Travel with Rick Steves

Costa Rica stands out from its neighbors in Central America due to its relatively stable government and high standard of living. It's a favorite destination for North Americans because of its dedication to preservation. Erin Van Rheenen spent enough time there that she wrote the guidebook, Living Abroad in Costa Rica.

This week, Rick learns the fine points of sampling fine wine with vintner Cecelia Bottai (che-CHEE_lya bo-TYE) and Ruth Arista (ar-REES-ta). Cecelia's vineyards have been growing grapes for 2000 years in Italy's Umbria region, and Ruth operates a wine shop in Rick's hometown in the Seattle suburbs. They discuss the difference in reputation between red, white and rosé wines in Europe, and what your senses can look for when sampling a good glass of wine. It's "Wine Tasting 101," plus listener calls on planning family trips to Europe, on this week's Travel with Rick Steves.

The sea helps define two destinations Rick discusses with his guests on this week's Travel with Rick Steves. Netherlands is one of the real powerhouses of Europe, despite its small geography. You'll find industrial innovation, Spring flowers on a massive scale, and a role model for how to live together in a crowded modern society. Tour guide Rolinka Bloeming takes listener calls to discuss what an American can expect from a visit to the Netherlands. David Stanley has written the definitive guidebook to the islands of the South Pacific, collectively known as Oceania. He provides an overview to this often-overlooked part of the planet, including how they're anticipating the effects of global warming on their island nations.

What kind of reaction do you get when you mention France? During the program, Rick and his guest Steve Smith, an American who divides his time between Seattle and Burgundy, will look at how Americans can understand France on its own terms, and become comfortable with its rich civilization without being frustrated by the inevitable cultural faux pas. Then, French tour guides William and Marie Altman and Patrick Vidal will discuss the pleasures of taking a vacation on a canal barge in rural France.

Travelers to both Turkey and Dixie have one thing in common: they come back from their trips full of stories and enthusiasm for the people they met. This week we will meet a married tour guide couple from Istanbul, Turkey who are here to dispel some American misconceptions about their country. They will then give us an overview of what you'll find in the cities and the countryside of Turkey. We will also learn the essence of "Shun-piking" with backroad car trip suggestions from guidebook author Jamie Jensen. Our callers will highlight some of the Southeast's attractions from Key West to Tidewater, and Louisiana to the Blue Ridge mountains.

From the newly-beautified old town district of Quito two miles high in the Andes to the ecological marvels of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador is one of South America's must-experience treats for any world traveler. So how can you make contact with the native Quechua people and what safety precautions should you take? Rick finds out from Julian Smith, author of the Moon Handbook to Ecuador. Later in the program we will meet Jennifer Cox, who quit her job in Britain and made plans to date 80 men in 18 countries around the world. She eventually met Mr. Right in the Nevada Desert. She explains to Rick how that happened in her new book, "Around the World in 80 Dates."

Japan has long held a fascination for travelers from around the world. But its culture and language have often proved impenetrable for outsiders. This week we'll get an insider's perspective on having a rich experience when traveling to Japan. Ruth Kanagy has written a Living Abroad in Japan guidebook based on her years of experience as an American raised in Japan. And, we get another taste of USA Road Trip fever as Jamie Jensen talks to Rick and callers about approaching the roads less traveled in the USA.

This week we will talk about Ireland with two of Rick's tour guide friends from the North and South. We'll find out how much Ireland has changed in recent years due to its impressive economic surge. The cost of travel has skyrocketed for Americans, but as guests Declan Field and Stephen McPhilemy and our callers confirm, it's the Irish people that make visiting a priceless experience.

How can you travel for ten weeks with one suitcase? Rick says it is important to travel light, and to pack only one carry-on's worth of clothes and accessories. He shares packing tips for different climates, and learns about packing light for women from Joan Robinson, who leads frequent workshops on the topic. Also, Rick talks to one of his mentors in the field of travel writing, South Pacific guidebook author David Stanley.

Rick learns about the history and present-day allure of the Scottish highlands from Arthur Smith, a proprietor and true gentleman of the auld cloth, who ran a bed and breakfast in Glencoe, Scotland until his recent passing. Rick then fields calls from a young woman planning a trip with her sister and mother, and from a listener who gets philosophical on the last trip he'd want to make in his life.

This week, Rick discusses the appeal of our neighbors in Mexico, from the frenzy of its must-see capital to the deep blue waters and nightlife around Cancun, and the Mayan artifacts of the Yucatan Peninsula. Plus, we'll take listener calls from people planning trips to Europe...on Travel with Rick Steves.

Rick learns how quickly Poland has modernized in the past ten years in a conversation with Polish tour guide Kasia Derlicka. Kasia offers ideas for travelers investigating genealogical roots and history and explains some of the soul of Poland, as reflected in the music of native-born Frederick Chopin. Also, Cameron Hewitt, co-author of Rick's Eastern European guidebook, found himself in Krakow on the April night word spread that the Pope had died. He describes the scene and its place in modern Polish history.

Rick learns about the charms of Wales from Welshman Martin DeLandowicz, and attempts to speak some otherwise undecipherable phrases in the Welsh Celtic language; also, Rick chats with Jamie Jensen for the first time, author of an extensive guidebook on road trips in the USA and Canada, and takes listener calls on their recommended back highway trips. Jamie will return in future programs with more road trip ideas.

Rick discusses travel to Cuba, and how and why Americans vacation there despite the official embargo. Christopher P. Baker, author of Moon Handbooks: Cuba, will join Rick in explaining what travelers will discover when visiting this fascinating destination.

Rick shares some of his delicacy discoveries found in different parts of Europe that make travel a gastronomic treat. Tour guide Jamie Blair Gould discusses different kinds of Italian olives and olive oils, and describes where he lives. Then, he and Rick field listener calls on such topics as white asparagus, porcini mushrooms, in-season tomatoes, paella, truffles, and finding a smoke-free ambiance in European restaurants.