Rick Steves answered my travel question! Personally!

So, you all know Rick Steves is my travel guru, right?

In 1986, as I set out on my very first ever European trip, I was on a tight budget, and my travel guides were Let's Go and Europe Through the Back Door (I also bought Mona Winks, which had many of his guides to European Museums.)  I went for 8 nights, 4 in Paris, 4 in London.   And I started traveling the Rick Steves way.

While I slavishly buy his travel guides, I mostly follow his philosophy.   I've been fortunate to have jobs which afforded me enough frequent flyer miles that I have been able to go to Europe quite a few times since, and I've expanded the philosophy to some back doors I've found myself in other places, and in Europe.  I bet Rick has never been to Solofra, Italy, though he may have been to Merida, Mexico.    He also taught me to talk to people, to interact with the folks around me, and not be led into the touristy restaurant when I can go to the neighborhood restaurant, and have a lot more interaction.

For almost 35 years, following Rick's philosophy has served me well, and when I get old enough that I want someone else to plan my travel and make all the arrangements, his tours will be at the top of my list.   We even own an amazing 6 pieces of Rick Steves' luggage, including some original back door bags (which are too large for carryons now, and we have to check.  But they still sit nicely on our backs!)

Periodically Rick records episodes of his radio shows, usually in several-day blocks, and you can contact them with a question, then they call you to put you on the air.   I had a question, I sent it in, and lo and behold, Rick's organization called me this evening!

At first it was dicey; the phone disconnected and I thought all was lost.  But the second time the call went through, and I got to talk to Steves, tell him about my Sabbatical, ask my question (I'm not going to tell you all what the question was, nor what he suggested; but I will post a link when the program is aired, and you can hear it.)   Not surprisingly he was very supportive of 15 weeks, of plans to visit not only Europe, but Israel and Palestine (which also keeps me under the Schengen limit) and we talked a little about my plans for Germany, and my planned service.

It was a thrill, but it reminded me of something I love about Steves, which has nurtured my love of travel since that first 1986 trip:  I always feel supported by Rick.   Yes, it's a company and an author and he's not with me, and probably won't remember who I am too long (though he did ask me to call back after the Sabbatical) but his books, his shows, his site, even the FB groups related to him, all really support what I want to do, and encourage me to go out a little further on the edge each time I travel.   For me, that is mostly Europe, largely because I have a brother living there, but sometimes is elsewhere.    Because Rick Steves's puts all his energy into teaching us how travel can be affordable, doable, safe and fun, I am free to travel, to experience, and to get to know the world.    Isn't that great?

And yes, I'll no doubt update my itinerary based on his advice.