Authors Phillip Barlag and Angela Nickerson dive into Rome's rich history and Renaissance era, discussing iconic buildings and Michelangelo's masterpieces. Tour guides share tips on finding serenity in Venice despite the tourist crowds, offering unique insights for travelers.

Consider your options for encountering the thousand-year-old culture of the Vikings on a visit to Scotland's Orkney Islands. Then listen in as a frequent domestic traveler explains why he believes that visiting all 50 states is a worthy endeavor for all Americans — not merely for fun but as a powerful way to overcome political division. And hear about Frédéric Chopin's struggles with a clunky piano on a Spanish island, where he still managed to compose pieces that changed how the world listens to music. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

The director of the new Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art tells us how a small city in Arkansas became home to a major art museum. Then author Rick Antonson describes how motoring west along the legendary Route 66 can reveal easily overlooked slices of Middle America. Plus, a Dutch tour guide discusses Amsterdam's reliance on bicycles — and what visitors should know before jumping into the bike lane. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Guidebook authors from Morocco and Costa Rica explain why Tangier serves as a handy entry point into Morocco, discuss the meaning of "pura vida" in the tropical abundance of Costa Rica — and tell their story of an overseas trip that led them to fall in love and make a new life for themselves. And a Dutch linguist advocates for learning more about the evolution of Europe's languages as a fun way for travelers to deepen their cultural experiences. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

BBC reporter Nick Bryant gives us a personal look at India as he discusses what he learned about its society while he was stationed in New Delhi. Then Indian-born actress Madhur Jaffrey shares childhood memories from the last days of British colonialism. Plus, friends from Italy tell Rick how they cope with their country's everyday chaos and offer tips for handling surprises you may encounter on your Italian travels. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

A journalist explains why she travels to countries that most people would have a good reason to avoid. Then an alpine guide discusses why she enjoys exploring Europe's historic hiking trails with her young children in tow. And a tour guide discusses what he enjoys most about Romania's less-traveled Old World scene. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

A creative-writing instructor with an appetite for American comfort food describes some of his favorite quintessentially Midwestern dishes, and a former US ambassador lets us in on some of Switzerland's most enjoyable urban festivals and experiences. Then diving experts invite us to imagine the beauty of the underwater world as they explain what motivates them to explore beneath — and above — the surface of warm- and cold-water destinations around the world. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Find out how a camping trip down the Colorado River can be a life-altering experience. Hear about Nancy Pearl's favorite books for armchair adventures. Also, learn the protocol to order and enjoy the local specialties in Spain's tapas bars. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

The authors of "The Bonjour Effect" explain how many of the problems foreigners encounter in France are a disconnect with how the French expect you to communicate. Author Susan Cahill reveals some of her favorite garden spots in Paris and get a whiff of its colorful history.  For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Learn how colorful ceramic tiles have long been an important part of the scene in Portugal. Get recommendations from Cameron Hewitt, Rick's senior researcher, on elegant and soulful Polish cities, some of Europe's best-kept secrets. Hear from Author Anthony Sattin about how nomads have have shaped civilization over the centuries. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.