Travel with Rick Steves

Get a peek behind the news to hear first-hand how Spaniards and Greeks are coping with Europe’s economic crisis — then hear the other side of the debate as we turn to look at thriving Berlin, which has continually attracted newcomers ever since it reunited 25 years ago. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

One of America's top experts on European train travel shares her tips for making the most of Europe's extensive train network, and explains how rail passes work — and how to know when they’re a bargain. Then Road Food experts Jane and Michael Stern tell us what they look for in hometown "comfort food" restaurants, where everyone feels welcome. And listeners check in with reports on special travel moments from France, Spain, Poland, and Italy. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Get personal insights on what persuaded the Scottish people to vote 'Nae' in their recent independence referendum, and hear an overview of the two personalities that comprise Belgium. Then listen in as we learn more about the doomed Lusitania, which was sunk off the coast of Ireland 100 years ago this year, and about some of Europe's greatest unfinished artistic masterpieces. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Listen in as an artist who helped restore Monet’s gardens explains why the French painter first created these colorful gardens at his house outside Paris, and hear how renovating a house on an island off the coast of Brittany can feed your wild side. Then American tour guides let us in on what happens when you marry an Italian...and the in-laws live next door. And an adventure cyclist shares the story of a timely romantic surprise that came when he needed it most. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Get tips for eating well on the cheap in Istanbul, where street vendors and inexpensive cafeterias offer great local food amid the city’s vibrant street life. Then hear about the Karneval street parties that have livened up Germany’s Rhineland for centuries, and the pre-Lenten festivities that kick off spring in Croatia and Slovenia. Plus, listen in as listeners share impressions from their visits to the Holy Land. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Find out what's been threatening the mid-Pacific...and what’s being done to protect it. Then learn about an unusual — and often comfortable — alternative to hotels and B&Bs: convents and monasteries, many of which welcome travelers in some of the world’s prime locales. And listen in while the man behind The Long Winters tells tales from his band’s tours around Europe, and reveals where they’ve found the biggest fans for American rock and roll. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

In this discussion, Danielle Ferenot, a Loire Valley tour guide, shares insights on the stunning châteaux and charming vineyards of the region. Mark Seymour, an expert on ancient stone circles, takes us on a fascinating journey through Brittany’s prehistoric sites, revealing their mysterious connections to Celtic ancestry. They explore culinary delights, local traditions, and the architectural beauty that make these areas unique. The vibrant cultural tapestry of France comes to life through their captivating stories.

We look at how important the poet W. B Yeats is to the Irish, then Agatha Christie’s grandson recommends places in England where you experience the world of her mystery novels. And, just in time for Burns Night, Scottish troubadour Jim Malcolm explains what Robert Burns means to the Scots — and sings some of his favorite Burns tunes. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Explore the highlights of the South Carolina Low Country, home to antebellum architecture, wildlife preserves, and plenty of rice and seafood. Then discover how you can stay high in the Andes with an indigenous family, right on the lake where Incas believe life began. And learn how Latinos in the United States are gaining influence — and what politicians need to understand to earn their vote. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Francis Tapon checks in with Rick at the halfway point of his goal to explore each of Africa's 54 countries. African historian Martin Meredith explains the lasting impact of the continent's colonial legacy. Also, Sasha Martin shares how to introduce your family to the favorite foods of every nation on earth. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.