Rick Steves Audio Europe

Author Phillip Barlag explains how much we can learn about the Roman Empire from its now 2,000-year-old rubble.

Rick chats with author Phillip Barlag about a dozen buildings and plazas in Rome that offer particularly fascinating insights into the city's rich history.

Italian-food expert Fred Plotkin describes a tempting array of Italy's countless varieties of pasta, highlighting some tasty regional favorites.

Rick checks in with Italian-food expert Fred Plotkin to talk about their guide to Italy's regional cuisine.

Journalist Beppe Severgnini helps us view life through an Italian lens, urging us to embrace the chaos — and to smile in spite of everything.

We learn some colorful phrases and hear about Italy's regional differences from one of the country's most popular newspaper columnists, Beppe Severgnini.

Irish writer Fintan O'Toole describes the role of the supernatural in Celtic traditions and in more recent Irish literature.

Irish writer Fintan O'Toole uses personal vignettes to illustrate the extraordinary transformation of the Republic of Ireland during his lifetime.

Greek tour guide Effie Perperi helps us get acquainted with the fascinating ancient structures atop Athens' Acropolis.

Communicating successfully with the French involves mastering the cultural nuances and unwritten rules of engagement of this rich language, as explained by the authors of "The Bonjour Effect."

Historian Jacob Mikanowski describes how the monolithic "Eastern Europe" of the Cold War has faded and the region is surging with life.

Two Spanish tour guides consider what makes their country one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.

We'll take a look at the impact of "nuisance tourists" in Amsterdam and its renovated riverfront that is a pleasant place to escape the crowded city center.

A Dutch tour guide discusses Amsterdam's reliance on bicycles — and what visitors should know before jumping into the bike lane.

A Florence-based tour guide shares her favorite food and wine shops for showing off her city's culinary delights.

Two local guides working in Venice recommend their favorite ways to find serenity in the "most serene" of cities, despite its often overwhelming tourist crowds.

Get tips for exploring scenic West Cork — an untamed alternative to the tourist-trodden Ring of Kerry — and other highlights of Ireland's south coast.

Hear about how hiring a local guide can add depth and conviviality to your next trip to the Emerald Isle.

Learn about visiting some of Athens' most interesting neighborhoods in the people-friendly core of the city.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland, Suzan G. LeVine recommends fun things to do in Switzerland year-round.

Author Cassandra Overby shares tips for exploring Europe on short- and long-distance hiking trails.

Author Susan Cahill reveals some of her favorite garden spots hidden around Paris, and shares their stories.

Get recommendations for visiting the vibrant, historic, and trendy cities of Kraków, Warsaw, and Gdańsk, some of Europe's best kept secrets.

A tour guide discusses what he enjoys most about Romania's less-traveled Old World scene.

Discover the charm of the smaller towns and historical cities scattered across the Czech Republic.