Rick Steves Presents an Irreverent History of His Tour Program

Subscribe at goo.gl/l6qjuS for more new travel talks! In this class, Rick Steves charts the evolution of his popular tour program - from its inception (when Rick was the only guide and his first aid kit was a baggie of Valium) to the present, where dozens of guides and more than 10,000 free-spirited travelers explore Europe together in a more comfortable version of the Rick Steves style.
For more information on Rick Steves' Europe tours, visit www.ricksteves.....

[@debbiefallon3560]

Rick, we will never forget buying “Europe through the Back Door” in 1987 and following it exactly through Interlachen, Murren, Wengen, and Gimmelwald. Every one of your recommendations was followed and thoroughly enjoyed. You are the best! We also followed your advice through Rothenburg and Dinkelsbuhl and were so glad we did. You’re the same age as us, your hair styles match my husband’s, and how we wish we had known you then, in addition to your well-written words on paper. Thanks so much!

[@lindab3240]

I always liked Rick, but after watching this I LOVE him!

[@Tampa0123456789]

One of those videos you don't plan on watching but endup watching the whole thing.

[@mypointofview1111]

He's quite the story teller and funny as well

[@johnnycats5157]

exactly!

[@himanshughosalkar394]

Rick is the Marco Polo of these days

[@abacab87]

Thanks for telling me so I can get out before I get started.

[@wanketta]

What a fantastic human being. Rick Steves is a gift to the world.

[@loveofchrist1840]

This man has truly worked hard and with ingenuity to be rewarded with the success he has garnered. He is excellent in his profession.

[@INTUITIVENORSK2303]

I'm a huge fan of Rick Steves & have been watching him for many years now. He's a true humanitarian & possesses a real love of the world & all of the people in it. He's a wonderful teacher & lecturer & really gets to the heart of many matters, truly opening our eyes, ears and hearts to our wider world & not only clinging, onto the one we grew up within. Thank you Rick Steve's, for your many years of wonderful service in the travel sector & for educating very openly, countless Americans and others abroad.

[@vcom2327]

I attended one of his travel classes in 1981. I ended up travelling the world with a backpack for two years.

[@peneljsmith]

My father was a university prof, and I heard so much about backpacking in Europe. Seemed that everyone was doing it in the 60's and 70's. Now I know what it was really like!

[@GSD-]

this is the best lecture I have ever heard in my life

[@ceeceety2320]

Absolutely!

[@namcat53]

Yes!

[@catspaw455]

" VIVA " Rick Steve's Munchas Gracias 💝💞

[@freshstart4423]

A rich kid begging and stealing across Europe, does not represent our culture.

[@wesleygonzales2049]

Good ol' Rick Steves!!! I'm so proud of his undoubted influence of European travel on Americans. Proud to say that the few fellow Americans I meet on the road in Europe these days are smart, culturally sensitive and respectful, and I would attribute that to Rick's influence.

[@AmandaFromWisconsin]

I like your comment, but you're assuming that all Americans abroad would be unintelligent, culturally insensitive and disrespectful without the influence of Rick Steves, and that's just not true.

[@AmandaFromWisconsin]

Lots To Learn - I was born in 1981, but I think that still makes me a Millennial, albeit an older one (the dates aren't set in stone, to my knowledge).

[@briantravelman]

Why do people always talk about Americans being culturally insensitive? Other nationalities and cultures are even more culturally insensitive then Americans.

[@anairenemartinez165]

@@briantravelman In my experience, you find all kinds

[@pcpolice2314]

@Thomas Farrell so many triggered lol

[@debbief5594]

I found this by accident and before I knew it, I watched every minute! It was great! He is so funny and candid in his talks!

[@Javistorytime]

I have long admired him, but this was so entertaining. His sense of humor pulled me in.

[@RiftenWhiterun]

What a great presentation. Rick is such a late 70s nerd. Me too! I'm glad he is the best travel advisor for Americans.

[@ezequielsolis1131]

You are the teacher and the father every kid wanted

[@LSTEdD1]

Wonderful that you have all your journals! I was in Europe on an art history tour in 1969 (age 16) too!

[@chitwnhood]

I started watching him when I was 20, I'm almost 50 now... glad to get this kinda insight into his method of madness.

[@namcat53]

Thanks Rick! Martin and Roy were our guides on our first tour. It was like having Peter Sellers and Peter Ustinov as your guides and friends....THANKS Martin and Roy! A high, great adventure every day; we did not want to leave. We came back, wiser and better equipped thanks to you. Special thanks to Esther on our Eastern Europe tour! We hope all our tour mates are fine. Ciao!

[@paulharvey2396]

Thank you Rick for this wonderful generous gift God bless you.

[@ceeceety2320]

What an amazing legacy you and your family are leaving for the world! Amazing that a trip you didn't even want to go on as child, lead you on a path to such an amazing life!

[@INTUITIVENORSK2303]

A superb upload & so much fun to watch! This is like listening to & watching images of Rick's travel story book. Such wonderful memories & they're always the very best. We all possess our very own memory story book. Thanks Rick Steves!

[@Jsmith2024]

I enjoy all of your videos, but this is by far the best. Seeing you relaxed and unrehearsed while you talk about how you got started and why you do what you do is the most interesting thing on the internet. Thank you.

[@keywestcatlady]

much respect to you, Rick Steves! Love your way of spreading Peace!

[@whyimsmarterthanyou]

This lecture series is outstanding; very enjoyable. I love the PBS series but these talks and those hosted by his guides and staff are exceptional.

[@ajcapozzoli]

What a great lecture. Well done Mr. Steves. I truly enjoyed it.

[@freshstart4423]

You should check out his teaching on cruise ships where he tells travelers to avoid long lines by arriving late, right before departures. We still have people getting stranded on Islands after the ship departs because of him. Maybe you could do a better job.

[@annbush1826]

Great to have someone so knoweldgeable, with a greater ability to communicate that knowledge than most of my many professors! His Picasso stands alone for a joyous sunny tour of a modern master's works. I was hustled through the Louvre by an impatient Frenchwoman. Her "a moi" was constant and Rick gave us more real lingering time and knowledge!

[@18daisydoll65]

Loved the gothic cathedral lesson!!! Superb

[@margiepeary8003]

Loved the "Back Door Look" into Rick Steves!!! He's incredibly well organized and passionate about providing great (sometimes free) travel advice. Mahalo and aloha Rick!!!

[@netherworlde]

Rick's chaotic good energy is off the charts. Half his stories are about illegal but necessary activities or sadistic attempts to kick people's ethnocentrism in the face. What a legend.

[@filmcrew1551]

I found this as interesting as his travel shows actually. Rick is great!

[@cjtramm8]

Oh my god. I can’t believe it. I thought he only did tv shows. I’ve looked for a trustworthy guide for a trip for so long. Can’t wait to see what they have

[@Bokimon]

Rick Steves is pure awesomeness!! This is what personal growth is about by seeing the world beyond our own borders. The rich life experiences and incredible yet hilarious stories to fill a memoir someday. The real education that isn't taught in schools nor typical corporate pods in downtown office boxes. Similar sheltered sedentary issues also exist in Canada (especially landlocked provinces) where many seem oblivious or indifferent to other cultures and the way the world works beyond our little jurisdictions. Maybe first world problem. Hearing excuses like folks going to all inclusive resorts down south for a whole week as counting as being a traveler just makes my head shake. You have to do one of these up in Canada too! Not just BC but the prairie provinces too to awake the baby booming Canucks so they can spend their money on real global experiences rather than jetting down to a resort or condo in some desert/beach place every year.

[@terisaccone4238]

Rick Steves : Rock star of the travel world but without the attitude.

[@Creole_Lady]

🎯💯

[@barbarianblood2316]

Well said. Rick is the best.✌️

[@MontagZoso]

That’s why we love him!

[@BurritoMassacre]

I look forward to taking a RS tour one day. I’ve done very little international travel when when I have it was to visit family. I’ll be frank, I’ve been intimidated by the idea of planning a trip to an unknown country. I would definitely benefit from a guided tour like these.

[@form76]

Rock Steve's and his awesome travel videos have me Sane in these COVID times. Thanks a lot Rick

[@markwoollard]

My wife and I just watched this. Your joy of living--exploring and appreciating sights and cultural difference--is truly infectious. I noted that you too attended the school of hard "Knox" in Edinburgh, as did I briefly in 2015. And I have a photo wearing your hat to prove it!! 🙂

[@wanderingangelstudio1359]

Hysterical talk. Love it. Very informative.

[@mailynnspencer]

What a wonderful video ,he has alot of knowledge with a great personality.

[@margaretirish705]

What a character! ;-) It sounds like he had a wonderful young adulthood.. The 70's- those were the days..

[@hasafa9580]

Rick you have to visit Georgia-the eastern Europe! I promise you won't be disappointed

[@vanished3306]

I have wondered how it was you came to have your own travel channel! Now I know and thoroughly enjoyed this! Great stories, pictures and humor!

[@LisaAnn365]

Wonderful video. Thanks for posting.

[@guillermogoytia9993]

Rick , With you no need for vacations .Just grab a drink or two , have a lazy chair and Enjoy ....and as an added bonus acquire knowledge. Muchas Gracias . Zorionak.

[@ajaymaurya3062]

Really, it's inspiring story everyone should learn more and more from it to explore his ideas to the world to do to say that I learnt a lesson from a such man who could change people's mentality overnight and filled them ocean of dreams and life.

[@chewie1644]

Rick, seriously, that was beautiful.

[@rhythmdroid]

Rick Steves devotee since 1992!!

[@TorchDSilke]

I really enjoyed this! I watched your lecture on Italy and it too was fascinating! One of the things you said that made my heart sing, was getting to know the people before you bomb or send bullets. After watching three docs on North Korea, the last featured two girls, both gymnasts, their families.. Shocked to learn of prison camps in prior 2 docs. The 3rd doc had me concerned for their safety if N Korea's threats to fire missiles backfire onto their own country. Why can we not just have peace?

[@vmunnikrishnan]

wow- very inspiring journey and every travel entrepreneur should watch this awesome story

[@gloriarohlfs5805]

so wonderful. Great guidebooks. Maybe someday I'll take a tour - except I hate getting up early in the morning.

[@barthunkle2156]

you rock...thx

[@shihabuddin611]

Best motivational travel video ever.

[@janejohnstone5795]

Very interesting 👌.

[@anndeakin1508]

Thanks Rick for your historic trip of the history of your travel tour.Great thanks Ann Deakin WarwickUK 29/5/2021

[@staceycasta]

Remarkable!

[@djkoenig4716]

That was fun! PS: I LOVED the Iran show!

[@echa9446]

it's funny how some people hate rugged style of traveling.....i love it! especially because it's cheap lol

[@seethevolcane]

Wonderful !

[@bjmartinphotography]

That was fun and informative.

[@tonybrigner3866]

you have a rich history thanks for sharing

[@IIIllllIIIIlllll]

Why not try designing a book that can be compartmentalized into separate sections? I'm not sure what the best method for that might be but maybe something like spiral rings that can be opened temporarily. It just seems odd to go through all that to cut it up into pieces

[@johnhill7058]

Not when he wants to sell more books.

[@sameh6500]

according to the pictures specially the one in india how did you survive,and still in shape,and still alive after all these travels and sufferings?,anyway hope you teach me piano for free because i am poor just like you in the beginning of your life,you are one of the finest people i,ve ever seen and a unique person nice talking to you,SAMEH.

[@BretM]

Wow this guy is actually pretty funny!

[@jt-bw6qd]

Rick do you lock the backdoor when you play the piano or just when you go to Europe?

[@bmausmus]

I love this talk he gave, but I've only spend summers in Switzerland, so I'm deeply curious to ask: What does he mean about the fondue @~1:12:00-1:12:45. I've had some amazing fondue in June in Annecy (admittedly in France), and some that were nearly as pleasant around Geneva, Lucerne, and Montreaux in June, July, and August. How does the season affect the availability or taste of Fondue?

[@krokoduck4502]

another thing is: are you thinking of cheese or of meat fondue? the original idea of cheese fondue was to have a warm meal with high nutrition value from a long conservation product, so it is associated with hard winters in the alps. just imagine you step into a hut on a cold winters day after a long walk through the snow and have a cheese fondue. cheese fondue is related to that kind of ambiance. as for meat fondue , as it is made from fresh (not smoked ) meat, you could eat it whenever fresh meat was available throughout the year, but during the summer you could as well have a nice barbecue outside instead of preparing a meal indoor. of course when you go to a restaurant that is oriented to meet international clients desires for typical regional meals all of these seasonal considerations are irrelevant.

[@SirManDudeGuy1]

That thumbnail tho

[@francesca7142]

Those were the days. "Europe on $5 a Day," "Let's Go: the Harvard Student Guide to Europe," and Ed Buryn's, "Vagabonding in Europe and North Africa." Youth hostels. Way too many museums.

[@jbeerailroader6100]

my travel go to guy..

[@keikei2185]

Coolest man on the planet.

[@acbc3543]

Rick ! I’m adding you as my uncle ! Can this happen ?claudia . Austin Texas

[@cspaliwal_]

40:07 Man led a mini cult 😂😂

[@comment5884]

I'm not finding the app Steve talks about. Can anyone help

[@jacobharvey2946]

Not positive, but it looks like he’s talking about, Rick Steve’s Audio Europe. It’s in the iOS App Store. I haven’t tried it, but it looks like it lets you queue up audio to tour locations. Which is what he’s describing. I’m not sure if it’s available on any other platform.

[@Paul_C]

Steve, maybe you would be brave enough to publish a tour comprising the bad, and mediocre places.

[@ghost_knight_001]

I for the experience of the local culture and foods, and stuff,, come on having women on your tour, is great, if I have a sister and female friend and you is \ are the tour guide I would be honoured

[@williamshott4340]

Men want to be him

[@aloevera7422]

Europe 👏on one ☝️ brain 🧠 cell ⚡️ a day

[@JEng-zp6wg]

*y

[@tinkujenatj5901]

Happiness toosirji

[@howardfisher5127]

NiceoneRickcoumetoLeedsYorkshire

[@2Uahoj]

What 200,000 refugees in a winter mud puddle on the border of Afghanistan is he talking about here ? And what further responsibility of the US is he talking about given the loss of thousands of US soldiers there already and billions of US dollars to help the people? This is not taking responsibility? In terms of Iran, has he ever even heard of the "Green Protests" - how millions of people across the country came out to protest the brutal regime, only to be squashed by it. How is it possible he could travel there and not listen to the people?

[@WillN2Go1]

Cambridge is better than Oxford.... ahhhhh, well yeah - if you have one day, and you aren't driving. Okay. (I stayed in an overpriced Modern hotel in Cambridge - character? That part of town was strip malls and pavement. ) The problem with Cambridge is the university side of town is just as wonderful as Oxford, but more compact, so it's easier to get around and really feel the medieval. HOWEVER... soon as you go a mile into the rest of Cambridge you think Stalin and Walmart won the war. It's awful. Oxford with a car? Well, first of all there's no place to park. So park out of town and take the bus in. They have lots for this. So why rent a car to visit Oxford? Because just outside of Oxford there's just so much what's around Cambridge. But nod to Rick Steves - got me again. He's right. Take the train to Cambridge, but book a place to stay in advance so you don't end up next to the supermarket in Cleveland-shire. My girlfriend showed up one day with a Rick Steve's Spain book from her sister (mom, sis and she were doing Spain for girls only). I scoffed at Steve's guide; ordered her a Lonely Planet guide. (And she got a lot of points for it. so there.) I can scoff at Steves because when I travel I basically get off the plane head for a youth hostel (I'm 64), after that I make it all up for at least a month (three months... can be a bit much, then it's less an adventure than you're just homeless in a place that's no longer exotic because you're used to it.) I carry a sleeping bag and bivvy sack, have slept outside train stations, anywhere along any trail. So compared with Steves I'm Batman (at least in my head), but d**it! he always has some tip or thing that I have to admit is really good. His concept of time? That's solid. How often would one more day have solved problems, widened your horizons, added two more terrific museums and a park? His approach is you don't start out trying to cram three days into two, you do the two. If you can give yourself an extra day, now you're becoming Batman.

[@Sksk27547]

Rick, you are a boring guy. Hahaha! hilarious.

[@micco6020]

The thing about the Iran video is the people are hostages. They arent free, the people are arrested for taking off their headscarves and brutally sexually assaulted, if they are lucky and not just women. The unlucky ones families are told where their bodies are dumped and the bodies tell what they experienced before death. I liked the iran special when it came out, but since then american tourists have been imprisoned and social media has told us what life is like for the people of iran. It is like tours to north korea. If the people dont lie then they go to a camp, and the money spent on a tour supports the imprisonment of the people. Unethical tourism.

[@yokie52]

I can't help but wonder if he has given thought to how women cannot do what he did. We can't sleep under a tent with strangers...good Lord. Melody was probably scared to death.

[@snv648]

Haha the "travel expert" doesn't know that Austria isn't Germany. There's a reason they call it dope!

[@lynneebert7348]

Always thought Rick was a little bit silly but this video shows his true sense of humor, his incredible knowledge and the humanitarian side of his persona. What a wonderful video. He is an incredible person with well thought out political values and ethics.

[@leabyers8750]

Hes amazing!👏🏻👏🏻

[@prestonphelps1649]

Rick is a nice guy well meaning..... but please don't go in a group any group. Im from seattle and have been on one of his tours. His tours arnt a good value...... when I went I had to have 2 roomates , 3 in a small room, snorers. Just go on your own.

[@sugarskullchick6239]

Love this dude, I’ve been watching him for years. He helped inspire me to travel on my own in Europe

[@bryndaraether9153]

My husband and I have watched your PBS Shows for years. This talk helped me understand why you are so good at what you do!

[@rebeccagutierrez1960]

I think it was my watching the PBS station that featured Rick's show (while raising my kids) ignited my love for travel. Now I'm a widow and I'm enjoying Europe. Leaving to Portugal in 3 more weeks.

[@Yuvraj.]

I’m 20 and leaving for my first solo travel in 3 weeks as well. Enjoy!

[@melodyneibert1424]

Rick Steves!!!!!! I'm your #1 armchair traveler!!!!! I watch you everyday on PBS!!!

[@morgantam1]

I've watched Rick Steves travel shows on PBS for many years; this lecture showcases a beautiful human being. Bravo and thank you for doing what you do, Mr. Steves.

[@lorimiller2369]

Awesome video! I had no idea Rick was so entertaining!! I’ve bought his books and maps and what a delight to hear him speak. Thank you for sharing your optimism and belief in people. 😊 And saving me lots of money in Spain with your guidebooks!!

[@MarcVbytheSea]

So thankful for the free spirit, wit and wisdom that Rick shares so generously and entertainingly. His clear thinking also provide proof that marijuana does not destroy brain cells but it does sometimes help make for rather nice and interesting people like Rick. He is quite the opposite of the stereotypical 'ugly American' - he is a beauty in every way. Thanks Rick - it's smart, helpful and passionate people like you who make me proud to be a human being!

[@namcat53]

I'll back you up on that.

[@mauriciomoldes7476]

Thank you Rick, for this lovely talk. It made my day :)

[@mocculto]

Saw Rick speak in Dallas last night. He is amazing, funny, and inspiring. Follow your dreams.....travel!,,,

[@Denitakis]

I always liked Steve's show on TV, but now I really love and respect him. What a wonderful human being.

[@peacenow4456]

Love this! Steve provides such learned diversion!! Hilarious history, loved hearing it!

[@anneguting]

Long before travel blogs/vlogs came out, Rick Steves was, AND WILL ALWAYS BE the best Europe travel guide/documentarist ever. ❤

[@docsavage8640]

Why does Rick sound Canadian?

[@ofotopedro]

Bright Size Life ! Great person and great lifestyle, with a huge human heart ! Love the Iran comments on the end...shed tears hearing that ! Keep on travelling !

[@herrfriberger5]

Bright Size Life, yeah, love that record, with Pat Metheny and Jaco Pastorius.

[@madhavyu]

What a legend. Watched his program during the 90's and 00's and now living in Europe fulltime.

[@marinacocozza558]

Fabulous! Love all the travel vlogs, so informed and informing, and this is just wonderful. The sound of Australians rutting...one of the best lines ever, Thank you Rick