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Rick Steves

Rick Steves

Keynote Speaker: TV Host, Bestselling Guidebook Author & Leading Authority on European Travel

Rick Steves Biography

Rick Steves is a popular public television host, a best-selling guidebook author, and a passionate speaker who encourages Americans to broaden their perspectives through travel. For 100 days each year, Steves hits and misses his way across Europe, bringing home the hits and teaching in hopes that others can learn from his experiences to enjoy smoother, smarter, and more impactful trips. He taught his first travel class at his college campus in the mid-1970s—and now, more than 40 years later, he continues to teach audiences around the country the skills needed to get the most out of their upcoming travels.

Widely considered America's leading authority on European travel, Steves has traversed the country speaking at major lecture series, corporate events, and globally minded universities to share the transformative power of travel and the skills needed to access it. Smart travel begins with the fundamentals, and Steves alleviates travelers’ anxieties by teaching them how to plan an itinerary, pack light and right, stay safe abroad, select excellent places to eat and sleep, and connect meaningfully with local people. Most of all, Steves draws on stories from a lifetime of travel—from thin-air thrills tight-roping on alpine ridges, to fierce backgammon battles with playful Turks, to marveling with teary-eyed Germans at the blessing of democracy atop their new parliament building in Berlin. Steves understands what we can learn about our home by leaving it, and he makes it his teaching mission “to equip and inspire Americans to venture beyond Orlando.”

When he’s not on stage, Steves produces a best-selling series of guidebooks, hosts public television and radio shows that air across the nation, and works closely with advocacy groups and organizations whose missions fit his own, ranging from Bread for the World to NORML to his local YWCA.

Steves is the founder and owner of Rick Steves' Europe (RSE), a travel business with more than 100 full-time employees. RSE operates a successful small-group tour program which brings more than 30,000 people to Europe annually. Each year, Steves contributes over a million dollars to a portfolio of climate-smart nonprofits, essentially paying a self-imposed carbon tax.

Steves spends about three months a year in Europe researching guidebooks, fine-tuning his tour program, filming his TV show, and making new discoveries for travelers. To recharge, he plays piano, relaxes at his family cabin in the Cascade mountains, and spends time with his son Andy and daughter Jackie. He lives and works in his hometown of Edmonds, Washington, where his office window overlooks his old junior high school.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Rick Steves and other top speakers and celebrities.

Rick Steves Speaking Topics

European Travel Skills

Join guidebook author and public television host Rick Steves as he shares the latest in smart European travel. In this entertaining, information-packed lecture made vivid with photos from his travels, Rick teaches audiences how to make the most out of every mile, minute, and dollar to plan trips that are low on stress and high on fun. Attendees learn how to travel smoothly and affordably by creating an efficient itinerary, eating and sleeping well, avoiding crowds, packing smartly, and more.

Travel as a Political Act

Guidebook author and public television host Rick Steves believes there's more to travel than good food and fun in the sun. By venturing out of their comfort zones, American travelers can gain an empathy for the other 96 percent of humanity and a better understanding of the interconnectedness of today's world. In this provocative slideshow lecture, Rick draws from lessons learned while exploring Europe, Central America, Asia, and the Middle East to illustrate how, when Americans "travel as a political act," they come home with the greatest of all souvenirs: a broader perspective.

Travel as a Spiritual Act™

In this insightful slideshow lecture, guidebook author and public television host Rick Steves shares how a lifetime of travels has mixed with his faith, shaped his politics, and broadened his perspective. Drawing from lessons learned while exploring Europe, Central America, Asia, and the Middle East, he demonstrates how travel expands our worldview and challenges truths we have been raised to think are self-evident and God-given. Exploring the concept of "travel as a spiritual act," Rick reflects on how the road can serve as church, how his social activism has grown from his travels, and how travel can be a transformative experience for all Americans.

Europe: A Symphonic Journey

Just as travel broadens one's perspective, so can music. In this unique concert, Rick teams up with your orchestra on a musical tour that touches down in seven different European countries, combining Europe's stirring Romantic-era anthems, beautiful high-definition cinematography, and Rick's insights into European history. Rick introduces each anthem and teaches its historical and cultural significance. Then, the orchestra plays while scenic video footage from the Rick Steves Europe TV series accompanies the music, and all involved enjoy a bon musical voyage.

Choose Your Own European Adventure

Rick can tailor a talk to address almost anything relating to European travel. He is happy to work with organizers to create presentations that will best fit specific events and audiences.

Rick Steves Videos

European Travel Tips and Tools with Guidebook Author Rick Steves
Travel as a Spiritual Act with Rick Steves
Be a Citizen of the World: A Conversation with Rick Steves

How do I book Rick Steves to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Rick Steves for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Rick Steves, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Rick Steves or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Rick Steves for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Rick Steves, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. For the most current speaking fee to hire Rick Steves, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Rick Steves speak about?

Rick Steves is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Adventure, Authors, News & Media, Travel, Overcoming Adversity, Faith & Religion and Outdoor Sports & Recreation.

Where does Rick Steves travel from?

Rick Steves generally travels from Seattle, WA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Rick Steves?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Rick Steves for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Rick Steves for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Rick Steves or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Rick Steves is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Adventure Speakers, Authors and News & Media. Please contact us for live or virtual event fee details. Rick Steves generally travels from Seattle, WA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Doug Lansky, Alex Honnold and Philippe Cousteau. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Rick Steves for an upcoming event.

Rick Steves Speaking Topics

  • European Travel Skills

    Join guidebook author and public television host Rick Steves as he shares the latest in smart European travel. In this entertaining, information-packed lecture made vivid with photos from his travels, Rick teaches audiences how to make the most out of every mile, minute, and dollar to plan trips that are low on stress and high on fun. Attendees learn how to travel smoothly and affordably by creating an efficient itinerary, eating and sleeping well, avoiding crowds, packing smartly, and more.

  • Travel as a Political Act

    Guidebook author and public television host Rick Steves believes there's more to travel than good food and fun in the sun. By venturing out of their comfort zones, American travelers can gain an empathy for the other 96 percent of humanity and a better understanding of the interconnectedness of today's world. In this provocative slideshow lecture, Rick draws from lessons learned while exploring Europe, Central America, Asia, and the Middle East to illustrate how, when Americans "travel as a political act," they come home with the greatest of all souvenirs: a broader perspective.

  • Travel as a Spiritual Act™

    In this insightful slideshow lecture, guidebook author and public television host Rick Steves shares how a lifetime of travels has mixed with his faith, shaped his politics, and broadened his perspective. Drawing from lessons learned while exploring Europe, Central America, Asia, and the Middle East, he demonstrates how travel expands our worldview and challenges truths we have been raised to think are self-evident and God-given. Exploring the concept of "travel as a spiritual act," Rick reflects on how the road can serve as church, how his social activism has grown from his travels, and how travel can be a transformative experience for all Americans.

  • Europe: A Symphonic Journey

    Just as travel broadens one's perspective, so can music. In this unique concert, Rick teams up with your orchestra on a musical tour that touches down in seven different European countries, combining Europe's stirring Romantic-era anthems, beautiful high-definition cinematography, and Rick's insights into European history. Rick introduces each anthem and teaches its historical and cultural significance. Then, the orchestra plays while scenic video footage from the Rick Steves Europe TV series accompanies the music, and all involved enjoy a bon musical voyage.

  • Choose Your Own European Adventure

    Rick can tailor a talk to address almost anything relating to European travel. He is happy to work with organizers to create presentations that will best fit specific events and audiences.

Rick Steves Videos

European Travel Tips and Tools with Guidebook Author Rick Steves
Travel as a Spiritual Act with Rick Steves
Be a Citizen of the World: A Conversation with Rick Steves
Travel as a Political Act with Rick Steves
Rick Steves' Europe: A Symphonic Journey

Rick Steves Reviews

  • The event was fantastic! Rick was great to work with. He delivered two impactful and insightful presentations on how travel helps us to build bridges and understand cultures around the globe, which is much more helpful than building walls, that landed well with our audiences.
    Endicott College - Mar 08 2023

  • Calvin College - Jan 22 2022

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