Travel with Rick Steves

Rick chats with Don George from Lonely Planet publications about how Americans are being received overseas and investigates how interacting with the locals in our travels sometime means depending on the kindness of strangers. We'll also find out if New Orleans still has its 'soul' since being battered by Hurricane Katrina and learn from guidebook author Jay Cooke how "volun-tourism" may be one way to boost the spirit of the city, while still having a good time at this year's Mardi Gras and Jazzfest. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick gets the latest info on what to look for while island-hopping in Hawaii from Lonely Planet's Sara Benson, and checks in with Gary Chandler who is in Mexico updating the Moon guidebook to Cancun and Cozumel. He'll report on how well the area is recovering from Hurricane Wilma, and what visitors can expect from Mexico's top resort region. We're getting the scoop on planning escapes to Hawaii and Cancun on the next Travel with Rick Steves. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

If you haven't seen Eastern Europe lately, you probably won't recognize it -- and that's just how the European Union wants it. Now that most of Eastern Europe is part of the E.U., the region is enjoying an extreme make-over. Looking at Eastern Europe then and now, Rick gets updates from a few of his friends who grew up "behind the Iron Curtain" on how these changes have impacted their daily lives, and what the region offers American tourists today. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

In 2004, Sri Lanka became one of the countries hardest hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami as it suffered damage along much of its coastline. Two years later, Sri Lanka still has some of the most picture-perfect beaches in the world, plus colorful temples, tea plantations, and festivals where visitors are welcome. On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, Lonely Planet guidebook author Ryan Ver Berkmoes tells us how the island is faring today, including how the Tamil ethnic conflict is affecting tourism. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

One of the delights of driving through the countryside is spotting sheep grazing in the fields. We'll learn about the sheep and lambs that dot the hills of rural Britain from an accomplished breeder who has created a popular tourist attraction on his farm in Wales. We'll learn how travelers can interact with spring lambs, and the types of wool and meat these animals provide. And, Rick learns a few new tricks about how to whistle sheep herding dog commands. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

We're looking high and low for adventures in the Southern Hemisphere on this week's Travel with Rick Steves. Adventure travel specialist Kurt Kutay (koo-TYE) fills us in on Peru's attractions, such as trekking to Machu Picchu in the Andes, and interacting with indigenous cultures and spotting wildlife in the Amazon. And, Rick calls travel writer David Stanley to learn how travelers can find a warm welcome in Fiji, and how it compares to its neighbors in the South Pacific. Join us for adventures in the Southern Hemisphere to Peru and Fiji, on the next Travel with Rick Steves. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Ursula Klaus, a licensed tour guide and art historian from Vienna, uncovers the city's elegant charm. She highlights Vienna's rich café culture, showcasing its iconic pastries like Sachertorte. Listeners discover affordable opera tickets and experience the enchanting music scene. Klaus also explores the significance of Heuriger, traditional wine taverns, and offers practical travel tips for navigating Austria. With a blend of cultural insights and personal anecdotes, she captures Vienna's essence as the perfect blend of history and leisure.

Some of the best souvenirs you can gather from your travels reside on your taste buds. On the next Travel with Rick Steves, Rick explores some of the comfort foods that his European friends enjoy in Paris, Madrid, and Tuscany, and how you can enjoy them when you visit their regions. We'll get advice on preparing and eating escargot (ess-car-GO) and steak tartare (tar-TAR), and get a recipe on how to mix up your own batch of sangria (san-GREE-ah). And we hear from listeners about some of their memorable food encounters overseas. We're whetting our appetites, European style, on this week's Travel with Rick Steves. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Could Americans and Europeans benefit from an honest conversation with each other about their different ways of viewing society and the world? On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, we'll do just that, as Rick invites a best-selling French author and philosopher into the studio. Rick discusses some of the French stereotypes that fuel American prejudices with Bernard-Henri Levy (ber-NARD on-REE leh-VEE). They examine issues France faces as part of the European Union, and suggest ways that our two societies can learn from each other. Plus, Rick offers suggestions to listeners considering an off-season trip to Europe or traveling with teenage grandkids, on this week's Travel with Rick Steves. FOR STATIONS WHICH HAVE ALREADY AIRED PGM #45: Could Americans and Europeans benefit from an honest conversation with each other about their different ways of viewing society and the world? On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, we'll do just that, as Rick invites a best-selling French author and philosopher back into the studio. Rick discusses some of the French stereotypes that fuel American prejudices with Bernard-Henri Levy (ber-NARD on-REE leh-VEE). They examine issues France faces as part of the European Union, and suggest ways that our two societies can learn from each other. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

In recent years, South Africa has awakened from its Apartheid-induced embargo to become one of the continent's most popular destinations. There's plenty to experience with its local cultures and spectacular natural beauty, but it's not really the kind of place the backdoor traveler can confidently experience without doing some homework first. Rick learns about the emerging tourism industry in South Africa from Carmin Arnot, who was born in Capetown, and now plans adventure travel for North American visitors. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.