Rick Steves' Europe takes 30,000 Americans through Europe on 1,200 bus tours every year (except this year, of course). It’s a complicated operation with a lot of moving parts — and recently, I enjoyed focusing on one dimension of that vast network: A group that our Tour Operations department simply refers to as “Our Vendors.” Our vendors are the mostly very small businesses that we partner with in Europe to create the Rick Steves tour experience: the carefully chosen guesthouses, small hotels, r

Our new special, Rick Steves' Experiencing Europe, is now available! Join Rick Steves as he shares lessons from a lifetime of European travel so you can learn from his experiences and travel smoother. In this entertaining, information-packed hour, with Europe as your classroom, you’ll learn the essential skills for smart travel from itinerary planning to venturing off the beaten path. Get Rick’s tips on packing light, escaping crowds, avoiding scams and pickpockets, and maximizing your cultural

This time it's quintessential Germany — and that means Bavaria: fairytale castles, the exciting city of Munich, and fun in the breathtaking Alps. | Rick Steves' Europe

Join us for the Best of Germany in 13 Days: www.ricksteves.com/tours/germany-austria-switzerland/germany-tour The tour begins with the sound of seagulls in Hamburg, a city that tickles tourists with its people-friendly harbor and a nearly Nordic vibe. From there you'll daydream through fairy-tale forests, meander the mighty Rhine, have fun storming the castle, and clink frothy mugs of beer in Bavaria. You'll also time-trip through the medieval charms of Rothenburg, walk in the revolutionary foot

The Rick Steves Best of Germany in 13 Days tour begins in dynamic Hamburg. From there you'll daydream through fairy-tale forests, meander the mighty Rhine, have fun storming the castle, and clink frothy mugs of beer in Bavaria. You'll also time-trip through the medieval charms of Rothenburg, walk in the revolutionary footsteps of Luther, reflect on the tumultuous events of World War II, and marvel at the modernity of 21st-century Berlin. Join us: https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/germany-austria-

Join Rick Steves as he shares the essential skills for smart European travel: itinerary planning, venturing off the beaten path, packing light, avoiding crowds (and thieves), transportation tips, finding hotels and restaurants, and much more. Learn from Rick's experiences — and travel smarter! | Rick Steves' Europe

One of the reasons we travel? To learn. Deepening our understanding of history, art, and culture, we better appreciate those who came before us, and it helps us to better prepare for and contribute to what’s next. In this clip from Rick's "Why We Travel" TV special, we learn how, through travel, we can deepen our understanding of history, gain context and perspective… and become wiser. #RickSteves #KeepOnTravelin #KeepOnTraveling #RickStevesEurope | Rick Steves' Europe