meaningful experiences and amplify our work to thousands — on our bus tours, hired privately by people with our guidebooks, and by helping me update our guidebooks for travelers who can’t afford the luxury of a private guide.

It’s the people that carbonate your travel memories. Say yes to any opportunity to meet people. Here are some of my favorite recent interactions.

The hairstylists who make the frightening visit to get a haircut in a foreign land an enjoyable experience…even when you don’t have the necessary vocabulary.

American students in Orvieto whose teacher uses my TV shows in their classroom.

Bulgarian folk troupes who still dance and share their culture for visitors.

Isabella and Carlo at their farmhouse B&B (Agriturismo Cretaiole), who provide a cultural boot camp for our travelers and make sure everyone (including our TV crew during a four-day stay there this spring) creates lifelong memories, drinks some amazing limoncello, and brings back a little Tuscany in their hearts.

In light of Tuesday’s terrorist attack on Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport, it’s understandable that those dreaming of travel to Turkey are concerned about their safety. I would not fault someone for thinking now is not the time to vacation in Turkey.

But personally, I would travel to Turkey tomorrow with no more concern than if I were traveling in the USA. The tragedy of 41 innocent people being killed during the Istanbul airport bombing is heartbreaking. But so are the more than 30 people killed every day, on average, in gun homicides in the USA.

Turkey is a huge country of 80 million people that faces some serious challenges. And being an ally of Europe and the USA while being on the border of so much sadness in the Middle East (and recently coming to terms with a friendly agreement with Israel) all combines to put Turkey in the target of terrorist groups.

Should I react by not traveling there and, in doing so, contribute to Turkey’s economic hardship? Is traveling there after the recent bombing reckless from a personal safety point of view? Should I embolden the terrorists by reacting the way they want me to? How you answer depends on your perspective. But I choose to answer with a hearty “no.”

In this political season, I’d like to say that it’s important for our safety — our national security — that we understand and connect with the rest of our world. If you’re afraid of the other 96 percent of humanity, you likely have yet to meet it. While good people can differ, it’s my firm belief that, if motivated by the safety of you, your family, and your children’s children, building bridges is smarter than building walls. And I think it’s fair to say that there’s a strong correlation in our citizenry between wall-builders and those with no passports.

So, in the fun spirit of helping America get a grip, for years we’ve made it our policy to pay the $135 fee for any American who signs up for a Rick Steves Europe tour, and does not yet have a passport.

You may think, “That’s just a tour sales gimmick. Where’s Rick if we just want to travel on our own and don’t have a passport?”

I’d love to buy you a passport, too. If you’re a “travel virgin” in need of your first passport, here’s your chance: Take part in my “Rick Steves, Pay for My Passport!” challenge on Facebook.

Here’s the deal: In the comments section of this Facebook post, write two sentences explaining how international travel will be a life-changing experience for you. I’ll reimburse the $135 passport fees of what I judge to be the two most compelling and creative entries.

To enter you must “like” the Rick Steves Facebook page (if you haven’t already) and you must be in need of your first US passport (renewals not valid).

So travel veterans, tell your first-time-traveler friends! This is a great opportunity to help your friends see the world as their playground.

Please submit your entry by the Fourth of July (midnight Pacific Time). I’ll announce the winners on Bastille Day (France’s national holiday, July 14) on my Facebook page.

Good luck and happy travels!

No purchase necessary to enter or win. Open only to residents of the 50 United States and Washington, D.C. 21 or older. Void where prohibited. To enter, post your comment on the Rick Steves Pay for My Passport post on the Rick Steves Facebook page or in your Facebook news feed between June 27, 2016 at 2 p.m. Pacific Time and July 4, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Winner selected from all eligible entries received based on how compelling and creative the comment is and will be notified via Facebook by July 14, 2016. Two winners will receive reimbursements for their USD$135.00 passport application fee. Odds depend on the number and quality of eligible entries received. For details, restrictions and Official Rules, visit ricksteves.com/about-us/rick-steves-europe-pay-for-my-passport-contest. Promotion not sponsored or endorsed by Facebook. Promotion sponsored by Rick Steves’ Europe, Inc.