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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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Andy Steves and an Extremely Green St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin

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My son, Andy Steves, continues to build his Weekend Student Adventures tour program, offering American students in Europe three-day weekend tours of the top cities for about $250. (I got to be an assistant tour guide supporting Andy with one of his groups in Barcelona, and I can personally attest that his tours have to be about the best deal going for students looking to have a fun and well-organized weekend.) His bestselling trips each year are the famous festival weekends: Carnevale in Venice, Easter in Rome, Queen’s Day in Amsterdam, and St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin. These are the times when lifelong memories are created.

Andy’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend is almost sold out, as about a hundred students will join him and his Irish guides on the only day when anyone can be an honorary Irishman. Here’s Andy’s take on the celebration:

Historically, the first St. Paddy’s Day parades started popping up about 250 years ago in NYC and Boston; Irish soldiers would march through the streets on this day to reconnect with their roots. While at some point today’s celebration morphed into one that has little to do with the man it’s named after, I believe the day still presents an opportunity for millions around the world to reconnect with their Irish identity. With 37 million Americans claiming Irish ancestry (8 times the current population of Ireland itself), it makes sense that the biggest parades happen in the States: NYC, Boston, Chicago, and Savannah. But Ireland isn’t far behind. And what better and more authentic way to celebrate being Irish than on the streets of Ireland itself? Last year I was there as over 600,0000 revelers come in to Ireland’s capital to celebrate the weekend, wearing green and kissing lots of Irish maidens.

It took Ireland until the year 2000 for the Irish Department of Tourism to recognize this opportunity, but now they’re embracing the festive event as a way to pump up their economy. They’ve titled the weekend of celebrations “The World’s Friendliest Day,” and this year for the first time, they are inviting the general public to participate in the parade along with 17 bands and hundreds of performers from around the world.

While the parade and festivities are quite mainstream by now, my favorite place to be is off the beaten path next to a toasty wood oven in a little Irish pub near O’Connell Street, listening to an impromptu “trad” session. I love being around a group of locals singing the songs they’ve sung their entire lives. The musicians playing aren’t there for any reason besides the love of their musical repertoire and the convivial atmosphere. It doesn’t hurt that the local audience knows every single word of every single song they play. Old and young alike gather in pubs like these all across Ireland to create an atmosphere that I find absolutely unique to this country. This spirit is the reason I love coming back again and again.

Wherever you find yourself this St. Patrick’s Day weekend, my merry band of student travelers and I will be raising one of the 12 million pints of Guinness to be consumed around the world to you and all that is green. Slainte!

If you know any students studying in Europe, Andy has a great program worth checking out. Click on over to WSAEurope.com to see what he’s offering.

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Be a Caller on My National Radio Show

Join Rick on the radio and get your travel questions answered.

I’m heading into the studio later this week to record some great guest interviews for my radio show, “Travel with Rick Steves” — and we are looking for callers! Sign up now to be part of the conversation and get your travel questions answered.

I’ll be chatting with authors and expert travelers about Italian desserts, the markets of Paris, Rome after dark, the beers of Belgium, and today’s Berlin.

We’ll also explore road tripping in Mexico, plan my upcoming trip to Palestine, plumb the catacombs of Paris, walk the “Lincoln Trail,” learn about the challenges for African American travelers in the days of Jim Crow, and talk with author and activist Terry Tempest Williams about her native Utah and her travels.

And if we include you as a caller during any of these interviews, we’ll send you your choice of one of my guidebooks as our thanks for participating.

I hope you’ll follow our link and send us your questions and comments for our next batch of radio interviews.

 

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YouTube Tour Guide

YouTube, the dominant video-sharing website, has become a surprisingly effective tool for pumping energy into my sightseeing. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video clip must be worth far more. And if you’re visiting the Swiss Alps, Pamplona, Lisbon, or the Cinque Terre, seeing a clip of the breathtakingly vertical hiking path called via ferrata, the famous running of the bulls, mountain bikers racing downhill through the Alfama, or the terrifying 2011 flash flooding in Vernazza can give a new dimension to your travel planning.

I’m considering adding a new section to my guidebooks listing YouTube clips that illustrate experiences like these. These clips can help travelers enjoy a sneak preview of their destination in action — or, if for some reason they can’t see it live, the clips can help them visualize what they’re missing. For example, you can sample Il Palio, Siena’s famous horse race, even if you’re standing on the quiet and desolate main square on an off day. And those visiting Croatia’s Istria peninsula can enjoy a little klapa music, even if there’s no live concert that day. Using YouTube clips smartly, trip planners can survey what there is to see…and make even better plans.

I’ve love to get your collective favorites and assemble them here, in the comments thread. I’ll start things off with descriptions of some of my favorite European experiences, and the words you’d search for on YouTube to locate good clips. (In each case, you may have to sort through the results to pinpoint the best option.)

Clipping in for a cliffhanging hike along the via ferrata below Mürren — and high above Switzerland’s Lauterbrunnen Valley: “via ferrata murren ”

Racing through Lisbon’s ancient Alfama quarter on a mountain bike: “lisbon downtown bike”

Catching the world’s biggest wave at Nazaré in Portugal: “biggest wave nazare”

Traditional a cappella folk singing in Croatia: “klapa motovun”

The crazy horse race in Siena: “siena palio”

The most beautiful city of Italy’s Cinque Terre during 2011’s flash flood: “vernazza flood”

A world-class organist playing for visitors in the loft of Paris’ St. Sulpice Church: “daniel roth st. sulpice”

To make this easier for everyone, please follow the model above: Describe the clip, then give a 2- to 4-word phrase to search for that will help you zoom in on the best clips.

Thanks! I’ll enjoy your suggestions.

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The Iditarod: My Sister, Jan Steves, Mushes with the Best Dog Racers in the World

Because my parents imported pianos from Germany, our family traveled there when I was a kid. They took me — the eldest son — to Europe first. The next year, it was my younger sister Jan’s turn. But she opted to go to music camp instead. So I got to go to Europe for the second time in a row. I ended up going overseas every year since, and Jan, who had other passions, never did much international travel.

I never realized just how adventurous Jan is until a couple of years ago, when we discovered that she was, on the sly (thinking no one would take her seriously), setting her sights on actually competing in one of the world’s ultimate races: the Iditarod. Over the last several winters, she’s spent countless long Arctic nights mushing through the Alaskan wilds in subzero weather, running her beloved dog team down trails lit only by the moon and her headlamp. Last year Jan completed the Iditarod getting the prestigious “Red Lantern” for finishing… but finishing last. And in about a week, Jan sets out again for what promises to be the race of her life.

Starting today at ricksteves.com (look for the “Jan Steves’ Iditarod” link on the right side of the page), we’ll be running her blog, sharing an intimate, insider’s account of her personal quest. (For the fascinating back story, you can also browse through several months’ worth of Jan’s blog entries.)

The Iditarod is a thousand-mile race from Anchorage to Nome, which begins the first Saturday in March. Teams of 12 to 16 dogs take 10 to 14 days to complete the race (the fastest time is 9 days). The Iditarod was inspired by the original “serum run” in 1925. In that year, a diphtheria epidemic was sweeping Alaska, and Eskimo children, who had no immunity to this “white man’s disease,” were at great risk. A heroic relay of dog teams rushed a vial of life-saving serum to Nome, rescuing the children.

Each year since 1973, dog teams and mushers have set out from Anchorage to re-enact that first run — braving brutal temperatures, white-outs, wild-animal attacks, and gale-force winds. Mushers sleep with their teams under the Arctic stars, while the moose, the dogs, and the wind all howl. Competing with well-funded, beautifully equipped professional teams, Jan and her team are, you could say, the ultimate underdogs.

Jan will be calling in reports nearly daily (mobile phone access permitting). These communiqués will be transcribed and posted on her blog. For Jan, just finishing this epic and grueling — not to mention dangerous — race will be a huge personal accomplishment. And to not get that Red Lantern…that will be even better.

If you’d like to follow along and root for Jan and her team, be sure to check in, as her blog will be featured at ricksteves.com for the next two weeks.

Go, Jan, go!

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Interesting Emails from 2012

We recently had our annual, all-day, all-staff meeting. Each department made a report. Our Travel Center noted that they had replied to 20,532 traveler emails this year. They found a few of those questions, complaints, or comments entertaining and worth sharing. Here are our favorites:

Can you help me out? Can you get to Capri from Sorrento by land (bus or car) or must you take a boat?

About Rick’s language: The trouble is that something or someone doesn’t evoke, they evoke something. No one, hopefully, goes about evoking (null). It gives the impression that there’s not actually anything to be said but that, by God, it’s going to be said anyway. It does provide a transparent sheen of smarm as well as an air of feigned erudition, both of which may, I suspect, be more easily disregarded when drunk.

We loved the Christmas in Europe special that aired on PBS last night. Thank you!!!!! Also loved the torches Rick and family carried down the hill in the dark after cutting their tree and sledding home to their friends in Austria. Are these torches available in the USA?

Please shave! I’m not used to seeing Rick with a beard…and it’s gray!

I was looking for a new waist wallet and found the silk you use for your money belts very appealing. My waist is 23 inches, but saw that yours were starting at an unbelievable 36 inches and then expanded to 72 inches. Is this a joke???? My husband is a big guy, 6’4″ and his waist is only 35 inches. I know Americans have gotten bigger, but those that are this big can’t even fit in an airline seat. Please don’t forget those of us that are in good shape as this seems to be marketed to the obese whales that give our country such a bad name. Really, who has a 72 inch waist???? This includes nothing for us women and men that are not fat porkers. No woman should have a waist that big unless she is in late pregnancy. We are thinking of taking one of your Greece tour next year, but this gave me reason to be concerned. Please tell us that people are not going to be that fat so we can even consider it.

Usually, I get baked and watch your shows on TV. I enjoy every place you go too. But I have one question. Have you gone to Amsterdam and gotten stoned? Thanks for traveling everywhere and showing how awesome this world really is.
Sincerely, A satisfied viewer.
PS. I’m jealous of all the delicious food you eat.

I am a stylist, wondering if Rick has a personal stylist, who maintains his hair color? Looks very natural, well done…

Season I & II there was this guy drinking on a wooden bar with Rick (also in a train scene and he spoke very good English) explaining that there was 3 types of drunks… I was very taken with this guy (blushing!) and I was just wondering who he was or if at all possible if you could contact him and let him know that a viewer saw him and would really like to get to know him (via email of course) and if he were interested in doing so. I am aware that the program might be 10 years old but I have a feeling he is still as dashing now, or even more so : ). I have never done this before! But I just couldn’t take my eyes off of him…

I’ve watched your show for many years; but, I think it’s time to lose the over-the-shoulder bag. I don’t understand it and carrying a bag like that kills your arm and it is NOT COOL. It seems like nowadays you seem to just eat and look at churches. Kinda boring. And unhealthy.

What is the “dingle part” of Ireland as you described in your book of Europe?

Are there WWII sites in Germany? Or has Germany outlawed all of them?

As we are two gentlemen of the world I will make haste. You and I have no time for the banter of petty words. I desire to watch more episodes of your television special, Rick Steves Europe. It is my favorite program and I enjoy it immensely while reclining in my chamber with my womenfolk, snacking on grapes and drinking glistening wines from crystal goblets of the finest make detailed with ornate glass pictures of ancient kings of yore who only certain people remember even in their respective towns of birth. I support your work with Cannabis legalization and am a part of the fight myself :).

I traveled Europe in 1996. I seem to remember purchasing a rubber ear but can’t remember where I got it. The Van Gogh museum is the only thing I can come up with but that seems too tasteless. Any ideas?

On our last night in Venice we, myself age 70, daughter, son-in-law, & grandson 11 decided on a gondola ride. Our gondolier was Massimo. It was an early evening in June. The water was like a mirror in the small canal. We proceeded into the Grand Canal where Massimo had words with another gondolier who, apparently, had parked his gondola in correctly. Later, we were back in the peaceful smaller canal and the other gondolier, now with a motor boat came after us. I saw everything unfold and couldn’t believe that a motorboat was aiming right for us. He rammed our gondola, reversed, rammed us a second time. Massimo fell into the canal and was beaten with an oar as we were left drifting. The police decided to respond after 30 minutes. They had the audacity to call it an accident and didn’t even ask if anyone was hurt. Beware Rick…the gondola ride in Venice…

I put in my two weeks’ notice, sold my house and broke up with my girlfriend of 5 years to take the trip I’ve been waiting to take for 20 years. I’ve read your books over the years and I greatly appreciate your advice.

A nice older lady came into the Travel Center and asked, “Do you have any information on South Africa?”
The Travel Center said: “Oh we just cover Europe here.”
Lady: “Where is South Africa?” (in a very serious and sort of surprised voice)
Travel Center: “Africa.”
Lady: “Oh,” and then turned and walked back out the door.

A man walked into the Travel Center and asked, “Hello, I saw your “no pets” sign, but does that also mean hamsters? I have one running around in my car and wondered if I could bring it in?”