Rick Steves: Travel as a Political Act

Americans accustomed to global travel find themselves on uncharted ground today — as citizens of a nation whose president is hostile to the governments of countries most visited by Americans. What does this recent rupture of longstanding ties with U.S. allies mean for Americans who travel overseas? America’s foremost travel writer, Rick Steves, believes there’s more to travel than good food and fun in the sun. By venturing out of their comfort zones, American travelers can gain an empathy for the other 96% of humanity and a better understanding of the interconnectedness of today’s world. In a provocative slideshow lecture, Steves draws from lessons learned in a lifetime of travel to illustrate how, when Americans “travel as a political act,” they come home with the greatest of all souvenirs: a broader perspective.   

Then Steves and Cascadia Daily News Executive Editor Ron Judd will explore a wide range of questions, including:  

– Should Americans still feel safe traveling in Europe?
– Can and should American travelers still be a force for reconciliation in the face of such open hostility by the U.S. government?
– What strategies should American travelers employ to navigate these dicey geopolitical waters? 

Rick Steves is the founder and owner of Rick Steves’ Europe, a travel business with a small-group tour program that brings more than 30,000 people to Europe annually. Steves lives and works in his hometown of Edmonds, Washington.