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Video: My Favorite Wine Bar in London

I’m in London at my favorite wine bar, Gordon’s Wine Bar. Just imagine dropping into this place — a five-minute walk from Trafalgar Square — for a candlelit evening of tasty cheese and port, sitting under 500-year-old arches.

You need good information to eat well, economically, and memorably in a city like London. My passion is to find places like Gordon’s Wine Bar and to pack them into my guidebooks. When I’m on the road, researching and updating my guidebooks, eating and drinking in places like this is part of the job…and part of the fun.

This is Day 86 of my “100 Days in Europe” series. As I travel with Rick Steves’ Europe Tours, research my guidebooks, and make new TV shows, I’m reporting on my experiences across Europe. Still to come: England, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, and more. Thanks for joining me here on my blog and via Facebook.

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Video: The Oyster Card Is Your Gateway to London’s Tube

Hello from London! I’m in South Kensington, my favorite home-base neighborhood. I just used an automated machine in the Tube station to get my Oyster card — a transit pass that gives local commuters (and travelers) access to the London Underground for about half-price. I saw how befuddled some tourists were with it, and I remembered that I, too, am hesitant to dive into a big city’s public transit system — until I actually do, and then everything goes much smoother.

In this little clip, I’ll show you how simple it is to push the buttons, slide in your money, and get a card loaded up with credit for lots of rides. Remember, with my Oyster card, I get six rides on the Tube for about the cost of one taxi ride…and I never need to wait in traffic. Plus, I’m in the fray with all the locals, and that’s more fun. (BTW, when you leave London, be sure to return your Oyster card. You’ll get a refund for your £5 deposit, and for any unused credit still on the card. It works great.)

 

This is Day 85 of my “100 Days in Europe” series. As I travel with Rick Steves’ Europe Tours, research my guidebooks, and make new TV shows, I’m reporting on my experiences across Europe. Still to come: England, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, and more. Thanks for joining me here on my blog and via Facebook.

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Video: Cambridge’s Venerable and Inspiring Parker Library

I’m at the University of Cambridge today with my TV crew. We’re visiting Corpus Christi College’s Parker Library, a temple of high-mindedness. As we filmed this venerable study hall, we listened to the oldest two-part harmony ever written. And I got to thumb through a collection of letters written by towering historic figures — kings of England, Holy Roman Emperors, and great reformers. Holding in my fingers letters actually written by Martin Luther and Charles V, for the first time in my life I wished I could read Latin.

One thing I love about travel: It inspires us to be thoughtful. I’ve long believed the best investment our world could make for peace and prosperity would be to collectively establish a fund that would give every American high school graduate money for a one-month trip overseas. It would cost peanuts relative to the expense to our world of Americans being so untraveled.

This is Day 84 of my “100 Days in Europe” series. As I travel with Rick Steves’ Europe Tours, research my guidebooks, and make new TV shows, I’m reporting on my experiences across Europe. Still to come: England, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, and more. Thanks for joining me here on my blog and via Facebook.

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Video: Exploring Oxford’s Greatest Treasures

I’m in England, filming a new show about Oxford and Cambridge. My goal this week is to get footage that will help our public television viewers decide which of England’s great university towns is best for their itinerary. (On a short trip, you shouldn’t visit both…that’s redundant. Do one or the other, and save time in your itinerary for something entirely different — like hiking through the Cotswold villages or exploring the castles of North Wales.)

In this clip, we’re filming in Oxford’s Weston Library, where the venerable Bodleian Libraries display their greatest treasures.

Cambridge and Oxford have a wonderful centuries-long competition as England’s top two universities. Tomorrow, we’ll be showing off Cambridge’s remarkable answer to this room of iconic treasures. What’s your favorite: Oxford or Cambridge?

This is Day 83 of my “100 Days in Europe” series. As I travel with Rick Steves’ Europe Tours, research my guidebooks, and make new TV shows, I’m reporting on my experiences across Europe. Still to come: England, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, and more. Thanks for joining me here on my blog and via Facebook.

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Video: Feelin’ Groovy in the Duke of Marlborough’s Backyard

Hello from England! I’m here with my TV crew (Simon and Peter) to produce an exciting new public television show on Oxford and Cambridge. Today, we’re just outside of Oxford at my vote for the finest countryside palace a tourist can see in England: Blenheim Palace.

When filming in England, I’m generally stressed about the drizzly weather. But here, it’s crystal clear and the morning light is particularly fine. And that puts me in a very happy mood…just hanging out in the Duke of Marlborough’s backyard, feelin’ groovy.

This is Day 82 of my “100 Days in Europe” series. As I travel with Rick Steves’ Europe Tours, research my guidebooks, and make new TV shows, I’m reporting on my experiences across Europe. Still to come: England, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, and more. Thanks for joining me here on my blog and via Facebook.