A weekly one-hour conversation with guest experts and callers about travel, cultures, people, and the things we find around the world that give life its extra sparkle. Rick Steves is America's leading authority on travel to Europe and beyond. Host and writer of over a hundred public television travel shows and author of 30 best-selling guidebooks, Rick now brings his passion for exploring and understanding our world to public radio. Related travel information and message boards on www.rickst ...
…
continue reading
Comedian and TV host Mike Siegel sits down for a lighthearted chat with his friends: comedians, actors, writers producers, and travel professionals, about the joys and and nightmares of travel.
…
continue reading
Every Thursday, a new episode of Living Planet brings you environment stories from around the world, digging deeper into topics that touch our lives every day. The prize-winning, weekly half-hour radio magazine and podcast is produced by Deutsche Welle, Germany's international broadcaster - visit dw.com/environment for more.
…
continue reading
You're here because you love travel. You know what, man? I get it. Maybe you're mid-travel right now on a bus in Vietnam or maybe you've just come back from Argentina and you miss the freedom? Either way, seasons 1-5 will give you stories from world travelers, complete with musical scores and interview sections. Season 6 is where I took you guys with me around every country in mainland Europe on my motorcycle (Gloria) Now we're onto Season 7: Backpack Digital. All things travel, minimalism a ...
…
continue reading
A podcast about the trip that changed everything. The Journey is an original podcast brought to you by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. It tells true tales of people whose lives have been transformed by travel. Host Jonathan Groubert meets extraordinary people all over the planet. Each episode revolves around a story in which a journey is the turning point. Travel along with the main characters to the icy plains of Alaska, the hectic streets of New Delhi or the dusty villages of Kenya. For more bac ...
…
continue reading
Have you ever dreamed about quitting your job, horrifying your family and road tripping for an indeterminate amount of time? Well, that’s exactly what we’re doing. Follow Maggie and Adam as we drive from San Francisco to Tierra Del Fuego, and all our panic attacks along the way.
…
continue reading
×
A German journalist shares some timely thoughts on what his fellow citizens find appealing about America, as well as his insights into the intriguing differences between our two societies. Then a London "mudlarker" who searches the River Thames at low tide for buried objects describes how discarded items can connect us with life in the Victorian er…
…
continue reading
Piper Moretti returns to recap her first-ever trip to Japan and what it's like to travel with yours truly!
…
continue reading
For some species being hit by a car is the number one cause of death above hunting and disease. What does this mean for wildlife populations and endangered species? And which solutions are on the table?By DW.COM | Deutsche Welle
…
continue reading
1
752 Amsterdam Canals; The Last Island; Coimbra
52:00
52:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:00
A Dutch guide invites us to imagine a day on the water exploring Amsterdam's iconic canals. Then a historian shares what little we know of the elusive Sentinelese — likely the most isolated, least contacted people on earth — and what he learned by traveling to nearby islands in the Bay of Bengal. And a tour guide from Portugal tells us why the vene…
…
continue reading
1
Deep dive: The evolution of our plastic dependency
29:35
29:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:35
Plastics have only been around for a little over a century. But in that time, they've become a huge part of our lives and a growing burden for the environment. Each year, the world produces over 430 million tons of plastics, and that figure is set to triple by 2060. A binding global plastics treaty is key to solving the problem. But just how did we…
…
continue reading
1
751 Eyewitness to Climate Change; Endangered Eating; Shakespeare in Stratford and South Sudan
52:00
52:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:00
Celebrate Earth Day by considering the ways you can address climate change at home, with practical advice from a scientist who's seen its effects around the world. Then hear from a culinary historian about the crops, farm animals, and agricultural traditions that we risk losing in America. And mark Shakespeare's birthday by learning how his works h…
…
continue reading
1
Deep dive: Mercury’s tantalizing promise of endless gold in South America
27:23
27:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:23
Mercury’s a known pollutant in fish, but did you know one of the biggest mercury emitters is actually small-scale gold mining? From sunken ships to shihuahuaco trees, we take a deep dive into the astounding history and science of mercury and the solutions that could break its toxic cycle.By DW.COM | Deutsche Welle
…
continue reading
She's back! The Wild Child from Louisville makes a return appearance to catch us up on her recent trips to Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, and South America.
…
continue reading
1
591a Polynesian Explorers; Northern Greece; Greek to Me
52:00
52:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:00
We admire the seafaring prowess of the Polynesians and hear how a cultural faux pas led to Captain James Cook's fateful encounter with 18th-century Hawaiians. Then tour guides from Athens and Thessaloniki recommend attractions to visit in northern Greece, and The New Yorker’s "Comma Queen," Mary Norris, explains what an appreciation for Greek langu…
…
continue reading
From customs clashes to biodiversity threats and cultural cravings, the illegal bushmeat trade is affecting health and wildlife conservation across continents. But just how widespread is it and why is it so hard to contain?By DW.COM | Deutsche Welle
…
continue reading
1
750 Mini Italian Lesson; Geography of Genius; Timbuktu Haircut
52:00
52:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:00
We learn some surprisingly useful Italian phrases from one of Italy's most popular newspaper columnists, then consider why certain places have fostered more than their share of world-changing innovations, and hear about Timbuktu's history as an important center for scholarship. Plus, we find out about the thrill of dropping in on a choir practice i…
…
continue reading
1
What's better: Cotton or polyester clothing?
15:24
15:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:24
Are you torn over your clothing's environmental impact? From resource-intensive production methods to consumer behaviors, explore the complexities shaping our fashion choices and their ecological footprints.By DW.COM | Deutsche Welle
…
continue reading
Courtney Cronin rocks! When the comedian is not entertaining crowds on rock-themed cruises and festival lineups, she's traveled back to Europe and beyond with her German husband.
…
continue reading
1
749 Totally Eclipsed; Mekong Paddle Pilgrim; Strange Food
52:00
52:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:00
A nature filmmaker and self-proclaimed "umbraphile" shares tips for viewing the next total solar eclipse, when the moon will cast its otherworldly shadow on a narrow band across North America on April 8 — and explains why he thinks it’s worth a trek to the totality zone. Then the "Paddle Pilgrim" returns to tell us about the unexpected challenges a…
…
continue reading
A familiar bird that is as clever as it is cunning, sadly the crow is often dismissed as merely a ruthless menace or an unwelcome alarm clock. But if you look closer, there's beauty in this scavenger's ways.By DW.COM | Deutsche Welle
…
continue reading
1
748 Quirky Oslo; Last Empty Places; Herbal
52:00
52:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:00
An American expat in Oslo shares some of the quirks and customs of life in his adopted home. Then, a wilderness and history author recounts what he found exploring four blank spots on the US map. And an ethnobotanist describes the healing properties of different kinds of herbs around the world — some of which might be growing in your own backyard. …
…
continue reading
1
What's better: Contact lenses or glasses?
20:33
20:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:33
It seems like glasses would be the obvious eco-friendly choice, but not so fast! The answer is both fascinating and a bit mind boggling. Get ready for some eye-opening facts that could make you rethink your eyewear habits.By DW.COM | Deutsche Welle
…
continue reading
Comedian Laura Hayden stops by the studio to tell Tales of her recent trip to Japan and countless other locales.
…
continue reading
1
597a Dublin Walk; The Immortal Irishman; Aran Islands
52:00
52:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:00
In this all-Irish hour, tour guides describe some of the intriguing sights you'd encounter on a walking tour of Dublin and explain why the rugged Aran Islands, off Ireland's west coast, are such an exciting place to explore Irish traditions. And author Timothy Egan delves into the legacy of 19th-century America's most famous Irish immigrant. For mo…
…
continue reading
1
Deep dive: The iron grip of Brazil's mining industry
29:47
29:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:47
Brazil's iron ore industry is a vital economic asset but it has devastating environmental consequences. In this episode we delve into the challenges faced by local communities in Minas Gerais as they resist the impacts of mining activities on their environment and water sources.By DW.COM | Deutsche Welle
…
continue reading
1
747 Ireland in 100 Objects; Midlife Michelangelo; Language City New York
52:00
52:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:00
A columnist for the Irish Times describes some of the historical objects so cherished by his compatriots that they're considered key to Ireland's national identity, and tells us where you can see them on display. Then we take a closer look at the life of Michelangelo and the midlife mess that threatened to derail him from creating many of the world…
…
continue reading
Have you ever wondered about the eco-story behind your daily brew? Join us as we spill the beans on the environmental impact of tea & coffee, from cultivation to consumption.By DW.COM | Deutsche Welle
…
continue reading
Wellness expert Amber Zinsmeister left her small town Michigan upbringing for California and the world beyond.
…
continue reading
1
746 Goodbye Eastern Europe; The Long Field in Wales
52:00
52:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:00
A historian describes how eastern European countries have modernized since the Cold War and examines the kinds of challenges they face today. And an American-born artist and creative writing teacher shares the joy she feels in being "Welsh by choice." For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives…
…
continue reading
Plastic or paper packaging. The more environmentally friendly option seems obvious, right? But concealed within this deceptively simple choice between two materials is a whole lot of different chemicals, marketing tricks and greenwashing. So, which is better for the environment?By DW.COM | Deutsche Welle
…
continue reading
1
641a Finding Europe in America; Cruise Ship Nightmare; Iceland Backcountry
52:00
52:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:00
Get ideas and tips from TV host Samantha Brown for finding little corners of Europe in the New World, then hear an author's dramatic firsthand account of a near catastrophe on a cruise ship caught powerless in a freak winter storm off the coast of Norway. And a tour guide takes us to the wild, windy, and wonder-inspiring backcountry of Iceland. For…
…
continue reading
Do you ever find yourself stumped by a seemingly simple choice between two things because you're not sure which would be better for the environment? Like plastic or paper packaging, cotton or polyester pants? We're going to try to find some of the answers in a new segment exploring these everyday environmental dilemmas. In this episode we tackle ou…
…
continue reading
An old friend from the Chicago stand-up trenches, Bob Gillespie became a success in the world of finance and travels the world for business and pleasure.
…
continue reading
1
745 Orkney Living; Walkable European Cities; Nomads of Europe
52:00
52:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:00
Hear what it's like to live on one of the windswept Orkney Islands off the northern tip of Scotland, where people have lived since before recorded history. Then learn how redesigned traffic patterns in Europe have had a positive impact on quality of life — and get ideas for making your own city a more enjoyable place to be outdoors. Plus, a histori…
…
continue reading
1
Naturally connected: The comfort of a tree
14:09
14:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
14:09
How often do you stop to really look at the trees in your neighborhood or in your local park? To observe their details and feel their presence? Though you mightn’t have really noticed them – they certainly notice you. They might even be listening in on your conversations. Journey with us to Berlin to get to know a special tree and meet a tree surge…
…
continue reading
1
744 Falling for Saturn; Heart of Martin Sheen; Florentine Favorites
52:00
52:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:00
Astronomer Philip Plait — who fell in love with Saturn after first viewing the gas giant, with its mesmerizing rings and moons, through a telescope as a child — shares some of the amazing discoveries we've made about the planet in recent years. Then actor Martin Sheen describes how his travels in the developing world have opened his eyes, and his h…
…
continue reading
1
Deep dive: We need to talk about farmers and mental health
29:33
29:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:33
Recent studies say mental health is in decline among farmers, and they say climate policy is partially to blame. We spoke with German farmers and experts from different EU countries to find out more. And what they had to say was eye-opening.By DW.COM | Deutsche Welle
…
continue reading
The return of Laura Grier! After 8 years, catching up with the photographer/entrepreneur about her many adventures and formation of an artisan hat company based in Peru.
…
continue reading
The most popular storyteller of our time, author James Patterson, shares insights from the people who work behind the scenes to turn Las Vegas into America's ultimate fantasy destination. And a Morocco-based tour guide recommends letting yourself be amazed by the night sky in the Sahara Desert, a view that's guided travelers for millennia. For more…
…
continue reading
1
Deep dive: The truly amazing world of fungi
27:49
27:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:49
When you hear the word fungus, what comes to mind? Maybe you're thinking about those semi-circular growths on tree trunks in the forest, or some mold on a piece of fruit. Estimates suggest more than 90% of all fungal species are still unknown to science - and that new discoveries are happening all the time. Join us for a deep dive into the world of…
…
continue reading
A deep-sea diving instructor from Australia explains why he's not afraid of sharks — well, most of them. Then a Cuba travel expert looks at the places and experiences you can explore beyond Havana, as well the rules that govern travel to Cuba for US travelers. And a guide from Italy helps us step into a day in the first century, frozen in time, at …
…
continue reading
1
If you love salmon, you might want to listen to this...
29:59
29:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:59
From farmed salmon with open wounds and lice-infested bodies, to the dangers of mating between wild salmon and its farmed counterpart after thousands of fish escaped from a fish farm - we take you to Iceland's aquafarms. And: why it's a good idea to pay close attention to the Southern Right Whale.By DW.COM | Deutsche Welle
…
continue reading
Joanna Kalafatis is an actress and creator of the travel blog, LoseTheMap.com
…
continue reading
1
595a The Story of Spanish; First Timer's Spain
52:00
52:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:00
Hear the unlikely story of how Spanish grew from a Latin dialect in northern Iberia to become one of the world's most important and widely spoken languages. Then get tips for enjoying your first trip to Spain, and for getting the most out of a visit to the Prado's massive art collection in Madrid. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - i…
…
continue reading
1
Why this 3D-printed house could be a gamechanger
21:41
21:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:41
This week, a deep dive into the fascinating story behind a 3D-printed house made entirely of bio-based materials. We spoke with people behind BioHome 3D to find out why Maine was almost a fateful setting for this project, and what its effect might be on the US housing crisis.By DW.COM | Deutsche Welle
…
continue reading
1
741 Visiting Vienna; Visiting Bosnia; Athens Acropolis
52:00
52:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:00
Get tips for enjoying elegant, easily navigated Vienna, Austria's capital and the epicenter of a once-mighty empire. Then hear a Bosnian describe what his country, a generation after its infamous war, has to teach us about getting along with our neighbors — and why the nation is now blossoming as a travel destination. And get acquainted with the fa…
…
continue reading
1
Is recycling really the answer to the plastic crisis?
29:59
29:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:59
Globally only 9% of all plastic waste is recycled. But why is that rate so low? On this week's episode of Living Planet, we're airing an episode from a special on the plastics age which was produced by the DW podcast On the Green Fence.By DW.COM | Deutsche Welle
…
continue reading
Mike returns from a month away to recap his holidays Down Under.
…
continue reading
1
740 Cruising the Nile; Paradise on Earth; Lost Pianos of Siberia
52:00
52:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:00
A tour specialist from Cairo explains how you can cruise through five thousand years of history on the Nile River in Egypt. Author Pico Iyer suggests paradise on earth might be in some of the most unexpected places. He tells us about his sojourns from the Himalayas to Sri Lanka to experience what South Asia had to show him. And hear how Sophy Rober…
…
continue reading
1
Bioplastics: The good, the bad and the ugly
30:00
30:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
30:00
One way to curb the world's plastics problem would be to use bioplastics. But not all bioplastics are created equal.By DW.COM | Deutsche Welle
…
continue reading
1
739 Travel Like a Diplomat; Making a Difference; German Pop
52:00
52:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:00
Get some travel advice from the former U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria, who recommends his favorite vacation getaways in the Balkans. Then listen in as a climate scientist describes the efforts that have worked — and some that haven't — in combatting the pollution that causes climate change…and what you can do now to make a difference. And hear how Ger…
…
continue reading
What if there were a way to curb plastic pollution using enzymes? That's what scientists are exploring. On this episode, we'll take a look at how realistic this solution might be.By DW.COM | Deutsche Welle
…
continue reading
Sascha Mayerer is the CEO/Managing Director of Historic Highlights of Germany, promoting tourism in lesser known smaller cities throughout Germany.
…
continue reading
1
738 Christmastime in Bavaria, Croatia, Sweden, Rome, Sardinia, Costa Rica, Amsterdam
52:00
52:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:00
Brighten your holidays with an international perspective on Christmas celebrations: Learn about Europe's Old World holiday traditions, and meet some of Santa's cousins, as some of Rick's friends drop by to discuss the sometimes sublime, often quirky ways they observe the season in Bavaria, Sardinia, Croatia, Stockholm, Amsterdam, and Rome. And get …
…
continue reading
1
The everyday Americans tackling climate change
30:00
30:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
30:00
Americans across the United States are grappling with unprecedented extreme weather events. And if you travel across the country, you'll meet all manner of people, from winemakers to aviation experts, who are rolling up their sleeves and getting to work to find sustainable solutions.By DW.COM | Deutsche Welle
…
continue reading