Change the world one trip at a time. In this illuminating collection of stories and lessons from the road, acclaimed travel writer Rick Steves shares a powerful message that resonates now more than ever. With the world facing divisive and often frightening events, from Trump, Brexit, and Erdogan, to climate change, nativism, and populism, there's never been a more important time to travel. Rick believes the risks of travel are widely exaggerated, and that fear is for people who don't get out much. After years of living out of a suitcase, he still marvels at how different cultures find different truths to be self-evident. By sharing his experiences from Europe, Central America, Asia, and the Middle East, Rick shows how we can learn more about own country by viewing it from afar. With gripping stories from Rick's decades of exploration, this fully revised edition of Travel as a Political Act is an antidote to the current climate of xenophobia. When we travel thoughtfully, we bring back the most beautiful souvenir of all: a broader perspective on the world that we all call home. All royalties from the sale of Travel as a Political Act are donated to support the work of Bread for the World, a non-partisan organization working to end hunger at home and abroad.

Cross the Alps in a cable car, cruise Lake Geneva, and visit a medieval château: with Rick Steves on your side, Switzerland can be yours! Inside Rick Steves Switzerland you'll find: Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring Switzerland Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites Top sights and hidden gems, from bustling Zürich to the cozy small-town atmosphere of Appenzell How to connect with culture: Chat with friendly Swiss locals at mountain retreats, swim in the alpine waters of the Aare River, and treat yourself to delicious cheese fondue Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight The best places to eat, sleep, and relax over wine and Swiss chocolate Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and mountain towns Detailed maps for exploring on the go, including scenic railroad journeys such as the Golden Pass, Gotthard Panorama Express, Bernina Express, Glacier Express, and Chur Useful resources including a packing list, German, French, and Italian phrase guides, a historical overview, and recommended reading, as well as tips on visiting Switzerland in the winter Over 400 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down Complete, up-to-date information on Zürich, Luzern, Central Switzerland, Bern, Murten, Avenches, Gimmelwald and the Berner Oberland, Zermatt and the Matterhorn, Appenzell, Lausanne, Château de Chillon, Montreux, Gruyères, Lugano, Pontresina, Samedan, St. Moritz, and more Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves Switzerland.

Cross the Alps in a cable car, cruise Lake Geneva, and tour a medieval château: with Rick Steves, Switzerland is yours! Inside Rick Steves Switzerland you'll find: Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring Switzerland Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites Top sights and hidden gems, from bustling Zürich to the cozy small-town atmosphere of Appenzell How to connect with culture: Chat with friendly Swiss locals at a mountain retreat, swim in the alpine waters of the Aare River, and treat yourself to delicious cheese fondue Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight The best places to eat, sleep, and relax over wine and Swiss chocolate Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and mountain towns Detailed maps for exploring on the go Scenic railroad journeys such as the Golden Pass, Gotthard Panorama Express, Bernina Express, Glacier Express, and Chur Useful resources including a packing list, German, French, and Italian phrase guides, a historical overview, and recommended reading, plus tips for visiting Switzerland in the winter Over 400 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down Complete, up-to-date information on Zürich, Luzern, Central Switzerland, Bern, Murten, Avenches, Gimmelwald and the Berner Oberland, Zermatt and the Matterhorn, Appenzell, Lausanne, Château de Chillon, Montreux, Gruyères, Lugano, Pontresina, Samedan, St. Moritz, and more Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves Switzerland.

You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling in Berlin. In this compact guide, Rick Steves covers the best of Berlin, including tips on arrival, orientation, and transportation. Visit the Jewish Museum, the Reichstag Parliament Building, the New Synagogue, or the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church—you'll get tips on all the best tours and least-crowded visiting hours. Rick offers his firsthand advice on the best sights, eating, sleeping, and nightlife, and the maps and self-guided tours will ensure you make the most of your experience. More than just reviews and directions, a Rick Steves Snapshot guide is a tour guide in your pocket. Rick Steves Snapshot guides consist of excerpted chapters from Rick Steves' European country guidebooks. Snapshot guides are a great choice for travelers visiting a specific city or region, rather than multiple European destinations. These slim guides offer all of Rick's up-to-date advice on what sights are worth your time and money. They include good-value hotel and restaurant recommendations, with no introductory information (such as overall trip planning, when to go, and travel practicalities).

You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling through Europe. With Rick Steves Europe Through the Back Door, you'll learn how to: Plan your itinerary and maximize your time Pack light and right Find good-value hotels and restaurants Travel smoothly by train, bus, car, and plane Avoid crowds and tourist scams Hurdle the language barrier Understand cultural differences and connect with locals Save money while enjoying the trip of a lifetime After 40+ years of exploring Europe, Rick considers this travel skills handbook his life's work, and with his expert introductions to the top destinations in Europe, choosing your next trip will be easy and stress-free. Using the travel skills in this book, you'll experience the culture like a local, spend less money, and have more fun.

You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you need to know to experience the Best of Europe. In this guide, Rick covers the best of England, France, Germany, England, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland. You'll find a mix of big cities and inspiring landscapes, including: London Paris Rome Venice Florence Berlin Munich Amsterdam Barcelona The Cinque Terre Provence the French Riviera the Rhine Valley the Berner Overland Rick Steves Best of Europe features:Everything in Full-Color-Dazzling photos and helpful planning maps. Best of Europe Itineraries-Suggestions for planning the perfect trip, based on Rick's expert advice for what's worth your time and what you can skip. Rick's Tips-Helpful hints for key sights and experiences, organized so you quickly learn what you need to know. You'll love how much these simple tips help make your trip smooth and stress-free! Authentic Experiences-Leave the tourist traps behind and enjoy real, cultural experiences and opportunities to connect with local people. Plus Practicalities-Essential eating, sleeping, and transportation information is neatly arranged to be ready when you need it.

You can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling in Germany. This guidebook takes you from fairy-tale castles, alpine forests, and quaint villages to the energetic Germany of today. Get the details on cruising the romantic Rhine or summiting the Zugspitze. Have a relaxing soak at a Black Forest mineral spa or take an exhilarating summer bobsled ride in the Bavarian Alps. Flash back to Berlin's turbulent past at Checkpoint Charlie; then celebrate the rebirth of Dresden and its glorious Frauenkirche. Rick's candid, humorous advice will guide you to good-value hotels and restaurants. He'll help you plan where to go and what to see, depending on the length of your trip. You'll learn which sights are worth your time and money, and how to get around Germany by train, bus, and car. More than just reviews and directions, a Rick Steves guidebook is a tour guide in your pocket.