Rick Steves On the Hippie Trail (The Making of a Travel Writer) with Special Guest Host Eric Weiner

Feb 4, 2025

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I wanted to put together one of my dream episodes for you and now it’s finally here!

In this special episode, you’ll hear a conversation between two of my all-time favorite travel writers. I’m handing the mic over to guest host Eric Weiner, an award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author, to interview Rick Steves—the travel legend whose work has inspired millions to see the world, including me.

Rick’s latest book, On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer, takes us back to 1978 when 23-year-old Rick embarked on the adventure of a lifetime along the iconic overland route stretching from Europe to South Asia. The book is raw, unfiltered, and straight from his journal, offering a rare glimpse into his transformative time on the Hippie Trail.

Along the way, you’ll hear travel stories from Rick’s time on the hippie trail, get takeaways on the art of writing, discover the joys of slow travel, and learn how an extended journey can have a lasting impact on your life.

You’ll love being a fly on the wall as Eric and Rick share laughs, insights, and their unique take on travel.

What’s been your most transformative journey so far? I'd love to hear about it and how it changed you, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

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Tune In To Learn:

How Rick’s love for piano almost became his career before travel took over
Why Rick hesitated to take the Hippie Trail journey and what finally pushed him to go
Why traveling overland made the journey more meaningful and how crossing borders brought unexpected lessons
The chaotic realities of bus travel, including cramped rides, unpredictable stops, and unforgettable mishaps like Turkey’s infamous “dolmus” buses
How Rick’s beginner’s mindset shaped his understanding of other cultures and why he embraces cultural appreciation over appropriation
Why the slow pace of “intensive nothingness” in Kashmir offered a profound sense of freedom
Why bad travel days make for the best stories and how serendipity plays a key role in transformational travel
What India taught Rick about time, joy, and the richness of human experience
How his time on the Hippie Trail left a lasting mark on his worldview and how he’s weaved the magic of that trip into his life today
And so much more

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