Rick Steves

Rick Steves

Rick Steves is a travel writer and television personality. He coordinated with Smithsonian magazine to produce a special travel issue Travels with Rick Steves.

The show still goes on in ancient Ostia’s theater.

Ostia Antica: Rome’s Ancient Port

The ruins of this one-time commercial center takes visitors back to the time when the Roman Empire ruled the seas

St. Mark’s Square charms most visitors to Venice. Napoleon once called it “the most beautiful drawing room in Europe.”

St. Mark’s Square Walking Tour

For an overview of this grand square and the buildings that surround it, start from the west end of the square and follow along with this guide

A Venetian tradition is munching cicchetti—local appetizers that line the counters of little pubs all over town at the end of each workday.

Crawling Through Venice’s Cicchetti Pubs

A trip to Venice would not be complete without a giro d’ombra, or a tour through the city’s many small wine bars

When horses were banned in Venice in the 14th century, gondolas took over. They’ve been a Venice trademark ever since.

Seeing Venice Via Gondola

Used mainly by tourists, the gondolas carry a history of craftsmanship that is as interesting as the city itself

While gondolas are romantic, to get around Venice quickly and cheaply, you’ll need to take motorized bus-boats called vaporetti.

Getting Around Venice by Vaporetto

Forget the gondola, the quickest and most convenient way to see Venice is via the public-transit vaporetti

Traffic whips around Paris' grandest arch while tourists savor the view from the top.

Circling in on Paris’ Arc d’Triomphe

On the eastern end of the Champs-Elysees, the iconic memorial arch is a traffic nightmare but a tourist’s lesson in French history

Though it’s one of the oldest subway systems in Europe, the Paris Métro has some sleek, 21st-century stations.

Navigating the Paris Metro

With nearly 300 stops in the underground system, the Metro takes Parisians and tourists alike from neighborhood to neighborhood

The chef at this Tuscan restaurant doubles as a butcher—he cuts the steak before he grills it.

Tuning In to Tasty Italy

There are theories about eating out in Italy that can improve any meal

After a stint as a military barracks, Hohensalzburg Fortress was opened to the public in the 1860s by Emperor Franz Josef.

Salzburg’s Hohensalzburg Fortress

One of Europe’s mightiest castles, this fortress dominates Salzburg’s skyline

In a far-off corner of the Peloponnese, clan wars left the hill town of Vathia in ruins.

The Peloponnese: The Ancient Olympics Meet the Wild West

Ghost towns and ancient history await travelers who take the four-hour drive from Athens to this ancient peninsula

The Acropolis Museum shows off treasures from the Parthenon.

A New Look for an Old City

The center of ancient Greek civilization is now home to a magnificent modern museum that highlights the city's storied past

A view of the Greek island Hydra.

Hydra's History

The small island has served an integral role in modern Greece history as a naval stronghold and hotspot for celebrities

If you don't go to the Palio itself, you can catch one of the trials before the event.

Siena and its Crazy Horse Race

Il Campo, the main square of Florence's next-door-neighbor, is urban living at its best

Slea Head Road curves along the coast on the Dingle Peninsula.

Dingle Peninsula Loop Trip

By car or bicycle, this self-guided tour offers spectacular views and plenty of Irish history

Dick Mack's pub Dingle Ireland County Kerry

Pubs: Ireland's Watering Holes

A center for socialization, pubs offer eats, drinks, entertainment and their own vocabulary

This rugged group of six islands off the tip of Dingle Peninsula seems particularly close to the soul of Ireland.

Ireland's Blasket Islands

On these six islands off the tip of the Dingle Peninsula, traditions of ancient Gaelic culture still survive

When approaching a roundabout (traffic circle) in the British Isles, drivers often see a sign that charts the exits.

Go Left, Young Man: Driving in Great Britain and Ireland

With a few tips and good directions, drivers need not fear getting behind the wheel

A hungry goat eats Rick Steves' map at the Cotswold Farm Park.

Fun Sights in the Cotswolds

Three spots you might miss but shouldn't on a visit to the Cotswolds

Medieval Market Hall, High Street, Chipping Campden, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom

Chipping Campden Walk

This short journey features famous monuments and historic estates

Sacher torte is Vienna's most famous dessert.

Wining and Dining in Vienna

Sacher tortes, wiener schnitzel, and autumn wines are the treats to have when visiting Austria's capital city

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