Rick Steves advocates smart independent travel. As host, writer and producer of the popular public television series Rick Steves' Europe, and best-selling author of 30 European travel books, he encourages Americans to delve deep into Europe and become "temporary locals." His readers and viewers not only discover major cities, but also cozy villages away from tourist-trampled routes. He helps American travelers connect much more intimately and authentically with Europe — and Europeans — for a fraction of what mainstream tourists pay. Despite many Americans' fears about international travel during recent years, Rick's television series, guidebooks, and his company's European bus tours continue to attract loyal "Rickniks" and a growing stream of new devotees.

Over the past 15 years, Rick has hosted over 100 travel shows for public television. Rick's relationship with public television began with his first series, Travels In Europe With Rick Steves. Rick recently launched a weekly public radio program, Travel with Rick Steves. Focusing on world travel, each hour-long program has a guest travel expert for interviews, followed by call-ins with questions and comments. In addition to his guidebooks, Rick also pens columns for newspapers and magazines, is a contributing writer for ABCNews.com, and is a regular on the op-ed page of USA Today. He appears frequently on television, radio and the Internet as the leading authority on independent European travel.

Rick lives and works in his hometown of Edmonds, Washington. His office window overlooks his old junior high school. He lives with his wife Anne, and two children, Andy and Jackie.

• Rick Steves' Europe
• Rick Steves' Europe Classics

• Rick Steve's Best of Europe 2007 (Book)
• Rick Steves: 16 Classic Shows 1995-1999 (DVD)
• Rick Steves: All 70 Shows 2000-2007 (DVD)
• Rick Steves: England (DVD)
• Rick Steves: France and Benelux (DVD)
• Rick Steves: Ireland & Scotland 2000-2007 (DVD)
• Rick Steves: Italy's Cities 2000-2007 (DVD)
• Rick Steves: Italy's Countryside 2000-2007 (DVD)