Many don’t realize that the first people Hitler sent to his concentration camps weren’t everyday Jewish citizens, but his political opponents. So, when Trump rants about retribution, locking up his opponents, and giving them “very long sentences,” I can’t help but take him seriously… because history teaches us that is what fascist dictators do during their “Day One” period to consolidate their power. (After all, if you’re hellbent on staying in power but aren’t likely to win the next election, you can’t have your political opponents running around free.) To keep fascism out of our lives, vote for democracy!

As a traveler, I'm both a proud American and a citizen of the world — and I've got a few thoughts on this coming election. This election is deeper than partisanship. It's far more than Republican versus Democrat. In the future, big challenges like pandemics, refugees, and climate change will be blind to borders. They'll be everyone's problem and only solved by working together as a family of nations. The world needs not American isolation, but American leadership. Not the chaos of Trump, but the stability of @KamalaHarris. Of course, how you vote is your choice. But if you believe, as I do, in the importance of nations working together constructively, the stakes are really high...and the best candidate is clear. Register to vote today at vote.gov — and encourage your travelin’ friends to do the same!

A century ago, Germany’s democracy was hijacked by a bombastic and charismatic tyrant — and in this five-minute video, you’ll learn how he did it. Why did I produce this? Because I believe that history is speaking to us, and all too often, those who refuse to learn from it are doomed to repeat it. As you watch, imagine filling out a Bingo card filled with Germany 1933/USA 2024 parallels: big rallies, rage-filled and hateful rhetoric, simple answers promising quick and easy solutions to complicated problems, empty promises of a great-again future, scapegoating outsiders, and political enemies silenced on day one. And notice the caring wisdom and concern from my German friends as they share these lessons from their dark history. It’s hard to understand how Trump could, on the eve of a tight election, paint a picture of Liz Cheney before a firing squad by actually saying, “Let’s put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? And let’s see how she feels about it when the guns are trained on her face.” You can’t get into the mind of a dictator with an insatiable appetite for power — but you can recognize the playbook they all seem to follow. Just watch this clip. It’s excerpted from my hourlong public television special “The Story of Fascism in Europe,” which is streaming free (and ad-free) at ricksteves.com/fascism. If you care about our democracy and love our country, it’s hard to stop watching. When I produced this in 2018, I hoped this day would never come in our country. But November 5th is upon us. Please share this with anyone in your life who might need a reminder that the stakes are high...and this is very real.

I miss the Grand Old Party (GOP) and long for the day when we can return to healthy and principled partisan debates. (We idealistic hippies sometimes need to be reined in by practical conservatism.) But this election is different… and much deeper than D versus R and left versus right. It’s a clear choice, and the survival of our democracy is on the line. The world needs not the chaos of Trump but the stability of Kamala Harris. The world needs America.

Thanks for all the support since I first told you about my prostate cancer diagnosis. I promised you an update when I shared this news back in August — and I’m happy to say that I’m home now after successful surgery and a night in the hospital. (Packing light for my homecoming, I left my prostate there.) Since I was first diagnosed, I’ve thought of cancer as the latest adventure in a lifetime of travels — and like always, I’m excited to share a trip report with you. My journey began with a blood draw to screen for prostate cancer. I was told that, at my age, a PSA score of 4 or greater would be considered “abnormal.” So, when I got the shocking news that I had a PSA score of 55, it was like I’d been thrown into a new land fraught with mystery and uncertainty. Suddenly swept away from my general practitioner and into the world of oncology, I needed to make important decisions about things I knew nothing of… and I barely spoke the language. In my case, I had options (basically non-surgical treatments or just cut it out). Caring people with strong opinions and lessons from experience weighed in as if in a debate tournament, competing in the interest of my health. Psychologically, I was inclined to embrace the “ectomy” route — cut it out. And in my case (where the cancer is, how it’s acting, and my willingness to deal with — or live with — the side effects), it seemed surgery was my best option. After talking with my doctor and carefully considering each treatment strategy, I chose to undergo a robotic radical prostatectomy. On the big morning, my alarm rings at 4:30 a.m.… and the day for surgery is finally here — certainly a high point on this journey’s itinerary: Drive through a sleepy world, check in, strip down… gown up. A moment of prayer with my surgeon and Shelley (my angel caregiver through the physical and emotional white water of this ride). Then, careen gracefully down the hallway on a gurney (feeling kind of melodramatic to actually live the POV of so many movie scenes) and enter the operating room — which is reassuringly filled with an awe-inspiring mix of masked-up experts, technology, sterility, and humanity. I give myself over to the crew that now holds my very future in their hands. The ventilation mask lowers… take three… deep… breaths… and… I wake up feeling great, chatty, and making jokes I think are clever… clearly on some serious medicine. Thankfully, my doctor has a good report: Surgery went well, there was no sign of any spread, and the cancer seems to have been embedded deep in my prostate, which is now at the lab. Before the surgery, I had two visions of my cancerous prostate: a small apple with an invisible rot at its core and an old dandelion with missing spores. My wish was the apple, and that’s what I got. But we won’t really know how “it went” until the lab reports are in. And that’s when I hope to hear the words “cancer-free.” But for now, I’m still in the next stage of this trip: “the road to recovery.” Buckling myself gingerly into the passenger seat, I was overcome with thankfulness: that I live in a corner of the world where hospitals aren’t being bombed or flooded... that I have access to a brilliant @UWMedicine surgeon and the best tech anywhere at Seattle’s @FredHutch Cancer Center... that I am surrounded by the love and support of so many…and receiving quality care in a major medical crisis with no concerns about crippling costs (which for a citizen of any great nation should be a civil liberty). Yes, I am thankful. On my first day back home (when not napping), I read through cards and social media comments from caring people sharing experiences and cheering me on. All those good vibes, warm thoughts, and fervent prayers — while intangible — took on a kind of tangibility as they collectively worked to fill my sails with hope and strength to finish this journey successfully. Thank you. It wasn’t so long ago that people called cancer “the C word,” or if they called it by name, they did so in a whisper. As anyone who gets cancer learns, it permeates all corners of our society, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of or to hide — and when it comes to older men, it seems being tested for prostate cancer (a simple blood test you can request from your GP) is a smart idea. As for me, the next step is to get my catheter taken out — after which I’ll be steep on the incontinence learning curve. Then, I’ll get the lab reports. (I’ll be sure to keep you posted.) In the meantime, I’m making a point to celebrate the vibrancy that fills my world... to give thanks for everything that works well in my body... and to meditate on how communities, technologies, and livable environments that we enjoy are not accidental — they happen when good people care and do good things. I’m looking forward to many more years of happy travels — and, of course, I’ll be sure to bring you along! —Rick

Our mission at @RickStevesEur is to help Americans understand the world through travel. But when we bring travelers to Russia, we also bring their dollars — dollars that would support Putin’s aggression. We have now canceled all 2022 tours to Russia: blog.ricksteves.com/blog/rus…

America could wake up on Wednesday with all three branches of our government — the — Executive, Legislative, and Judicial — Trumpist. With this clip, take five minutes to ponder Germany’s memorials and the price that nation paid for being bamboozled by a bombastic autocrat. Listen to the heartfelt message of my German tour guides, for whom these memorials are like ghosts of mistakes made and evils allowed… ghosts that haunt their society still. These are the same guides who clink glasses in the beer halls and yodel from the hilltops with our American tour members. They admire America. They love America. And they are worried for America. If we vote for fascism, it’ll likely be won by one or two percent (or even less)…and perhaps just a few stadiums of people will tip the balance. And history has taught my European friends that the cost of a course correction is infinitely more heartbreaking after a wannabe dictator wins an election than before. We are all participants, we are all responsible, and we will all bear the consequences of our collective choice.

I’d like to take a moment to share some important news. I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. My doctor assures me that, if you’re going to get cancer, this is a good kind to get, and careful scans show no sign of it having spread. There is a clear path forward to getting healthy, and this fall, I’ll be in the hospital for a few days having prostate surgery. My doctor’s fine with me filming two new TV shows in France for the next three weeks, returning home to Edmonds by mid-September. I’ll likely get my surgery in late September, be laid up for a month, and—God willing—be cancer-free and back at it by the end of October. I have great trust in my doctor and in Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. And I have lots more to be thankful for…including the support of friends and loved ones and a strong faith that I’m in good hands. While the statistics tell me I should be just fine, I’ve been fortunate to have never spent a night in a hospital — and I find myself going into this adventure almost like it’s some amazing, really important trip. I feel good about my positive attitude — and I expect to take home some delightful, if intangible, souvenirs like: appreciating and seeing a vibrancy in the little things; appreciating the goodness in people and the treasure of friends and family; being wowed by modern medicine and the army of amazing, smart, and dedicated people that make it possible; appreciating what a blessing life, health, and this world to enjoy is; and — just in general — being more thankful. I’m looking forward to many more years of happy travels, exciting collaborations, and beautiful friendships. Thank you for your love and support (and any “travel tips” you may have for me as I set off on this journey). Rick PS: I’ll keep you posted.

Update on my Medical Travels: I’m Cancer Free! PSA 55 to PSA 0.09 to PSA <0.03…Yes! If you know prostate cancer, you know the happy story of those numbers — and the relief of hearing my surgeon say, “You can now consider yourself cancer-free.” Life has been a whirlwind lately, with a new grandson, a New York Times bestselling book, and a president essentially declaring, “L'État, c'est moi” (“The state, it’s me”… in the spirit of Louis XIV.) But I’ve been on a deeply personal journey since last July, when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I promised I’d keep my traveling family posted — and I’m happy to now report that I’ve weathered the storm. As a traveler, I’ve embraced my season of cancer as a journey: Setting off into a mysterious world not of my choosing with no prior experience or language skills. Engulfed in a furious storm, relying on the good ship SS Medical Industry and the steady guidance of Captain Lin (my surgeon), my sails were filled by the prayers and loving wishes of friends, family, and the caring public. (It’s amazing how prayers and good thoughts can become tangible when we need them to power us through the waves.) For now, I’ve broken through the storm, and it’s smooth sailing ahead. But more storms are inevitable, and I’d be wise to keep in touch with the captain and take care of the ship. (This would be a nice place to segue into the value of continued government investment in medical and scientific research — but I’m trying my best to keep politics out of this post.) I decided from the start to share my cancer story with my Facebook friends as a public service. But I never dreamed it would be so newsworthy… from CNN to People Magazine to The New York Times. People care. And when you go public, people come out of the woodwork to share their own experiences with cancer and to help and support you. The message is important: I learned the hard way (almost the very hard way) about the importance of men being tuned into their bodies — especially older men like me, with a history of cancer in the family. I didn’t notice any symptoms and assumed my frequent trips to the WC were simply a consequence of my healthy determination to “stay hydrated.” Only after my diagnosis did I learn that my uncle and his dad both had prostate cancer at my age. It was totally on me… and I was too busy simply living to get tested. Thankfully, I got a new primary care doctor who wanted to kick off our relationship with a blood test. And two days later, our shared mission shifted radically from wellness to survival. After carefully considering all the options, I decided to get a radical prostatectomy — which meant my entire prostate would be removed. Going into the surgery, the big concern was: Had it metastasized? If the cancer is contained in your prostate and they take your prostate out… you’re good to go. But if it turns out that it spread… your journey could be a very long one (or a very sad, short one). It’s all about the “margin” between the cancer and the edge of your prostate, which can only be measured once it’s out. I envisioned my prostate as a good-looking little apple with a dark and rotten core (a good margin) or a windblown old dandelion with missing tufts (no margin plus spread). My doctor’s report after the surgery: “Not as good a margin as we had hoped… we can be guardedly optimistic… but we’ll need to wait for your PSA score in later blood tests.” A PSA score is a number that measures how much “Prostate-Specific Antigen” is in your blood. A high score can indicate your body is battling invasive cancer cells — and my initial PSA of 55 was through the roof. Two months after my surgery, it was good news… down to 0.09. But as my doctor says, “A big flame or a tiny flame — either can start a destructive fire.” He’s greedy and wanted it all gone, so he would only say he liked the trajectory and “we’ll see how it looks down the road.” And finally, my latest blood test has brought home some very good news: A score of <0.03, which means less than the smallest number they can measure. As I approach my 70th birthday, I’m energized by my clean bill of health and busier than ever. (I’m writing this six days into an eight-cities-in-ten-days tour promoting my newest book — which is actually my oldest: A journal I wrote on the Hippie Trail from Istanbul to Kathmandu when I was 23 years old.) And my doctor is giving me an A+ for being proactive: colonoscopy (check!), a visit to the dermatologist for skin cancer tests (check!), physical therapy for post-surgery wellness (check!), massaging away scars from the robotic surgery, which left big dimples on my belly (check!), Kegels (check!), stretching regularly (check!), and lots of walking (check!). (I’m training for a week of hiking in Italy’s Dolomites this summer.) Post-surgery, I found fellowship in a subreddit for men dealing with prostate cancer, which one Redditor described as “the cancer of little indignities.” And that includes lots of pee problems. “Incontinence” is a word known by women of a certain age… and by men who’ve had prostate surgery. When everything’s working as it should, underappreciated little muscles (sphincters) keep urine from leaking out of your bladder until it’s time to take a pee. After having your prostate removed, you leak because you can no longer use your internal sphincter, and you need to bring out and train the reserves — an external sphincter, which is the only one women (who have no prostate) can ever access. And that takes a month or two (or maybe six…) of Kegel boot camp. It's a scary thing for anyone to leak. (You can read about a horrible disease called “fistula” that plagues poor women in Africa.) For many women in our society, leaking is an uncomfortable fact of life, especially after giving birth. And after men have prostate surgery, they gain an appreciation for what women go through. What do you do? Depends! Yes, men learn about pads (women smile knowingly). The incontinence stage seems to go on for an eternity. It’s made worse by knowing that 5 to 10 percent of men have long-term incontinence after prostate surgery, and many even need follow-up surgery to implant tools to help out. A key for anyone in this situation is patience. I was determined, but I almost felt hopeless. Dribble, dribble, deluge, dribble, dribble, pads, pads, pads. Then, after six weeks (and lots of Kegel exercises — which is like flexing the biceps between your legs), it was no more pads for me! (While I’m doing great, I now have much more empathy for the older people who, for decades on my bus tours, asked with terror in their eyes, “How long until the next potty stop?”) This may be TMI, but as I head into this stage, my understanding is that, after all that dribbling, your bladder gets too used to the feeling of frequently emptying itself, wimps out, and basically forgets how to hold a full load. This needs to be addressed by a gradual expansion of the liquid you retain before emptying. I’m enjoying the game of measuring each trip to the toilet (working from 100 ml to 250 ml and sometimes triumphing with 300 or, my personal record, nearly 350 ml). Still, whenever I cough, bend in a strange way, or LOL… I have an inkling for a tinkling. And what about the sexual dysfunction you always hear follows prostate removal? It varies from no problem to no more erections forever and ever, depending on how much unavoidable nerve damage your surgeon did while taking out everything that could have been cancerous. (How’s my ED situation? Let’s just say I’ll be no fun at an orgy for six to 12 months.) Going forward, I’ll get my PSA tested twice a year and then annually. Statistics and my surgeon tell me I should be just fine. There’s a lot that can be improved on in America’s healthcare industry — but as a citizen, I see the glass of our government as not half empty but as half full. (I believe efficient, affordable, and accessible medical care is a civil liberty — and in a country as rich as ours, it should be equally available to all.) I am so thankful for the care I was blessed to receive from Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the army of smart and dedicated people at UW Medicine, and my surgeon, Dr. Daniel Lin. And I have lots more to be thankful for… including the support of friends and loved ones (including you!) and a strong faith that I’m in good hands. I’m looking forward to many more years of happy travels, exciting collaborations, and beautiful friendships. Thank you for your love and support as I weathered this storm. I’m so happy that, together, we get to keep on travelin’!

I produce all my TV shows on my own dime and offer them to public television stations for free. I support public broadcasting, and you should, too.

How do fascists derail democracy? If you study history (or read Project 2025), it’s almost like there’s a recipe book: goose the economy, abolish unions, privatize what’s public, win the support of tycoons. But at what cost? Mesmerize your base so they don’t care. Blind them with your fear-mongering, lies, and promises. Fascism needs a bold leader…the only one who can fix things…a dictator who has the vision and expects others to follow (including women…whether they like it or not). I believe that history is indeed speaking to us — and those who refuse to learn from it are doomed to repeat it. To learn how fascism hijacked Germany a century ago, just watch this five-minute clip. If you care about our democracy and love our country, it’s hard to stop watching. This is an excerpt from my hourlong public television special “The Story of Fascism in Europe,” which is streaming free (and ad-free) at ricksteves.com/fascism. When I produced it back in 2018, I hoped this day would never come in our country. But November 5th is upon us. Please share this with anyone in your life who might need a reminder that the stakes are high…and this is very real.

The best way for travelers to handle strikes is to view them as a cultural experience. In Marseille, I was surrounded by thousands marching in the streets. I enjoyed photographing striking parents with kids on their shoulders—and learned firsthand what labor action is all about.

I’ve long said that we can learn more about our home by leaving it and looking at it from a distance — and since my student days, I’ve done just that for about three months every year. My mission: to equip and inspire Americans to venture beyond Orlando. And I’ve dedicated my life to teaching the value of thoughtful travel. What does that have to do with the 2024 US election? This election is deeper than right vs. left or Democrat vs. Republican. It’s a referendum on American democracy...with our Constitution on the chopping block. And I believe if everyone could travel before they vote, the political landscape of the USA would be vastly different. I see our world as a place filled with love, joy, and good people who share similar needs and concerns. I believe fear is for people who don’t get out much. The flip side of fear is understanding…and we gain understanding by traveling, whether that be a low-budget road trip south or north of the border or a month-long European vacation. Travelers learn that if a just and stable world is the goal, we need not walls but bridges. This upcoming Monday, Sept. 23, I’ll enjoy making my case in 75 minutes on a special edition of Monday Night Travel — “Rick Steves’ Travel as a Political Act” — before entertaining your questions live. I hope to see you there...and if you have friends who could use a little vicarious travel, please invite them to join you in registering for this virtual show at ricksteves.com/mnt. It’s free...fun...and extremely dangerous.

When I’m in Europe, I hear a lot of people complaining about the crowds. And generally, it’s because they’re all going to the same famous places at peak times. But I’d estimate 99% of Europe has no crowds at all. So, stop moaning about crowds and instead think about avoiding them. The theme of my spring trip was exploring neighborhoods and finding serendipitous magic moments — in a market, in a park, at the cobbler’s, popping into a church — to turn into travel memories. In this clip, it was early evening in a crusty district of Naples called Sanitá (your choice of neighborhoods makes a big difference)… the church was open… a middle school orchestra was practicing… and I stumbled onto a moment I’ll never forget. What magic moments have you found in the untouristy parts of Europe? Inspire me with a little positive serendipity you enjoyed… because you left the crowds.

When I first started teaching 40 years ago, I focused on basic travel skills: finding the right hotel, avoiding long lines, catching the train, and so on... [thread]

Dear travelers and fellow Americans, I’ve long appreciated the concept of “solidarity” to describe the collective power created by people coming together to defend their freedoms — whether they be shipyard workers in Poland breaking away from the USSR or poor farmers in Central America rising up against authoritarian regimes to fight for civil liberties. But I never imagined that we, as American citizens, would need to deploy the tool of solidarity to stand up for embattled freedoms here in our own homeland. But sadly, a perfect storm of political conditions has left American democracy in an existential struggle. We have a president who wants to literally replace our system of government — a system which has inspired freedom-lovers across the planet for nearly 250 years — with an oligarchy… a dictatorship. The excuses? Fentanyl, illegal immigrants, paper straws, trans athletes, and the cost of eggs. And now, solidarity is vital for the cause of American freedom. It's hard to imagine our rule of law, our constitution, and our time-honored checks and balances could be endangered. With all the chaos, alternative facts, and rope-a-dope of daily surprises in the news, the step-by-step dismantling of our democracy can be hard to notice. But Project 2025 is an effective blueprint for the establishment of autocratic rule in the USA. It’s much like the playbook that dictators from Mussolini to Erdoğan have followed…only smarter and more formal. You know that sinking feeling you get at the card table when you and your friends are playing Hearts, and you realize that someone is about to “shoot the moon”? That’s how I feel watching Trump: He has the necessary cards, and he may be unstoppable. But it’s not too late. We can all speak out, not as Democrats or Republicans…not as liberals or conservatives…but as patriotic American citizens. When I speak at rallies, I wear a purple shirt — not blue, not red, but D and R mixed together. To be honest, I miss the constructive back-and-forth between practical Republicans and idealistic Democrats to find workable compromises that are good for the fabric of our society. And there will be time again for respectful partisan debate. But the challenge we face today is deeper and more urgent than partisan politics. It is fundamental: Is the United States of America a democracy that stays loyal to a constitution and the rule of law? Or are we loyal to Donald Trump? Are we government by, for, and of the people… or a corrupt kleptocracy that uses public funds to fill the coffers of our president and his billionaire buddies — a broken democracy that enriches the 1% at the expense of the 99? While we don’t have a lot of tools left, we do have our voices. So many of our representatives in Congress are motivated by one thing: staying in power. And they can bow to pressure from Mar-a-Lago, or they can bow to pressure from pro-democracy voters. So, on June 14, at “No Kings” rallies and marches across our nation, let’s come together to let these “representatives” know that ultimately, the people are still more of a threat to their power than our president’s Versailles.

CapTainAI got the first half right, at least

I love the USA. And as a patriot, I believe this election is about our quality of life, the way we treat our fellow citizens, and the survival of our democracy. The results will shape our future. For the love of America, vote for @JoeBiden.

I long for the day when we can return to healthy and principled partisan debates. But this election is different… and much deeper than left versus right. It’s about the survival of our democracy. The stakes are really high — and the best candidate is clear: @KamalaHarris

When I travel, I enjoy a trip to the supermarket & the efficiency and economy of not spending time and money at restaurants every meal. I just relax in my room with a picnic dinner — or fancy it up by dining in a nearby park or lively square. I'd love to see your own picnic pics!

Because if I want to hang out at home, smoke a joint, and listen to my favorite music, that’s my civil liberty — and it’s yours, too.

My best trip to Europe ever was in '73. I ran an ad in my high school paper, promising the opportunity to "feel the fjords and caress the castles" to whoever wanted to join me. The day after graduation, my friend Gene and I flew to Europe with Bert and Ernie (our backpacks) 1/11

Here I am, heading off to Europe the day after high school graduation in 1973 — with a budget of $3 a day, a ten-week Eurail pass in my pocket, and the biggest backpack I could find, jam-packed. I came home with no money, a malnourished body, and an enduring love of Europe.

History is speaking to America right now — and I’m convinced we can learn from the hard lessons of Europe's tragic flirtation with fascist dictators a century ago. My hourlong special “The Story of Fascism in Europe” is streaming free (and ad-free) at ricksteves.com/fascism.

I spend 100 days a year in Europe, but Day 101 — the day I return to my hometown of Edmonds, WA — is always my happiest. I can see my old junior high from my office window — and my neighborhood pub fills the space that once held “Steves Sound of Music,” my dad’s piano store.

Spain, like the US, is under siege by faceless corporations buying up all the cute places and homogenizing our world. In your travels, be sure to patronize the one-offs and family-run places, like my favorite vermouth bar in Madrid: La Taberna de Ángel Sierra.

70! Keep on travelin'

If it was 50 years ago today that the class of 1973 walked across the stage...then 50 years ago tomorrow, I walked onto an airplane to Europe with my best buddy (and future co-author), Gene Openshaw — rail passes and $3 a day tucked in our moneybelts.

No.

The greatest souvenir of all is a broader perspective.

As a historian, I learn from history. As a traveler, I learn about my home by leaving it and viewing it from afar. And as a citizen of the United States of America, I vote with those lessons in mind. When we travel thoughtfully, we gain a clearer perspective on our own nation’s challenges because we see how other nations have dealt with the same issues. We see the consequences of ignoring a budding problem before it balloons into a big one. And we see the beauty that results when a challenge is dealt with thoughtfully and successfully. As a traveler, what’s been on your mind in these final days before our election? As for me, I’ve been thinking about Germany, where I learned how a generation can be led astray by a charismatic leader and how the German people paid a huge price for their ignorance. Ninety years ago, Germany had a bombastic autocrat who, by mobilizing an angry base, derailed their democracy. And when he came to power, opportunists clamored for his favor. He gave a lot of medals to those loyal to him. The country was swimming in medals…heroes everywhere. Then, when it all fell apart, he retreated to his bunker, where he continued to egg on his base until, as the world closed in on him, he committed suicide. With the leader gone, medals splashed like raindrops into lakes across the land. Suddenly, all those loyalists and heroes were nowhere to be seen — and medals proclaiming party loyalty were ditched and forgotten…as if they never existed. The adulation just vanished. And people no longer named their sons Adolf. After years of lies, fear-mongering, and empty promises, Hitler had re-wired the brains of his base — the angry ones who followed him without question. Even when it became clear he was leading his nation into a devastating mistake, Germany had no escape. In the end, Germany was destroyed, and the Russians raised their flag over the Reichstag. The lesson for America? Today, Germans invest in educating their electorate...because they’ve learned from their dark history, and they see education not as a perk for society’s privileged but as a national security issue. (In America, some complain about “educated elites.” That’s a problem we can solve — not by dumbing down our society, but by providing a better education for all our citizens...before they become thugs ransacking our capital. Imagine a society where there’s nothing “elite” about a quality education because it’s accessible to all.) I’d love to read your thoughts on how lessons from your own travels have influenced how you think about the challenges we face at home today.

As I get older, I’m enjoying more déjà vu moments. On my last trip to Rothenburg, I was wandering a back lane and realized I’d been there before…in a little half-timbered gingerbread cottage built into the town wall. I stayed there back in 1969 when I was just 14 years old…

Every time I go to Amsterdam, the first thing I do is rent two wheels. Then, I go everywhere by bike for my entire stay. Soon, there’ll be no more fossil fuel-powered traffic in the city — the trams are already electric, and all the boats will be, too — and bikes will rule.

Who's Steve?

A Letter from a Bishop to You Via Me: I get emails all the time from a bishop. (My girlfriend, Shelley, is a Lutheran bishop.) As bishop, Shelley oversees a synod of about 100 churches in the northwest corner of Washington state. (A bishop’s responsibilities are similar to those of a superintendent who oversees all the schools in a particular school district). While there are several families of Lutheran churches, Shelley’s a leader in what’s by far the biggest and most progressive branch, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (@ELCA). In these times of angry politics, hard divisions, and hyper-political churches, I fear that when unchurched Americans think of a Christian, many think of the extremely conservative ones who play such a high-profile role in the right wing of our political landscape. While the term “evangelical” can apply to a broad range of Christians, the most politicalized have come to be known as “Evangelicals” in the US. These groups are generally fundamentalists (who take every word in the Bible literally) and Christian Nationalists (who believe Americans are exceptional in God’s eyes, are sure to fly the Stars and Stripes in their churches…and might even think God would recommend a certain Bible that comes with the US Constitution stitched into it). On the other hand, the quieter wing of Christianity in our country (“Mainline Protestant” denominations like Lutherans, Methodists, Episcopalians, and many others) tends to be more liberal. In these churches, women and gay pastors are commonplace, sanctity of life includes much more than a fetus, our Jewish and Muslim neighbors are welcome, and we understand that all people are children of God and, therefore, equally beloved. Sadly, while noisy and angry fundamentalists and Christian Nationalists grab the headlines and stoke the cultural wars that divide our country, the rest of us — who take “love thy neighbor” seriously — have been bullied out of the public eye. Shelley sends a monthly “Letter from the Bishop” to the congregations in her synod — and during this election season, I wish all Americans could receive her November dispatch. It offers what I consider to be a truly Christ-like approach to the issues facing our country. As a Christian, Shelley’s message (which is more “love thy neighbor” than “what’s in it for me”) inspires me, and it will guide me as I vote in this election. And — as an American citizen who cares deeply for his country — I hope that, whether you consider yourself a person of faith or not, Shelley’s message will also bring a new dimension to your thinking as you prepare to vote. From the Bishop: Dear Beloveds, As the election season is here, I have been doing some reflecting on what it means to vote as a Lutheran Christian. Please know that I am not telling you who to vote for in this election. It is not for me to tell you who to vote for. I mean, after all, God is neither Republican or Democrat, or even American. But in saying that, I am not abdicating the responsibility that we have as Lutheran Christians who live in a country where voting matters. As children of God, we are called to vote beyond our own self-interest or individuality. As people who follow Jesus, we are called towards God’s vision of a just and mercy-filled world. As people who have received grace upon grace, we are called to stand against injustice, and to remind everyone that, in God’s eyes, every single person is loved and beloved. So, here are a few thoughts and questions: 1. Jesus is all about loving one’s neighbor. Even when it’s hard. When he’s asked, “Who is my neighbor,” Jesus expands his answer. In Jesus’ stories and actions he constantly goes to those who are on the outside, those marginalized, those without status, and shows how they are loved by God – how they are, in fact, his neighbor. As you vote: Who is your neighbor? 2. Throughout scripture, hospitality to the stranger is embraced. In the Old Testament, the command to welcome strangers is repeated 37 times. In Matthew, Jesus says, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” As you vote: Who is the stranger? 3. God’s will and God’s calling is towards equity and justice for those who have been silenced, oppressed, or harmed. As we hear in Isaiah, “Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, and plead for the widow.” As you vote: Who are the silenced, the oppressed, the harmed? 4. The eighth commandment declares that we are called to not bear false witness against our neighbor. This, of course, means not lying about another but seeking the truth. This means no name-calling or false accusations. But it goes beyond this. As Martin Luther tells us in his Small Catechism, we are to defend our neighbor, speak well of our neighbor, and explain everything in the kindest way. As you vote: Who is speaking truth? 5. God created this beautiful earth and declared that we are both part of the creation and are also called to be stewards of it. As we read in the ELCA social statement called “Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice,” we affirm that it is God’s intention for us to join in the healing and wholeness of creation. As you vote: Who is caring for creation? Dear Beloveds of God, there is so much more that could be written about the state of our country and what voting means. We could make this all complicated and intricate and difficult. But truly, it comes down to this: God’s love is unconditional and unending. Jesus came to this earth to show, to embody, to be God’s love for us and for all people. And so, knowing this, trusting this, believing this, we are called. We are called, as children of God, to show this love to the world. We are called to vote against hate. We are called to vote for God’s love. As we hear in 1 John, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear … We love because God first loved us.” +Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee

Many Americans suspect our nation is on the verge of becoming a dictatorship — and across the land, we are coming together to defend our democracy. In my hometown, more than a thousand of us rallied together for the second time this past Saturday. As I said to my neighbors, “This isn’t liberal versus conservative or Democrat versus Republican. (God-willing, a time for that healthy political discourse will come later.) This is more fundamental than that: It’s freedom versus autocracy. This isn’t America-bashing…it’s patriotism. People from across the political spectrum are waking up to our national emergency, and it’s time for blue and red to stand together for democracy. And that’s why I wear my purple shirt!”

Make America Proud Again — Vote for Joe and Kamala Our democracy is fragile. And this year, our choice goes beyond left versus right. If we truly want to make America great again, we need to elect @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris to the White House on November 3. Please join me.

The Bernie meme that’s going around has been tickling my funny bone. I thought I’d join the party — and now here we are, hanging out in Italy’s Dolomites. Any caption ideas before we send it to @BernieSanders?

I'm enthralled by the energy on Madrid's traffic-free boulevard, Gran Vía. Would you give up a car-centric street in your town to enjoy a wonderful scene like this...?

Last Saturday, at my hometown’s “No Kings” demonstration, I had the honor of rallying the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen gather here — an estimated 4,500 neighbors coming together as patriots and raising our voices in unison for what binds us and what we treasure so deeply: our democracy. As I said to my neighbors, this isn’t liberal versus conservative or Democrat versus Republican. (God-willing, a time for that healthy political discourse will come later.) This is more fundamental than that: It’s freedom versus autocracy. This isn’t America-bashing…it’s patriotism. People from across the political spectrum are waking up to our national emergency, and it’s time for blue and red to stand together for democracy — and that’s why I wear my purple shirt! You’re welcome to share my speech — and I’d love to hear about the #NoKings events in your towns and cities, as well.

I love a good picnic lunch...high in the Swiss Alps.

When I travel, I look for big, good government in action — and then imagine how beautiful that “social-ism” would be back home.

Now in its 3rd edition.

As a tour guide, I’ve found that Americans tend to be afraid of anything that smells like communism or socialism. But in the piazza, they realize that community is a beautiful thing. They notice that Europeans are willing to pay more taxes to grapple with collective challenges.

...but along the way, travel has taught me the value in having my cultural furniture rearranged and my ethnocentric self-assuredness walloped. Travel has humbled me, enriched my life, and tuned me in to a rapidly changing world.

As a traveler and a student of history, I've seen how strong societies can fray. And I fear for our democracy. It’s more fragile than we realize. And it is at risk. For the Love of America, #VOTE — and vote for @JoeBiden!

This isn’t about being pro-pot. It’s about fighting racism, taxing and regulating a thriving black market, and ending a failed prohibition based on lies.

As I got my shot, I inhaled a joyful thankfulness that science can beat this virus — and exhaled a prayer that people will recognize that herd immunity (our societal ticket to freedom) requires an all-for-one and one-for-all sensibility. Get your shot — and keep on travelin'!

I recently met up with my friend @SamanthaBrown in New York City, and we took a moment in Central Park to share why we love public broadcasting — and why both @PBS and @NPR are so important. Every time I connect with Sam (of “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love”), I’m reminded of how her love of travel is such an inspiration and how thankful I am that we both host shows on public television that inspire our fellow Americans to reach out and connect with our world and celebrate it in all its diversity, humanity, and wonder. Both of us believe strongly in the value of public media to keep our country a land we can be proud of. (Once again, to help keep PBS and NPR strong, go to protectmypublicmedia.org. Thanks!)

In Copenhagen, like in so many great European cities, it’s a joy to simply wander and be inspired by the different ways a city can be designed for its people. Rather than parking spots, why not have a harbor promenade with built-in trampolines for the populace? It can be done!

Season 13 of "Rick Steves' Europe" debuts this fall. Keep on travelin'!

There are two kinds of travelers: those who packed light and those who wished they packed light.

I'm a hard-working, kid-raising, church-going, tax-paying citizen of the United States. And at the end of a long day of hard work, if I want to go home, smoke a joint, and just stare at the fireplace...that's my civil liberty! @bykatieshapiro @forbes forbes.com/sites/katieshapir…

Clothed only in confidence, his toes gripping the pedestal, Michelangelo’s David seems ready and determined to step out of the Dark Ages and into a hopeful future... [thread]

Americans often think we have two options, politically: big, bad government or little, good government. But Europeans know there is a third option: big, good government.

And on Oct. 21, you’re invited to join me on Monday Night Travel for a screening of "Rick Steves’ The Story of Fascism in Europe." If you believe we can learn from history (even if you don’t!), this will be the best pre-election investment of an hour I can imagine. Save the date!

In the spring of 2008, I feared America was on the verge of war with Iran — and, believing that it’s good style to get to know people before you bomb them, I took my TV crew to Tehran to make “Rick Steves’ Iran,” a one-hour special that could (and would) only debut on PBS. Sadly, this special has become pertinent again today — and I hope you will invest an hour streaming it on the PBS app (or online at ricksteves.com/watch-iran), so you have a little honest context on the current situation and the 90 million Iranians involved. The news that Trump is flirting with the idea of bombing Iran breaks my heart. Why? Because, along with the humanity of the Israeli people — which I shared in my 2014 Holy Land special — I recognize the humanity of the Iranian people, who have lived under a brutal theocratic dictatorship since 1979. I remember the moment it dawned on me, in the nasty wake of 9/11 — watching American bombs light up the sky over Baghdad on the evening news — that I could do my country a service by producing a one-hour TV special on Iran, which I feared Bush might target next. I was painfully aware that what the average American knew about Iran, they learned from Ted Koppel during the hostage crisis (1979-1981) — in other words, almost nothing. The documentary was the most exciting, demanding, and gratifying script I had written. Rather than getting mired in politics, we simply humanized the Iranians by telling their story — the story of a society America knows almost nothing about, even though it’s constantly in our news... the story of a proud nation with a rich and complex heritage shaped by not living in Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood. If you want to be a savvier consumer of the news as Israel and Iran duke it out in 2025 and as the USA considers joining in, please educate yourself by watching this special. Shalom and Salam.

This is something I’ve long wanted to do: go to the flea market in Reykjavík and buy a used sweater handmade from the wool of Icelandic sheep — sheep who’ve evolved over a thousand years of long cold winters to stay very warm. (And it all happened with the camera rolling...)

Yes! Join me in the fight against racist drug laws: norml.org/blog/2023/04/17/jo…

It’s graduation day today at my alma mater, Edmonds-Woodway High School — and as we celebrate the class of 2024, I’m remembering my own big day as a part of the class of 1973. 51 years ago today, we walked across the stage...and 51 years ago tomorrow, I walked onto an airplane to Europe with my best buddy (and the future co-author of many Rick Steves guidebooks) Gene Openshaw — rail passes and $3 per day tucked in our moneybelts — at the beginning of what would turn out to be the best trip of my life. Congrats to all grads — especially those of us who are still traveling after 50+ years!

Portugal has a special love of glazed tiles — and if you own a protected house, you also own the responsibility of preserving its tiles. In Porto, there’s a warehouse for homeowners who need to replace a broken tile that's also a kind of museum. Join me at the “Bank of Materials”

My girlfriend Shelley is a Lutheran bishop — and during this election season, I wish all Americans could read this letter from her:

Thanks for being my first travel partner, Mom, and giving me the gift of making the world my friend. While I’d love more than ever to share a trip with you right now, I’ll always pack you along in spirit. I love you!

On the train to Belgrade, 1978

En route to Barcelona this week, I was on a lecture tour with stops in Spokane, Boise, Minneapolis, Decorah, NYC, and Scranton. It was a great trip, and I enjoyed meeting lots of enthusiastic travelers at each stop. Across the country, the main concern I heard was, “Considering the chaos and disappointment that comes with our president, how will American travelers be treated by Europeans?” My answer: Just fine. I’ve just been in Istanbul and Rome, and about a hundred @RickStevesEur guides and tour groups are on the road right now. All reports are that many of our European friends are confused and disappointed in the erratic (and often insulting) policies coming out of our White House — but they know leaders like this come and go, and it’s not right to condemn an entire society for its election results. Wearing a MAGA hat on your European vacation? Not a great idea. But wearing a smile and being willing to talk about it will get you a warm (and sympathetic) welcome. I always encourage travelers hoping to connect with locals to assume we Americans are interesting to them. Well, in the last few months, we’ve become even more interesting. Buy a European a drink and be open about what’s happening in our democracy. Share your thoughts and ask for theirs. While not a good year for many things, I expect 2025 to be a fine year for travel.

With great sadness, the world is bidding farewell to Pope Francis. Christians of all denominations — and caring people throughout our world — were inspired by 12 years of his papacy. Francis reminded our world’s most powerful that “Love thy neighbor” has nothing to do with proximity — that we are all children of God…brothers and sisters…and suffering and need across the sea is just as real and deserving of love as suffering and need across the street. As Jesus taught, Francis lived humbly and with a preference for the poor. Rather than exercise power for power’s sake, he was a leader who focused on mercy, caring for the marginalized, and stewardship of God’s great creation in a world of abundance. May the “People’s Pope” rest in peace.

Fifty years ago today, Nixon declared on national TV that drug addiction was “public enemy number one” — kicking off America’s “war on drugs.”

Last Saturday, at the park I once (miserably) ran around in 7th grade PE, I stood on a picnic table to stoke the patriotic spirit of 3,000 of my neighbors — and it was a thrill I’ll never forget. I had just flown home the night before from Istanbul, where a grassroots upwelling of concerned citizens is standing up to autocracy, making our local gathering feel even more poignant. I thought you might enjoy a few highlights from the speech I wrote on the plane flying home. Please join me in spirit — and if you have any great photos or reflections from your own local #HandsOff rally, I’d love to see them!

I just spent two weeks in London, updating my guidebooks and filming a new public television special. While yesterday's London — with its Beefeaters, red buses, and Big Ben — is still a sightseers' delight, today's London features skyscrapers with attitude and the regeneration of once churning, then abandoned, industrial sights — like the Battersea Power Station. A century ago, this brick beast was a symbol of London's coal-fired might, producing one-fifth of the city's energy needs. But its 300-foot-tall smokestacks also pumped out terrible pollution that turned lungs black and helped London earn its nickname, "the Big Smoke" — and as coal fell out of favor, Battersea fell silent. In the 1980s, it was decommissioned and stood for decades as a dark, rusty, and abandoned industrial site, waiting to be demolished. But that's not how London works. Rather than bulldoze its past — this city recycles it. Battersea is alive again, not as a smoke-belching power plant, but as a sleek, upmarket shopping mall, with modern condos and park-like landscaping stretching down to the Thames. Its piers — originally designed to receive coal shipments — now offload tourists arriving by sightseeing boat eager to ride a glassy pod to the top of its towering chimney for a commanding 360-degree city view. London is filled with similar "regeneration" projects. The @Tate Modern art gallery, filling the shell of another old power station, comes with a dash of Dada and a dollop of Dalí. The Docklands — once the world's biggest shipping port, then a derelict wasteland — is once again churning with commerce. Industrial Age canals with towpaths that once hauled cargo-laden barges are now busy with strollers and picnickers. And plush former banks now house vibrant pubs — casks of real ale filling their vaults. These are not your typical "sights." But in the right context, a visit to any offers inspiring insights into London's industrial past and its innovative present. On @RickStevesEur tours, we give you that context. We fine-tune our itineraries to go beyond the big hits, mixing must-see historic sights with modern experiences so you see how a place was…and is. On our Best of London in 7 Days tour, you'll visit the Churchill War Rooms, Westminster Abbey, and St. Paul's Cathedral. And you'll also walk through diverse, up-and-coming East London looking for signs of Banksy; learn how the oldest part of town now hosts a forest of skyscrapers — many with funny nicknames and "sky gardens" open to the public; and have plenty of free time to explore more examples of how, in London, today grows out of yesterday. And this approach isn't unique to our London itinerary. It's also part of all 40 of our itineraries. In the July edition of Tour News, we share colorful slideshows of what you'll experience (old and new) on our Best of England in 14 Days tour and our Best of South England in 13 Days tour, from ancient stone circles and medieval cathedrals to cute-and-cozy villages and spectacular scenery. We'll also highlight one of our great English guides, Liz Boardman, London's world-class museums, and what our tour members love about traveling in England. It’s all available right here: ricksteves.com/tours/tour-ne…. The inspiring "regeneration" of London is just one of many examples of how Europe is a work in progress. From Helsinki to Lisbon, Dublin to Vienna, and Amsterdam to Istanbul, we love to weave the continent's dynamic cities — always changing, always growing — into your European experience. Happy travels!

Some people share strong opinions when I have a beard. Myddrin, on the other hand, doesn't like the look of...hating fascism.

I'm having a wonderful 68th birthday — and this special extra from my friends Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez makes things even better. (Emilio is also celebrating a birthday this week! Happy birthday, Emilio!)

Marijuana prohibition is unproductive and unjust — and as the newly elected Board Chair of @NORML, I hope you will join me in putting an end to it. You can get on board right now at secure.actblue.com/donate/jo…

“If Heaven isn’t what it’s cracked up to be, send me back to Gimmelwald.” As a backpacker back in the 1970s, I wrote that little love note on the wall of the village’s youth hostel. And for decades since then, my Swiss Alps address has simply been “Gimmelwald.”

The ridge walk of my dreams...high above Grindelwald in the Swiss Alps.

Off to vote!

It’s easy to be oblivious to struggling people far away. Their struggles don’t feel real. But when we travel, we learn that suffering across the sea is just as real as suffering across the street. Thomas Jefferson said travel makes a person wiser, if less happy.

Whatever your religion, if you believe in God, it just follows that we are all God’s children. This makes travel a spiritual act…and a great opportunity to get to know the family. What about you? I’d love to hear what you think about the concept of “spiritual socialism.”

On Newsstands Now: My Interview in @people! Over the past few years, I’ve learned the beauty of looking at things with a traveler’s mindset — with curiosity, a sense of adventure, and positivity. And since the moment last summer when my doctor first told me I had prostate cancer, I’ve made a point of approaching my health the exact same way. I feel it’s important to stay attentive to what’s going on in our bodies and to share bumps along the road with caring friends. So, being open about my cancer experience — as I am in this week’s edition of People Magazine — just makes sense to me. We all experience some bad news mixed in with the good as we travel down that road we call life…and we need each other. We need to share. We need support. The outpouring of kindness I’ve received since first sharing my cancer journey with my family and friends — including all of you — has filled my sails with a loving wind. And, as on any kind of journey, it’s helpful to learn from each other’s experiences. In the spirit of all this, if you have a cancer story of your own — or some tips on handling incontinence, which I’ve recently learned many of my women friends are also struggling with — I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Speaking of incontinence… in the last month or two, I’ve lived a humbling experience that’s reminded me that we can’t always be in control. Sometimes, there’s a bend in the road, and you’ve got to take it. We can be positive or negative — and I choose to be positive. Thank you for joining me down this windy road. Together, let’s keep on travelin’…God willing…for many years to come!

While it’s been all eyes on the presidential election, a lot more was on the line in 2020, including marijuana — and four more states have now voted to legalize, tax, and regulate recreational use for adults: facebook.com/ricksteves/post… Happy travels!

I said I’d give a dollar to the @ACLU for every dollar spent at ricksteves.com on Inauguration Day. Here's a check for $50,000.

In a speech before the @UN General Assembly today, President Trump said climate change is a “con job” and climate scientists are “stupid people” — and he called green energy and immigration a “double-tailed monster” that is destroying Europe. After traveling through Ethiopia and Guatemala, I find it ironic that those most concerned about immigrants and refugees are the least likely to take climate change seriously. As you’ll learn in this clip, there’s no denying that climate change is here — and by causing more hunger, more conflict, and more destabilization in the poorest countries, it actually drives migration. The solution? Climate-smart agriculture. To find out how you can help, go to ricksteves.com/hunger — and while you’re there, check out my one-hour public television special “Hunger & Hope: Lessons from Ethiopia and Guatemala,” streaming completely free and ad-free.

Guess who’s guest-starring on the next episode of @TheSimpsons? Tune in this Sunday, May 11, at 8pm (7pm CT) on FOX — or stream it Monday on Hulu. (Look for the episode called “Full Heart, Empty Pool.”) Happy travels, Lisa...and happy dreams, Homer!

Thanks for the suggestion to put all my shows on YouTube, Vincent, completely free and ad-free. Done! piped.video/ricksteves (Also, none of my public television content contains ads — or anything commercial at all. That's the beauty of public television. The only time you'll see me promote my products on public television is when I offer them as pledge premiums...to support public television.)

All across Iceland, you see reminders of how tight-knit the local community is. At this Reykjavík playground, instead of swinging on parallel tracks in individual worlds, kids swing into the center and then out again, like a laughing squeeze box of neighborhood joy.

Yes...it's my opinion. I wrote it. (And not everything's an ad, Vincent. That's why I support public television, and encourage you to, as well — because it's driven not by a need to keep advertisers happy, but by a passion for inspiring viewers to embrace our world.)

Thank God for a new beginning! If I were to capture, with one piece of art, the optimism in my heart right now, it would be Botticelli's depiction of spring — "La Primavera." Please share your feelings in the replies with a painting and caption (or write a caption for my fave).

“I’m a hardworking, taxpaying, churchgoing, grandkid-raising American citizen. And if I work all day long and want to go home, smoke a joint, and just stare at the fireplace for three hours… that’s my civil liberty!” That’s a line I use whenever I give a talk explaining my principled stance that all adults should have the freedom to enjoy marijuana recreationally and responsibly. In a new article in @CannabisNow, @SaraMPayan — the best reporter covering cannabis I’ve met — reports on how and why, for more than two decades now, I’ve been on a mission to end America's prohibition on marijuana. Her excellent story covers how travel has shaped my views on drug policy, why I believe in regulation over prohibition, what I’ve learned about Europe’s focus on “pragmatic harm reduction,” how the prohibition against marijuana in our country is both racist and counter-productive, and how you can get involved in drug policy reform. (Spoiler alert: Don’t just complain about the status quo… join me by becoming a supporting member of @NORML.) I’m a travel writer. For me, high is a place. And sometimes I just want to go there. Can I get in my car and drive while I’m under the influence of a drug? No. Throw the book at me. But as a matter of principle, it’s time we recognized the responsible adult use of marijuana as a civil liberty — not just in blue states…but in all states. cannabisnow.com/rick-steves-…

THREAD: Some people wish I'd "stick to travel." But I'm alarmed by what I see happening in the halls of Congress. Sometimes you've got to speak out.

I produced my 2018 "Fascism in Europe" special as a patriotic duty, for a country that is a part of who I am. My hope: that America would recognize fascism when it knocked at our door. Try watching just five minutes... ricksteves.com/fascism

There are two kinds of travelers: those who pack light and those who wish they had. (Happy travels, Shannon!)

So, just who is Rick Steves? The New York Times Magazine just published a profile of me. It’s 8,000 words…and I learned a lot about myself. Check it out: nyti.ms/2CuzSrf

Lisbon is a jumbled & hilly collection of neighborhoods laced together by Rice-A-Roni trams. Of course, there’s lots of tourism. But if you venture out a little, you can enjoy a vibrant & memorable slice of life. Join me for 80 seconds of giddy funicular fun in Portugal’s capital

Florence...in a single day, you can look Michelangelo's David in the eyes, fall under the seductive sway of Botticelli's Birth of Venus, and climb the modern world's first dome, which still dominates the skyline. (Photo from a 2021 trip to train @RickStevesEur guides.)

Can you believe it? In this election, the question before America is “Freedom... or Fascism?” Over the years, societies have voted to stop the flow of refugees, get the trains to run on time, or make their country great again, unwittingly trading their democracies for dictatorships — and they’ve lived (or died) to regret it. While I have no right to tell anyone how to vote, as a travel writer, historian, and fellow caring citizen of the USA, I do have something to offer: The story — and lessons — of fascism in 20th-century Europe. And as your tour guide, I’d like to take you on a thought-provoking trip back a century to share that story — and show you exactly what fascism is. If it sounds good, you can then vote for it. And if it sounds bad, you can vote against it. I’ve produced over 100 hours of TV — and none of them have received more attention than my 2018 public television special, “The Story of Fascism in Europe.” And today, this one-hour show is more timely than ever. If you (or any of your friends or loved ones who might find it interesting) have yet to see this program, join our special screening tonight (6pm PT / 9pm ET) on Monday Night Travel, hosted by me and featuring behind-the-camera insights and a live Q&A. It’s free and easy to register at ricksteves.com/mnt. See you soon!

Dr. @CookVaneesa — who pegged the term “spiritual socialist” to describe thinkers such as @BernieSanders, Pope Francis, and @CornelWest — just added my name to that list. At first, I was jolted—but upon reflection, it actually feels like a good fit: currentpub.com/2023/02/09/tr…

Traveling in Europe (which is my beat), Americans find a society much like ours — affluent, capitalist, pluralist — but with much more of a community focus. They find it in what Italians call the “piazza,” where everybody comes together.