Rick Steves: Travel as a Political Act

Americans accustomed to global travel find themselves on uncharted ground today — as citizens of a nation whose president is hostile to the governments of countries most visited by Americans. 

What does this recent rupture of longstanding ties with U.S. allies mean for Americans who travel overseas? America’s foremost travel writer, Rick Steves, believes there’s more to travel than good food and fun in the sun. By venturing out of their comfort zones, American travelers can gain an empathy for the other 96 percent of humanity and a better understanding of the interconnectedness of today’s world. 

In a provocative slideshow lecture, Rick draws from lessons learned in a lifetime of travel to illustrate how, when Americans “travel as a political act,” they come home with the greatest of all souvenirs: a broader perspective.