Travel with Rick Steves

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.

An American memoirist describes what she learned when retracing an epic — and poignant — family road trip all the way from Oregon to the southern tip of South America. Then a film producer recounts some of the exhilarating travels he's turned into spectacular IMAX nature films. And fellow listeners call in to share how their passions and hobbies have provided a framework for memorable overseas travels. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

A Ljubljana-based tour guide and co-author of Rick's Central Europe guidebook shares the captivating charm of Slovenia’s capital, highlighting its walkability and architectural beauty. A Munich tour guide offers insider tips for Oktoberfest, revealing the region's unique culture and traditions. Meanwhile, a naturalist dives into wildlife stories that spotlight the unappreciated roles of misunderstood creatures, including vampire bats and their medicinal contributions, along with thrilling adventures in the wild.

A historian discusses some of the most salient narratives about themselves that eastern Europeans have been passing down through generations of folklore. Then a Bulgarian tour guide lets us in on why the smaller Balkan countries of Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia are emerging as "back-door" destinations. And tour guides from Italy share tips for people-watching among the chic and sleek in Milan's fashionable café scene — and the cocktails to enjoy while doing so. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.