A friendly gesture can come across as disrespectful to cabin crew. Learn which passenger habit to avoid and how to politely get a flight attendant's attention.
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While this simple request on a plane may seem harmless, flight attendants are likely to ignore it for several reasons, including for the sake of your health.
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An airport security swab can lead to extra screening, but it doesn't always signal a serious problem. Here's what travelers should know before flying.
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We're all familiar with airport security scanners, but what about the cameras all over the airport? It turns out that they serve several purposes.
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Some passenger habits that feel polite can have the opposite effect on cabin crew. Travelers may want to rethink this common form of in-flight etiquette.
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Trying to help during beverage service? A seemingly polite habit can disrupt a flight attendant's routine. Learn what to avoid and how to prepare for a flight.
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While you may be excited to share photos from your trip online, there are several reasons you should never post a picture of your flight boarding pass.
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Flight crews rely on specialized emergency terminology to communicate during medical issues, mechanical problems, evacuations, and other serious situations.
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A heated toilet seat won Rick Steves over on a cold winter trip. Find out what else makes this country's bathrooms a surprising part of the travel experience.
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Find a peaceful lakeside camping escape in inland Washington, with cozy cabins, RV sites, swimming, boating, and stunning hikes between Seattle and Spokane.
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If you're planning a winter camping trip, keep your tent and sleeping bag toasty as you fall asleep with this simple tip that requires minimal gear.
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Camping in chilly weather? Discover a simple way to make your outdoor adventure cozier, plus gear tips to help you prepare for cold nights beneath the stars.
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This quiet Bahamian island has white-sand beaches, clear waters for snorkeling, and local seafood, with few tourists to interrupt your escape from the crowds.
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Europe's famous cuisine is part of the adventure, but where you eat matters. Rick Steves shares tips for finding meals worth savoring beyond the tourist traps.
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If you're looking for grand vistas that don't require you to pay attention to the road the whole time, consider these train rides in Switzerland instead.
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This place in Europe attracts tourists thanks to its ferry rides and famous landscape, but Rick Steves thinks a different spot 73 miles away is more charming.
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This European town is a popular stop, especially for road-tripping sightseers, but according to Rick Steves, it's an inauthentic tourist trap.
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Rick Steves isn't impressed by one famous European destination, but travelers passing through will still find landmarks, history, and worthwhile things to do.
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From Atlantic shores to Pacific wilderness, this massive North American hiking route crosses mountains, forests, lakes, and some unforgettable landscapes.
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Surrounded by mountain scenery, this Yosemite lake offers sandy shores, refreshing summer swims, nearby scenic hiking trails, and peaceful paddling adventures.
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Step into California's frontier past at a historic park between LA and Bakersfield, with military exhibits, living-history events, and peaceful countryside.
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Near Syracuse, travelers can find turquoise lakes, quiet forest trails, swimming, camping, and unusual scenery that feels far from typical New York life.
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Discover a lakeside state park near the Florida-Georgia border, where camping, boating, fishing, and waterfront views offer a refreshing escape into nature.
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If you love the great outdoors, this Canadian town near Vancouver is calling your name, with hikes, rafting, windsurfing, and paddling in a picturesque setting.
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If you want to visit Great Smoky Mountain National Park, this idyllic North Carolina river town is the perfect homebase for all your outdoor adventures.
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With its urban infrastructure, cultural offerings, and top-rated restaurants, this North American city has the largest population on the continent.
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California's Central Coast is home to a charming seaside escape with colorful beaches, art galleries, scenic trails, wildlife viewing, and local dining.
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Sandy beaches, mountain trails, winter adventures, and cozy cafés make this California lakeside town a scenic escape with plenty to enjoy throughout the year.
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Just north of Boston, this historic Massachusetts beach offers sandy shores, summer sand sculptures, and a seaside escape with easy access by public transit.
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Sea otters, a towering coastal landmark, sandy beaches, and waterfront seafood await in this California city, perfect for a scenic getaway on the Central Coast.
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Explore Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys, with turquoise waters, sandy beaches, snorkeling, camping, and cabins for a serene tropical island getaway.
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Enjoy a budget-friendly Florida beach getaway with miles of sand, scenic parks, waterfront dining, and easy access to Daytona Beach and nearby attractions.
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We're not saying LA and Malibu aren't worth your time, but they can be a bit much sometimes. Consider this laid-back Cali coast alternative instead.
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Plenty of California beaches are great sunset spots, but few are famous for being literally golden themselves. Fewer still have tie-tins to Hollywood history.
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Explore scenic beaches, family attractions, colorful flower fields, and local restaurants in this laid-back coastal California city between LA and San Diego.
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Spend days on sandy beaches, enjoy lobster rolls by the river, and explore historic streets in this Massachusetts city about an hour's drive north of Boston.
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Just off Sarasota, this Gulf Coast escape combines white-sand beaches, clear water, lively dining spots, and a relaxed island atmosphere for travelers.
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A Northern California lake near Redding offers swimming, camping, boating, fishing, houseboat rentals, and miles of scenic shoreline for an easy outdoor escape.
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California travelers looking for off-road adventure can find rugged desert routes, striking geology, and free camping within easy reach of San Diego County.
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This remote Sierra Nevada fishing spot offers hikers alpine scenery, trout waters, primitive camping, and a challenging trek far from busy resort crowds.
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This Ohio lake destination combines camping, boating, paddling, tubing, and miles of shoreline for a relaxed outdoor getaway beyond the Lake Erie coast.
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Driving in Europe? Familiar blue signs can carry unfamiliar instructions. Learn what to look for before your trip, plus practical tips for parking a rental car.
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This travel trend may promise special perks, but according to expert Rick Steves, you likely won't get your money's worth and may overcomplicate your trip.
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Europe's famous sights don't have to mean packed museums and lengthy lines. Rick Steves shares a simple way to enjoy popular attractions with fewer tourists.
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This behavior is common both at home and abroad, but according to travel expert Rick Steves, it makes you an "ugly tourist" and leads to an inauthentic trip.
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If you want to make vacation memories the way people did in the 1980s, try this easily accessible, analog travel trend during your next trip.
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In the past, travelers never left for a trip abroad without this handy item. Now, thanks to technology, you no longer need to pack it when traveling.
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Sandy beaches, surf spots, wildlife, fishing, and waterfront dining make this stretch of Florida's east coast a relaxed choice for a coastal vacation.
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If you're visiting the historical sites of Virginia, make a pit stop at this property dating back to the 1660s, where you can take a tour and have a picnic.
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This Florida state park boasts a 72-degree spring where swimmers can stay cool, along with waters for paddling, boat tours, and hiking trails.
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This Colorado lake may be small, but it stands out for being the highest-elevation named lake in the country, and you can visit it during a scenic hike.
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Though Niagara Falls is iconic, the United States is dotted with several other gorgeous waterfalls, from "Root Beer Falls" to the "Eighth Wonder of the World."
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This massive San Diego city park, just minutes from downtown, has over 60 miles of trails, a lake for boating and fishing, and a 46-site campground.
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It's not every day that you get to hang out in a park that used to be a storied training ground for soldiers. But this San Diego park is anything from ordinary.
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Discover a historic Virginia coastal fort with ghost stories, a scenic moat, and sandy beaches, where military history meets a memorable Chesapeake Bay getaway.
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For a break from California's coast, head to this SoCal city with a 3,000-acre lake plus scenic restaurants, skydiving, and family-friendly activities.
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From a national park to a shoreline right in the city, these coastal spots in Washington offer a chance at spotting sparkly bioluminescence at night.
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Las Vegas is known for nightlife, but a nearby desert attraction offers a different daytime outing, with Ice Age history, scenic paths, and fossil displays.
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Shimmy and slide your way through Montana's limestone rock formations during a tour at this cavernous state park, and then spend the night under the stars.
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This lesser-known Southern California city is worth visiting for its spring superblooms, hot springs resort, dozens of parks, and nearby lake recreation.
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This Southern California city is ideal for families looking for fun, boasting multiple amusement parks, expansive green spaces, and a variety of eateries.
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Plenty of cities carry a unique history. But this unassuming Florida community began with a desire to build something more than just a place for people to live.
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California's big cities are always going to get the attention, but exploring the communities around them — like this one – is always worth your while.
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Explore Michigan's largest artificial lake for swimming, fishing, and boating, with a scenic state park offering beaches, hiking paths, dunes, and a lighthouse.
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This historical Maryland park is now the site of children's attractions, an aquarium, live concerts, art displays, workshops, and other activities.
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Skip the ocean and visit the 12 lakeside beaches of this Midwest city in between stops at quirky museums, riverside parks, and local theaters.
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Some of the best trips are to smaller, off-the-beaten-path towns and cities that take pride in their communities. This small Texas city is one of them.
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All kinds of decommissioned ships get turned into museums. But few come with the sheer size and pedigree of the U.S. Navy's longest-serving aircraft carrier.
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Step back in time in this retro California city, where you'll find roadside Route 66 artwork, an old-school movie theater, and fascinating museums.
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Far from California's famous vineyards lies a Midwestern region producing its own sweet and fruity wines and serving them in numerous local tasting rooms.
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This Northern California gem tucked into the mountains offers access to hiking trails plus unique local events, cozy inns, and stunning scenery.
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Southern California travelers can find sandy beaches, waterfront restaurants, ocean views, and an easygoing pier scene along this scenic South Bay stretch.
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Taste naturally carbonated water from historic fountains, explore mountain trails, and enjoy lively local festivals in this cozy town near Colorado Springs.
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This Utah state park may be new, but it protects dinosaur fossils that are millions of years old, and you can explore it during a day of hiking and off-roading.
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This Southern California escape offers hiking trails, lake activities, historic landmarks, local dining, and family-friendly attractions near San Diego.
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Looking for a quieter Southern California getaway? This coastal city has sandy shores, walking trails, local places to eat, and activities for the whole family.
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From waterfront walks to historic landmarks, this San Francisco destination offers an easy way to enjoy nature and sightseeing without leaving the city.
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Florida's South Beach neighborhood is an iconic destination for its pristine coast, unique architecture, and role in several TV shows and movies.
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This California Central Coast city is known for its massive clams, its family-friendly atmosphere, and for having the top-rated beach in the state.
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Beachcombing, sunset views, and waterfront dining are part of the appeal at this low-key Florida beach escape that still has a charming Old Florida feel.
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This Southern California city boasts over a dozen wineries, along with family-friendly museums, parks, and attractions in a relaxed setting.
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Experience SoCal vibes, without massive crowds, in this coastal city. It's home to one of the top-rated beaches in the world, along with numerous attractions.
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Travelers looking for clear water, fishing, swimming, and boating will find plenty to enjoy at this scenic Southern getaway with miles of peaceful shoreline.
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