Rick Steves

Frankfurt's Romerberg Square looks old, but the half-timbered buildings were rebuilt in 1983, four decades after bombs destroyed the originals during World War II.

Rick Steves’ Europe: Experience modern Germany in Frankfurt

For years, Frankfurt was a city to avoid, but today, its no-nonsense energy makes it worth a look.

 

Positano, the jewel of Italy's Amalfi Coast, hugs the rugged shoreline.

Rick Steves’ Europe: Glitzy Positano: Not just a pretty facade

It’s one of the most romantic and chic stops on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, a place of beaches, sunshine and picturesque towns.

 

Christian pilgrims and tourists are drawn to the dramatically situated Mont St-Michel, a soaring island abbey in Normandy that is completely surrounded by the sea at high tide.

Rick Steves on Mont St-Michel, Normandy’s magnificent island abbey

Solitude drew monks to this rock outpost long, long ago. Today, it’s crowded with tourists.

 

Salzburg’s Hohensalzburg Fortress looms 400 feet above Austria’s famous Baroque city.

The eternally happy Salzburg, of Mozart and ‘Sound of Music’ fame

The Austrian city is chock a block with tourists, yet still is thoroughly enjoyable.

Salzburg’s Hohensalzburg Fortress looms 400 feet above Austria’s famous Baroque city.
Salzburg’s Hohensalzburg Fortress looms 400 feet above Austria’s famous Baroque city. (Rick Steves’ Europe)

Salzburg is alive with scenery and the sound of Mozart

Come for the history and the concerts; stay for the brews and the views

Salzburg’s Hohensalzburg Fortress looms 400 feet above Austria’s famous Baroque city. (Rick Steves’ Europe)
Denmark's Legoland features 58 million Lego bricks, some assembled to represent famous landmarks from around the world, such as the historic Bryggen wharf in Bergen, Norway.

Rick Steves’ Europe: Happy and content — It’s a very Danish thing

Denmark, home of Legoland, works like a charm in spite of — or, very possibly, because of — high taxes and $6 cups of coffee.

Denmark's Legoland features 58 million Lego bricks, some assembled to represent famous landmarks from around the world, such as the historic Bryggen wharf in Bergen, Norway.
Verona's Roman arena is an impressive sight, with much of the stonework still intact.

Italy’s easygoing Verona is for lovers

The city where Shakespeare set “Romeo and Juliet” has been a go-to destination since Roman times.

Verona's Roman arena is an impressive sight, with much of the stonework still intact.
The European Parliament in Brussels charts the course of Europe.

Rick Steves’ Europe: Politics, good living and peeing in Brussels

The Belgian capital’s rich brew of food and culture pleasantly surprises those who stop.

The European Parliament in Brussels charts the course of Europe.
Krakow’s main square offers a vibrant slice of modern Polish life — and it’s just steps away from a cheap and cheerful milk bar meal.

Poland’s milk bars dish up memories and cheap eats

You can eat well there for just $5, making them perhaps the best legacy of the communist era.

Krakow’s main square offers a vibrant slice of modern Polish life — and it’s just steps away from a cheap and cheerful milk bar meal.
Many of those who fought for Irish independence were held or executed in Kilmainham Gaol.

These are a few of Rick Steves’ favorite things to do in Dublin

Visiting Trinity College, Kilmainham Gaol and more in Ireland’s capital city.

Many of those who fought for Irish independence were held or executed in Kilmainham Gaol.
A golden cross marks the top of the 9,700-foot Zugspitze -- the highest point in Germany. The mountain straddles the border between Germany and Austria, and lifts from both countries whisk visitors to the top.

Rick Steves’ Europe: The Zugspitze: Germany’s breathtaking rooftop

Whether you ascend from the Austrian or German side, restaurants, shops, a small museum and telescopes await you at the summit.

A golden cross marks the top of the 9,700-foot Zugspitze -- the highest point in Germany. The mountain straddles the border between Germany and Austria, and lifts from both countries whisk visitors to the top.
Brighton Pier.

Brits have been hitting the Brighton beach since 1840

While most English cities keep their stiff upper lip, Brighton knows how to let loose.

Brighton Pier.
The golden sands of San Sebastián welcome visitors to the spirited Basque country.

Rick Steves’ Europe: The shimmering pearl of the Basque country

Split between Spain and France, the region offers beautiful beaches, lush rolling hills and phenomenal cuisine.

The golden sands of San Sebastián welcome visitors to the spirited Basque country.
The show still goes on in ancient Ostia's theater.

Rick Steves: Ruins at the Roman port of Ostia Antica rival Pompeii’s

It’s just a 45-minute train ride from downtown Rome, and yet most tourists don’t make the trip.

The show still goes on in ancient Ostia's theater.
The colorful and somewhat tipsy old wooden commercial buildings of Bryggen line Bergen’s harborfront. Bryggen dates to medieval times when it was one of four principal trading posts in the Hanseatic League, a German-run trade confederation extending across northern and central Europe.

Awash in maritime heritage and salty charm, Bergen beckons

From inspirational fjord-side settings to dank castle towers to dried sticks of cod, the city connects visitors to the roots of Norwegian culture.

The colorful and somewhat tipsy old wooden commercial buildings of Bryggen line Bergen’s harborfront. Bryggen dates to medieval times when it was one of four principal trading posts in the Hanseatic League, a German-run trade confederation extending across northern and central Europe.
Chenonceau, a 15th-century Renaissance palace, is considered the toast of the Loire Valley. Several powerful women had a hand in its design, creating a magnificent château that was the local aristocracy’s place to see and be seen.

Rick Steves’ Europe: Grazing on Chateaux in France’s Lush Loire Valley

The valley is carpeted with fertile fields, crisscrossed by rivers and studded with hundreds of chateaux in all shapes and sizes.

Chenonceau, a 15th-century Renaissance palace, is considered the toast of the Loire Valley. Several powerful women had a hand in its design, creating a magnificent château that was the local aristocracy’s place to see and be seen.
In Turkey, it's easy to meet locals in a mosque and learn more about Islam.

Rick Steves’ Europe: Experiencing Islamic traditions in Turkey

Ramadan is perhaps the best time to travel to the country where the Islamic world meets the Christian world.

In Turkey, it's easy to meet locals in a mosque and learn more about Islam.
The towering Basilica of Our Lady of Fátima sits at the head of a vast esplanade. At the top of the steps, a covered open-air altar, cathedra (bishop's chair), and pulpit stand ready to conduct Mass to the thousands of pilgrims who come to celebrate the Virgin of Fátima on the 13th day of each month from May through October.

Rick Steves on Fatima, Portugal, a testament to the power of faith

Whether you’re a devout Catholic or just a curious gawker, the place is a marvel and worth a visit.

The towering Basilica of Our Lady of Fátima sits at the head of a vast esplanade. At the top of the steps, a covered open-air altar, cathedra (bishop's chair), and pulpit stand ready to conduct Mass to the thousands of pilgrims who come to celebrate the Virgin of Fátima on the 13th day of each month from May through October.
Croatia’s romantic Rovinj has Venetian vibes, but a breezy charm that’s all its own.

Rick Steves’ Europe: From hill towns to harbors, Istria pleases

It’s an inviting mix of pungent truffles, Roman ruins, striking hill towns and pastel coastal villages.

Croatia’s romantic Rovinj has Venetian vibes, but a breezy charm that’s all its own.
A sunset stroll along the Seine River is one of Paris' most romantic experiences.

Rick Steves’ Europe: A romantic double date with Paris

Paris is a city for walking, hand in hand, with just the right travel partner. And it’s a city for living in the moment.

A sunset stroll along the Seine River is one of Paris' most romantic experiences.