Rick Steves' Europe

Rick Steves' Europe Our mission is to inspire, inform, and equip Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening.

Rick Steves' Tours helps people experience the best of Europe through fun, affordable, culturally-broadening trips. We offer small group tours led by expert guides and more than three dozen, experience-packed itineraries. Learn more at ricksteves.com/tours.

From sea to shining sea, the United States is home to many of the world’s greatest natural wonders, and there are myriad...
06/01/2026

From sea to shining sea, the United States is home to many of the world’s greatest natural wonders, and there are myriad exciting ways to explore them. Record-setting National Parks Expert Mikah Meyer returns to Monday Night Travel to share how travelers of diverse abilities can experience our nation’s nature by foot, bike, and raft.

Together with Mikah, we paddle Utah’s rapids-laced rivers, cycle through dense Oregon forest, hike across National Parks, and discuss how you can pack and prepare for these adventures so you don’t miss out on the purple mountain majesty our country has to offer.

Monday Night Travel is our live, weekly virtual show. Register to receive a link to watch via Zoom, or watch live on our "Rick Steves Travel Talks" YouTube channel.

• Register here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qK9xurDwR_W408LjWZoTzA #/registration

• Watch live on YouTube at 6pm PT:
https://www.youtube.com/

Explore the full schedule of upcoming Monday Night Travel shows and watch previous recordings: www.ricksteves.com/mnt

05/30/2026

This week on the Travel with Rick Steves radio show:
A pair of tour guides from Greece tell us how the island of Crete offers a natural experience unlike any other. Then travel writer Mark Adams describes his 3,000-mile voyage along the coasts of Alaska to follow what the Harriman Expedition saw in 1899. And a Dutch biologist explains how urban evolution is happening faster than we used to think all over the world.

Find your local station, subscribe to the podcast, or listen online at https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/radio

Monday Night Travel returns on June 1 to embark on an exciting itinerary of fun summer sessions! Ben, Emily, Gabe, Lisa,...
05/29/2026

Monday Night Travel returns on June 1 to embark on an exciting itinerary of fun summer sessions!

Ben, Emily, Gabe, Lisa, and Rick spent their spring breaks zigzagging across Europe and beyond — ferrying between Greek islands, touring a Portuguese cork farm, exploring towns in lush Brittany, sampling a rainbow of gelato in Italy, and trekking through lava fields in Oregon — collecting travel tales and tips to share with you this summer. Plus, the team has recruited an all-star line-up of expert guests to help you dream up your next adventure and execute it flawlessly.

To kick things off on June 1, national parks expert Mikah Meyer comes equipped with tips for exploring the natural wonders in our own backyard. From there, we set sail for Europe to tour Scandinavia’s great capitals and France’s less-visited travel gems – and to indulge in palate-friendly, pocket-friendly cuisine across the continent.

🧳Monday Night Travel Schedule (9:00 p.m. Eastern / 6:00 p.m. Pacific):

• June 1: Experiencing America's Natural Wonders with Mikah Meyer
• June 8: Copenhagen, Stockholm & Oslo with Dave Hoerlein
• June 15: Beyond the Best of France with Lisa Friend & Gabe Gunnink
• June 22: Tasting Europe with Christina Stauss
• June 29: Rick’s Spring 2026 Trip Report with Rick Steves

Register now (for free!), and you'll receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link to join the live session. You can also tune in via YouTube Live by visiting the Rick Steves Travel Talks YouTube channel when the event begins.

Register here:
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/travel-classes/monday-night-travel

Watch with YouTube Live:
https://www.youtube.com/

Plus, before the summer is over, we’ll also journey to Spain, Portugal, Scotland, Italy, Germany, Poland, and India, so be sure to check the Monday Night Travel web page for more shows to be added soon.

Whether you’re putting the finishing touches on your next itinerary, dreaming up future travels, or exploring the world from your living room, we’re eager to hop on the virtual tour bus with you and set off on a summer of adventure!

Germany is dotted with cobbled towns, bustles with history-rich cities, and houses thousands of imposing castles just be...
05/28/2026

Germany is dotted with cobbled towns, bustles with history-rich cities, and houses thousands of imposing castles just begging to be stormed. Our 13-day Best of Germany tour covers it all, time-traveling through the nation’s medieval charms, teasing your palate with hearty Germanic food and drink, and offering plenty of thought-provoking pauses to contemplate this country’s complex history and forward-thinking future.

This itinerary starts with the sound of seagulls in Hamburg, which feels almost Scandinavian thanks to its people-friendly harbor and avant-garde architecture. From there, we venture into the fairytale forests of the Brothers Grimm before cruising down the mighty Rhine River, floating past half-timbered villages, vineyard-cloaked hillsides, and robber-baron castles.

After a night in Rothenburg — Germany's best-preserved medieval town — it's south to the picturesque region of Bavaria and its capital, Munich. We'll visit the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial to reflect on sobering Nazi-era history and remember that, with knowledge of the past, we're better equipped to navigate the challenges of today and tomorrow. Then you'll have a full day to enjoy Munich at your own pace; perhaps enjoying its great museums, stretching out in the expansive English Gardens, or clinking mugs in a frothy beer hall.

Next comes "Lutherland," where we'll step back to the Reformation and follow in the footsteps of Martin Luther at Erfurt (where he became a monk) and Wartburg Castle (where he translated the New Testament into modern German). Our tour concludes in dynamic Berlin, where powerful reminders of the 20th century stand alongside bold modern architecture and a thriving cultural buzz.

Along the way, you'll also ogle Cologne's magnificent cathedral, explore reborn-from-the-ashes Dresden, and follow the lead of your expert Rick Steves' Europe guide as they unlock portals to Germany's fascinating, complicated past — and open doors to connect with its earnest, welcoming people.

Check out the full itinerary, read traveler reviews, and plan your German journey: https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/germany/best-germany-tour

A handful of 2026 departure dates remain (including during Oktoberfest!) and 2027 departures are wide open! Book your 2027 travels before July 7 to take advantage of our early-booking discount and save $100.

Eating in Germany is a big part of the fun of traveling there. Ingredients are wonderful (especially if you eat with the...
05/27/2026

Eating in Germany is a big part of the fun of traveling there. Ingredients are wonderful (especially if you eat with the season), traditions are prized, "modern German cuisine" is giving old dishes tasty and entertaining new twists, and small, creative foodie places are thriving in every city. Even in small-town Germany, restaurants are challenging the notion that German food is all schnitzel and noodles.

Of course, you'll still find a healthy dose of meat-heavy menus. The classic dish in Germany is sausage — hundreds of varieties of bratwurst, and Weisswurst, and Brühwurst (oh my!). It's a fast, tasty staple of the Germanic diet. Most restaurants offer it (often as the cheapest thing on the menu), but it's more commonly eaten at take-out fast-food stands.

Many traditional eateries also serve some kind of meat on the bone, such as pork knuckle or shoulder, which has been boiled or roasted until tender. It goes down well with a big mug of beer. Another ubiquitous meat dish is schnitzel (a meat cutlet that's been pounded flat, breaded, and fried). And you'll often see stuck on the beginning and end of menu items a form of the word braten (which can mean "roast" or "grill" or "fry") — as in Bratkartoffeln (pan-fried potatoes), Schweinebraten (roasted pork), or Bratwurst (grilled sausage).

Though it's tasty, traditional German food can get monotonous. All schnitzeled out? Germans make excellent salads (and not just of the potato variety). Most menus feature big, varied, dinner-size salad plates. Besides grüner Salat (your basic mixed salad based on lettuce), you'll likely come across options ranging from Greek salads and bean salads to gemischter Salat — a mixed salad of lettuce, fresh and (often) pickled veggies and a tasty dressing. In May and June, Spargel — big white or green asparagus — is ubiquitous.

Whether you're a foodie, a vegetarian, or a hard-core carnivore, Germany offers a world of flavors to satisfy every kind of traveler. What is your favorite German dish?

Learn more: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/german-cuisine-for-travelers

05/26/2026

It’s tough to beat a giant pretzel 🥨

Germany tour guide Jim McDonough played the with quintessential German traditions, landmarks, and culinary experiences. Where did you land?

Munich ("München" in German), often called Germany's most livable city, is also one of its most historic, artistic, and ...
05/25/2026

Munich ("München" in German), often called Germany's most livable city, is also one of its most historic, artistic, and entertaining. Until 1871, it was the capital of an independent Bavaria. Its imperial palaces, jewels, and grand boulevards constantly remind visitors that Munich has long been a political and cultural powerhouse.

Despite its population of 1.5 million, Munich feels small. Bavaria's capital seems to be comfortable just being itself rather than trying to keep up with Berlin or Hamburg, its big sisters to the north. This big-city elegance is possible because of its determination to be pedestrian- and bike-friendly, and because of a law that allows buildings taller than the cathedral's towers only in the city's outskirts. Even Oktoberfest, the world's biggest beer party, is not corporate run but city run — leaving it free, easygoing, and hell-bent on having fun rather than making money.

Munich is worth two days, but could easily fill three days with its numerous worthwhile sights and activities. If all you have is one day, tour one of the royal palaces (the Residenz or Nymphenburg), and drink in the beer-hall culture for your evening’s entertainment. With a second day, choose from the following: Tour the Dachau memorial (45 minutes from the center by public transportation), rent a bike to enjoy the English Garden, or—if you’re into art—visit the Alte Pinakothek. Many visitors also spend an entire day side-tripping south to “Mad” King Ludwig’s castles.

Walking through Munich, it's easy to understand why it is consistently voted one of Germany's most livable cities — safe, clean, cultured, a university town, built on a human scale, and close to the beauties of nature. Though it's the capital of Bavaria and a major metropolis, Munich's low-key atmosphere has led Germans to dub it "Millionendorf" — the "village of a million people."

Plan your trip to Munich with our online resources and with our Germany guidebook.

💻 Online resources:
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/germany/munich

📖 Germany guidebook:
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/germany-guidebook

05/23/2026

This week on the Travel with Rick Steves radio show:
New York Times reporter John Branch tells us how one family in southern Utah keeps a cowboy tradition alive at rodeos across the West. Then an award-winning travel journalist recommends itineraries for scenic road trips and sites to explore across California.

Plus, an environmental history scholar pays tribute to the American bald eagle, whose recovery from the brink of extinction is an environmental success story that can inspire everyone.

Find your local station, subscribe to the podcast, or listen online at https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/radio

The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup is about to kick off here in North America...but if you're traveling in Europe while it's ...
05/22/2026

The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup is about to kick off here in North America...but if you're traveling in Europe while it's taking place, you'll certainly feel its impact as well.

For most of the globe, the World Cup is as big as it gets — and Europe is no different. This is when soccer takes over daily life. Player news becomes national news, entire communities grind to a halt to watch games, and shops post unusual hours that suspiciously align with the match schedule. It’s when natives brush up on their national anthem, bars take on extra staff (and extra beer), and everyone comes together with one communal goal: to go nuts cheering for their country.

Sixteen European countries have qualified for the World Cup, and if you're visiting any of them during the tournament (June 11–July 19), it will likely impact your travels. But rather than seeing soccer mania as an obstacle, consider how it can enhance your trip — especially if the national team is playing. Even if you’re not a fan, become one for the day. This is a rare and special type of cultural immersion, beyond the everyday museums and attractions.

And it’s so easy to jump in. You don’t need to know the players, the coaches, or even the rules to enjoy the experience. Buy a jersey — or a flag, or a scarf, or a colorful wig — at any souvenir shop, then just wander the streets at match time. You’ll find pubs packed with people squinting at a grainy television; stumble upon large screens erected at parks and piazzas for public watch parties; and hear a chorus of emotions erupting from open apartment windows. Watching along with the locals, you’ll make new friends, pick up the team chant, and begin to recognize the vice grip the "Beautiful Game" has on all of Europe.

To learn more about the history of the soccer and how Europe's system of promotion and relegation contributes heavily to its love for the sport, read our latest Updates & Insights article:
https://blog.ricksteves.com/insights/worldcup/

Poland is a land of surprises — so trendy and hip, yet steeped in history. While parts of the country do still feel lik...
05/21/2026

Poland is a land of surprises — so trendy and hip, yet steeped in history. While parts of the country do still feel like a time warp, today's Poland also has a vibrant urbanity, enticing food and design culture, dynamic history, and kindhearted locals.

If Poland’s been on your wish list, our Best of Poland itinerary might be perfect for you. And past tour members seem to agree — Best of Poland was our top-rated overall tour in 2025!

On this 10-day journey, you’ll escape crowds and embrace the understated elegance of one of Europe’s hippest countries. Our itinerary traces the spiritual (and geographical) spine of the country, spending nights in Poland’s trio of must-see cities — Gdańsk, Warsaw, and Kraków — and stopping at mighty Malbork Castle, the cobbly-cute village of Toruń, and Częstochowa’s reverent Jasna Góra Monastery.

Along the way, you’ll roll up your sleeves and learn to make pierogi by hand; trace the path of L**h Wałęsa's stirring Solidarity movement; hear Chopin’s music in the city that shaped him; raise a toast of crisp Polish vodka; and more. With an expert Rick Steves guide at your side, you’ll feel how Poland’s hard history has created a proud, strong, and soulful culture filled with kindhearted locals excited to show off their dynamic homeland.

We just released our 2027 departures, and you can save $100 per person if you book by July 7. If you're dreaming of travels in 2026, Poland summer departures are still available — na zdrowie!

Explore the full itinerary, read reviews, and find departure dates:
https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/poland/best-poland-tour

Address

130 4th Avenue N
Edmonds, WA
98020

Telephone

+14257718303

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Rick Steves' Europe posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category