756 Resurrecting Roman Rubble; Plovdiv, Bulgaria; European Travel Serendipity

756 Resurrecting Roman Rubble; Plovdiv, Bulgaria; European Travel Serendipity

Author: Rick Steves June 1, 2024 Duration: 52:00

A self-described "Rome nerd" helps us picture what it was like to live in the Roman Empire and explains how much we can learn about the era from its now 2,000-year-old rubble. Then a tour guide from Bulgaria sings the praises of its cultural capital, Plovdiv — one of the oldest cities in Europe, possibly in the whole world. And listeners share serendipitous stories from their European travels.


For an hour each week, the familiar, curious voice of Rick Steves guides you far beyond the standard tourist itinerary. Travel with Rick Steves is less about checking sights off a list and more about the conversations that happen along the way. Rick, America's leading authority on European travel and a seasoned guidebook author, sits down with a fascinating array of guest experts-historians, journalists, chefs, and local insiders-to delve into the heart of a destination. They discuss the layers of culture, history, and daily life that define a place, while callers chime in with their own questions and discoveries from the road. What you'll hear in this podcast is a genuine exploration of how connecting with different cultures and people adds a profound sparkle to our lives. It’s the thoughtful, accessible dialogue you’d have with a well-traveled friend, one who believes that travel is a powerful way to understand our world. Each episode feels like an invitation to look closer, whether the topic is the traditions of a remote village, the evolving cuisine of a bustling capital, or the simple joy found in a shared meal with strangers. This is for anyone who believes the journey itself-the stories, the misunderstandings, the moments of connection-is the real destination.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Travel with Rick Steves
Podcast Episodes
654a Best of Bulgaria; Traveling with Disabilities; Chasing the Sun [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:00
Two tour guides from Sofia explain why Bulgaria is one of Europe's most underrated travel destinations (hint: it has a long, fascinating history — and bargain prices). Author Francine Falk-Allen shares know-how and insig…
805 Italy Side-Trip Towns; Overnight; Enjoying Mexico City [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:00
Who's afraid of the dark? Adventurer Dan Richards shines a gentle light on what goes on in our world after sunset. Then an Italy tour guide looks beyond the crowds of Florence, Venice, and Rome to share her favorite side…
804 Favorite Hot Springs in Europe; Walk Around the World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:00
A photojournalist lets us in on her favorite European hot springs to visit, from Iceland to Turkey and points in between. And a man who spent seven years traversing the globe on foot — with his faithful pup alongside him…
718a Pastas You Should Know; In Sardinia; Gelato [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:00
Italian food expert Fred Plotkin describes some of the unusual varieties of pasta that you can find in Italy — and the reason behind their different shapes. Historian Jeff Biggers explores the Mediterranean island of Sar…
802 Ladies of the Louvre; The Roma; American Expats [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:00
Author Elaine Sciolino gives us the history behind the famous women — both artists and subjects — to visit in Paris' grand repository. Then a Romani author shares what it was like growing up in her culture as we trace th…
800 British Pub Grub; Travel on $75 a Day; Holland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:00
Spotted Dick, Eton Mess, Ploughman's Lunch: Two British guides decode the best of England's pub food and explain how far it's come since the days of soggy chips and limp sausages. Then a travel blogger shares tips for ex…
799 Irish Oddities; Viking Sights; Cycling the Silk Road [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:00
Meet an Irishman who scours the Emerald Isle to report on oddities and lesser-known facets of his country's culture. Then learn about the lasting impact of the Viking era in Norway and where to observe it on your next vi…
670a Weekend in Brussels; The Temporary European; My Town [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:00
A Brussels-based tour guide offers his recommendations for making the most of a weekend in the Belgian capital. Then one of Rick's co-authors joins us to explore what it means to become a "temporary local" when traveling…