Rick Steves is an award-winning travel writer, television host and tour guide who also writes a popular series of guidebooks. Additionally, he actively supports various social justice causes worldwide as well as having donated money towards fighting hunger in the world.
His travel guides exude fatherly charm with their bad puns and admiring remarks about marble buttresses; many even consider them to be the “Bible of European Travel”.
Rick Steves is a Travel Writer
Rick Steves is a travel writer known for penning over 30 European country guidebooks, city guides and phrase books. These guidebooks contain advice for traveling abroad while hosting a public radio show and leading tours for his company. In addition, his articles appear regularly in USA Today as well as memoirs written by himself or others; television talk show hosts often feature him. Rick Steves stands as an advocate for international travel with an innovative approach.
As “temporary locals,” Americans can immerse themselves in Europe more fully and connect more closely with its culture and people at a fraction of the cost associated with mainstream tourism. His business is based in Edmonds, Washington; however he spends approximately one third of each year traveling throughout Europe to create fresh content and perfect his PBS show, printed guides, and guided tours.
His early guidebooks provided travelers with detailed itineraries that included how many days should be spent in each destination. While he still writes and edits his books himself, many updates are now completed by staffers or co-authors. Furthermore, he rotates destinations regularly, visiting major ones at least every two years.
As Steves matures, he has focused his attention on expanding his audience. His popularity can be found through popular TV shows, over 400 ad-free travel video clips, podcasting platform and advocacy work for global travel industry and local communities.
Steves has inspired millions of Americans to travel abroad through his writings and television appearances. His enthusiasm for exploring different places has inspired many others to follow in his footsteps, including many from Lynnwood YWCA for homeless mothers in Lynnwood; as an active member of his church and frequent contributor to USA Today. Additionally, Steves is known as one of the foremost travel industry voices; an inspiration indeed!
Rick Steves is a Television Host
Rick Steves has an eye for great finds and encourages travelers to venture off-path. Additionally, he’s passionate about teaching people how to travel smarter while saving money – his television shows and guidebooks have given many more people an incentive to travel more frequently while enjoying their trips abroad.
Rick Steves hosts an immensely popular PBS program called Travel with Rick Steves that showcases European destinations and their diverse cultures. It can be found online as well as airing nationally on public television stations across the U.S.
Rick Steves hails from Seattle and has traveled widely – both domestically and abroad – both as a traveller and an author. His philosophy behind traveling lies within its life-enriching qualities; therefore it should be enjoyed with purpose. Furthermore, he has written numerous travel books, hosted multiple television programs and produced audio guides as a result.
Steves enjoys spending much of his time between travels in Washington state, biking and hiking as hobbies; however, his main passion lies with travel itself – especially exploring the Alps! Additionally, his expertise lies in distilling information into digestible doses for readers, tour members and class attendees alike.
In 1973, Steves ran an advertisement in his local paper looking for someone to explore Europe with him. Gene Openshaw became his traveling companion; together they used a 10-week Eurail pass and budgeted $3 per day during their journey through Alps, Scandinavia, Iberia Peninsula and Soviet Bloc countries.
Steves still fondly recalls this trip as one of his most enjoyable European journeys to date, so Rocky Mountain PBS reached out via Zoom and recorded him discussing some of its memorable moments from that first adventure.
Sheri has always had an interest in travel and trekking that began with physical education classes at high school. Now a full-time travel writer for Transformational Trekking as well as being a tour guide/map editor for Rick Steves guidebooks, Sheri specializes in trekking throughout England, Scotland and Ireland in particular.
Rick Steves is a Radio Show Host
Rick Steves has become one of America’s favorite public television hosts and best-selling guidebook authors, while being an outspoken advocate who advocates travel as an avenue to broaden one’s horizons. His radio show Travel with Rick Steves highlights stories from across the globe while remaining as local as possible with each show drawing upon local resources in each location visited.
Each week, he hosts a guest and conducts interviews about their travel experiences abroad. Additionally, he discusses topics related to travel as well as offering tips to plan the perfect journey. Renowned for his cheery yet charming nature, he often encourages listeners to visit the destinations he promotes during his show.
He is well known as both a television host and popular public radio show host; his program has been heard by millions. Specializing in European travel, his friendly tips make traveling easier while giving an interesting take on its history.
Attracted by Europe’s cuisine, culture, and history, he shares this passion by teaching others how to take full advantage of all it offers. His mission is to inspire travelers to see it all as God intended: with its incredible diversity embraced. Travel can shape our worldviews while teaching us to lead healthier lives.
Dave hails from Abruzzo region east of Rome and his passion for travel and history led him to study Europe extensively, tour guide for Rick Steves guidebooks and public speaking engagements, university teaching positions and tour guiding duties. His user-friendly maps in Rick Steves guidebooks have assisted thousands of travelers navigate Europe with ease. His evenings are spent reading up on European history and art – specifically Roman – from history books. He further supports solutions to homelessness by donating a 24-unit apartment complex called Trinity Place to the YWCA of Lynnwood, Washington where women and children find safe shelter. Together with members of Edmonds Noontime Rotary Club he maintains this facility; during his free time he plays golf or tends to his garden.
Rick Steves is a Syndicated Columnist
Rick Steves is a popular columnist and travel guidebook author known for his insightful advice and insightful travel advice. He hosts television programs, radio programs, tour groups, organizes tours in foreign countries and has his own online blog where his advice and insights help travelers avoid tourist traps while immersing themselves into local life. His books have been translated into multiple languages with his online blog being known for his friendly yet relaxed persona on air or written pages.
His television programs are shot throughout Europe and feature an array of destinations. He frequently promotes smaller, less-touristy spots that offer authentic culture without crowds of tourists. Furthermore, he advises travelers to utilize public transport when exploring cities as well as visiting their neighborhoods in each one.
He has an endearing voice and persona that resonates with many people. While friendly and easygoing, he’s also intensely hardworking and passionate about travel – his guides are well trained to ensure each visitor enjoys a great trip. Furthermore, he can be quite hilarious — evidenced when dancing alongside one of them at one of their parties several years ago!
“His main mission is to enable Americans to take European trips that are both enjoyable, affordable, and culturally enriching; but he offers much more. His best-selling guidebooks, television show, weekly radio program on world travel (also available as a mobile application) and weekly television program all contribute toward his aim of providing Americans with unforgettable European travel experiences.
Ben hails from the Pacific Northwest but discovered his passion for Europe through studying abroad in Krakow, Poland for six months. Now every summer, he leads tours and works on Rick’s guidebooks; with particular expertise in Eastern Central Europe and Russia.
Mary Ann has been working with Rick since the company’s early days and has guided thousands of travelers throughout Europe. Her favorite destinations are Provence and Brittany; however, she also loves cruising Germany’s autobahn, being photographed with large portions of Black Forest cake, as well as experiencing French culture first hand – formality as well as enjoying every moment.