#12: Rick Steves on traveling as a political act

12/09/21 • 55 min

For the final episode of Season One, we are delighted to bring you a conversation with American travel legend Rick Steves. Rick is a guidebook author, television and radio host, and the owner of a tour company that has brought hundreds of thousands of travelers to Europe over the years. On the show, Rick speaks passionately about how travel can be a powerful force for peace and human understanding, and he shares what he’s learned about what it’s like to travel during the pandemic.

Toward the end of the episode, Paige speaks to Craig Davidson, the Chief Operating Officer of Rick’s tour company, Rick Steves’ Europe. Craig explains how the company is taking action on climate change.

Thank you so much for listening. We’ll be back in January with the launch of Season Two!

Resources

Rick’s tour company

Free access to all of Rick’s television shows, articles and radio programs

Rick’s program on the Holy Land

Paige’s Q&A with Rick Steves in The New York Times (unlocked)

Rick Steves’ Europe Climate-Smart Commitment

Rick's book, "Travel as a Political Act"

New York Times article on the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism (unlocked)

The full transcript of this episode is available on The Better Travel Podcast website

Thank you so much for listening. We’ll be back in January with the launch of Season Two!

Resources

Rick’s tour company

Free access to all of Rick’s television shows, articles and radio programs

Rick’s program on the Holy Land

Paige’s Q&A with Rick Steves in The New York Times (unlocked)

Rick Steves’ Europe Climate-Smart Commitment

Rick's book, "Travel as a Political Act"

New York Times article on the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism (unlocked)

The full transcript of this episode is available on The Better Travel Podcast website

Previous Episode

#11: A conversation with New York Times Travel Editor Amy Virshup

This week, New York Times Travel Editor Amy Virshup joins the show to talk about managing the paper’s travel coverage during the pandemic. She shares how the NYT’s signature 52 Places List is going to look different in 2022, and describes what the future might hold for the paper’s much-loved 36 Hours series.

Amy also describes how she’s developed a new relationship with her readers during the pandemic, and explains the NYT policy of not working with travel writers who accept free trips. She wraps up by telling us what she’s looking for in pitches from journalists for next year.

Are you a reader of New York Times Travel? What have you thought of the section’s coverage during the pandemic? I’d love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share by sending me a voice message.

Thanks so much for listening and have a great week!

NYT articles mentioned in the show

52 Places to Love in 2021

52 Places, Virtually (unlocked)

Paris on Foot: 35 Miles, 6 Days and One Blistered Toe (unlocked)

Hunting for the Real Pasta all’Amatriciana (unlocked)

What to Do This Summer: Chapel Hill, N.C. (unlocked)

36 Hours in ... Wherever You Are? (unlocked)

NYT Travel’s 36 Hours series

Next Episode

Season Two Trailer

We love to travel, and we want to make sure that our travels have a positive impact on the world. The Better Travel Podcast dives into fascinating and complex topics when it comes to travel – and it’s all with the aim of helping you become a smarter, better traveler.

Hosted by Paige McClanahan, a journalist and life-long traveler, The Better Travel Podcast will help you understand travel and tourism from the inside out.

Subscribe now to listen to Season 2, which launches on January 20.

https://www.bettertravelpodcast.com/