Rick Steves is an acclaimed travel host, writer, and producer. His company produces television programs, books, and tour groups for Americans traveling to Europe. Additionally, he teaches European history and business at the University of Washington.
He lives in Edmonds, Washington and speaks out on issues including marijuana legalization as well as our criminal justice system’s shortcomings.
Rick Steves is a Travel Expert
Rick Steves is an internationally acclaimed travel expert on a mission to empower Americans to have European trips that are affordable, enjoyable and culturally enriching. He writes best-selling guidebooks on Europe as well as hosting public television and radio programs, producing podcasts and organizing small group tours for American travelers – his company employs over 80 full-time employees with extensive travel expertise.
Steves believes in making travel enjoyable and stress-free, and his advice for avoiding crowds and tourist traps is highly valued by travelers. Additionally, he encourages them to connect with locals by making friends while exploring their culture from a visitor’s viewpoint. Steves’ warm personality and humorous anecdotes make him popular with those curious about other cultures.
Rick Steves is widely recognized for his popular travel shows. Additionally, he writes for newspapers and hosts a public radio program. With an in-depth knowledge of European culture and history, as well as budgeting lessons, language learning classes, cultural interaction lessons and many books such as Rick Steves’ Europe and The Complete Guide to France (all written by him), his expertise can be found everywhere from travel shows and public radio to newspapers and public radio programs.
Steves hasn’t forgotten the sacrifices associated with such wealth and fame, spending months each year filming in Europe for 12 hours each day, often missing his children’s soccer games as he travels; additionally, his wife must remain behind during these periods.
He believes traveling is an adventure worth experiencing and that each destination offers something new and distinct that’s worth discovering. After visiting many countries, he has developed an appreciation for different styles of architecture, art, and cuisine as well as discovering his passion for cooking local food and wine.
His travels have introduced him to some of the most remarkable people and experiences; these he has shared through bestselling guidebooks and his television show. With his distinctive Northwest nerd aesthetic and humorous tone, he is an influential figure within the travel industry and his advice has helped countless travelers travel smarter and cheaper.
He is a Social Entrepreneur
Social entrepreneurs are ventures undertaken for purposes other than financial success. Their endeavors usually aim to bring positive social change, while often being driven by ethical or moral imperatives. Social entrepreneurship has become an increasingly prevalent area of business due to wealth disparity, global technological distribution and the desire for corporations to become more socially conscious.
Social entrepreneurs include organizations like TOMS Shoes, which gives one pair of shoes for every pair bought and donates them directly to children in need. This business model has become an international sensation and inspired other companies to follow suit. Another prominent social entrepreneur is Warby Parker Eyeglasses which offers affordable frames to those in need of glasses at reasonable rates. Social enterprises may either be non-profit, for-profit, or hybrid organizations.
Rick Steves immediately makes you aware of how much he enjoys traveling by sharing his passion through words and voice. His rich, deep voice is inviting and playful; his demeanor friendly. Rick seeks ways to make travel more accessible while remaining unafraid to tackle controversial subjects; for instance criticizing Trump while advocating marijuana legalization as part of his agenda.
Edmonds, Washington is home for him; here, he works to add European touches by replacing SUVs with bikes and taking Jackson for evening passeggiata strolls in Italy’s traditional paseggiata style. Additionally, he advocates for car-free zones and sustainable travel and is active with Boy Scouts while supporting local arts groups.
Steves may be known as an enthusiastic prankster, but he remains dedicated to improving our world. He supports various charitable causes and encourages others to volunteer – believing volunteering can improve quality of life while building community connections. Furthermore, Steves backs local governments that invest in public infrastructure.
Unfamiliar with Steves’ work may assume that he spends all his time traveling around Europe, but in reality he has an astoundingly busy schedule with over 100 employees (editors, audio producers and tour specialists) reporting back directly to him; furthermore he publishes over 20 books annually!
He is a Musician
Rick Steves may only be known by casual viewers of travel shows as someone who makes Europe accessible and enjoyable, but in real life he’s a business mogul, philanthropist, and advocate for legal weed. Furthermore, he spends three months of every year traveling the globe writing, recording, and refining tours while authoring 110 books as well as managing a multimillion-dollar European tour company.
Steves still finds time for local activism even in his quiet hometown of Edmonds, Washington. When not traveling or working on his next project, Steves can often be found perched at the edge of a fountain roundabout engaging in friendly civil disobedience by blocking off traffic to pedestrians and acting as an activist in that way.
As Steves waves and smiles, he gives more the impression of an Elf on a Shelf than an angry picketer. However, this cause is an important one that Steves takes seriously; also investing $30 from each customer trip into offsetting his own airline emissions.
Steves is also working to add European charm to his hometown through his offices, featuring an E.U. flag affixed to its mocha brick exterior and gargoyles reminiscent of Notre Dame to drain rainwater away. His team of over 100 editors, audio producers, and tour specialists work in what appears like a cross between a library and French cathedral space.
Though Steves may appear whimsical on television, his work is taken seriously. Aside from being an outspoken political activist who opposes Donald Trump and speaks out against capital punishment, he’s also involved with local issues – giving millions each year to the arts, senior centers for elders, as well as advocating affordable housing and community development initiatives.
He’s a vocal supporter of local politics, hosting a weekly discussion group at home on local issues. Additionally, he supports the Edmonds Farmers Market and enjoys playing petanque (a French version of bocce ball) on a nearby green. Additionally, he volunteers at food banks and homeless shelters while hosting events at his own home for neighborhood politicians.
He is a Writer
Rick Steves is an American travel mogul and philanthropist renowned for his travel philosophy of visiting less-touristy areas while experiencing local people’s daily lives first-hand. Additionally, his advice encourages travelers to support local businesses while engaging in community projects. Rick has been accused of overtourism but works against it by encouraging travelers to visit his favorite spots before they become overrun with visitors – also creating car-free zones in Edmonds, Washington where he lives.
Rick Steves is so dedicated to his mission that he spends nearly three months of every year traveling throughout Europe, filming his popular travel show and guidebooks while writing them down for publication. Additionally, he hosts a weekly hour-long public radio show and runs his multimillion-dollar European tour company: Rick Steves’ Europe Through the Back Door; this powerful enterprise employs numerous editors, audio producers, tour specialists as well as pledge drives raising millions for local public television stations nationwide.
Steves makes sure to take time for himself and his family in Edmonds despite his busy work life, including regular diner trips with his wife Wee and playing petanque (French version of bocce ball) on public courts throughout Edmonds. They also enjoy walking their pup Jackson together as part of Italy’s passeggiata evening stroll tradition.
As well as promoting his work, Steves is also an advocate for legalizing marijuana, believing it will reduce criminal justice system burdens and increase tax revenue. Yet despite his hippie background he doesn’t drink cannabis himself but rather prefers whiskey and following Washington Capitals baseball games.
He loves hosting parties for his friends and co-workers, especially his staff at Christmastime. Guests often bring gifts as surprises for him; in return he gives a tour of his home; it contains unique memorabilia from his career as a traveling writer such as a silver fox stuffed animal with teeth attached and novelty sunglasses with cannabis leaves imprinted onto its lenses – just to name two of his notable items!