Rick Steves' Europe
Navigating European airports
Sometimes I wonder why I lug my bag through airports, following my own recommendation to pack light enough to carry on and avoid checking any bags on international flights.
Why I love eating in Italy
When I’m in Italy, I generally eat only Italian food. I doubt there’s another country in Europe (except France) that could hold my palate’s interest so easily.
Understanding French culture
I love France. It is one of Europe’s most diverse, tasty and exciting countries. It brims with the good life and a special appreciation for culture, music, art, food and wine.
Eating in Spain — sustenance for the soul
My guide, Roberto, met me at Madrid’s airport, we rented a car and minutes later we were southbound on the freeway, immersed in the vastness of La Mancha. It’s a tough terrain. A windmill — weathered into a rough little useless nub — still capped its blustery hill.
Conquering European bathrooms
European bathrooms can be quirky. Just keep an open mind, and remember that nothing beats a good bathroom story when you get home.
Join in the festival fun
I was in the Tuscan town of Orvieto doing my best to stay in my hotel room and finish some writing, but there was a Pentecost festival going on outside. I could hear it out my window.
Avoiding scams and pickpockets
The Louvre is Europe’s oldest, biggest, greatest and second-most-crowded museum (after the Vatican). It is home to Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Michelangelo statues, and paintings by the greatest artists from the Renaissance to the Romantics. Lately, it is also home to groups of pickpockets.
What’s new in Germany for 2014
While Germany sits in the driver’s seat of Europe’s economy, it doesn’t take a cultural backseat either. Here are a few of the latest developments.
New in Great Britain, Italy & France in 2014
For travelers to Great Britain, Italy or France, here are a few important changes to be aware of in 2014. GREAT BRITAIN
Flying Europe’s low-cost airlines
These days, “budget European travel” includes point-to-point flights within Europe. When I started traveling, no one spending their own money bought one-way air tickets within Europe. It was prohibitively expensive.