If you love to travel, then there’s a good chance that you’ll find these Rick Steves travel quotes inspiring. Optimistic in nature, Rick Steves travel quotes and sayings are also thought provoking.
Rick Steves is an American writer and author of more than a dozen travel books. He’s also travel tv show host, radio show host and owner or a small group tour company.
Ultimately, the message in Rick’s travel quotes and books, is that travel changes lives. His aim is to inspire people to get out their own back yard, as well comfort zone and see the world.
In this post I’ll share some of Rick Steve’s most famous travel quotes and sayings, as well as his books and travel guides.
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Rick Steves Best Travel Quotes
1. “Travel is rich with learning opportunities, and the ultimate souvenir is a broader perspective.”
– Rick Steves
2. “Ideally, travel broadens our perspectives personally, culturally, and politically. Suddenly, the palette with which we paint the story of our lives has more colors.”
– Rick Steves
3. “Travel is intensified living … and one of the last great sources of legal adventure.”
– Rick Steves
4. “If you don’t like a place, maybe you don’t know enough about it… Give a culture the benefit of your open mind.”
– Rick Steves
5. “As a traveler, I’ve often found that the more a culture differs from my own, the more I am struck by its essential humanity.”
– Rick Steves
6. “Travel like Ghandi, with simple clothes, open eyes and an uncluttered mind.”
– Rick Steves
7. “Fear is for people who don’t get out very much.”
– Rick Steves
8. “I have a New Year’s tradition. I lay all my travel dreams on the table, sort them out, prioritize, and begin the process of turning those dreams into reality.”
– Rick Steves
10. “Be fanatically positive and militantly optimistic. If something is not to your liking, change your liking.”
– Rick Steves
11. “To me, understanding people and their lives is what travel is about, no matter where you go.”
– Rick Steves
12. “Globetrotting destroys ethnocentricity, helping us understand and appreciate other cultures. Rather than fear the diversity on this planet, celebrate it. Among your most prized souvenirs will be the strands of different cultures you choose to knit into your own character. The world is a cultural yarn shop, and “back door” travelers are weaving the ultimate tapestry.”
– Rick Steves
13. “It’s never too late to have a happy childhood, and age only matters if you’re a cheese.”
– Rick Steves
14. “I travel around the world in a way that tries to open my mind and give me empathy and inspire me to come home and make this world a better place.”
– Rick Steves
15. “I shutter to think how many people are underexposed and lacking depth in this field.”
– Rick Steves
Rick Steves Quotes about Europe
23. “France is Europe’s most diverse, tasty, and exciting country to explore. It’s a cultural bouillabaisse that surprises travelers with its varied, complex flavors.”
– Rick Steves
24. “By day, Venice is a city of museums and churches, packed with great art. Linger over lunch, trying to crack a crustacean with weird legs and antennae. At night, when the hordes of day-trippers have gone, another Venice appears. Dance across a floodlit square. Glide in a gondola through quiet canals while music echoes across the water. Pretend it’s Carnevale time, don a mask – or just a fresh shirt – and become someone else for a night.”
– Rick Steves
25. “The fountain of joy still reminds locals that life in Siena is good”
– Rick Steves
Travel Tips by Rick Steves
In researching this article, I read through some wonderful interviews with Rick Steves and came across some of the travel tips he shared.
Rick Steves’ travel tip and recommendations: Pack light, it’s enlightened. See the places less touristy, it’s cheaper and more authentic. Keep a journal and write in it.
I’m an over-packer, I travel by cruise, and I blog (almost a journal, right?).
I wonder what Rick would say? (Actually I’m a big fan and would probably do one of his tours if I had the opportunity!)
Rick Steves Travel Books and Guides
Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent 4 months a year traveling in Europe. He shares travel tips and insights in his extremely helpful travel guides and books.
1. “For the Love of Europe: My Favorite Places, People, and Stories.” by Rick Steves
Rick Steves latest book is a gathering of 100 stories and memories from over 40 years of travel in Europe. If you’re looking for travel inspiration and a great read, this book is a must have.
Recommended: Rick Steves “For the Love of Europe; My favorite places, people, and stories” (see options for audiobook or paperback on Amazon here)
Tip – Have you ever wanted to try Audible Plus? There is a library of thousands of audiobooks, including those by Rick Steves. You can get an Audiobook free with your trial.
2. “Europ
e’s Top 100 Masterpieces” by Rick Steves
A beautiful coffee table book, “Europe’s Top 100 Masterpieces” includes gorgeous photos of Europe’s most famous paintings, sculptures, and historic buildings. This book makes a great gift for any travel lover.
Recommended: Rick Steves Europ
e’s Top 100 Masterpieces
3. “Europe Through the Back Door”
“Europe Through the Back Door“ is full of practical tips that will help your plan your Europe itinerary, find good value hotels and restaurants, travel by train, bus or car, avoid scams, connect with locals and more!
Recommended: Europe Through the Back Door by Rick Steves (see details & reviews on Amazon here)
Rick Steves Italy
If you’re planning on traveling to Italy, this Italy planning book will help you to plan every aspect of your trip.
Recommended: Rick Steves Italy travel planning book (see details here)
Florence & Tuscany and Planning Guide
Whether you’re visiting Tuscany and Florence by land or sea (like on a Mediterranean Cruise), Rick Steves illustrated guide with help you to plan what to do and see.
Recommended: Rick Steves Tuscany and Florence Travel Guide
Rick Steves Cruise Port Travel Guides
When our family did an amazing Mediterranean cruise a few years ago, Rick Steves Mediterranean Cruise Port Guide book was invaluable. If you’re planning a European cruise in the future, I highly recommend these cruise port guides.
Rick Steves Mediterranean Cruise Ports (Rick Steves Travel Guide)
Recommended: Rick Steves Mediterranean Cruise Ports Travel Guide
Rick Steves Scandinavian & Northern European Cruise Ports Guide, by Rick Steves & Cameron Hewitt
In this guide book Rick shares how to make the most of your time in each cruise port city, plus includes some tips and tricks to help save money on your cruise (and more).
Recommended: Rick Steves Scandinavian & Northern European Cruise Ports (see reviews on Amazon)
Cruising the Mediterranean video
If you’re planning a Mediterranean cruise, or even just dreaming of it, I think you’ll enjoy this video. It’s a few years old, but the information is valuable just the same.
More Rick Steves travel guide books
There are so many great Rick Steves travel guide books. Here are a few, but be sure to check out other destinations available on Amazon as well.
Final thoughts: Inspiring Rick Steves Travel Quotes and Guide Books
Rick Steves has a mission to inspire Americans to travel and see the world. From an early age, he realized that travel really can change the world for the better. Through his travel guide books, videos and small group tours, he shares his inspirational message.
I hope that you’ve enjoyed these Rick Steves quotes and the selection of helpful travel books.
Do you have a favorite Rick Steves quote that should be included in this list of his famous words? Have you used one of Rick Steves travel guides? Please let me know in the comments below.
Ilana
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