Celebrating 40 Editions of Europe Through the Back Door with Rick Steves

Teaching travel is the cornerstone of Rick Steves' Europe. And among the roughly 100 guidebooks we've produced over the years, one has always been the flagship: "Europe Through the Back Door," the handbook for traveling the Rick Steves way. After self-publishing the first edition in 1980 and selling it out of the trunk of his car, Rick celebrates the book's 40th edition with a Monday Night Travel party tracking how travel has evolved over his career - from aerograms and picking up mail at an American Express office to Airbnb, TripAdvisor, and GPS. But despite all the change, the value and wonder of European travel is as great as ever, and Rick catalogs these wonders over the course of an hour that promises to be fun, entertaining, and inspiring. #ricksteves #mondaynighttravel
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[@strawbarry7834]

You can NOT be celebrating 40 years, because that would mean I've been watching you for 40 years, which would mean that I'm old. And I'm sorry, we simply cannot have that. But seriously, thanks for 40 amazingly entertaining years! Your passion for travel is shown in everything you do. Rick, you've helped make the world a better place, so thank you!

[@korenng5553]

Planning my first Italy Trip this May...perfect timing!

[@brightboxstudio]

Congratulations, and thank you, for 40 editions! This video made me quite nostalgic for the trips I took in the 1990s with the help of your books: Stopping by your office to pick up a student discount Eurail pass, weeks of travel with no reservations except the flights out there and back, $5-15 a night, old-world possibly antique furnishings in the room (rooms today look straight out of an IKEA catalog), and getting to know more about the place than what’s in the travel brochure. Thank you for helping me form solid travel habits that still work well decades later!

[@susanwhite7474]

This is a great program. Thank you, Rick!

[@deanhatescoffee]

Congrats on 40 editions, Rick and crew!

[@chm818]

I would love to see the logistics of planning the constant tours. I am 50 and have watched PBS Rick Steve since I was a kid.

[@monainsandiego]

Congrats Steve. You have lived your passion and took us all along for the ride. The years when I could not travel, your books kept the adventure flame alive. My first trip to Europe was in 1979. I had an unstructured backpack, a train schedule book, a couple guide books, and a one month Eurail pass (my magic carpet). I slept in a few hostels, had a few overnights on trains or in train stations. All memorable. Like the hostel in Dublin that was filled with traditional musicians who were in town to compete at a country wide competition. I fell asleep listening to people practicing and thinking I’m the luckiest person in the world. Or the early morning conversations with a couple of police dog handlers patrolling the train station in Paris, who told me which of the carts had the best croissants. If you had a train ticket for an early train, you could sleep in the station back then. Chatting with fellow travelers, sharing food and thoughts through the night. I can’t remember which station it was but what an experience! As a 28 year old woman I never felt unsafe. 7 countries and millions of memories…all without cell phones and still was able to say to friends, “I’ll meet you in Lucern at the train station on this day, or let’s meet up in Paris and travel to Rotterdam together.” Just luck and that train schedule book. At 72, I still love to travel but spend more time planning which is enjoyable in itself. Your books have been a huge part of my European adventures . Keep on keepin’ on.

[@devjanichakraborty6204]

Mr.Rick Steves, We don't see you in the Travel talks for quite sometime.Owing to your age,you must be taking a break from your hectic schedule for a while.Hope you are fine and doing well. Sir, you are an incredible presenter of your shows,which we are certainly missing out these days.Your whole travel team is also very unique as they too are anchoring the shows to the best of their ability ! Thanks !😊

[@dlbrowning9221]

1990, age 20, I spent 2 months traveling around Europe alone as a young woman - Eurail, youth hostels, ridiculously large backpack - with Europe Through The Back Door in hand. This summer my 18 year old is heading off to Europe for his first solo trip. Life comes full circle. SO thrilled for him! And, yes, I’m introducing him to the book that started it all for me…

[@dlbrowning9221]

Wait…people don’t sleep on trains anymore??? I absolutely used those tips, with greater or lesser success… 😂 The only time I actually reserved a couchette was on my way out of Portugal; I left with a terrible sunburn on my back after falling asleep on the beach!

[@angelaromolo6517]

Many years ago, in Portugal, we met some lovely Palestinian people, who were selling their olive wood crèches at a crafts fair. My husband said that he hoped for a Palestinian state. They asked if we were from Ireland. They were surprised to learn that we were from the U.S. We are still in touch

[@luisalmas3743]

Been reading your books for the past 2 years now for my travelling through Europe (I'm European). It seems one of your books is always next to my bed these days! :D I recently purchased the 40th edition of Europe Through the Back Door and Rick Steves Italy, for some new insight on new trips to other places in Europe. Can't wait to get into them soon. Cheers!

[@dockovacs4089]

I began traveling in 1986. Soon I learned of you. I wrote down your WA address for a future Seattle trip. When that happened I forgot why the address. When I arrived the receptionist asked how she could help. I, "Please tell me why I am here." Your continued success is wonderful to see and confirms my sensing quality more than 30 years ago.

[@lounamana]

🎉 Congratulations Rick and team!