Travel with Rick Steves

Yearning for some of the lesser-explored adventures at home and overseas? Today we will learn about the country of Slovenia, where the slow food movement and the polka are popular. And, we get ideas for exploring the back roads of the American desert southwest, its national parks and Indian Country, from Road Trip USA author Jamie Jensen. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Costa Rica stands out from its neighbors in Central America due to its relatively stable government and high standard of living. It's a favorite destination for North Americans because of its dedication to preservation. Erin Van Rheenen spent enough time there that she wrote the guidebook, Living Abroad in Costa Rica. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

This week, Rick learns the fine points of sampling fine wine with vintner Cecelia Bottai (che-CHEE_lya bo-TYE) and Ruth Arista (ar-REES-ta). Cecelia's vineyards have been growing grapes for 2000 years in Italy's Umbria region, and Ruth operates a wine shop in Rick's hometown in the Seattle suburbs. They discuss the difference in reputation between red, white and rosé wines in Europe, and what your senses can look for when sampling a good glass of wine. It's "Wine Tasting 101," plus listener calls on planning family trips to Europe, on this week's Travel with Rick Steves. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

The sea helps define two destinations Rick discusses with his guests on this week's Travel with Rick Steves. Netherlands is one of the real powerhouses of Europe, despite its small geography. You'll find industrial innovation, Spring flowers on a massive scale, and a role model for how to live together in a crowded modern society. Tour guide Rolinka Bloeming takes listener calls to discuss what an American can expect from a visit to the Netherlands. David Stanley has written the definitive guidebook to the islands of the South Pacific, collectively known as Oceania. He provides an overview to this often-overlooked part of the planet, including how they're anticipating the effects of global warming on their island nations. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

What kind of reaction do you get when you mention France? During the program, Rick and his guest Steve Smith, an American who divides his time between Seattle and Burgundy, will look at how Americans can understand France on its own terms, and become comfortable with its rich civilization without being frustrated by the inevitable cultural faux pas. Then, French tour guides William and Marie Altman and Patrick Vidal will discuss the pleasures of taking a vacation on a canal barge in rural France. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Travelers to both Turkey and Dixie have one thing in common: they come back from their trips full of stories and enthusiasm for the people they met. This week we will meet a married tour guide couple from Istanbul, Turkey who are here to dispel some American misconceptions about their country. They will then give us an overview of what you'll find in the cities and the countryside of Turkey. We will also learn the essence of "Shun-piking" with backroad car trip suggestions from guidebook author Jamie Jensen. Our callers will highlight some of the Southeast's attractions from Key West to Tidewater, and Louisiana to the Blue Ridge mountains. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

From the newly-beautified old town district of Quito two miles high in the Andes to the ecological marvels of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador is one of South America's must-experience treats for any world traveler. So how can you make contact with the native Quechua people and what safety precautions should you take? Rick finds out from Julian Smith, author of the Moon Handbook to Ecuador. Later in the program we will meet Jennifer Cox, who quit her job in Britain and made plans to date 80 men in 18 countries around the world. She eventually met Mr. Right in the Nevada Desert. She explains to Rick how that happened in her new book, "Around the World in 80 Dates." For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Japan has long held a fascination for travelers from around the world. But its culture and language have often proved impenetrable for outsiders. This week we'll get an insider's perspective on having a rich experience when traveling to Japan. Ruth Kanagy has written a Living Abroad in Japan guidebook based on her years of experience as an American raised in Japan. And, we get another taste of USA Road Trip fever as Jamie Jensen talks to Rick and callers about approaching the roads less traveled in the USA. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

How can you travel for ten weeks with one suitcase? Rick says it is important to travel light, and to pack only one carry-on's worth of clothes and accessories. He shares packing tips for different climates, and learns about packing light for women from Joan Robinson, who leads frequent workshops on the topic. Also, Rick talks to one of his mentors in the field of travel writing, South Pacific guidebook author David Stanley. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick learns about the history and present-day allure of the Scottish highlands from Arthur Smith, a proprietor and true gentleman of the auld cloth, who ran a bed and breakfast in Glencoe, Scotland until his recent passing. Rick then fields calls from a young woman planning a trip with her sister and mother, and from a listener who gets philosophical on the last trip he'd want to make in his life. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.