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Rick Steves’ Europe: Paris is always a good idea – even in summer
Few cities can even come close to Paris when it comes to cultural, artistic, and historic heritage. And few residents are as confident as Parisians in their expertise in good living. While that uniquely French joie de vivre can be enjoyed throughout the year, I’d like to talk about Paris in the summer.
An old travel mantra tells you to avoid ...Read more

Massachusetts bill on vehicle miles traveled in national spotlight: 'Behavioral control'
A bill pending on Beacon Hill that looks to set a statewide vehicle miles traveled reduction goal as part of the decarbonization push has ignited national backlash, with critics calling it governmental overreach.
Under the so-called Freedom to Move Act, an interagency coordinating council would be tasked with crafting a “whole-of-government ...Read more

Taking the Kids: To an all-inclusive without kids
I get it now. I get why so many people keep returning to all-inclusive resorts and cruises.
That’s especially true for families traveling with adult kids, honeymooners, those celebrating anniversaries and those on girls’ trips. They keep returning to all-inclusives like Sandals Dunn’s River...Read more

Celebrity Travel: Go away with Shannon Lewis
As a performer, Shannon Lewis has appeared in 10 Broadway musicals, including “Fosse,” over a career that spans 25 years. Now, the dancer has made her Broadway debut as a choreographer in the musical “Just in Time.” “It is a new musical based on the life and music of the great Bobby Darin, starring the magnificent talent Jonathan Groff...Read more

Rick Steves’ Europe: Uplifting encounters from my latest trip
“A fisherman, a priest, and a student” sounds like the beginning of a crude joke. But on my latest trip to Europe, these three characters weren’t punchlines. Instead, they were reminders of the value of travel, and examples of the spirit-boosting people-to-people moments that are waiting for you in Europe.
Travel has always been, and ...Read more

Taking the Kids: Summer fun despite everything
Where to this summer? Sure, the economy is worrisome as is the prospect of getting detained when you fly back from overseas.
But that doesn’t mean you should give up on summer fun. Your kindergartner will only be entranced by Di sney princesses for so long; same with your 8-year-old and dinosaurs. As to your young teens, well, who knows what ...Read more

Celebrity Travel: Go away with Marcia Kimpton
Growing up as the daughter of the late Bill Kimpton – the founder of the Kimpton Hotels – Marcia Kimpton was accustomed to staying in some of the world’s nicest hotels. But the filmmaker and author also remembered staying in youth hostels, just like other twentysomething adventurers looking for ways to save money. Since then, she has ...Read more

Rick Steves’ Europe: European Union 103 and how the EU impacts travelers in Europe
When Jean Monnet brainstormed the modern European Union, he based his peace-driven idea on America’s model of independent states, united by a greater goal. With the help of the US, Monnet planted the seeds for a bloc that has not only established today’s European peace and prosperity – but also impacts how we experience Europe.
When ...Read more

Celebrity Travel: Go away with Gabrielle Walsh
On the NBC series “Found,” Gabrielle Walsh portrays a woman who had been kidnapped as a child. “Lacey is an optimist who has a heart of gold, a strong sense of justice and would do anything for those missing and her crisis-management family,” Walsh said in an interview from her Los Angeles home. “[And] after the team succeeds in ...Read more

Rick Steves’ Europe: European Union 102 -- How the EU works
Last week, a Parisian bench in Washington, DC, got me thinking about how the European Union was created as a peace project. But it’s grown far beyond just sharing coal and steel resources to avoid war among its countries.
Now 75 years old, today’s European Union oversees common political policies while also funding infrastructure projects, ...Read more

Taking the Kids: A unique way to honor moms, aunts and grandmothers
When Maria Haddad wanted to honor her grandmothers’ cooking lessons, she didn’t figure on being ahead of international travel trends.
Fifteen years ago, Haddad, then just 23, and her sisters, decided to honor their memories – and those of other women in the family who had shared recipes – by starting a cooking school in...Read more

Celebrity Travel: Go away with Kevin Olusola
Singer, cellist and beatboxer Kevin Olusola is famous for being one-fifth of the three-time Grammy Award-winning a cappella group Pentatonix. But this May, he makes his debut as a solo artist with his album “Dawn of a Misfit” (https://kevinolusola.lnk.to/DawnofaMisfitPR). “The idea ...Read more

Rick Steves’ Europe: European Union 101 or the history of the EU
Double-sided benches — with bottle-green planks separated by a thin backrest — are a trademark of Paris, lining the bustling sidewalks of the Champs-Elysées and the tree-dotted banks of the Seine. And so I was intrigued when I learned there’s one in Washington, DC…and even more so when I found out it’s a memorial to an architect of ...Read more

Taking the Kids: And choosing exactly the right gift for moms
Don’t you love it when you’ve chosen exactly the right gift?
To me, that means giving something I love to someone I know will love it too. It’s not as hard as you might think, especially if there is a particular brand you favor and you can get gift cards. (Great for Moms and Dads Days!)
For example, m y husband and I love our homeandleisure/travel/takingthekids/s-3693498">Read more

Celebrity Travel: Go away with Florencia Cuenca
After starring as Estela Garcia in “Real Women Have Curves” at the American Repertory Theater in 2023, Florencia Cuenca made her Broadway debut in April. “I feel so honored to play this role that has been played by many outstanding Latina actresses,” Cuenca said in an interview from New York City, where she currently resides. “In this ...Read more

Rick Steves’ Europe: Hiking the Swiss Alps comes with high altitude thrills
A highlight of one of my European summers was a day I spent hiking in the Berner Oberland region of the Swiss Alps. I was with a wonderful group of traveling friends, all eager for a ramble in the high country.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be a mountain climber to see the Alps up close. The Swiss transportation system is as remarkable as ...Read more

Taking the Kids: Family camping trends – dogs over kids – who knew?
Would you rather take your dog or your kids on vacation?
Campers prefer their dogs, it appears. More than half of campers choose to camp with their four-legged friends, outpacing the number of campers choosing to camp with other family members (21 percent), siblings (13 percent) or parents (10 percent), according to the new homeandleisure/travel/takingthekids/s-3685485">Read more

Celebrity Travel: Go away with VVS
Before VVS even made their April 2025 debut, there was already enough buzz about this international girl group that they were featured in Billboard magazine and CNN. Now, they’re ready to show the world what they can do. Their infectiously catchy single, “Tea,” is accompanied by a cinematic noir music video that includes sword fights, ...Read more

Rick Steves’ Europe: A healthy dose of history and Champagne in Reims
France's bustling, modern Reims greets travelers with cellar doors wide open. As the capital of the Champagne region, it features a lively center, a historic cathedral, and, of course, Champagne tasting. And thanks to France's slick high-speed rail, it's just 45 minutes from Paris – making it an easy day trip.
Reims (pronounced like “rance�...Read more

Taking the Kids: Spa can be entré to a new culture
I’m slathered in thick black mud from head to toe – on purpose. And I’m thrilled by the experience.
That’s because I’m at the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea, which includes “the oldest naturally occurring spa” on the shores of the Dead Sea and about an hour from Amman, ...Read more