rick steves tours for seniors 2022

Rick Steves

Best of Ireland in 14 Days Tour

Connemara, Dingle Peninsula, Dublin, Galway

• Dublin, learning about its rich history from the days of Viking raids
• Enjoy scenic drive along the forests, mountains, and lakes of Killarney National Park
• Experience walk along the local paths and lanes, hire a bicycle and pedal the scenic 30-mile Dingle Loop
• Enjoying the beautiful Irish countryside
• Enjoy dramatic Cliffs of Moher, where you'll find yourself leaning into the wind

Cultural, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

Best of Paris in 7 Days Tour

Louvre Museum, Paris

• Visits to a pair of the world's most significant medieval Gothic churches
• Enjoy guided neighborhood walks through the city's historic heart
• See the world's greatest collection of Impressionist art - almost next door - at the Orsay Museum
• Enjoy a farewell feast together, sharing travel memories

Hiking & Walking, Small Ship Cruise

Best of Sicily (Off-Season) in 11 Days Tour

Agrigento, Mount Etna, Palermo, Sicily

• Explore Monreale
• Visit Ancient Greek site of Segesta
• Experience Syracuse Ortygia island neighborhood walk
• Explore Neapolis Archaeological Park

50 plus, Cultural, Hiking & Walking, Transformative

Best of Italy in 17 Days Tour

Assisi, Bolzano, Cinque Terre, Colosseum, Doge’s Palace, Dolomites, Florence, Lake Como, Pantheon, Piazza San Marco, Pisa, Rome, Siena, Sistine Chapel, Tuscany, Umbria, Vatican City, Venice

• Enjoy cruising in Lake Como by ferry
• Visit South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology andFlorence's Accademia Gallery
• Discover Orvieto City and San Brizio Chapel tour
• Explore Colosseum tour
• Visit Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel

50 plus, Cultural, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

Heart of Belgium & Holland in 11 Days Tour

Amsterdam, Bruges

• More than 20 group sightseeing events
• Brussels, a traditional Belgian brewery, historic Flanders Fields, a nostalgic Dutch open-air museum
• See the royal Museums of fine arts of Belgium tour
• Aalsmeer flower Auction
• Awesome historic Amsterdam walking tour

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

My Way: Europe in 14 Days Tour

Arc de Triomphe, Bavaria, Burgundy, Cinque Terre, Colosseum, Doge’s Palace, Munich, Paris, Rome, Sistine Chapel, Venice

• Visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral and exquisite Sainte-Chapelle
• See the brilliantly lit Eiffel Tower and enjoy a twilight ride to the top
• Explore Paris, one of the world's most thrilling cities!
• You will have great time in the Berner Oberland's magnificent Lauterbrunnen Valley, flanked by towering
• Experience rolling hills of beautiful Burgundy and climb the high into the heart of the Swiss Alps

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

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Family Europe: London to Florence in 13 Days Tour

Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Florence, London, Louvre Museum, Luxembourg, Paris

• Experience walking tour across the Medieval Castle
• Discover London where you will learn all about England's oldest and most notorious castle
• Visit to the awe-inspiring Notre-Dame Cathedral
• Visit to the magnificent Louvre Museum
• Explore Cinque Terre

Cultural, Family Friendly, Hiking & Walking

Best of Venice Florence & Rome

Florence, Rome, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Umbria, Venice

• St. Mark's Square and Basilica tour
• Venice lagoon excursion
• Accademia Art Museum tour
• Rome's Ancient Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon, Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel

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Rick steves reviews & ratings, this is about the store not the tours.

We purchased two backpacks from Rick Steves Europe. One of them arrived damaged and unusable. Their website says that you must contact them if you receive damaged me...

A Perfect 10

Sicily is Pure Eye Candy :: Will Leave You Wanting More :: Seamless Way To Travel The Island

A perfect "10" for the Rick Steves' Best of Sicily 11-Day Tour. My 1st tour with any company. This was a perfect combination of scheduled time and free time .. with ...

Longtime Travelers

Terrible Covid Experience

We are in Ireland now, traveling with Rick Steves Tours and a group of 27. Two days ago a member of the group tested positive for Covid, and we had all been exposed....

the best tips

All Steve’s travel books are the best tips.

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The best Rick Steves Europe Tours 2024

One of the world’s leading authorities on European travel, Rick Steves offers a huge assortment of tours spanning the entire continent.

(Photo: Trafalgar)

Whether you’re seeking a short Euro city break, a whistlestop tour of several destinations, or a more extended and leisurely adventure, there’ll be a Rick Steves tour to suit your tastes and budget. And if you’re in need of any inspiration, we’ve looked into all of the tours currently available for 2024/25 and picked out 7 of the best – covering varying locations, lengths and price points.

Best of Europe (14 Days)

One of the benefits of travelling around Europe is that, as the continent is so well connected, you can see an awful lot of it in a short space of time. Starting in Rome, this two-week fully guided tour takes in over 10 desirable destinations, including Rome, Florence, Venice, Munich, the Swiss Alps, Burgundy and Paris. Along the way, you’ll soak up the local culture, food scenes and natural scenery as you’re transported from one magical spot to the next, with plenty of time to explore at each one before moving on. The tour price includes 13 nights’ accommodation in centrally located hotels. From € 4,495 per person.

Book at Ricksteves.com

Alternative:  If you haven’t quite got the time or budget for a full two-week adventure, then this truncated 7-day excursion may suit. Taking in a total of 7 cities across 4 countries, this is a great way to see plenty of Europe in a short space of time. Highlights include exploring Paris and Amsterdam with a local guide, visiting the Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen and a cuckoo clock factory in the Black Forrest, seeing the Lorelei Rock and the vineyards of Burgundy and taking a scenic cruise along the Rhine River. From € 1,843 per person.

Book at Trafalgar.com

Family Europe (13 days)

Picking an adventure travel experience suitable for kids can be a challenging task, but this 13-day tour makes all the decisions so you don’t have to, transporting you on a captivating journey through some of Europe’s must-see cities including London, Paris and Florence, as well as a number of rural spots such as Burgundy, the Swiss Alps and the Cinque Terre. Along the way, you and  your children will encounter art, history and culture, with plenty of fun activities thrown into the mix, including castles, boat trips, a mountain cogwheel train and plenty of swimming opportunities. The tour is suitable for ages 8 to 17. From € 4,995 per person.

Alternative: Another travel experience that will go down a treat with families is this 13-day winter tour that takes in some of Europe’s finest Christmas markets. These magical events are particularly popular in north and eastern Europe, and during this tour you’ll get to visit some of the very best, including the 500-year-old Salzburg Christmas Market. As well as the chance to pick up festive souvenirs and sample local delicacies, you’ll also get to enjoy some non-seasonal attractions including stop-offs at Mozart’s family home and Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, as well as boarding a cave train to explore a stunning underground world. From € 6,014 per person.

Book at InsightVacations.com

(Photo: Insight Vacations)

Best of Rome (7 days)

An intoxicating mix of dazzling art and earth-shaking history bring Rome to life on this 7-day tour. Your expert guide will be with you all the way, resurrecting the grandeur of ancient Rome’s Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, and nearby Ostia Antica. From the Renaissance and Baroque eras, you’ll marvel at St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, the Borghese Gallery and plenty more. You’ll also get to enjoy modern-day Rome, with neighbourhood walking tours, memorable restaurants, a panoramic bus tour, and time to explore alone at your own pace. Six nights’ accommodation in a central hotel is included. From € 1,995 per person.

Alternative: If you like the sound of the above tour, but don’t have the budget or time for a full week away, this slightly truncated 4-day tour may well fit the bill. Starting and ending in the Eternal City, this in-depth tour takes you through Rome, Italy and Vatican City, all in the company of an experienced guide. You’ll walk the city’s ancient streets, have a chance to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, climb (or simply stop for a photo at) the Spanish steps, step back in time at the Colosseum, and more. And as Rome can be an exhausting city, on day 3 you’ll be free to be as active or relaxed as you please, with a range of activities available. From € 414 per person.

Book at Tourradar.com

Best of Venice, Florence & Rome (10 days)

Visit three of the jewels in Italy’s crown during this 10-day adventure. Starting at Venice’s timeless St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, you’ll continue on to Michelangelo’s stunning David sculpture and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, before ending with Rome’s ancient Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon, Vatican Museums, and Sistine Chapel. You’ll also enjoy guided neighbourhood walks, memorable meals, and full-bodied Italian wines. Nine nights’ accommodation in a trio of centrally-located hotels are included in the tour price. From € 2,795 per person.

Alternative: While the above takes place in groups of up to 28, this tour is restricted to a maximum of 15, providing a more intimate experience for all. Starting in Rome, over the course of 8 days you’ll travel through Florence, Siena, Chianti and three other enticing destinations, each oozing the richness of colours, flavours and history that help make this one of the most popular tourist countries on earth. The tour comes to a close in the floating city of Venice, one of the world’s most romantic cities, where you can traverse its charming narrow streets and enjoy a memorable gondola ride to end your adventure in style. € 1,851 per person.

Book at Bookmundi.com

(Photo: Bookmundi)

My Way Alpine Europe (12 days)

The mountains that run the width of Switzerland – from Lake Geneva in the west to the Austrian border in the east – and are also shared by Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco and Slovenia, are among the jewels in Europe’s crown. This 12-day tour takes you on a memorable trip through flower-carpeted Italian meadows, fairy-tale Bavarian castles and cut-glass Swiss peaks. While transportation from stop to stop will be shared with a group of up to 28, it is officially an unguided tour, giving you the freedom and flexibility to manage your daily sightseeing schedule as well as your meals. From €3,195 per person.

Alternative: For a shorter trip centred around Switzerland – with a brief diversion into Italy – this 9-day tour may well suit. You can look forward to sampling some of the most delectable Swiss delicacies, including local wine in Lake Geneva, and cheese and desserts in Lavaux. Other notable stop-offs include a visit to Lord Byron’s folkloric Chillon Castle and the picture-postcard town of Brienz where you’ll have the chance to learn how to carve wood in traditional Swiss style. The Italian leg of the trip will feature visits to the scenic Lake Maggiore and Lake Como, as well as a picturesque train ride from Tirano to Pontresina. From €3,135 per person.

Best of Eastern France (14 days)

It may lack the guarantee of sunshine offered by the Cote d’Azur, but France’s eastern regions are more than a match for its southern counterpart when it comes to bountiful vineyards, classic villages, and hearty cuisine. Over 14 days, you’ll explore some of eastern France’s most alluring sights, landmarks and places of interest, including Colmar’s cobbled lanes, Alsace’s winding Route du Vin, Verdun’s historic battlefields, Burgundy’s storied Côte d’Or, and Chamonix’s mesmerising mountains. From €4,495 per person.

Alternative: Another option for a French odyssey would be this 16-day road trip adventure that takes in some of the country’s finest driving routes. With all transportation included, you’ll be enthralled as your driver presses pedal to the metal along Monaco’s iconic Grand Prix circuit, cruises gently through the majestic Valley of the Dordogne, and rides regally along the Champs Elysées, Paris’s most prestigious boulevard.  There’ll also be plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs and explore some of France’s finest attractions on foot, as well as partake in activities such as playing a game of pétanque, a traditional and much-loved French sport. From €5,225 per person.

Best of Tuscany (11 days)

From the incredible Renaissance art treasures of the Bargello and Accademia in Florence to its mesmerising countryside, Tuscany is a sight to behold. On this 12-day tour, you’ll roll your way through the Chianti hills sipping wine, strolling through the cobbled streets of Siena, and breathing in the fresh air of the Val d’Orcia, where vineyards and cypress trees go on forever. You’ll also get to meet local family farmers and taste their fresh produce for yourself, and even learn how to make authentic homemade pasta. Eleven nights’ accommodation is included. From € 3,895 per person.

Alternative:

Italy’s sun-kissed south takes centre stage on this 10-day tour that also takes in the eternal city of Rome. Among the notable spots you’ll visit are the famous excavations at Pompeii, the ruins of the ancient Greek theatre at Taormina, the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento, the fortress town of Enna, the medieval cobbled streets of Erice, and the ornate beauty of Palermo Cathedral. There’ll also be an opportunity to sample local Sicilian wine on the slopes of snow-capped Mount Etna and to hit the pristine waters around the island of Capri on a scenic boat cruise. From €2,819  per person.

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clock This article was published more than  2 years ago

Rick Steves looks to the future after an 18-month hiatus from European travel

Since the Nixon era, Rick Steves has spent about 100 days out of each year in Europe. Between last March and this September, he logged zero minutes abroad, though Europe was always on his mind. While hunkering down in his home north of Seattle, the travel expert and multimedia personality created public television shows and hosted virtual events about a world nearly 5,000 miles away. In June, traditionally the beginning of the high tourist season, he started accepting reservations for tours departing the following year. Travelers moved fast, snapping up 95 percent of nearly 31,000 spots on about 1,100 group tours running February through December. As for Steves, he finally crossed the Atlantic 18 months after the shutdown and is quickly making up for lost time: This fall, he hiked the Alps and dropped in on Paris and then returned five weeks later to lead new guides through Italy and to film in Rome, Florence and Athens. His tally for the last quarter of 2021: 30 days.

We caught up with Steves while he was at home in Edmonds, Wash., to discuss his recent forays in Europe; his approach to keeping his staff and guests safe, especially as we face omicron, a new variant that was identified a week after our initial conversation; and whether his trademark optimism is running high for 2022. (The interview has been edited for length and clarity.)

Q: How did the pandemic affect your tour operation?

A: It’s been a challenging time for anybody in the tourism industry. We came off our best year ever in 2019. On the eve of the pandemic shutdown, we had our annual tour guide summit. I had 100 tour guides in my living room, celebrating how we were all ready to go for 2020. We broke from that annual huddle and everybody flew back to their hometowns in Europe. Two weeks later, we realized that we were going to have to cancel our entire season for 2020. But our mantra was, “The pandemic can derail our travel plans, but it cannot stop our travel dreams.”

A reluctant visitor discovers the unhurried charm of Brittany

Q: How did you occupy yourself during the shutdown?

A: I’ve been very busy during the downtime, writing and producing. I produced a TV show called “ Why We Travel ,” a love note to travel. It’s a timely topic because it talks about the value of travel as we go forward after covid.

My priorities were taking care of my staff and our community. We created the Rick Steves’ Volunteer Corps. My employees use their paid time at food banks and senior centers and to help clean up parks. During the pandemic, there is a lot of need in our community.

Q: You waited longer than many others in the industry to travel internationally. Why?

A: For a long time, “patience” was my middle name. It’s not an American forte, and it certainly isn’t Rick Steves’s forte, but for a year and a half, I was being very conservative about travel. I thought that before the vaccinations, we should not be traveling. We should be staying safe, staying healthy and looking after our loved ones and neighbors.

Q: What developments or conditions eased your concerns about traveling abroad?

A: It was still premature to start group travel, but I wanted to go over there and see what it was like. I felt that in Europe, it was an ever-smaller world for people who were not getting vaccinated. Everywhere I went, it seemed like there were safeguards keeping unvaccinated people away from [vaccinated people].

Q: Tell us about your long-awaited return to Europe.

A: The first trip was a vacation. I wanted to hike around Mont Blanc with my girlfriend. It was six days, with 10 miles of hiking each day. We had sherpa service that shuttled our bags from one mountain hotel to the next. Then we went to Paris. I wanted to see what it was like from a covid point of view and how things were surviving. Several weeks later, I went back for a 20-day work trip. I wanted to do a guides mentoring tour. [The group, led by Steves, followed his nine-day Heart of Italy itinerary.] We have 100 guides in Europe. They are all professional guides, but I wanted them to know exactly what distinguished a Rick Steves tour.

Q: Based on your experience, how has Europe fared during the pandemic?

A: I was worried that we were going to be raking away the corpses of businesses that had died during the pandemic. But I happily discovered that almost all of them have survived. The other thing I noticed is that the ambiance of Europe, the passeggiata [Italy’s traditional evening walk], the energy on the streets, the cafe scene — they are just like they were before. The love of life is vibrant in Europe.

Q: Did you see many Americans during your travels?

A: Half the people hiking around Mont Blanc were Americans, and they were filled with joy. Half the people I met while I was waiting in line to see the Pantheon [in Rome] were Americans, and they were having the time of their life. Half the people I met at the top of the Acropolis [in Athens] were Americans, and they were having a great time. The smiles on their faces didn’t say covid; they said we’re living, we’re traveling.

Q: How are the countries you visited keeping their residents and tourists safe?

A: If you go to a museum, you wear a mask. If you go to a restaurant, you show your CDC card, and you know that everybody in there has their vaccination. I was pretty impressed.

Q: In addition to proof of vaccination, what other documents do Americans need to visit Europe?

A: To get to Europe and fly home from Europe, you generally need to have a negative coronavirus test. People wonder how they get their test in Europe. It’s easy: Just ask at the hotel desk. Some countries also have a passenger locator form. I pooh-poohed it and the airline asked for my passenger locator form and I hadn’t completed it. So I had to stand aside at check-in and fill it out. I could have missed my flight. Before you leave for the airport, go online and fill it out.

Looking to dodge Amsterdam’s crowds? There are three remarkable towns a short train ride away.

Q: Will you make any adjustments to your tours to conform to local rules and to ensure the overall safety of your staff and guests?

A: We decided about a month ago that everybody on our tours — the bus drivers, the tour guides and the participants — must be vaccinated. I don’t want to take people to Europe and have them standing out in the street while we go inside and have a good dinner. You cannot function efficiently in Europe without having your vaccination.

We did the guides mentoring tour in part to see what it’s like and what’s required during the pandemic. We can’t take 25 people into a lot of the museums together. We can get their tickets and turn them loose in the museum or we can go in with two smaller groups. We will have people spread apart more at restaurants. That’s just common sense. I think 50 people in a 50-seat bus would be tough. We have 25 people on a 50-seat bus, and we will be social distancing and wearing masks if the pandemic persists. We will have the comfort of knowing that everybody in our travel bubble is vaccinated and is wearing their masks and washing their hands.

Q: Any upsides to the slowdown in travel and capacity limits?

A: You used to crowd into the Pantheon and it was a mosh pit. Now you line up, show your CDC card, get your temperature taken and see the Pantheon without the crowds. I was in the Sistine Chapel [in Vatican City]. Usually it’s put on your shoulder pads and get ready to shuffle. Now it’s not so crowded. I have not enjoyed the Sistine Chapel like that in more than a decade. You don’t have the masses of tour buses from emerging economies. That takes a lot of pressure off key sites.

Q: Many countries, such as Germany, Belgium and Austria, are experiencing a rise in cases and are implementing stricter measures. A new variant called omicron has also surfaced. Will this affect your trips next year?

A: Exactly what the situation is going to be come spring of 2022, nobody knows. It’s a long ways away in pandemic time. We will assess closer to the departure dates.

Q: Do you plan to resume your heavy travel schedule for your various projects?

A: I am scheduled to go to 10 cities over 30 days in April. I am really excited to go back and make sure all of our guidebooks are up to date, and I am really excited to continue filming over there.

Q: Any advice for travelers considering a trip to Europe?

A: I think there’s a lot of anxiety and misunderstanding about what it takes to travel in Europe and what it’s like over there. On my first trip back, I was nervous. I am so thankful that I didn’t succumb to the nervousness and bail. So often you hear about things and worry takes over, but once you get over there, you think, “I am glad that I had the gumption to make this travel dream happen.”

Q: Do you feel cautiously optimistic about group travel to Europe returning in 2022?

A: I don’t want my trademark positivity to be a mask for recklessness or impatience. I think it is a stumbling progress, but we are making progress. At this point, I am still confident that we will be traveling in Europe next spring.

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The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted travel domestically and around the world. You will find the latest developments at washingtonpost.com/coronavirus

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The Best Hike of my Life: The Tour du Mont Blanc

Earlier this fall, four of us — total novices at long-distance treks — hiked around Europe’s highest mountain. (On the first day, big birds of prey circled high overhead. My hunch: They were vultures just waiting for one of us to drop.)

The Tour du Mont Blanc is a 100-mile, ten-day hike — but we cheated a bit, hiking the best 60 miles in six days from mountain lodge to mountain lodge, catching local buses through the less exciting parts, and letting a “sherpa service” shuttle our bags each day through France, Italy, and Switzerland, from Chamonix to Chamonix.

This was the first time I’d enjoyed a slice of Europe with my girlfriend Shelley, and we were joined by Sue and David from Minnesota. (I’ve worked with David Preston for 20 years at TPT – Twin Cities PBS . In the public television world, he’s considered the “pledge drive guru.”)

Each day, we’d hike what the trail signs said would be a five-hour hike — that took us six or seven.  Our mantra: “Take our time. This is why we’re here.” Generally, the day would start at a 3,000-foot climb to a pass (or “col”) 8,000 feet above sea level. Each col was a little triumph, with its cairn of rocks arranged in a pile, dramatic weather blowing across, commanding views, and congratulatory selfies.

Part of our pre-trip training was taking steep hikes closer to home. As a typical day’s climb on the TMB is a thousand meters (or roughly 3,000 feet), I’d recommend choosing a practice hike with a 3,000-foot elevation gain so you can use it as a reference point. Ours in Washington State was the Mount Si trail. We even had a term for a 3,000-foot altitude gain: “a Mount Si.”

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If you don't mind spending 3 times the price...

I have nothing against Rick Steves tours. They are convenient and, if you've got the money to blow on one, why not? However, I don't and when I did my research, I found that I could do the same program of 6 nights myself at the same hotel in Rome (and, yes, the exact same experiences) for 1/3 of the price. I even met some of my fellow Americans there on the RS tour in April. They seemed pleased enough but so was I. I had saved myself $2200! PS. Airfare is NOT INCLUDED in RS tours.

Date of experience : April 07, 2024

I recently purchased 21" carry-on…

I recently purchased 21" carry-on suitcase from the Rick Steves website. They charged me $14 for shipping. However, it was smaller than I anticipated so I went to UPS to return with the shipping form I received from the RS store. The UPS clerk measured and weighed the box and said the cheapest fee to ship the suitcase back to RS would be $77! That is almost half of what I paid for the suitcase. I called RS customer service and they said there was nothing they could do. Beware to all before you order from RS. They won't have this customer again!

Date of experience : April 04, 2024

Great tours with top notch guides

I have been on 6 Rick Steves tours (2 in Italy, 2 in Spain, Greece and Turkey) and all were fabulous. Rick focuses on staying in the heart of the city, near the sights, usually in smaller, locally owned hotels. His guides are top notch and really set the tone for the trip. His choice of sights and activities are superb. Contrary to another review, Rick Steves always recommends traveling light and carrying your luggage on the plane. The reviewer who claims the Rick Steves guide books led them to pack so much clothing that they needed three big suitcases is very confused.

Date of experience : November 07, 2023

We just enjoyed our fourth Rick Steves…

We just enjoyed our fourth Rick Steves Tour, Paris and the Heart of France 11 day tour. It exceeded our expectations. Paris was gorgeous and Normandy knocked our socks off. Our tour coordinator was fun and knew her stuff. She was an American who had lived in France for over thirty years. The highlight of our adventure was spending the night on beautiful Mont St-Michel. Rick Steve's organization has a goal to teach participants to be independent travellers. This includes free time to explore the cities on his trips. We are looking forward to our fifth Rick Steves trip this Fall.

Date of experience : June 12, 2023

Rick Steves advice is a JOKE!!

Rick Steves advice is a JOKE!!! We packed our luggage based on his PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. NEVER has anyone ever been soooooo wrong! Rick advised to bring "dress" clothes and/or casual dress clothing. We packed according to what he said and was in all his books on Europe, specifically, Spain, Italy and Austria. That being said, we had 3 suitcases full of clothes we never needed! TRUST OUR REVIEW, TAKE WHAT YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WEARING!!!! Also don't waste your money on his books, they are full of nonsense. His advice cost us untold amounts of money and stress.

Date of experience : February 15, 2023

Something sinister about Rick

Something sinister about Rick. PBS runs his reruns, some up to 20 years old, 5-7 times per day. PBS has decided to provide Rick with an avenue to advertise his “tour guide” business. No one, no one, gets more exposure on PBS than Rick Steves.

Date of experience : September 15, 2022

Fantastic tours, honest and ethical company

I’ve been on 5 Rick Steves tours so far and all of them have been fantastic. The guides are all personable and knowledgeable. The itineraries have been well-organized and well-planned. I wasn’t always comfortable with some of the small family run hotels we stayed but they’ve all been interesting and definitely not cookie cutter. The groups have been less than 30 people so there’s plenty of space to spread in the full size coach bus we ride in. Plus Rick Steves himself is honest and ethical. His is one of the few tour companies fully refunding for his cancelled tours during this pandemic and not just giving credit for future travel. I’ll definitely travel again on any Rick Steves tour in the future.

Date of experience : May 28, 2020

Well run and affordable tours

I have gone on two tours with Rick Steves and both have been excellent, well-run tours. The accommodations did tend to vary from city to city, but overall his emphasize on family-run hotels with free breakfasts works well. I learned so much on my tours and made friends with great people.

Date of experience : May 02, 2020

Excellent tours!

I like that Rick Steves has created a community for his wonderful tour guides who are passionate about what they do, work hard and are well-compensated. The tours are really reasonably priced. They don't mark up their single supplements like so many other companies do. There are always unique experiences that you just can't get on your own. For me the only flaw is that the tour schedules are quite packed, there are a lot of guided tours and meals included. Personally I would prefer a little more freedom as well as my own time to explore.

Date of experience : July 15, 2020

The Best Travel Tip To Use When Planning Your Next Trip, According To Travel Guru Rick Steves

W hile traveling requires at least some planning ahead of time, some people prefer to be spontaneous upon arrival at their destinations. Others draw up a detailed itinerary for each day of the trip. There are pros and cons to each of these travel styles. A go-with-the-flow plan could feel more relaxing, but you could also end up missing some great experiences. On the other hand, a meticulous itinerary could help you see everything you want to see, but not leave wiggle room for spontaneous opportunities.

Travel guru Rick Steves has made a life and a business based on helping people travel. His guidebooks, tour company, and show on PBS have helped thousands travel safely, affordably, and practically. While he gives tips on specific destinations, he also gives tips on best practices no matter where you are going. On keeping a loose itinerary versus detailed planning, his big tip is that travelers should balance both mindsets for successful travels.

Read more: 10 Items Better To Buy Than Pack

Some Attractions In Major Cities Have Implemented Crowd Control Methods

Rick Steves began traveling at the age of 18 and never looked back. His tour company Rick Steves' Europe runs tours all over the continent. His years of traveling for personal joy and for business have allowed him to figure out what people should book ahead of time and what can be left up to spontaneity or availability. Not knowing this can mean getting stuck wasting time in long lines for popular attractions.

Long lines have grown prevalent with decreasing global worries surrounding COVID-19. "More than ever, people are going to the same famous places. Museums want to moderate their mob scenes," Steves explained to Travel + Leisure ." Some popular attractions have kept COVID-19 crowd control methods in place, such as requiring online reservations. Making these before your trip can not only save you from lines, but it can even prevent you from missing out on must-see places. For example, there is a "skip the line" feature when buying tickets for the Vatican Museums online and when visiting the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest , the website recommends reserving your spot online as in-person ticket sales are limited.

Rick Steves Wants Travelers To Embrace Serendipity

Once you have researched which attractions are best to  book in advance , Rick Steves encourages travelers to keep the rest of their trip open to any other exciting things that may come their way. "If a serendipitous opportunity presents itself, the answer has always got to be 'yes,'" he stated to Travel + Leisure. Steves believes that over-planning "takes away some of the joy of travel, which is letting things unfold in an unpredictable way." Sometimes unexpected activities or restaurants can make for an even more memorable trip.

Rick Steves' tour company practices what he preaches. Steves knows that there are positives and negatives to extensive pre-planning when going on a trip, and that not everyone has the same travel style. His company's tour options reflect that as some tours plan out each day's activities while others only take care of lodging and transportation between destinations. Whether you book through a travel company or not, Steves' advice on knowing what must be booked before arrival could still apply. 

Read the original article on Explore .

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