Smaller text Larger text

Destination: Uncategorized

Posted on

Ett Stort Skritt: My Moon Landing Memory

Fifty years ago today, I was a gangly 14-year-old, in Europe for the first time. I’d been dragged to the Old Country by a conspiracy of grandparents and parents solely to visit Norwegian relatives. I hadn’t wanted to go, and I’d arrived with a bad attitude. It was teen culture-shock: No Fanta. No hamburgers. But after a few days, I was wild about Solo (Norway’s orange pop) and addicted to pølser wieners.

I watched the Apollo moon landing with my cousins, sitting on the living room floor of the house where my great-great-grandmother was born. And as I heard them translate Neil Armstrong’s words (“Ett lite skritt for et menneske, ett stort skritt for menneskeheten“), it dawned on me that the first big step was more than just an American celebration. It was a human triumph.

Travel had walloped my ethnocentrism — and at that exact moment, I began to see the whole world differently.

Posted on

Exploring Layers of History at Stanton Church

Time travel back to the 13th century with me, to a sacred pagan site at the intersection of two ley lines. This little church in the Cotswolds is dedicated to St. Michael, the archangel who was both an anecdote and an antidote to paganism. (I mistakenly said anecdote, intending to say antidote…but it actually works both ways.) Sheep’s wool once paid for everything here, and — judging by the grooves worn into the pews by the sheepdog leashes — a shepherd’s “best friend” even accompanied him to church.  

This little ad-libbed tour demonstrates all the history you can find in a place like this, once you learn how to see it. Just like how you appreciate fine wine the more you drink it, you appreciate heritage the more you visit churches like this one. 

Posted on

Rooftopping, Anyone? Looking Back at the Best of Europe in 21 Days

I’m feeling a bit nostalgic, thinking back to the days when our “tour program” was just me driving a minibus with eight other travelers, and at particularly scenic spots — to enjoy the views to the absolute max — we’d take turns riding on the rooftop. (I’m back in Europe now, and I drove some of these same roads today. The views are beautiful as ever…but I stayed inside the car.)
 
We’ve come a long way since those early days — and these days, more than 30,000 free-spirited travelers come together each year to explore Europe on nice, big buses in a more comfortable version of the Rick Steves style. But some things have stayed the same: Our Best of Europe in 21 Days Tour still follows the route I drove in my minibus back in the ’80s, and we still have the same passion for maxing-out on the experience. The rich rewards of metaphorically “rooftopping Europe” remain unchanged.
 

Simply put, my 21-day tour still packs more unforgettable travel experiences than you can imagine into an amazing three weeks, covering all of Europe’s greatest hits. Check out the full itinerary — and save up to $700 per person this summer. (Or if you have only two weeks to spare, hop aboard a Best of Europe in 14 Days Tour.)

Happy travels!

Posted on

Here’s to Parenting on the Road

I’m one happy dad right now — because both my kids called me today from Europe. Andy FaceTimed me from the Cinque Terre, and I got to wave to 25 happy travelers on the Rick Steves Best of Europe in 21 Days Tour he is leading. The group was all smiles, tanned, rested, and ready for their Italian seafood feast. Andy’s little sister Jackie is leading a tour of her own — a couple of girlfriends — in Greece and Croatia. Jackie texted me photos that captured one of my favorite moments in Europe: sunset on Hydra at the funky little harborside bar in Kamini. And there savoring it, ouzo in hand, was my daughter and her friends.

Of course, it takes money and a shift in priorities, but we made a point to take our kids to Europe lots — even taking them out of school for a couple of weeks each April. Today, they are young adults and — with the help of parents who have been intent on giving them a global perspective — our children are comfortable with the world. Unburdened by fear and ethnocentrism, they are enjoying our planet as their playground.

When blessed with a traveler’s upbringing, young people are more likely to understand that the world is safe and accessible, a festival of diversity, and filled with good people and love. A few years ago, we celebrated New Year’s Eve together — not at some fancy ski resort, but in Cuba. Andy has chosen to live in Medellin, Colombia (and loves it). And Jackie has found her calling as a schoolteacher, working with kids in tough neighborhoods in Washington DC and Chicago, and now bringing her global perspective into a Los Angeles classroom.

Every time I see a family traveling together, I get almost teary-eyed as I recognize the importance of the parenting going on. The hard work and love of parents on the road is key to raising caring, bold, and confident Americans with a global perspective.

This is just a stream-of-consciousness post to say, “Yes! Our kids are global citizens. The world is their playground. And that makes me a happy dad.” I love you, Andy and Jackie.

Posted on

Rick Steves Over Brunch — Rome: Back-Street Riches

Join me for brunch?

Last year, I discovered a delightful podcast called “Rick Steves Over Brunch,” hosted by travel writers Stephanie Craig and Christopher Mitchell. In each episode, Stephanie and Chris share travel tips and stories — and thoughtfully examine one episode of my own public television show, Rick Steves’ Europe.

The way they mix their travel experience and their enthusiasm is both endearing and infectious, and I enjoy eavesdropping on their conversations. They’ve produced a total of 28 episodes now — and last week, I was a special guest on their show. The result: two fun new episodes. The first one, “Rome: Back-Street Riches,” is live now, and the second will follow soon. Check their show out now on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Brunch is on!