Great Rick Steves Interview

Terrific interview, thanks Jane. Such ethics. He has the same great positive spirit, whether traveling or in lockdown at home.

Thanks for posting this great interview.

Jane,

That was a wonderful interview and I really enjoyed it. Thanks for posting.

Jane! Thanks so much for sharing. So many words to describe this interview: Candid, wise, ethical, realistic and hopeful... One thing that came to mind was the mention of an onion. Even though Rick has never sliced an onion, I thought metaphorically that he has been "peeling the onion for years." This quote says it all: "Every layer we peel back brings more awareness and discovery." - Ken Lauher. Thanks Rick!

What an enjoyable video. Thank you very much for sharing.

It would never occur to me to think that after we are past the restrictions of the coronavirus that I would never get back on an airplane. That’s what I do for work. Moreover, my love for travel has been there since my parents took me on my first international trip when I was 5.

I will restart personal travels once I am back with my company assuming they get the PPP loans to bring back the employees they have had to furlough. If my husband and I are not hired back to our respective companies, our travels will cease until we are employed and can once again afford to travel.

So basically we will return to travel once we are financially secure again. It’s not a matter of health fears after the coronavirus; it’s about financial security.

Thanks for sharing Jane. I watched the interview and thought it was great!

Very good indeed.

Continental, like you, it would never occur to us not to get on a plane or travel again. As soon as things open up, as soon as we can travel without having to quarantine ourselves on both ends of the trip, and as soon as we have the time, we're out of here.

Probably next year, for all those conditions to be met, but really, none of us has any real idea. Some of us are still optimistic that there may be some traveling this fall, but unfortunately for us, we're pretty well booked between mid-September and the election.

I really appreciate Rick’s sensible approach to future travel in this interview and also the way he clearly cares for his employees as family. This is an excellent interview. Thanks for sharing!

It’s about getting through this time as a community, discovering passions we’ve put aside and taking care of each other. I like his ethics and his prudent, thoughtful approach to how we are going to begin traveling again. He’s willing to take it slower because he wants his customers to not feel anxious.

Imagine a video of Rick peeling an onion!
I can see the sadness in his face and feel his concern over the small businesses, shops and cafes that won’t reopen. His concern isn’t only over himself and he has gratitude for the success he has had in running his business and is paying his employees out of his own pocket. What a great man!
Thanks for sharing this, Jane.

I'd bet that if one had surveyed RS employees six months ago and asked them, 'how would Rick deal with a major health crisis that devastates the travel industry', many, if not all, would have predicted his course of action to a T.

They know the person they work for.

I once worked for a person with that kind of integrity; actually, two.

And if you've ever worked for a person who didn't have that kind of integrity (who hasn't?) you know what a difference it can make to your loyalty.

My best friend from high school decided to join me on what would have been both of our "first ever" RS tours to St Petersburg, Helsinki and Tallinn. I've used the RS guidebooks for years but didn't want to tackle Russia on my own; she is new to travels with Rick Steves.

She has told me several times how glad she is that I chose a Rick Steves tour for our trip and she can't wait to sign up for next year!