To me, the best back doors are ones where you hang out with Europeans in their element. Of course they speak Catalanthey are Catalans. But for COVID, we were out of business. Considered the Broadway of Germany for its many musicals, the boulevard attracts theater-goers from all over the country. Nyce: Theres always the big, philosophical question of Why do we travel? Did the answer change for you during the pandemic? "A lot of people are eager to get out, and a lot of restaurants are just jampacked. That is also where it's at. Everybody goes to the first city of Seattle. Chicago has embraced the "second city" moniker. Or visit a Budapest thermal bath, slip into a too-tight bathing suit, and challenge some big guy to a chess match. While the recent lifting of rent control and changes in demand as more apartments become Airbnbs have caused many of the old-time shops to fold, thankfully the character of this quarter survives. The old men reading their newspapers, the bird and flower markets, and the local shops are now replaced by tacky low-end tourist shops. I would say NYC, Boston, and DC, maybe Chicago. The obvious example in Portugal is Porto, three hours north of Lisbon by train. Perhaps Boston? Everywhere you go, you'll find the city's architecture to be colorful, playful, and unique. On his recent trip, he was happy to see some of his favorite independent restaurants still had local clientele people with the wanderlust and money to explore dining out in their own towns. Really enjoying this tour! 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | CST# 2086743 | "Differences between first and second class: Normally, first class is configured with three plush seats per row (whether in compartment or open-style seating) and second class has four skinnier, basic seats in the same space. In addition, many of them are in (or near) the Westminster area of London. Since then, construction has moved forward in fits and starts. They may not have the cachet or the world-famous sights. Steves: In 2019, we were euphoric about how well our guidebooks were doing. No matter what time of year people are planning to visit Europe, Steves said he is just thankful people are traveling again after the pandemic put many plans on hold. Spain's second-biggest city has become, famously, one of the hottest tourist destinations in Europe pre-pandemic, Barcelona was getting about 12 million visitors a year. Lyon was worth a couple of days, still not a must see, but yes, I can agree on that. I will say, I am beginning to find questions such as Is town AZY worth it? pretty offensive. Terms of Service | Privacy. In Italy, its the passeggiataeverybodys out strolling. Rick Steves: Dont skip Europes second cities, U.S. Embassy in Dublin issues security alert after assault on tourist. With climate change, the Mediterranean is really hot in the summer tracking average temperatures is just a bell shaped curve when getting away from the heat, Steves said. But Hamburg's been enthusiastically rebuilt, and, since Germany's reunification, it has gained back its former status as a leading trade center. When I first started traveling, back doors to me were Europe's undiscovered corners and untrampled towns that had, for various reasons, missed the modern parade (like Dingle, on Ireland's western edge, or Portugal's Salema, tucked away on the southern coast). Password. The greatest souvenir is a broader perspective, Steves said while reflecting on the newly filmed 15-minute bonus footage of his conversation with Sheen and director Emilio Estevez about the value of travel. Welcome to The Upgrade, By The Ways series on travel hacks and hot takes. But this sunny city's bright sides still outshine the negative effects of mass tourism. You can go to alternative places that have that edge and that joy and that creative kind of love of life. (photo: Cameron Hewitt) The Acropolis features four major monuments the Parthenon, Erechtheion, Propylaea, and Temple of Athena Nike all of which have struggled to survive centuries of war, pillaging, and now . Nothing wrong with that. Many travelers focus only on the top sights, missing many worthwhile, less-known attractions. Even though it's about 60 miles from the North Sea, Hamburg's seaport on the Elbe River was the world's third largest a century ago. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Maybe Atlanta? Several of these cities are not, in my opinion worth the time, considering what is available in the country. There is already a flood of that. Visitors to Ireland shouldnt miss Dublin. It gained notoriety as a rough and sleazy sailors' quarter filled with nightclubs and brothels. Perhaps Boston? 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | CST# 2086743 | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. For German Americans, Hamburg has a special meaning, because their ancestors may have sailed from this harbor. We humanize people that we dont otherwise understand. Hamburg's port has evolved with the city's needs and changes in shipping technology. A bunker in the St. Pauli neighborhood is filled with concert venues, recording studios, and dance clubs and heavy metal rock bands here never draw complaints from their neighbors. . But, as the city's changed, so has its entertainment district. Offers may be subject to change without notice. You'll see plenty of Hamburg's bold new architecture as well as its more established beach communities. Posted by Andrew H. Portland, Oregon. Don't have an account? Last year, we took 25,000 people to Europe on our Rick Steves bus tours, on 40 different itineraries all over Europe. No need to demean these other places. If I turn my sights closer to home, this approach works stateside, too. It is such a double edged sword - balancing the need for tourist $$ against the 'over-crowding' and being 'loved to death' syndrome. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. if you have four days to spend in any of these capitals, I recommend cutting your visit a day short to make time for these cities. The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times. Next month, Steves work will be highlighted as part of a special May 16 re-screening of The Way, a 2010 movie starring Martin Sheen about a father following his sons footsteps to make the El Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in northwestern Spain. Or maybe they just have a long legacy of always playing second fiddle. Head to coastal Westport or inland Chelan, The purr-fect rescue: Ferry crew saves kitten from water. Travelers who want to visit top spots like the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City or the Muse D'Orsay in Paris will need to book a ticket far in advance, and then still have to battle it out with the crowds once they arrive. Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 2 p.m. & Sunday, March 24 at 12 p.m. on KPBS TV In this special, travel expert Rick Steves explores five of Germany's most important cities: Hamburg, Dresden,. Posting comments is now limited to subscribers only. Rick Steves: Don't skip Europe's second cities Unshackled by the obligation to be their country's role model, second cities are free to just be themselves Perspective by Rick Steves. Then came a hellish onslaught of incendiary bombs: 700 bombers concentrated their attack on a relatively small area. For generations, several European Industrial Age powerhouses (Antwerp, Hamburg, Glasgow, Bilbao, and so on) were what we would call rust belt, as their elegant first city counterparts enjoyed the luster of the Information Age. Join the locals. It was workable last year, and I think its going to be better this year. Go to a sporting event soccer in Spain or hurling in Ireland (just think about all the cultural insights visiting Europeans would gain if they attended an American college football game and tailgate party). Rick Steves: With every terrible event that stops travel for a little while, the demand does not dissipate; it just backs up. 1 of 2 The colorful Ribeira district of Porto, Portugal's "second city," has been transformed from rust-belt drab to bohemian chic. Rick lives and works in Hamburg is one of the great "undiscovered" cities in Europe. Charleston and Savannah are both more interesting than Atlanta. This area, while pretty, also has lots of traffic, train noise, commercialism, and bus tourism. So if its a 20 euro meal, its a $20 meal.. Saved Stories. Krakow isn't Warsaw. If you just go to those sites, youre going to have a trip that is shaped by crowds. Does my stop for refueling in Glasgow in 1953 count? It's flanked by graceful arcades and surrounded by plenty of commerce. Four percent of our travelers tested positive for COVID on the road. Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 30,000 travelers to Europe annually. As consumers, we need to be smart and know where our information is coming from. I spent a few days in Porto and would not hesitate to visit again. To all of the Rick Steves staff, writers, guides, and all those . If youre going to Florence, you really gotta book the Accademia to see Michelangelos David and the Uffizi Gallery in advance. Rick Steves: Im traveling, even though Im stuck at home. Its a personal thing, how much risk vis--vis COVID you want to take. What to know about summer wildfires. Also, in Florida, St. Augustine is wonderful, as is Cape Canaveral. But they more than make up for that with a resilient spirit, a lack of pretense, an easygoing charm and an exuberant creativity. Thats great, but as far as choosing a destination in Europe, everything is as exciting as it has always been, Steves said. Terms of Service | Privacy. Last year, they were back in business, and this year, they expect to be making a profit again. And Im really thankful for that. Second Trip with teens. There is no off-seasonwhen it comes to the most popular sites, Steves said. This beautiful little village bullied onto a ledge between a towering mountain and a gorgeous lake doesn't have Salzburg's sightseeing, but it offers a break from the bustle, even with its recent surge of popularity (and since most of its visitors don't spend the night, it's all yours in the evening and early morning). But if you can squeeze in a side trip, the port city of Bristol is just a 15-minute train ride away. Im proud to be from Seattle. (Glaswegians like to say, We have more fun at a funeral than people in Edinburgh have at a wedding.), A trip through The Crown: Fake Buckingham Palace and a royal yacht. The Aarhus Art Museum called ARoS has been around for years, but it's become a must-see sight lately, thanks to a new contemporary building and a curatorial staff who have a knack for making cutting-edge art accessible and fun. But if they need tourism to thrive or just survive, then they have no choice but to advertise. Today this street where the Beatles launched their careers back in 1960 is a destination for theater and live music. Read: For one glorious summer, Americans will vacation like the French. People are going to be busy on the piazzas licking their gelato. People say, Oh, this hot chocolates to die for. Its their first time in Paris, and they think they know where the best hot chocolate is. A multicultural melting pot with the DNA of every country on the Mediterranean. Visit secondary sights. "We talk about getting herd immunity.
rick steves second cities
