rick steves tours average age

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senior travelers

What percent of Rick Steves travelers are seniors (65 and above) at any given tour?

You should re-post your topic under "Rick Steves Tours" instead of "Spain".

Are you with us or against us? :-)

We've been on 11 RS tours. I'm not taking the time to go through all our trip rosters now, but I'd say on average about 15 - 20% or so of the members of the tours have been over 65. One tour we took about half were, but that was unusual. Our last tour had, I think, 5 of 24. The age range on the tours we have taken has been 12 to 80+. The time of year makes a difference, too. Families with kids are more likely to be able to travel in the summer. Although the tour we took with the 12 year old was in February...

I'd guess about 30% or so of the people on our tours have fallen in the 40 - 60 age range, but there've been lots of folks in their 20s and 30s and teens are not uncommon.

I agree with Jane that time of year makes a difference. I tend to travel in May or Sept at a time when kids are generally back in school. I also think the more active a tour, the lower end of the age bracket. I'd say my GAS tour had the youngest overall group of folks, then Heart of Italy, then 21 Day Best of Europe.

Are you interested in one of the tours to Spain?

I'm agreeing with Jane and Pam. In my experience, the ages seem to vary from the timing of tour to the itinerary being offered. I also have traveled on RS tours with ages ranging from 8 (my own grandchild) to 80 on one tour. There will most likely be more youngsters on the Family tours. I feel the age range of the travelers makes these tours more ....well, interesting and special.

Varies. Maybe 30% on some I have taken, and as low as zero.

But the seniors who do go on the tours seem to be very physically fit and can run circles around me. Everyone on the tours I have gone on have mostly gotten along well, are willing to join group activities, and have a good time no matter their age. In other words, you won't notice they are there any more than you will the younger people. :-)

Uh-oh......

I am knocking on that door to the 65 barrier. Yikes! I may have to reluctantly surrender my RS money belt and civita back pack in a few years.....lol.

Agreeing with a previous poster.... I have been on (non-family) tours with pre-teens to those in their seventies. Most of the members on my tours have been in their 40's & 50's. My first tour was in 2004. I have noticed the average age of the groups has increased during that time. Of course, I have helped drive that percentage up there, too.

The time of year matters a lot. Prior to retiring as a teacher, my June & July tours (had to wait until school was out) were loaded with teachers. Now I am booking tours away from the heat and summer crowds and it is a little different clientele. Nothing negative there.....just different.

I think the larger concern is how physically fit you are (mentioned earlier). I have seen that be an issue with younger tour members as well as with some of the "over the hill" folks :-). The groups I have been with have been very inclusive. .

I think strenuous tours also attract more younger rather than older folks. Most people on RS tours are very open and inclusive of everyone regardless of age.

Having just returned (last week) from the RS "Best of Barcelona and Madrid" tour - which is listed as a "strenuous" tour - although I think 'active' is a more proper term - it is my guess that, at 68, there were two fellow travelers my senior, so 21 were younger - the youngest being 13, I believe. Lots of walking - nice!

I have taken 14 RS tours - soon to take #15 & #16 - almost always one a year since 2001 and I am now 72. So, I started taking RS tours when I was 54, I think. I have noticed the average age of the tour members getting somewhat older on the tours that I have taken, mostly in the Spring or Fall. I have never been the oldest person on a tour. I have seen very few tour members under 30 y/o. The places we stay have also gotten better as the years have passed. RS getting older or his reaction to the ages of the tour members? I look forward to Italy in May.

We've taken two tours -- Best of Paris in early June and VFR in mid- to late May, both being family-friendly times. On each tour, there was a wide variety of ages, including a number of young people. Our son was 17 on our Paris tour and there were a couple of younger kids. He was 19 on VFR and there were three other 20-somethings along. On the Paris tour, especially, there were several people in their 70s. On VFR, the majority were 50s an 60s, like us.

Short answer, agreeing with just about everyone else, a wide array of ages, but the common link was enthusiasm and being fit enough to enjoy the active pace of the tours. Doesn't mean everyone was in perfect shape, including me with my lousy knees, but all were willing and prepared to keep up and enjoy. And I swear the "no grumps" policy works. Not a crab in the bunch.

Last November on the Sicily tour there were 7 of us youngsters ;D age 59 to 61. Everyone else was over 65 with some in their 70s and one very spry 80 year old :D

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What Does It Take to Be a Rick Steves Tour Guide?

After sharing the fun of our annual guides’ summit, we wanted to answer the most common question we hear: “What does it take to be a Rick Steves tour guide?”

To be honest, we don’t have a set procedure. We have about 130 lead tour guides. Most are Europeans, but plenty are Americans. Many are already professional guides working with (or fleeing) other tour companies. A few are friends of our company who have been with us since they were kids, packing boxes in our mailroom. These days, our guides are mostly established professionals who come to us with impressive experience along with an enthusiasm for guiding “the Rick Steves way.”

For an insight into the way our guides are managed, here’s an interview with Steve Smith. One of our very first guides (#4, to be specific), Steve led our entire tour-guiding team until his retirement in 2018.

How did Steve start? Back in the 1980s, he was nicknamed “pack man” for the phenomenal way he sold our suitcases and backpacks. He’s our in-house Francophile, who single-handedly established our France program (co-authoring my France, Paris, and Provence guidebooks, and turning this sandwich-munching Viking into a person with a love of France). And all along, I count him as one of my best friends. With the short interview below, I’d like you to meet Steve Smith.

If you can’t see the video below, watch it on YouTube .

There’s no one recipe for how to become a Rick Steves guide. But our current crop of guides has set the bar extremely high. All of our guides have several things in common: They are very well-traveled, they love Europe, and they’re excellent teachers who can convey their passion and in-depth knowledge of Europe, its history, and its culture to a group. Most of them spend extended periods of time in Europe, studying or working; most currently live in the country where they guide, speak the local language, and have a lifestyle that allows them to be on the road for up to three months each year. And every single one of them excels at organizing, leading and teaching people .

5 Replies to “What Does It Take to Be a Rick Steves Tour Guide?”

One of the qualifications must be sound judgment. Clients put their trust in these folks. So guides must exercise great insight when interacting with them. My own experience indicates that tour group members are diverse: in age; background; beliefs and morals. So while some are very tolerant of things like recreational drug use, others are repelled by it. In my own case, I was a bit put off by Rick Steves’ display of multiple “bowls of munchies” (meaning marijuana) at his Super Bowl party featured briefly on the NBC Today tv show. Rick is, after all, “leader of the guides” and his example might mislead his guides and distort their judgment. Doing as I say, not as I do, is tricky for a leader to communicate.

I will be very anxious to see how our friends first tour with Europe through the back door actually is. I am hoping this is a good spring board for them to love travel through Europe like we do. The guides seem to be very warm and intelligent people.

You early need to be careful about serving this type of “munchies” to guests. If they leave your house and drive impaired, get in an accident and someone is injured, you could be held liable. You could end up losing , lose considerable assets and wind up living in a houseboat on the Amstel River in Amsterdam having to frequent local coffee shops for your recreational habit.

This is great insight. I have been on two Rick Steves tours, and I both admired and envied the guides on each (Ben in Rome, Rolinka in Paris). The “Rick Steves way” is something really special. Additionally, Rick, I have organized three of my own European adventures. They all went off without a hitch, incidentially. Where I’m going with this is, I’m available.

hey there and thank you for your info

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I recently purchased 21" carry-on…

I recently purchased 21" carry-on suitcase from the Rick Steves website. They charged me $14 for shipping. However, it was smaller than I anticipated so I went to UPS to return with the shipping form I received from the RS store. The UPS clerk measured and weighed the box and said the cheapest fee to ship the suitcase back to RS would be $77! That is almost half of what I paid for the suitcase. I called RS customer service and they said there was nothing they could do. Beware to all before you order from RS. They won't have this customer again!

Date of experience : April 04, 2024

Great tours with top notch guides

I have been on 6 Rick Steves tours (2 in Italy, 2 in Spain, Greece and Turkey) and all were fabulous. Rick focuses on staying in the heart of the city, near the sights, usually in smaller, locally owned hotels. His guides are top notch and really set the tone for the trip. His choice of sights and activities are superb. Contrary to another review, Rick Steves always recommends traveling light and carrying your luggage on the plane. The reviewer who claims the Rick Steves guide books led them to pack so much clothing that they needed three big suitcases is very confused.

Date of experience : November 07, 2023

We just enjoyed our fourth Rick Steves…

We just enjoyed our fourth Rick Steves Tour, Paris and the Heart of France 11 day tour. It exceeded our expectations. Paris was gorgeous and Normandy knocked our socks off. Our tour coordinator was fun and knew her stuff. She was an American who had lived in France for over thirty years. The highlight of our adventure was spending the night on beautiful Mont St-Michel. Rick Steve's organization has a goal to teach participants to be independent travellers. This includes free time to explore the cities on his trips. We are looking forward to our fifth Rick Steves trip this Fall.

Date of experience : June 12, 2023

Rick Steves advice is a JOKE!!

Rick Steves advice is a JOKE!!! We packed our luggage based on his PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. NEVER has anyone ever been soooooo wrong! Rick advised to bring "dress" clothes and/or casual dress clothing. We packed according to what he said and was in all his books on Europe, specifically, Spain, Italy and Austria. That being said, we had 3 suitcases full of clothes we never needed! TRUST OUR REVIEW, TAKE WHAT YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WEARING!!!! Also don't waste your money on his books, they are full of nonsense. His advice cost us untold amounts of money and stress.

Date of experience : February 15, 2023

Something sinister about Rick

Something sinister about Rick. PBS runs his reruns, some up to 20 years old, 5-7 times per day. PBS has decided to provide Rick with an avenue to advertise his “tour guide” business. No one, no one, gets more exposure on PBS than Rick Steves.

Date of experience : September 15, 2022

Fantastic tours, honest and ethical company

I’ve been on 5 Rick Steves tours so far and all of them have been fantastic. The guides are all personable and knowledgeable. The itineraries have been well-organized and well-planned. I wasn’t always comfortable with some of the small family run hotels we stayed but they’ve all been interesting and definitely not cookie cutter. The groups have been less than 30 people so there’s plenty of space to spread in the full size coach bus we ride in. Plus Rick Steves himself is honest and ethical. His is one of the few tour companies fully refunding for his cancelled tours during this pandemic and not just giving credit for future travel. I’ll definitely travel again on any Rick Steves tour in the future.

Date of experience : May 28, 2020

Well run and affordable tours

I have gone on two tours with Rick Steves and both have been excellent, well-run tours. The accommodations did tend to vary from city to city, but overall his emphasize on family-run hotels with free breakfasts works well. I learned so much on my tours and made friends with great people.

Date of experience : May 02, 2020

Excellent tours!

I like that Rick Steves has created a community for his wonderful tour guides who are passionate about what they do, work hard and are well-compensated. The tours are really reasonably priced. They don't mark up their single supplements like so many other companies do. There are always unique experiences that you just can't get on your own. For me the only flaw is that the tour schedules are quite packed, there are a lot of guided tours and meals included. Personally I would prefer a little more freedom as well as my own time to explore.

Date of experience : July 15, 2020

Rick Steves

Best of Ireland in 14 Days Tour

Connemara, Dingle Peninsula, Dublin, Galway

• Dublin, learning about its rich history from the days of Viking raids
• Enjoy scenic drive along the forests, mountains, and lakes of Killarney National Park
• Experience walk along the local paths and lanes, hire a bicycle and pedal the scenic 30-mile Dingle Loop
• Enjoying the beautiful Irish countryside
• Enjoy dramatic Cliffs of Moher, where you'll find yourself leaning into the wind

Cultural, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

Best of Paris in 7 Days Tour

Louvre Museum, Paris

• Visits to a pair of the world's most significant medieval Gothic churches
• Enjoy guided neighborhood walks through the city's historic heart
• See the world's greatest collection of Impressionist art - almost next door - at the Orsay Museum
• Enjoy a farewell feast together, sharing travel memories

Hiking & Walking, Small Ship Cruise

Best of Sicily (Off-Season) in 11 Days Tour

Agrigento, Mount Etna, Palermo, Sicily

• Explore Monreale
• Visit Ancient Greek site of Segesta
• Experience Syracuse Ortygia island neighborhood walk
• Explore Neapolis Archaeological Park

50 plus, Cultural, Hiking & Walking, Transformative

Best of Italy in 17 Days Tour

Assisi, Bolzano, Cinque Terre, Colosseum, Doge’s Palace, Dolomites, Florence, Lake Como, Pantheon, Piazza San Marco, Pisa, Rome, Siena, Sistine Chapel, Tuscany, Umbria, Vatican City, Venice

• Enjoy cruising in Lake Como by ferry
• Visit South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology andFlorence's Accademia Gallery
• Discover Orvieto City and San Brizio Chapel tour
• Explore Colosseum tour
• Visit Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel

50 plus, Cultural, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

Heart of Belgium & Holland in 11 Days Tour

Amsterdam, Bruges

• More than 20 group sightseeing events
• Brussels, a traditional Belgian brewery, historic Flanders Fields, a nostalgic Dutch open-air museum
• See the royal Museums of fine arts of Belgium tour
• Aalsmeer flower Auction
• Awesome historic Amsterdam walking tour

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

My Way: Europe in 14 Days Tour

Arc de Triomphe, Bavaria, Burgundy, Cinque Terre, Colosseum, Doge’s Palace, Munich, Paris, Rome, Sistine Chapel, Venice

• Visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral and exquisite Sainte-Chapelle
• See the brilliantly lit Eiffel Tower and enjoy a twilight ride to the top
• Explore Paris, one of the world's most thrilling cities!
• You will have great time in the Berner Oberland's magnificent Lauterbrunnen Valley, flanked by towering
• Experience rolling hills of beautiful Burgundy and climb the high into the heart of the Swiss Alps

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

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Family Europe: London to Florence in 13 Days Tour

Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Florence, London, Louvre Museum, Luxembourg, Paris

• Experience walking tour across the Medieval Castle
• Discover London where you will learn all about England's oldest and most notorious castle
• Visit to the awe-inspiring Notre-Dame Cathedral
• Visit to the magnificent Louvre Museum
• Explore Cinque Terre

Cultural, Family Friendly, Hiking & Walking

Best of Venice Florence & Rome

Florence, Rome, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Umbria, Venice

• St. Mark's Square and Basilica tour
• Venice lagoon excursion
• Accademia Art Museum tour
• Rome's Ancient Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon, Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel

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Rick steves reviews & ratings, this is about the store not the tours.

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Sicily is Pure Eye Candy :: Will Leave You Wanting More :: Seamless Way To Travel The Island

A perfect "10" for the Rick Steves' Best of Sicily 11-Day Tour. My 1st tour with any company. This was a perfect combination of scheduled time and free time .. with ...

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Terrible Covid Experience

We are in Ireland now, traveling with Rick Steves Tours and a group of 27. Two days ago a member of the group tested positive for Covid, and we had all been exposed....

the best tips

All Steve’s travel books are the best tips.

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Rick Steves Bio, Age, Height, Career, Tours, Wife, Net Worth

Rick Steves is a television personality and travel author based in the United States. Steves is most renowned for his tourist films, and during his entertainment career, he has traversed the world. 

Rick is recognized for uncovering many of Europe’s “secret jewels,” encouraging people to spend their holidays in less frequented regions. 

Rick Steves’ renowned program “Rick Steves’ Europe” premiered in 2005 and will continue to air till 2020. Additionally, he hosts the famous radio program “ Travel with Rick Steves .” 

Rick Steves is a prolific author with a newspaper cue and several travel books to his credit. His real name is Richard John Steves Jr.  

Table of Contents

Early Life of Rick Steves

He was born in Barstow, California , U.S. Rick Steves’s father’s name is Richard John Steves , and his mother’s name is June Erna Steves . He has two siblings: Jan and Linda Steves.

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Rick Steves Age, Height, Weight & Body Measurement

He was born on 10 May 1955. As of 2024, Rick Steves’s age is 69. He belongs to American nationality, and his zodiac sign is Taurus . He stands at 6 feet an d weighs around 80kg. He has dark blue eyes and blond and gray hair.

Rick Steves Education

Rick Steves completed his schooling education Edmonds-Woodway High School . After that, he enrolled in The University of Washington for his further studies.

Rick Steves Personal Life

Rick Steves was married to Anne Steves , a longtime girlfriend. The wedding was held at St Thomas of Villanova, followed by a Saint David Gold Club banquet. Rick and his lovely wife. However, the pair divorced in 2010. They made no mention of the cause for their divorce.

Additionally, they have two children, Andy and Jackie Steves . Rick is thoughtful of his children despite the couple’s separation and ensures that he fulfills his parenting responsibilities. Andy, his son, launched Weekend Student Adventures Europe.

Rick Steves Professional Career

Rick Steves is a travel writer, novelist, and television personality. Rick has specialized in European travel and location-specific travel guides throughout his career. 

Following graduation, he received his first teaching position. Steves instructed students at The Experimental College on travel. Additionally, he is a piano instructor.

He had an early affinity for travel and often traveled with his father and friends. Rick released his first general handbook, ‘ Europe Through the Back Door,’ in 1980. He launched a storefront company in his hometown that doubled as a travel center and a piano instruction facility.

He also provided travel advice and organized the excursions at the time. He gradually grew his firm with the assistance of a boyhood buddy who is an architect and donated his published books through his agency.

Rick Steves debuted with his program, ‘ Travels in Europe With Rick Steves ,’ in 1991. The program aired for the last time in 1998. He returned to PBS in 2000 with a new documentary series titled ‘Rick Steves’ Europe.

The program will continue to run episodes until 2019 since he does not generate a new season each year. Rick is now traveling around Europe, exploring several villages and places, which he incorporates in his novels.

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Quick Bio / Wiki

Net worth, salary & earnings of rick steves in 2024.

A well-known American novelist, Rick Steves, has an estimated net worth of roughly $15 million . According to the 2024 projections, his net worth is estimated based on his authorship. 

Rick is a traveler and often uploads films to his monetized YouTube channel; he also makes a good living. Additionally, he is a television personality with a radio program.

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Senior Travel with Rick Steves: Discover the Wonders of Europe

Embarking on European Adventures: Senior Travel with Rick Steves

The allure of wanderlust transcends age, inviting those with a zest for discovery to delve into the rich mosaic of the world’s cultures and histories. In 2023, Rick Steves’ meticulously curated voyages beckon senior adventurers to savor the quintessence of European travel with an expert touch.

Why Choose Senior Travel with Rick Steves?

Renowned for his European travel sagacity, Rick Steves excels in crafting tours that resonate with the mature globe-trotter. His guided adventures are not mere visits but deep cultural dives, full of insider experiences and local interactions tailored for senior comfort.

Senior-Focused Ease and Comfort

Seamless itineraries promise stress-free exploration. Each detail—from accessible lodging to smooth transport—is carefully arranged to prioritize traveler ease, ensuring every moment is enjoyable and insightful with knowledgeable guides at the helm.

2023’s Exquisite European Locales

The coming year unveils a tapestry of European gems, from Tuscany’s undulating landscapes to Scandinavia’s majestic fjords. Immerse in charming Provencal villages or Prague’s storied avenues, each laden with engaging and tailored activities.

Culinary Celebrations: A Feast for the Senses

Emphasizing gastronomy’s cultural significance, these tours highlight regional flavors, allowing senior travelers to bask in local culinary traditions, enhancing travel with delicious insights into each destination’s food heritage.

authentic local tour experiences for cultural immersion

Each Rick Steves tour is an opportunity for genuine cultural exchange. Whether through a family-run eatery, an artisan’s workshop, or within ancient castle walls, every interaction is a bridge to the heart of the destination.

Educational Enrichment and Leisurely Pacing

Beyond sightseeing, educational discussions add depth to travel, while thoughtfully spaced leisure time ensures the journey remains stimulating yet restful, catering to the senior traveler’s preferred pace.

Group Camaraderie and Well-being

The solidarity of group travel offers a convivial atmosphere, welcoming solo travelers and cultivating lasting friendships. Moreover, health and safety protocols provide peace of mind, ensuring a focus on the pleasures of discovery.

Support and Flexibility Throughout Your Journey

With adaptable reservations and continual assistance, Rick Steves tours ensure confidence and satisfaction, accommodating the evolving nature of travel for a stress-free experience.

Conclusion: Embark with Confidence and Curiosity

Rick Steves tours are an invitation to seniors seeking European splendor with the promise of exceptional quality, comfort, and companionship. Join us and let your spirit sail on a voyage paved with learning, growth, and indelible memories.

For the discerning senior explorer, 2023 is your year to journey through Europe with Rick Steves, where every expedition is personalized and every moment ripe for new discoveries.

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Travel Expert Rick Steves' Genius Tip For Planning A Successful Vacation

Travel guru Rick Steves has spent the better part of his career helping travelers worldwide travel smarter (and cheaper) through his bestselling guidebooks. He knows the value of thoroughly  researching a new destination , so an unprepared traveler is often inconvenienced in his eyes. Steves cannot overstate how crucial proper preparation is for a hassle-free vacation, especially if you want to sidestep common bothers like adhering to tight schedules and perhaps the number one enemy of travelers everywhere: long queues.

"I always like to say that there are two IQs of European travelers: those who wait in lines and those who don't wait in line," Steves told WABE . To save yourself the frustration of queueing, the "Rick Steves' Europe" host advises extensive research to discover which destinations require prior reservations and which do not. "What the smart traveler these days knows is, if you're going to any big city you should do your reading in advance and figure out which sites need to be booked," he shared with The Seattle Times . "If you're going to Florence, you really gotta book the Accademia to see Michelangelo's David and the Uffizi Gallery in advance. You've gotta book the Duomo [di Milano] cathedral in advance."

However, Steves also insists that the goal of research extends beyond merely avoiding lines. He firmly believes it's also key to feeling more fulfilled in your adventures. "Remember that the more understanding and context you bring to a place, the more you'll enjoy it," he told The Seattle Times.

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Avoid Being Too Caught Up In Shrinking Your Budget

While  Rick Steves is a huge proponent of thrift, offering a wealth of tips for staying within budget , he's also the first to tell you not to worry too much about cost-cutting, as it will only take away the joy of travel. His advice? Keep in mind that time is money, too. For Steves, splurging a bit for convenience is always worth it.

"People sometimes focus on saving money while forgetting that their time is equally valuable, and limited," Steves advised  Business Insider . "If it will save you a half hour, hop in a taxi. Considering the value of your time, even if taking a taxi costs you and your travel partner $5 more than bus tickets, it's a good investment."

If you want the best bang for your buck, consider using a travel agent, too. Travel agents sometimes get a bad rap for unnecessary upselling, but if you find a reputable one, they can help you secure the best deals. "For international trips, I pay the extra fee to have a professional travel agent find me the best value (which isn't necessarily the cheapest) ticket," Steves told Forbes . He also noted on his  website that travel agents can assist you with securing "consolidator" or "discount" air tickets. While these tickets have certain limitations, like excluding frequent flyer miles accrual, they offer considerable savings.

Squeeze In 'A Vacation From Your Vacation'

Whenever you go to new places, Rick Steves advises against cramming as many sights and activities as possible into your visit. "You can't see it all, especially in one trip, and that's a blessing," he told Business Insider. "Enjoy seeing what you can and be thankful you have important experiences left over to enjoy on your next adventure." In other words, pacing is crucial because overloading your itinerary leads to unnecessary stress. You don't want to look back on your trip and only remember a blur of flights and train rides. And besides, it's not like you can't plan another trip in the future anyway.

Instead of forcing a tightly packed schedule, give yourself some leeway to rest easy and slow down mid-trip, especially during extended travels. Steves calls this a "vacation from your vacation," according to  Rick Steves' Europe , and with this strategy, you allow room for unplanned activities and spur-of-the-moment decisions. Sure, a successful vacation involves a ton of planning, but embracing spontaneity can enhance your overall experience.

"Consider building in a few slack days ... two days on the beach midway through the trip; that'll be very nice ... Travel is freedom. It's rich with choices and exciting decisions. That's part of the appeal," he said in one of his YouTube videos . "I like to keep some flexibility in my itinerary — perhaps I'll fall in love with Siena and stay an extra day."

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Travel | rick steves’ europe: glimpse the ancient past in northeast england.

While southern England gets most of the glory – and the tourists – the country’s far northeastern corner harbors some of England’s best historical sights. Hadrian’s Wall serves as a reminder that this was once an important Roman colony, while nearby Holy Island is where Christianity gained its first toehold in Britain. And both can be reached from the town of Durham, home to England’s greatest Norman church.

For years I’ve visited Hadrian’s Wall, the remains of the fortification the Romans built nearly 2,000 years ago to mark the northern end of their empire, where Britannia stopped and the barbarian land that would someday be Scotland began. But until a more recent visit, I had never ventured beyond the National Trust properties, the museums, and the various car-park viewpoints.

This time, I spent a sunny late afternoon actually hiking the wall. As I scrambled along these Roman ruins, I took a moment to simply absorb the setting. All alone with the sound of the wind, I surveyed the vast expanses and craggy hills that seem to rip across the island, like a snapshot that has frozen some sort of geological violence in midaction.

Hadrian’s Wall stretches 73 miles across the isle. Once a towering 15-foot-tall fortification, that once mighty wall is now only about three feet wide and three to six feet high. But it’s still one of England’s most thought-provoking sights.

The best way to experience the wall is to focus on a six-mile stretch right in the middle, featuring three must-see sights: Housesteads Roman Fort, which shows you where the Romans lived; Vindolanda’s museum, which shows you how they lived; and the Roman Army Museum, which explains the empire-wide military organization that brought them here.

This stretch of the wall also boasts some of the most enjoyable hiking. A three-mile ridge walk alongside the wall from Steel Rigg to Sycamore Gap (named for the much-loved tree that stood there until vandals cut it down in 2023) to Housesteads Roman Fort gives you a perfect taste of scenery and history.

If you prefer history with monks mixed in, visit Holy Island. This small dot off the coast of northern England, near the Scottish border, was the home and original burial ground of St. Cuthbert, a great missionary monk and leader of the early Christian church in northern England. Known 1,200 years ago as Lindisfarne, this island was the source of the magnificent Lindisfarne Gospels, illustrated by monks with some of the finest art from Europe’s early Middle Ages. By the ninth century, Viking raids forced the monks to take shelter in Durham, but they returned centuries later to reestablish a church on this holy site.

Today, Holy Island makes a pleasant stop for modern-day pilgrims, who cross a causeway to a quiet town with B&Bs, cafés, and 150 residents. The island’s highlights include a priory, with an evocative field of ruined church walls and a tiny museum, a former coast-guard lookout tower offering expansive views, and a dramatically situated castle that’s more enticing from afar than it is inside.

South of Hadrian’s Wall and Holy Island and three hours north of London by train, the town of Durham sits snug below its castle and famous church. A sharp bend in the River Wear protected medieval Durham, providing a moat on three sides. Today, the river ties Durham into a tidy little bundle and seems to protect it only from the modern world.

For nearly a thousand years, pilgrims have come to Durham to see its cathedral. It was built around the year 1100 to house the much venerated bones of St. Cuthbert. The architecture is unusually harmonious because it’s all one style. The cathedral was built in just 40 years and survives essentially unaltered. In the rest of Europe, this kind of architecture would be called “Romanesque.” But in England, it’s called “Norman,” named after the invaders who brought the style across the English Channel from France. The cathedral’s round arches and zigzag carved decorations are textbook Norman.

For me, a Durham highlight is attending an evensong. I always arrive early and ask to be seated in the choir, the cozy, central church-within-a-church. In this vast, dark, and chilly building, the choir served as an intimate space where medieval monks could worship multiple times a day.

While the cathedral is the city’s top draw, it’s not the only one. Strolling the town and popping into the indoor market just off the main square is a delight. And, as home to England’s third-oldest university, the city is lively with tattooed students in search of a good karaoke bar.

From a magnificent cathedral to striking ruins, England’s northernmost fringes provide the best opportunity to delve into the country’s fascinating past while enjoying its friendly present.

(Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. This column revisits some of Rick’s favorite places over the past two decades. You can email Rick at [email protected] and follow his blog on Facebook.)

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