Rick Steves

A glorious example of Gothic architecture, Reims Cathedral's construction began in 1211. Around the back of the church, flying buttresses are hard at work, supporting the massive structure. (Rick Steves)

Rick Steves’ Europe: Bubbly, historic Reims: The toast of France’s Champagne country

March 12, 2024 at 12:03 p.m.

Imagine that happy day around 1700 when the monk Dom Pérignon, after much fiddling with the double fermentation of his grape juice, stumbled onto a bubbly delight. Having tasted the...

Bern's famous clock tower, part of the original wall around the city, looms at the head of Marktgasse street. (Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli/Rick Steves' Europe)

Rick Steves’ Europe: Bern, Switzerland’s classy yet fun capital

June 6, 2023 at 9:51 p.m.

The sidewalk along the Aare River is congested with wet and happy Swiss, hiking upstream in swimsuits just to float back into town. I join them – marveling at how...

Just outside Kraków, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is filled with salt sculptures – and tourists.

Rick Steves’ Europe: Kraków weaves a vibrant cultural tapestry

May 30, 2023 at 8:14 p.m.

Kraków is the Boston of Poland – a charming and vital city buzzing with history, college students, and tourists. Though not the capital, Kraków is the cultural and intellectual center...

To find an Irish music session in a pub, wander a town and follow your ear.

Rick Steves’ Europe: Irish music hits all the right notes

May 23, 2023 at 7:22 p.m.

The Irish seem born with a love of music. At social gatherings, everyone's always ready to sing his or her "party piece." Performances are judged less by skill than by...

Ronda' s New Bridge massively connects the old town with the new town.

Rick Steves’ Europe: Gorge-ous Ronda: quintessentially Spanish

May 16, 2023 at 7:15 p.m.

If you're like most Americans, your image of Spain is actually the region of Andalucía, famous for windswept landscapes, whitewashed hill towns, flamenco, and gazpacho. While visitors gravitate to the...

Dangle silently for 40 minutes as you glide over the glacier from France to Italy. (Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli/Rick Steves' Europe)

Rick Steves’ Europe: A peek at Italy over France’s high peaks

May 9, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.

Imagine you and your favorite travel partner dangling in your own private little gondola, gliding silently for 40 minutes as you cross the Mer de Glace ("sea of ice"). You...

Rick Steves’ Europe: Madrid: Two bulls is plenty

November 16, 2021 at 3:30 p.m.

Packed onto Madrid's subway jammed with Spaniards heading for Plaza de Toros, I'm wondering how I'll react to seeing another bullfight — my first in several years. At the last...

Rick Steves’ Europe: Lago di Como: Where Italians honeymoon

October 21, 2021 at 10:45 p.m.

Stretched over two chairs atop the skinny passenger deck of a 10-car ferry as it shuttles across Lago di Como, I look south into the haze of Italy. I'm savoring...

Rick Steves’ Europe: Living history enlivens your travels

October 21, 2021 at 10:45 p.m.

Here are some thoughts about how and why one of the most rewarding aspects of my travels is connecting with people — old friends and guides who actually lived through...

Rick Steves’ Europe: Esperanza in Évora

October 21, 2021 at 10:44 p.m.

Alentejo is a vast and arid land — the bleak interior of Portugal, where cork seems to be the dominant industry. The rolling hills are covered with stubby cork trees....

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