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Rick Steves’ Travel Blog

Here you can browse through my blog posts prior to February 2022. Currently I'm sharing my travel experiences, candid opinions, and what's on my mind solely on my Facebook page. — Rick

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Traveled to Egypt Recently? Please Share Your Thoughts

A few years ago, I enjoyed a wonderful trip to Egypt. But since then, Egypt has suffered from a political, economic, and tourism point of view — so I’m not sure that now is the right time to promote the Nile and the pyramids. If you traveled in Egypt in the last year, I’d love your advice on how you (as an affluent traveler from a wealthy, predominantly Christian country) felt in the streets, markets, and ancient sites. For my benefit — and for anyone else who might be dreaming of traveling to Egypt soon — please describe your experience.

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King of the Castle: Europe’s Fortified Towns

rick steves in tree house
As a kid, my treehouse was my castle: no parents reining me in, a ladder that pulled up, and nails sticking down through the ceiling — just long enough to keep out bullies taller than me. With my sliding tongue-in-groove panels, I could see who was coming. My refuge was the envy of other little kings.

The treehouse is long gone, but I still tap into that king-of-the-castle feel when I visit fortified towns in Europe, where thick stone walls that once protected citizens from enemies now corral Old World charm. Recently, I wrote about my favorite fortified towns.

If you’ve been to a great fortified town that you think I should check out, let me know!

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Video: Experience Bastille Day Parties in Paris

There’s an old travel mantra that you should avoid Paris in summer, when its citizens traditionally go on vacation. Don’t listen! Sure, you’d be hard-pressed to find a dentist or an accountant working in August. But Paris is never deserted (where would 2.2 million people go?), and you’ll find it easy to tap into the city’s breezy summertime fun. And, if you time your trip right, you’ll be in town for a big party. On July 14, France celebrates Bastille Day with a huge, patriotic bash — and everyone’s welcome to join in. You’ll get a taste of the fun in this clip from my new, one-hour Rick Steves’ European Festivals public television special.

Start planning your trip now with my Rick Steves France 2018 guidebook.

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Video: Sevilla’s Spring Fair

Throughout southern Spain — a region so expert at fiestas and romance — locals greet each spring with a festival for all ages. In Sevilla, much of the city packs into its vast fairgrounds each spring for seven days of dancing, drinking, and socializing. The horses are nearly as dressed up as the people, a springtime flirtatiousness fills the air, and travelers are more than welcome to join in the fun.

In this clip from my new, one-hour Rick Steves’ European Festivals public television special, I explore the fair with my friend Concepción.

Want to be there, too? Start planning your trip now with my Rick Steves Spain 2018 guidebook.

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Video: A Musical Tour Through Norway

Travel inspires musicians like Brian Kinler to compose.

Brian recently sent me a clip of music and photography he put together after traveling through Norway with my Scandinavia guidebook. Take four minutes and enjoy his musical tour. If you’ve been to Oslo and done the Norway in a Nutshell trip over the mountains and up the fjords to Bergen, this will rekindle all that travel joy for you. And it ends with a gut-wrenching finale atop Pulpit Rock. No words are necessary, as Brian’s video and music bring Norway home.

Has travel inspired you to create music or poetry? I would love to see it.

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Join our traveling community — connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.