We want Rick!!!

Now I'm imagining him leading a tour and periodically breaking out into a monologue with one hand in his pocket 😁
Have you seen his outtakes? Seems like he'd be really fun and silly.

He was on our Best of Europe tour in 2014 - as a participant - but he could not resist doing some guiding on the bus and at some of the sites. We had so much fun and it is like traveling with a celebrity - people recognizing him everywhere we went.

In the not too distant past Rick actually turned up as the guide - the group didn't know ahead of time. https://blog.ricksteves.com/blog/my-return-to-leading-tours/

That's funny. I think I read he was calling tour groups when they started up again this year.

He put this video up yesterday and was recognized by people on the street. https://youtu.be/_v_5nOC33LM

Denise, that’s so great that you had Rick on your tour.

CL, thanks for the blog link. What a nice surprise for that tour group.

Roubrat, thanks for the link to the video. That’s too funny!

Whenever I've read about Rick turning up on one of his tours, I think how amazing that would be. Then I wonder if it would actually hinder the experience. Would it become about him being on the tour? Or, after the initial excitement, does the group gel normally?

We've talked up RSE tours to friends for years, and more than half the time, the ones who know the show, will ask if he leads all the tours. Hard to explain.

I think it would be hard on the real guides if tour members start bypassing them and going to Rick for questions or to have distracting conversations.

Our guide was Reid Coen who had been guiding for Rick for 20+ years - I don't think Reid felt threatened or under pressure having Rick on board. This was our 4th tour (been on 4 more since then). The tour was run exactly (and excellently) - just the same as all the others. Rick definitely did not make the tour "about him". He has a real joy for travel, sharing experiences and engaging with our group, locals and fans alike when we were out. We all enjoyed his participation and the funny moments like when someone on the street would be listening to his podcast and reading his book would look up and see Rick walking by - priceless.

If you can figure out his travel schedule ahead of time you may run into him and his TV crew. On my Turkey tour he stayed at several of the same hotels we stayed at. (It's good to know he stays at the places he recommends. ) But, that was dumb luck. He was nice enough to pose for photos, despite being obviously very busy. His camera crew was interesting to talk with during breakfast. Lots of great stories and they were not as busy as the boss.

Barnstormer, that's pretty cool.

I have a few Rick stories!
I lived in Edmonds, and one Saturday at the Edmonds farmers market Rick found himself targeted & harassed by the Lyndon LaRouche folks. They were baiting him, and I saw Rick spot the camera they were sneakily trying to use to catch him provoked & compromised. He turned and spoke to people in the vicinity, so I spoke up and gave him a hand. He was appreciative.
The next summer I ran in to Rick in my Athens hotel lobby. I was on tour with a different company, but he had me join him, and relate the Lyndon LaRouche story to the Rick Steves guide he was with.

Lastly, I was eating lunch with my niece at an Edmonds Mexican restaurant. Rick came in… and was kind enough to call my niece’s new baby adorable. She about melted with delight!
What a kind man, and admirable social activist. I have since switched to taking Rick Steves tours. 😀

Such great Rick stories!!!!

I did the My Way BOE in 2001 (back then it was called Bus, Bed, and Breakfast.) We were in the Cinque Terre on September 11th. Rick was also in the Cinque Terre filming, and he joined our tour group for dinner. He was a calming presence on a scary day.

How bittersweet, jemamc.