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Rick Steves’ Europe: Turkey has plenty to explore beyond Istanbul
Turkey is changing fast. And it's modernizing fast. For a recent vacation, I hit the road in Turkey, with romantic memories (from my backpacker days) of horse-drawn carriages and villages with economies powered by hay, dung, and ducks. While that rustic old world is tougher to find, the deep traditions and warm hospitality of the region are as ...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Finding medieval charm in Germany’s Erfurt
Long ago I gave up looking for an untouristy, half-timbered medieval German town, but a few years back, I stumbled upon it in the sleepy town of Erfurt.
The capital of the German region of Thuringia, Erfurt has history swinging from its eaves. It's most notable as the place where Martin Luther studied and became a monk, and (by translating the ...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Châteaux day trips from Paris are a royal treat
I always feel like a king when I get to explore the splendid châteaux near Paris. A highlight of one memorable trip was climbing under centuries-old exposed timbers through the attic of Vaux-le-Vicomte before popping out on the rooftop to a view of the spectacular garden.
There are several sumptuous palaces studding the region around Paris. ...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Reflecting on ruin at Vesuvius and Pompeii
The ancient city of Pompeii – famously ruined in AD 79 when mighty Mount Vesuvius blew its top – is one of Italy’s most popular tourist attractions. Few visitors know that you can easily visit the summit of the towering volcano. And those who do enjoy a commanding view.
You can get to Vesuvius with a train/bus/hike journey. You start by ...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Český Krumlov: The Czech Republic's fairy-tale town
Nearly four hours south of Prague, this fairy-tale town of 13,000 is buried in the hills of the southern Czech Republic, an area much appreciated for its pastoral countryside. With its delightfully cobbled Old Town, rare Baroque theater, and colorful castle, Český Krumlov feels lost in a time warp.
The town has long attracted visitors. Tucked...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Denmark's countryside delights, from Viking ships to fairy tales
Copenhagen is a thriving metropolis and the main attraction in Denmark. But a trip here isn't complete without a swing through the cute Danish countryside. In under two hours, you can time-travel from modern Copenhagen to a 10th-century Viking ship, 17th-century castle, or 19th-century fairy tale.
While today's Denmark is small – roughly ...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Volterra and San Gimignano are two sides of Northern Tuscany
I’m in Volterra, my favorite hill town in Tuscany, sitting under rustic, noble stones at the base of a palace that made commoners feel small six centuries ago. Bats burst through the floodlights amid ghostly towers held together with rusted iron corsets. These stones have soul. The countless peasant backs they bent so many centuries ago gave ...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Taking in the splendor of Granada, Spain
It's sunset, and I'm at the place to be in Granada – the breathtaking San Nicolás viewpoint overlooking the fortress of the Alhambra. Here, at the edge of the city's exotic Moorish quarter, lovers, widows, and tourists jostle for the best view of the hill-capping, floodlit fortress, the last stronghold of the Moorish kingdom in Spain. For ...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Day-tripping in village Holland
Whenever I visit Amsterdam, I take time to visit the lush lowlands of Holland. In a country like the Netherlands – so small and with such a fine transportation infrastructure – day-tripping is easy to do. Within a half-hour of leaving Amsterdam's main train station, you can be deep in the Dutch countryside – awash with tulips, red-brick ...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Burgundy’s inviting wine and barge culture
One of my favorite corners of France is Burgundy, a region overflowing with edible, drinkable, scenic, and floatable delights. Its rolling hills and a handful of sleepy villages have given birth to the superior wines and fine cuisine that are so quintessentially French.
The city of Beaune, snug within its medieval walls, makes a handy base for ...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Cruising through history on the raging Rhine River
Jostling through crowds of Germans and tourists in the Rhine River village of Bacharach, I climb to the sundeck of the ferry and grab a chair. With the last passenger barely aboard, the gangplank is dragged in and the river pulls us away.
I’m captivated by the Rhine. There's a rhythm to the mighty river that merges with its environment: black...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Iceland’s rugged beauty comes from within
Iceland's remote location and harsh climate aren't exactly welcoming. But its striking scenery, draped with glaciers and punctuated by craggy peaks and steamy geysers, makes this destination increasingly attractive to nature-loving travelers.
On one of my trips from Europe back to the US, I took advantage of Icelandair’s free stopover and ...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Artsy and urban Antwerp
Belgium falls through the cracks. It may be a little country, but it's one of Europe's big treats. While its capital, Brussels, is an international hub, the port city to the north – Antwerp – has more of a local identity. It’s an honest, what-you-see-is-what-you-get place, perhaps because it's in the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium called ...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Western Norway is nature’s magnificent showcase
Rugged is putting it mildly when it comes to 80 percent of Norway. Historically, it was a challenge to live here. That's why Vikings ventured south and so many emigrants left for America.
But I find excuses to return to Norway regularly. Three of my grandparents grew up there. I once told my TV producer, “So many people in Norway look like my...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Croatia’s colorful coast
I love the knack Croatians have for taking a humble stretch of craggy shoreline and turning it into a wildly romantic bar or café. In the coastal town of Rovinj, several bars and restaurants offer tables atop the town's rocky seawall, and some provide you with a pillow – an invitation to find your own nook in the rocks overlooking the bay. As...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Vibrant, historic Dresden is worth a detour
Intriguing Dresden, Germany, winds up on far fewer American itineraries than it deserves to. Don’t make that mistake. Since its horrific firebombing in World War II, the city has transitioned to a thriving cultural center that's well worth a visit. Even with only a day to spare, Dresden is a doable side trip from bigger attractions like Berlin...Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Europe’s second cities are authentic and lively
Each European country has its marquee city that attracts the vast majority of travelers – think Rome, Paris, Amsterdam. And all too often, that tourist-pleasing destination is a traveler’s one and only stop.
While I’d never suggest skipping those places entirely, I like to complement them with a visit to the country’s “second city....Read more
Rick Steves’ Europe: Amboise offers delights and Leonardo da Vinci sights in France’s Loire Valley
As the Loire River glides gently east to west, officially separating northern from southern France, it has come to define one of France’s most popular tourist regions.
Because of its history, this region is home to hundreds of castles and palaces in all shapes and sizes. When a “valley address” became a must-have among 16th-century ...Read more