Rick Steves Travel Talks (Video)

Join Gene Openshaw, co-author of Rick Steves' Europe 101 History and Art, as he shares the work and travels of Michelangelo. Michelangelo Buonarroti — sculptor, painter, architect and poet — was both prolific and well-traveled. We'll trace the life, work and travels of "Earth's Greatest Artist," visiting the Italian cities where he created his masterpieces. You may be surprised to find that the Italy of today is just as culturally rich as it was in the days of Michelangelo. (Please note this presentation was filmed April 14, 2012 and any special promotions or discounts mentioned are no longer valid.) Gene's "Europe 101 History and Art for the Traveler" book is available at www.travelstore.ricksteves.com.

Join Heidi Van Sewell, Rick Steves' tour guide, as she shares tips and insights for traveling in Italy. You'll almost be able to smell the linguini and taste the vino rosso as we explore enchanting Italy. The north is home to cosmopolitan Milan, time-tripping Venice, serene lakes, and the Alpine Dolomites. In central Italy we'll visit the Renaissance capital of Florence and the quaint hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria. On the Italian Riviera, the Cinque Terre's rocky coastlines and tiny villages are the epitome of picturesque. We'll wrap things up with the eternal city, amazing Rome. (Please note this presentation was filmed April 14, 2012 and any special promotions or discounts mentioned are no longer valid.) For more travel information, visit www.ricksteves.com.

Join Joan Robinson, Rick Steves' packing specialist and tour guide, as she shares tips and tricks for packing light. You'll learn now or you'll learn later that the first step to a great trip is packing light — don't weigh yourself down! You can travel for months with one carry-on size bag and still have everything you need for a great trip. We'll distribute packing lists, show off the latest in lightweight luggage, and demonstrate a professionally packed bag. (Please note this presentation was filmed April 14, 2012 and any special promotions or discounts mentioned are no longer valid.) For Joan's packing list, visit www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/pack-light.htm.

Join Pat O'Connor, co-author of Rick Steves' Ireland guidebook, as he shares tips and insights for traveling in Ireland. We'll get a glimpse of Ireland's fascinating history and meet the friendly people of this charming country. Our travels will take us through both the Republic and Northern Ireland, including Dublin, Waterford, the Aran Islands, Dingle Peninsula, Belfast, Derry, and the Giant's Causeway. (Please note this presentation was filmed April 14, 2012 and any special promotions or discounts mentioned are no longer valid.) For more travel information, visit www.ricksteves.com.

Join Steve Smith, co-author of Rick Steves' France guidebook, as he shares tips and insights for traveling in France. It should be no surprise that France is the world's most-visited country. We'll lead you through the battlefields and rugged coastline of Normandy and Brittany, and the vineyards and chateaux of the Loire Valley and Burgundy. Then we head south to Provence and the glamorous Riviera before topping it all off in romantic, historic Paris. (Please note this presentation was filmed April 14, 2012 and any special promotions or discounts mentioned are no longer valid.) For more travel information, visit www.ricksteves.com.

You'll almost be able to smell the linguini and taste the vino rosso as Rick explores enchanting Italy in this 80-minute lecture. For more travel information, visit www.ricksteves.com.

In the final segment, we join Rick as he celebrates his birthday in an Iranian family's home. For more travel information, visit www.ricksteves.com.

Rick is on the road discovering Iran's great ancient sites. For more travel information, visit www.ricksteves.com.

In this segment, we enjoy some people-watching in one of Iran’s greatest cities, Isfahan. For more travel information, visit www.ricksteves.com.

In this segment, we visit a prayer service while Rick discusses religious freedom. For more travel information, visit www.ricksteves.com.