Courtesy of KPBSSome people only dream about tossing coins into the Trevi Fountain in Rome or skiing on the Swiss Alps, but for European travel expert Rick Steves, it’s a reality.
Steves, the host, writer and producer of the KPBS series “Rick Steves’ Europe,” has made more than 100 travel shows for PBS during the past 15 years, starting with a series called “Travels in Europe with Rick Steves.” His first trip to Europe was in 1969, but now Steves visits the continent several times a year.
Steves’ next stop is a visit to America’s Finest City as part of the 2006 KPBS Lecture Series at 1 p.m. this Saturday in the Stephen and Mary Birch North Park Theatre.
With the holidays around the corner, Steves said a lot of people are inspired to travel and should know how to do it right.
Steves said he’s made a lot of mistakes while traveling abroad, and he hopes to teach first-time travelers how to avoid blunders in order to enhance their experience. Some mishaps include budgeting and scheduling problems, he said.
“Europe should be the first place to stop when considering a destination for travel,” Steves said. “I’m determined to focus on that because Americans are too nervous (about going there).”
He said a decline in U.S. travelers going abroad came after 9/11, but the attack was a sign to Americans about the importance of travel.
Steves said encouraging travel abroad is one of the main goals he tries to achieve with his work. Through his TV series, radio show, books and nationwide lectures, Steves said he “will do anything to amplify traveling.”
The lecture series is scheduled to offer a lecture and slideshow by Steves, followed by a question-and-answer session.
-Lecture tickets are $25 for KPBS members, $35 for nonmembers and $20 with a student identification card. For more information, call the KPBS Events Line at (619) 594-6787.
