Afghanistan: Reflections from a “Trip of a Lifetime” (Literally) in 1978
While I know otherwise, I often find myself wondering if the name “Afghanistan” comes from some ancient word for “tragedy.”
Afghanistan is in the headlines yet again — swiftly, and with almost no resistance,...
My 1978 “Hippie Trail” Journal: From Mashhad, Iran, to Herat, Afghanistan
With the fall of Afghanistan, I’ve been reflecting on my travel experiences there as a 23-year-old backpacker on the “Hippie Trail” from Istanbul to Kathmandu. Yesterday and today, it’s a poor yet formidable land...
My 1978 “Hippie Trail” Journal: Herat, Afghanistan
With the fall of Afghanistan, I’ve been reflecting on my travel experiences there as a 23-year-old backpacker on the “Hippie Trail” from Istanbul to Kathmandu. Yesterday and today, it’s a poor yet formidable land...
My 1978 “Hippie Trail” Journal: A Second Dreamy Day in Herat
With the fall of Afghanistan, I’ve been reflecting on my travel experiences there as a 23-year-old backpacker on the “Hippie Trail” from Istanbul to Kathmandu. Yesterday and today, it’s a poor yet formidable land...
My 1978 “Hippie Trail” Journal: 500 Miles across Afghanistan, from Herat to Kabul
With the fall of Afghanistan, I’ve been reflecting on my travel experiences there as a 23-year-old backpacker on the “Hippie Trail” from Istanbul to Kathmandu. Yesterday and today, it’s a poor yet formidable land...
My 1978 “Hippie Trail” Journal: The fabled Khyber Pass from Kabul to Pakistan
With the fall of Afghanistan, I’ve been reflecting on my travel experiences there as a 23-year-old backpacker on the “Hippie Trail” from Istanbul to Kathmandu. Yesterday and today, it’s a poor yet formidable land...
Comrades No More: Thoughts on Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
Today is a profoundly sad day. Russia’s aggressive action is heartbreaking for the death, suffering, and economic turmoil it will cause in Ukraine and, indirectly at least, beyond. Here at Rick Steves’ Europe, we...
Venuses Through History
As Europe starts opening up to travelers again, it’s more exciting than ever to think about the cultural treasures that await. For me, one of the great joys of travel is having in-person...
Lascaux’s Prehistoric Cave Paintings
As Europe starts opening up to travelers again, it’s more exciting than ever to think about the cultural treasures that await. For me, one of the great joys of travel is having in-person encounters...
Granada’s Alhambra
For me, one of the great joys of travel is having in-person encounters with great art and architecture — which I’ve collected in a book called Europe’s Top 100 Masterpieces. Here’s one of my...
