Travel with Rick Steves

Hear about holiday traditions in Wales, Hungary, Sicily, and Scotland, then learn about the unique ways people light up the season in Santa Fe — where the glow of luminarias and the scent of piñon wood fires leave a lasting impression. And listen in as we head much farther south to hear how scientists at a research station in Antarctica make merry. Also, listeners share some of their favorite Christmas memories from holiday travels. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Nothing says Christmas like fresh oysters and fermented trout — at least according to some Europeans. Learn about the yuletide traditions of France, Norway, Greece, London, the Spanish Basque Country, and small-town Italy, from the varied fare to unusual holiday decorations to Santa's leaner — and often meaner — overseas counterparts. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Learn about some of America's most interesting lighthouses to visit — or even slumber in. Then hear from an experienced pilot about why the view from a 747 never gets old. And listen in as we consider the longbow's influence on the balance of power in medieval Europe. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Hear how you can get close to the ancients by hiking Peru's Inca Trail, and get tips for enjoying Cuzco and Machu Picchu. Then we'll zoom in on two more areas with striking monuments from the past: Turkey, with its legacy of the Ottoman Empire, and Wales, with its string of massive medieval castles. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Hear what makes Spain's jamón the best ham in the world, then learn about the traditional comfort foods of Scandinavia, and the after-dinner customs that keep Italians lingering at restaurant tables. And find out why a Tulsa mom embarked on a four-year project to prepare meals from every country in the world. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

British actress Joanna Lumley takes us on a soulful journey from Athens into northern Greece. Guides from Britain help us plan a getaway into England's scenic Cotswolds. Then travel writer Tim Neville tells us about skiing in unlikely places ― including Kosovo and North Korea. And we get a taste of Reykjavík nightlife during the Iceland Airwaves music festival. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

As Europe observes the centennial of the "Great War," learn about the WWI sites you can visit to better understand American doughboys' role on the battlefields. We'll also share tips for visiting Kraków, the cultural and spiritual capital of Poland. And we'll get insider advice for enjoying WWI sites in some less-visited corners of the Balkan Peninsula. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Listeners tell us about eerie encounters they've had while traveling in England and France. Then ghost hunter Terrance Zepke describes some of the most haunted places she's investigated in the US, including a former asylum in Appalachia, and even a haunted nightclub near Cincinnati. And food blogger Kate Hopkins delves into the bittersweet history of candy, and shares tips for finding the best chocolates in Europe. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Learn why Colombia is turning into one of South America's prime tourist destinations. And as we mark the 50-year anniversary of the Immigration Act of 1965, hear about why Asians, primarily from China, represent the largest group of newcomers to the US. Then listen in as we learn how things get done — or not — in Italy's chaotic culture. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Hear how recent upgrades to Oklahoma City have helped to turn it into a "big-league" city. Then eavesdrop on some local buzz around town in Honolulu, and get a sense of how time spent exploring its cultural opportunities can enhance any visit to Hawaii. And listen in as author Wallace J. Nichols explains the psychological benefits of being near the water ― even if that just means taking a relaxing bath now and then. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.