Rick Steves

Rick Steves is one of the most influential American travel writers and television hosts of the modern era. Best known for his Europe Through the Back Door guidebook series and his long-running PBS series, he has spent decades championing thoughtful, culturally immersive travel over passive tourism. His approach emphasizes practical self-guided exploration, connecting with local people, and understanding European history and art in context—principles that have shaped how generations of U.S. travelers plan their trips abroad.

Steves turned a passion for European travel into a business built on education and accessibility. He began teaching European travel classes in the 1970s, then self-published his first guidebook in 1980. That single book grew into a bestselling series covering dozens of countries, with annual updates reflecting changing borders, transportation systems, and cultural norms. His company in Edmonds, Washington now employs a team of writers, editors, researchers, and tour operators who maintain that same hands-on, neighborhood-level focus.

Beyond guidebooks, Steves has produced more than a hundred public television travel specials. His on-camera presence—earnest, curious, and unscripted—made European art, neighborhoods, and daily life approachable for mainstream American audiences. Through guidebooks, tours, audio content, and public television, he has built a consistent brand of travel education. He is also active in advocacy on poverty, homelessness, and ending hunger, linking his belief in informed, respectful travel with broader social responsibility.