Rick Steves' Europe
International communication goes beyond words
The language barrier used to be a big problem for American travelers. I remember leading tour groups through France and was constantly impressed at how Americans expected the French to speak English.
Eating on the cheap in expensive cities
Oslo recently overtook Tokyo as the most expensive city in the world. That doesn’t surprise me in the least. The last time I was in Oslo, a plain cup of coffee cost $4. Beer, while very good, was $8 a glass.
European beer basics
When I’m far from home, I become a cultural chameleon. I eat and drink regional specialties with gusto, feasting on steak and red wine in Tuscany and stuffing down tapas at midnight in Spain. So when I travel to countries that are known for their beer, I morph into the best beer aficionado I can be.
Eating well in Europe
One of the great joys of European travel is eating. If you let yourself tune in to the experience, a meal is a travel thrill in itself, as inspiring as visiting an art gallery and as stimulating as a good massage.
European B&Bs provide a place to call home
Staying at a European bed-and-breakfast is a bit like having your own temporary mother while you travel.
Road trip! Road trip!
There’s plenty to know before you drive a car in Europe, where road signs, fuel names and hidden traffic cameras can be intimidating to tourists. But driving in Europe is really only a problem for those who make it one.
Picnicking in Europe — cheap, memorable & fun
Despite France’s reputation for fine restaurants and grand cafés, one of my most memorable meals was actually a picnic on a bench in Chartres. Munching my baguette with Emmentaler cheese and sipping my box of juice in front of the floodlit cathedral, I acknowledged the bum on the next bench.
Europe distilled
Finishing dinner at Rome’s Ristorante da Fortunato, my friend Stefano explained that his greatest joy is an after-dinner drink called grappa. I tried my best to enjoy the local firewater and failed. Sipping the grappa, Stefano instructed me, “You must not be in a hurry when taking a grappa!”
Best and worst of Europe
Americans get the shortest vacations in the industrial world. With so little time, the pressure is on to make all the right choices when planning a trip. But how to select the right destination!? It ultimately depends on your interests and your tastes — and what your experienced travel writer tells you.
Avoiding lines — the long and short of it
As far as I’m concerned, there are two IQs for travelers: those who queue and those who don’t. If you plan ahead, you can avoid nearly every line that tourists suffer through (except for security checks).
Preparing for your European adventure
Going to Europe is exciting, but it can be stressful, too. By arranging a few things while you’re still at home, you’ll greatly increase your chances of having a smooth, enjoyable European vacation.
Europe’s café theater
I’m not the cocktails-at-happy-hour type of traveler, but last summer I savored a peaceful moment in Siena’s great square, Il Campo, sipping a glass of “vin santo” as the early-evening light bathed the red-brick stone.
Big events in Britain and Ireland in 2012
From the summer Olympics to the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking, several major events will make the British Isles a popular destination in 2012.
Preserving the past at Europe’s folk museums
Many people travel across the Atlantic in search of “Old World” Europe and to witness traditional culture in action, but with most of Europe firmly entrenched in the modern world, travelers are getting fewer opportunities to glimpse the old way of life.
Cheap sleeps in Europe
Travel is best with a few rough edges. I once suffered through an all-night stint on the blistered, black vinyl floor of a Yugoslavian train in order to wake up in Sofia, Bulgaria. When I stumbled out of that station into a blue, new Bulgarian day, just being off the train made Sofia a thrilling destination.
Losing it all… and bouncing back
You’re winging your way across Europe, having the time of your life, when you make a simple mistake. You set your bag down as you slurp an extra-large gelato, and before you know it your bag is gone.