I devoured Through the Back Door years before my first trip to Europe, when actually going there was still a dream for me. Since then I have been many times, but never without some ripped-out portion (as per Rick's recommendation) of one or more of his books. I have also been several times to his Travel Festivals in Edmonds. This man's travel advice is invaluable and his enthusiasm is contagious. So much good advice, but among the best is his statement: "There are two types of travelers in Europe - those who have packed light, and those who wish they had." So true. I traveled an entire week one time - from Paris to Rome and back - with only a daypack. Seriously. I washed clothes in sink every night and had everything I needed. Thank you so much, Rick. I could not have done it without you.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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).
Why do people always talk about Americans being culturally insensitive? Other nationalities and cultures are even more culturally insensitive then Americans.
Somehow I’ve managed to watch what I thought was every single Rick Steves videos on TH-cam, how have I missed this? Rick, you are truly my hero and inspiration, thank you for everything that you do.
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!
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!
He inspired me, Rick Steves Europe, watching him late at night in 2000 and after visiting europe for the first time in 2002 i never looked back since. Thanks Rick
12:47 Rick Steves’s save the cat moment, seems like one of the nicest guys you could ever meet, I think travel is what makes him so well rounded, when you see and know so much of the world and it’s people you have great empathy, I’m sure Rick would say he’s had his moments but overall way to go. Thanks for all the great info and most especially for setting such a great example and…. You’re funny!
Rick you are an inspiration to me , you built an empire on something you fell so passionate about , travel means so much to me now and as a 16 year old from Ireland I've traveled to over 13 countries in Europe on about 20 trips and to four countries in Europe this year alone with my school, traveling and seeing the outside world has opened my eyes to the splender of europe and has shape me into the person I am today ,
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 !
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!!
Enjoyed this presentation.....Rick Steves is not only a great travel enthusiast, teacher, author and guide, he is absolutely so funny! Glad we got to the Chinque Terra before it was overrun with tourists. Also, have traveled to the Czech Republic and it was wonderful...so much history! In addition was able to travel to many other European countries. I've written my memoirs about our travels on our own or with little known travel agencies that were excellent with local knowledgeable guides. My dream to travel began as did Ricks...when I was quite young. In order to make my travel dreams a reality....I worked a second job in my adulthood.... working full time during the day and every evening part time with a cleaning agency....cleaning beautiful offices and suites..... making a count down chart of the days ahead to the realization of my travel dreams....My memoir although not published is entitled..."To Europe on a dust mop" without that mop and determination, I would not have realized my dream. (Charlotte Unser)
So cool...so true. Love Mr. Steves' films and I show them to my wife and daughter all the time. Loved living in Germany for many years... Can't wait to take my family there. Thanks for all you do, sir! :)
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.
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!
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.
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
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!!!
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
My one hope is to do a guide with this guy around Europe... Rick, your videos are a way for my significant other and I to get away. To actually experience and love how people can be people in the same way as us, and have fun. Thank you Rick, you give us hope to do things like this, I just hope these things happen.
this is fantastic the new interesting but not without some annoying nyt prentious moments nyt podcast with the Great Rick Steves brought me here and I'm so glad as this demonstrates what makes Rick great appealing and inspiring he's a treasure authentic gem and one of the few living public figures I care about would wanna meet ....great person 🎉
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!! 🙂
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.
Durante decadas estube viendo los videos Rick Steves en el canal 8 en usa y fue la persona que me impulso a viajar , poque creia que era imposible para mi hoy en dia estoy viajando desde 1999 y este va ser mi 16 viajes a Europa gracia a Rick me ustaria algun dia conocerlo.
Watching the Tour de France in the 80's attracted me to Europe in the first place. After my first few trips, Rick Steves TV programs and books influenced me to see the interesting less touristy places..
I devoured Through the Back Door years before my first trip to Europe, when actually going there was still a dream for me. Since then I have been many times, but never without some ripped-out portion (as per Rick's recommendation) of one or more of his books. I have also been several times to his Travel Festivals in Edmonds. This man's travel advice is invaluable and his enthusiasm is contagious. So much good advice, but among the best is his statement: "There are two types of travelers in Europe - those who have packed light, and those who wish they had." So true. I traveled an entire week one time - from Paris to Rome and back - with only a daypack. Seriously. I washed clothes in sink every night and had everything I needed. Thank you so much, Rick. I could not have done it without you.
I always liked Rick, but after watching this I LOVE him!
What a fantastic human being. Rick Steves is a gift to the world.
This man has truly worked hard and with ingenuity to be rewarded with the success he has garnered. He is excellent in his profession.
One of those videos you don't plan on watching but endup watching the whole thing.
He's quite the story teller and funny as well
exactly!
Rick is the Marco Polo of these days
Thanks for telling me so I can get out before I get started.
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.
I’m 20 and leaving for my first solo travel in 3 weeks as well. Enjoy!
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!
What an amazing guy!
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.
Hes amazing!👏🏻👏🏻
Rick Steves is my hero❤
this is the best lecture I have ever heard in my life
Absolutely!
Yes!
" VIVA " Rick Steve's
Munchas Gracias 💝💞
A rich kid begging and stealing across Europe, does not represent our culture.
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.
Rick Steves : Rock star of the travel world but without the attitude.
🎯💯
Well said. Rick is the best.✌️
That’s why we love him!
Long before travel blogs/vlogs came out, Rick Steves was, AND WILL ALWAYS BE the best Europe travel guide/documentarist ever. ❤
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!
I always liked Steve's show on TV, but now I really love and respect him. What a wonderful human being.
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.
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!
I have long admired him, but this was so entertaining. His sense of humor pulled me in.
You are the teacher and the father every kid wanted
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!
What a legend. Watched his program during the 90's and 00's and now living in Europe fulltime.
What a great presentation. Rick is such a late 70s nerd. Me too! I'm glad he is the best travel advisor for Americans.
I attended one of his travel classes in 1981. I ended up travelling the world with a backpack for two years.
Love this dude, I’ve been watching him for years. He helped inspire me to travel on my own in Europe
Rick Steves!!!!!! I'm your #1 armchair traveler!!!!! I watch you everyday on PBS!!!
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.
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.
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).
Why do people always talk about Americans being culturally insensitive? Other nationalities and cultures are even more culturally insensitive then Americans.
@@briantravelman In my experience, you find all kinds
@Thomas Farrell so many triggered lol
Somehow I’ve managed to watch what I thought was every single Rick Steves videos on TH-cam, how have I missed this?
Rick, you are truly my hero and inspiration, thank you for everything that you do.
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!
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!
I'll back you up on that.
He is a great storyteller. I clicked on it for 5 minutes and couldn't stop watching.
Me, too
I started watching him when I was 20, I'm almost 50 now... glad to get this kinda insight into his method of madness.
He inspired me, Rick Steves Europe, watching him late at night in 2000 and after visiting europe for the first time in 2002 i never looked back since. Thanks Rick
12:47 Rick Steves’s save the cat moment, seems like one of the nicest guys you could ever meet, I think travel is what makes him so well rounded, when you see and know so much of the world and it’s people you have great empathy, I’m sure Rick would say he’s had his moments but overall way to go. Thanks for all the great info and most especially for setting such a great example and…. You’re funny!
Rick you are an inspiration to me , you built an empire on something you fell so passionate about , travel means so much to me now and as a 16 year old from Ireland I've traveled to over 13 countries in Europe on about 20 trips and to four countries in Europe this year alone with my school, traveling and seeing the outside world has opened my eyes to the splender of europe and has shape me into the person I am today ,
Have you made it out of Europe since then? Myself I have only been to Europe and North America.
Thank you Rick for this wonderful generous gift God bless you.
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.
Love this! Steve provides such learned diversion!! Hilarious history, loved hearing it!
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 !
Bright Size Life, yeah, love that record, with Pat Metheny and Jaco Pastorius.
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!
Saw Rick speak in Dallas last night. He is amazing, funny, and inspiring. Follow your dreams.....travel!,,,
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!
I found this as interesting as his travel shows actually. Rick is great!
What a great lecture. Well done Mr. Steves. I truly enjoyed it.
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.
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.
Wonderful guy. Best guide ever.
Gordon Cole I read this at an extremely high volume and I realize I’m telling you this 7 years later.
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!!
much respect to you, Rick Steves! Love your way of spreading Peace!
Thank you Rick, for this lovely talk. It made my day :)
Rick....You Sir are a Great Person!!! Thank You
Enjoyed this presentation.....Rick Steves is not only a great travel enthusiast, teacher, author and guide, he is absolutely so funny! Glad we got to the Chinque Terra before it was overrun with tourists. Also, have traveled to the Czech Republic and it was wonderful...so much history! In addition was able to travel to many other European countries. I've written my memoirs about our travels on our own or with little known travel agencies that were excellent with local knowledgeable guides. My dream to travel began as did Ricks...when I was quite young. In order to make my travel dreams a reality....I worked a second job in my adulthood.... working full time during the day and every evening part time with a cleaning agency....cleaning beautiful offices and suites..... making a count down chart of the days ahead to the realization of my travel dreams....My memoir although not published is entitled..."To Europe on a dust mop" without that mop and determination, I would not have realized my dream. (Charlotte Unser)
Wonderful that you have all your journals! I was in Europe on an art history tour in 1969 (age 16) too!
So cool...so true. Love Mr. Steves' films and I show them to my wife and daughter all the time. Loved living in Germany for many years... Can't wait to take my family there. Thanks for all you do, sir! :)
I’m sold! Need to do a Steves tour.
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.
Loved the gothic cathedral lesson!!! Superb
One bag, lots of history and on-time operation. Love all of those practices, I need to look at your tours.
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!
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.
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
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!!!
what a lovely character this mr.steves
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
Rock Steve's and his awesome travel videos have me Sane in these COVID times. Thanks a lot Rick
My one hope is to do a guide with this guy around Europe... Rick, your videos are a way for my significant other and I to get away. To actually experience and love how people can be people in the same way as us, and have fun. Thank you Rick, you give us hope to do things like this, I just hope these things happen.
I want to spend an evening smoking a joint and listening to Rick play piano and tell stories. What a guy!
Love ya Rick Steves!!!!
Thanks for being you!❤️❤️❤️
I love you Rick Steves! I would die to meet you one day and hear your many travel tales!!
Excellent talk and presentation.
What a blast! He is a great person. Educational and entertaining. Thank you.
this is fantastic the new interesting but not without some annoying nyt prentious moments nyt podcast with the Great Rick Steves brought me here and I'm so glad as this demonstrates what makes Rick great appealing and inspiring he's a treasure authentic gem and one of the few living public figures I care about would wanna meet ....great person 🎉
Thanks, Rick, and Keep on Travelling!
What a wonderful video ,he has alot of knowledge with a great personality.
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!! 🙂
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.
I’ve loved Rick’s shows since they started. This was an entertaining talk. And, always, very informative.
Delightful talk! Thank you Rick Steves.
that hour and a half went so fast! very funny and entertaining!
Durante decadas estube viendo los videos Rick Steves en el canal 8 en usa y fue la persona que me impulso a viajar , poque creia que era imposible para mi hoy en dia
estoy viajando desde 1999 y este va ser mi 16 viajes a Europa gracia a Rick me ustaria
algun dia conocerlo.
Noemi Gonzalez que linda anecdotal, la felicito ! Viajar es lo Maximo !😜👍😎✌️
Wonderful video. Thanks for posting.
Rick Steves is the GOAT
Hysterical talk. Love it. Very informative.
You hit the big tours hard and smart
, and your tour was ahead of its time even to now hope your son learned well and continues to successful like you
Super interesting and fun..have always loved watching Back Door Productions, and it's great to get the background story!
All your Videos are excellent and inspirational.
Thanks so much for posting - this was great!
i really love watching this show. it's like i also visit europe. i started watching this when they have less than a million subs. 😉💗
Watching the Tour de France in the 80's attracted me to Europe in the first place. After my first few trips, Rick Steves TV programs and books influenced me to see the interesting less touristy places..
Great life story Rick. Love what you do and you never work a day in your life!
This was great! I almost didn't watch it because it's so long. Funniest dialogue for me was about the valium! Love RS..
Fun to hear a slightly less buttoned-down Rick than you get on PBS. The guy is funny!
I thought Rick was a savvy guy from the videos. But from these pictures and stories, he's a dang boss.
hats off to you!!! great show, history, integrity......
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!
Rick thank you so much! it's because of you that we fell in love with Monterosso, Cinque Terre! we've been there 3 times!
Rick, seriously, that was beautiful.
What a character! ;-) It sounds like he had a wonderful young adulthood.. The 70's- those were the days..
Love hearing Rick talk about the good old days of European travel
amazing Rick stevens.
Best motivational travel video ever.
so wonderful. Great guidebooks. Maybe someday I'll take a tour - except I hate getting up early in the morning.