Rick Steves

Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. This article was adapted from his new book, For the Love of Europe. You can email Rick at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook. ©2026 Rick Steves. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Stratford-Upon-Avon: To See or Not to See?

The best Shakespeare-related thing you can do in Stratford is see a play.

Travel July 14, 2026
Rick Steves’ Europe: Bastille Day in Paris

The Bastille, with eight towers and 100-foot-high walls, was an intimidating fortress that had long functioned as a ...

Travel July 8, 2026
Rick Steves’ Europe: Appreciating the Italian Renaissance

Think of the extraordinary “class of 1500” living during that exciting time.

Travel July 1, 2026
Rick Steves’ Europe: Old-School Joys in Portugal’s Nazaré

Nazaré strikes the ideal balance between romantic old-world Portugal and bustling seaside resort.

Travel June 23, 2026
Rick Steves’ Europe: Helsinki Highlights

Helsinki holds its own among Nordic capitals with its creative spirit, zest for architecture and design, and steamy ...

Travel June 16, 2026
Bavarian Charms: Carvings, Castles, and Cute Towns

My favorite home bases for exploring the Bavarian Alps are Füssen and Reutte, which straddle the Austrian border.

Travel June 9, 2026
Rick Steves’ Europe: Tips for Beating the Heat in Europe

Visit the cooler destinations during the summer months and save the hot destinations for winter months.

Travel June 2, 2026
Rick Steves’ Europe: A Taste of Wales in Spunky Cardiff

Most travelers planning a trip to Britain don’t realize you can hop a train in London and, in ...

Travel May 26, 2026
Rick Steves’ Europe: Natural Poetry in Italy’s Lakes District

Though just an hour north of Milan, Italy's Lake District feels a world away from the business and ...

Travel May 19, 2026
Rick Steves’ Europe: Europe’s Animal Shows and Experiences

Throughout Europe, you’ll find vivid and memorable animal demonstrations and experiences.

Travel May 12, 2026
Belgian Cuisine: The Sweet, the Savory, and the Sudsy

Wedged between Germany, France, and the Netherlands, Belgium often gets lost in the mix.

Travel May 6, 2026
Lyon Brings Memorable Bites—but No Taste of Mass Tourism

Lyon provides an elegant French urban scene—all with no hint of crass tourism.

Travel April 28, 2026
Europe’s Love for Soccer—and the World Cup

For most of the globe, the World Cup is as big as it gets—and Europe is no different.

Travel April 21, 2026
Lake Bled: Exploring Slovenia’s Romantic Alpine Retreat

No visit to Lake Bled is complete without a trip to its steeple-capped island, which nudges the lake's ...

Travel April 14, 2026
Tracing History, Heritage, and Hardship at Europe’s Emigration Museums

Europe has many excellent 'Ellis Islands in reverse'—museums at the places where millions said goodbye to the land ...

Travel April 7, 2026
Rick Steves’ Europe: Remembering Easter in Italy

It’s impressive to me that, even in the 21st century, sacred traditions—rich with symbolism—still thrive in Europe’s more ...

Travel April 1, 2026
Rick Steves’ Europe: Stopping Over in Iceland

If you thrill to the idea of an Iceland stopover, consider this whirlwind itinerary.

Travel March 26, 2026
Rick Steves’ Europe: Finding Serendipity in Romania’s Countryside

In Romania, you'll find that rather than famous sights, it's the happy and unpredictable serendipity that leaves you ...

Travel March 10, 2026
Rick Steves’ Europe: Hill Town-Hopping in Andalucía

With a string of whitewashed hill towns, sunny skies, vibrant festivals, and tempting tapas, Andalucía is the soul ...

Travel March 3, 2026
For Your Trip: Oxford or Cambridge?

Cambridge and Oxford have been in a centuries-long competition as England’s top two universities.

Travel February 24, 2026
Rick Steves’ Europe: Visiting Germany’s Lutherland

See the spaces where Martin Luther made his imprint in history.

Travel February 17, 2026
Sweden Beyond Stockholm: Exploring Glass Country

You can’t say you’ve seen Sweden if you’ve only been to Stockholm.

Travel February 10, 2026
Strasbourg: City of Bicultural Streets

With delightful big-city energy and a name that means “city of streets,” Strasbourg is the ultimate crossroads.

Travel February 3, 2026
Rick Steves’ Europe: Ireland’s Tidy Towns of Kinsale, Kenmare, and Dingle

There’s something delightful about small-town Ireland, where the people’s connection to their heritage and to their town is ...

Travel January 27, 2026
Rick Steves’ Europe: Thought-Provoking Sights at Europe’s Great Universities

In Europe, universities can be essential sightseeing, as some are home to great architectural, artistic, and cultural treasures.

Travel January 20, 2026
Rick Steves’ Europe: Car-Free and Care-Free on Hydra

This is the kind of place that makes you want to buy a bottle of ouzo and toss ...

Travel January 13, 2026
Rick Steves’ Europe: Falling in Love With the Matterhorn

Zermatt is a tiny-but-touristy town of roughly 6,000 people nestled at the dead-end of a long valley in ...

Travel January 6, 2026