Travel with Rick Steves

Ken Follett, author of a monumental series of novels based in medieval Europe, celebrates the much anticipated — and hotly debated — reopening of Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral five years after its devastating fire. Also, the New York Times' former Paris correspondent Elaine Sciolino tells us what makes her own Paris neighborhood feel like home. And a peace activist from Jerusalem shares a suggestion to help people of different religions get along better. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Join historian Jerry Broughton, a professor at Queen Mary University, as he unpacks the cultural significance of navigation and how our understanding of direction has evolved over time. Eric Weiner, an acclaimed author, dives into the shifting meanings behind place names, showcasing examples like Bombay to Mumbai and the implications of these changes on identity. Explore breathtaking landscapes in Iceland and Switzerland, revealing their unique allure while discussing the emotional connections tied to geography.

Indulge your ears in an audio feast by listening in on delectable discussions of the don't-miss traditional foods of the Netherlands and Spain. Hear about how the French structure their day around meal times, as observed by an Australian chef who's settled in central France. And learn about the special cakes that Norwegians enjoy for the holidays. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Fred Plotkin, an Italophile and author, dives into the enchanting world of Emilia-Romagna, Italy's culinary heart. He shares why it's a top destination for food and culture lovers. The duo discusses the charm of Ærø Island in Denmark, known for its cozy vibe, unique farm designs, and local stalls. They explore Sicily’s hidden gems, highlighting its rich culinary heritage and revitalized neighborhoods like Palermo and Ortigia. Plotkin encourages travelers to embrace the lesser-known treasures of Italy and enjoy the sensory delights they offer.

Hear about Michelangelo's life-consuming struggle to create the grand papal tomb that was supposed to be his magnum opus, but is largely ignored today. Then get an update on what's new this year in Dublin, where a major renovation at Trinity College's Old Library has turned viewing the Book of Kells, one of Ireland's greatest treasures, into an immersive experience. And join fellow listeners in considering how the thrill of viewing a great work of art in person can be reason enough to plan a trip. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Tour guides from Berlin update us on what's new in the German capital, and discuss why they love living in a city so dense with history — and one that seems to be constantly reinventing itself. And a former Peace Corps volunteer reflects on the value of his two-year stint, which had him, right out of college, living and teaching halfway around the world. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

American road-trip aficionado Jim Hinckley recommends Old West ghost towns to visit before they fade away. Then Irish singer Cathie Ryan explains — and demonstrates — how Ireland remembers its heroes in song. And journalist Carl Hoffman lets us in on what he's concluded after researching the disappearance of banking scion Michael Rockefeller, who vanished in 1961 while on an art-buying expedition in the jungles of New Guinea. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Learn about Italy's sagre — traditional country fairs, often centering on the local harvest, that usually feature colorful historical pageantry. Then hear what's new in old Rome as it spiffs up for the coming Jubilee Year celebrations. Then listen in as venerated writer and editor Michael Korda recounts his experiences amid one of the Cold War's most dramatic events: the Hungarian uprising of October 1956. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Ferdi Menge, a native Belgian tour guide, shares the delights of Belgium’s culture, from delectable cuisine like fries and mussels to its rich beer traditions. Katie Marin, an advocate for public spaces, introduces her favorite gardens worldwide, including the vibrant Le Jardin Plume in Normandy. Meanwhile, Seth Kantner offers a poignant look at life in northwest Alaska, addressing the delicate balance between Indigenous lifestyles and the impacts of climate change on the Arctic's wildlife, particularly the caribou.

A Harvard historian discusses how the impact of the Immigration Act of 1965 continues to reverberate in American society, and in particular what the US gained in becoming far more welcoming to Asian immigrants than ever before. And tour guides from Hungary, Poland, and Portugal update us on some of the profound political issues under debate in their countries, and what we Americans might learn from their experiences. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.